Queens/Jamaica

By plane

Jamaica is the closest neighborhood to JFK Airport. To get to Jamaica from the airport, either take AirTrain JFK directly to Jamaica Station, a $5 fare, or as a cheaper alternative, an MTA Q10 bus from Terminal 5, which charges a regular $2.75 fare (note that this leaves you on the western edge of Jamaica; you can exit the bus at the Jamaica Av stop, right by the 121 St subway station, and take the J or Z train one stop to Sutphin Boulevard or two stops to Jamaica Center, a free transfer with MetroCard). The Q3 bus links JFK Terminal 5 with Hillside Avenue in northern Jamaica.

By Long Island Rail Road

at 93-02 Sutphin Blvd is a major transportation hub for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and is one of the busiest train stations in the country. It is served by every LIRR line except for the Port Washington Branch.

By subway

Jamaica is served by the E, F, J, and Z trains on the New York City Subway.

• King Manor Museum

  phone: +1 718-206-0545
  address: 150-03 Jamaica Ave
  The historic home of Rufus King, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. The house exhibits the story of Jamaica Village in the early 1800s.

• St. John's University

  address: 8000 Utopia Parkway
  A Catholic private university.

• Afrikan Poetry Theatre

  address: 17603 Jamaica Ave
  Hosts classes, activist and cultural programs, musical performances, and produces original plays.

• Black Spectrum Theatre

  address: 11907 Merrick Blvd
  Creates theatre and film that focuses on educating African American youth on racial issues, as well as highlights emerging Black artists.

• Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

  address: 16104 Jamaica Ave
  The heart of Jamaica's art culture, organizing workshops, classes, exhibits, and performances in the visual and performing arts.
• Rufus King Park Take a walk and watch locals play soccer in the field.

• Jamaica Avenue is the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, with a plethora of shops. The street is very pedestrian friendly, and items are typically cheap.

• Beijing Dumpling House

  phone: +1 718 297-2935
  address: 88-38 Sutphin Blvd

Budget

• Comfort Inn & Suites JFK Airport

  address: 144-36 153rd Ln

• Days Inn

  phone: +1 718 527-9025
  address: 144-26 153rd Ct

• Howard Johnson Express Inn at JFK Airport

  phone: +1 718 723-6700
  address: 153-95 Rockaway Blvd

• Jamaica YMCA

  phone: +1 718 658-7233
  address: 89-25 Parsons Blvd

• JFK Inn

  phone: +1 718 723-5100
  address: 154-10 South Conduit Ave

• Super 8 Motel

  phone: +1 718 658-1866
  address: 139-01 Jamaica Ave

Mid-range

• Best Western JFK Airport

  phone: +1 718 977-2100
  address: 144-25 153rd Ln

• Courtyard by Marriott JFK Airport

  phone: +1 718 848-2121
  address: 145-11 North Conduit Ave.

• Fairfield Inn by Marriott

  phone: +1 718 977-3300
  address: 156-08 Rockaway Blvd.

• Hampton Inn

  phone: +1 718 322-7500
  address: 144-10 135th Ave

• Hilton Garden Inn Queens/JFK Airport

  phone: +1 718 322-4448
  address: 148-18 134th St

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 718 977-3100
  address: 153-70 South Conduit Ave

• International JFK Hotel

  phone: +1 718 659-0200
  address: 144-02 135th Ave

• JFK Plaza Hotel

  address: 151-20 Baisley Blvd

• Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel

  phone: +1 718 322-7190
  address: 132-26 South Conduit Dr

There is a lot of drug use in the area (crack, heroin, etc.), so be careful. Pimps and prostitutes galore, too. That said, the neighborhood is about average in safety for New York City, as of 2018.