What is that huge globe Queens? Local hidden gems

From overlooked roadside attractions to offbeat museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We will emphasize charm, surprise and delight.

Local hidden gem: The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York

New York City’s best-known park is Central Park, but there’s plenty to see for visitors and locals who are willing to explore the outer boroughs.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a favorite for residents of central Queens and contains the Unisphere, a landmark that gained renewed fame for millennials with its cameo in the 1997 movie “Men in Black.”

The Unisphere, a stainless steel globe with a diameter of 120 feet, was manufactured for the 1964-65 World’s Fair, which took place in the park. The theme of the fair was “peace through understanding,” a sentiment that feels more relevant than ever in 2024.

While most of the exhibits and pavilions are long gone, some permanent monuments remain. The city restored the Unisphere in 1994 and designated it an official landmark in 1995.

It remains the centerpiece of the park, and is easy to visit by subway or Long Island Rail Road. It’s also very close to Arthur Ashe Stadium where the US Open tennis tournament is held every year, and to Citi Field, where the Mets play, so travelers looking for a two-for-one deal can catch a game and some history.

Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York 11345

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Unisphere is a hidden gem landmark in New York City