Howard Beach is a quiet, low-rise pocket of Queens hemmed in by Jamaica Bay, which makes a full-day block party there feel more like a village fete than a city street event — same families, same blocks, every summer. This one takes 90th Street between 165th and 164th for the better part of a day. If you're anywhere near the bay and want the version of Queens that visitors never see, this is a good street to wander onto.
What to expect
A closed block with barricades at each end, tables and grills set out, music playing and kids using the street. Resident-organized and informal, running most of the day rather than a fixed program. The Jamaica Bay shoreline and the Gateway National Recreation Area trails are a short drive south.
Good to know
- The A train to Howard Beach-JFK Airport is the closest subway; most of the neighborhood drives
- Free — block parties are open street events
- Bring cash for food sold by neighbors
- Flat asphalt, step-free once the barricades are up
- Jamaica Bay's wildlife refuge and shoreline trails are minutes away by car
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Common questions
How long does it run?
The permit covers most of the day, from late morning into the evening. Block parties typically build slowly and peak after dinner.
Is there parking nearby?
Howard Beach is largely residential with street parking, but surrounding blocks fill up once a party is underway.
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