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Long before Jerry Seinfeld bought Billy Joel’s $35 million Hamptons mansion, he lived in Forest Hills. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle are both graduates of Forest Hills High. As are The Ramones, though I’m not sure if they all finished. An illustrious list of celebrities, including the author of this article, lived in the Hills. The stadium that held the U.S. open for six decades and now houses a prestigious tennis club is in the heart of town. Despite all the fanfare, Forest Hills, a neighborhood in central Queens, remains charming and full of character.
In 1908 it was renamed Forest Hills from Whitepot by lawyer and developer Cord Meyer for its proximity to Forest Park and high elevation. In 1909 the charitable Russel Sage Homes Foundation, led by Maragaret Olivia Sloan Sage, bought 150 acres from Meyer and sought to build a model community filled with small parks, beautiful tree-lined streets and housing for all. However, when mortgages were offered at $25 per month, that proved too expensive for all but the wealthiest. In 1910 the Long Island Railroad built an elaborate station and the affluent began moving from Manhattan to their new gardened homes.
Today there are two Forest Hills. The original, south of the railroads is called the Gardens and is a tranquil residential getaway from the more commercial north side. Only 15 minutes from Midtown, Forest Hills represents the perfect mix of old New York, and hip modernity. With a distinctly European feel, deep history, fun activities and wealth of good eats add up to a place with something for everyone. Take the E or the F to 71st/Continental and go explore for an afternoon.
Here are the Top 3 Sites of the Hills:
A Match at the West Side Tennis Club
1 Tennis Place
Forest Hills, NY 11375?718-268-2300?
This is New York’s first world-class tennis stadium, built in 1914 and hosted the US Open from 1915 to 1978. Along with tennis, the West Side held concerts: The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan all graced the stage and sipped drinks in the stunning Tudor-style club house. Today this building complex hosts the exclusive West Side Tennis Club, a restaurant and a pool. Take a Tennis lesson from their expert tennis instructors (several of them are former professionals) or catch the Forest Hills Classic Series and Jazz Festival on May 17-19 and August 24-25.
Shopping and Knoshing on Austin Street
Lined with cafes, small restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques and quaint shops, Austin street has everything to please even the most ardent Manhattanite. One block in from Queens Blvd., this shopping street is lined with old-style street lamps, trees and sidewalk eating. Though it can get hectic when closer to Continental (filled with unsightly chain-stores, this block most resembles a suburban mini-mall), the outer blocks offer more peaceful shopping. Make a stop at Cheese of the World (78-41 Austin St.) where the all-too-eager owners will help you find the perfect slice. For something sweet, head to Piu Bello (70-09 Austin St.) where gelato is elevated to an art form.
Strolling Through the Forest Hills Gardens
Start at the corner of Continental St. and Austin and walk under the train tracks and you’ll find yourself transported to a cobble-stone scene that is more reminiscent of a small English town than anywhere in New York. Called Station Square, this is essentially, the piazza or village center of Forest Hills. A ring of elegant medieval inspired buildings all connected by arched overpasses encircles the brick paved square. On one side is the recently restored Forest Hills Long Island Railroad station and is without a doubt the most beautiful of all their stops. Across from the station is the Forest Hills hotel, which housed rock stars during concerts and tennis greats for their matches. Choose an arch, walk through it and begin your exploration of this maze of quaint homes and mansions in the neo-Tudor style of British garden-cities. The spring represents ideal wandering time as the well-heeled residents go to great lengths to outdo each other with ornately flowered lawns.
