Jackson Heights/Culture

Melting pot or rainbow, Jackson Heights has dozens of cultures mixing in the neighborhood. It is called by some the most diverse neighborhood in the city. This mix, together with its food, music, art and belief systems are considered its culture here on the NYCwiki and presented below.

Community
While residents can take the E, F, R, M, and 7 trains to nearby Manhattan for cultural enrichment, there are many cultural organizations and activities in and adjacent to Jackson Heights.

Diversity
Jackson Heights is among the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City, and the nation. Jackson Heights is home to large numbers of South Americans, particularly Colombians, South Asians,and East Asians. Due to the large number of people from the Indian sub-continent (India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) and their businesses and eating places located here, it is fondly referred to as "Little India" by many. Reflecting this diversity, there are several parades throughout the year along 37th Avenue and Northern Boulevard.

Colombian broadcaster RCN TV has its US-American headquarters in the neighborhood, reflecting the sizable Colombian population in the area.

On August 5, 2010, Dr. Arturo Sanchez of Cornell University presented a lecture at the Jackson Heights Jewish Center entitled "Is Jackson Heights Sustainable" in which he reviewed the cultural history of the neighborhood and presented factors that pointed to a less diverse neighborhood in the years to come. Dr. Sanchez indicated that Jackson Heights was an important cauldron for policy development, and might be considered a Strategic Research Site, a concept developed by Dr. Robert K. Merton, where, because of its complexity, and representativeness, new ideas and policies emerge.

Houses of Worship
The neighborhood is home to many houses of worship from a wide array of religions.


 * Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church is located between 82nd and 83rd Street on 35th Avenue.
 * Resurrection Ascension on 35th Avenue and 91st Street.
 * Jackson Heights Jewish Center is located on the corner of 77th Street and 37th Avenue.
 * Community United Methodist Church is on 82nd Street
 * St. Mark's Episcopal Church on 34th Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets.
 * Jackson Heights Islamic Center & Mosque is located at 71-20 Roosevelt Avenue.

Civic & Cultural Organizations
There are a number of organizations that reflect the needs of ethnic groups residing in the neighborhood, while others cross cultural boundaries and address traditional concerns of place.


 * Jackson Heights Beautification Group - The Jackson Heights Beautification Group (JHBG) is a grassroots community organization of people who live and work in Jackson Heights and strive to make Jackson Heights one of the best neighborhoods in Queens and New York City. JHBG was established in 1988 and is a 501(C)-3 nonprofit organization. Its website states "JHBG supports: high standards; preservation; local pride; diversity; inclusion; cleanliness; greenery; civility; local schools, institutions, and merchants; and anything that enhances Jackson Heights."


 * North Queens Homeowners Association

Clubs

 * Jackson Heights Art Club
 * New Visions Democratic Club
 * AARP
 * SAGE

Parades
Several parades are held each year.


 * The largest is the Gay Parade held the first week of June.
 * The Colombian Parade

Restaurants
Jackson Heights has an abundance of reasonably priced restaurants from the world over.

Tell me about daily specials from new restaurants.

Tell me about new restaurants within walking distance in walking distance.

Diners

 * Ricky's Cafe at 37th Avenue and 75th Street offers breakfast, bunch, and dinner menus.
 * Mark Twain - Northern Boulevard bewteen 72 and 73rd Streets.

Fast Food

 * Dunken Donuts - 2 locations
 * MacDonalds - 76th and Roosevelt
 * Burger King - 70th Street and Northern Boulevard
 * Tack Bell - 83rd Street and 37th Avenue
 * Subway Sandwiches - Between 75th and 76th on 37th Avenue

I'm not easily irmpessed. . . but that's impressing me! :)

Italian

 * Armondos Italian at 74th Street and 37th Avenue offers "white cloth" service and a sidewalk cafe.


 * Pizza Boy on the corner of 74th Street and 37th Avenue is a pizza parlor offering great pizza at reasonable prices.

India

 * The Jackson Diner was the first Indian restaurant in neighborhood.


 * Tawa Tandoor opened its doors at 37-56 74th Street in Jackson Heights, on November 16, 2010 in a space previously occupied by Shereen Mahal. It's now serving breakfast (9-11:30), lunch, and dinner, and offering a $6.95 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. This consists of about 8 choices, 4 hot and 4 cold. Two of the cold were vegetable salades, and there was yogurt and rice pudding. This is a great bargain. The Sunday morning manager is fron Nepal and delights in telling you all about his homeland. Several breads were delivered to the table.

Nepalese
IJWTS wow! Why can't I think of thngis like that?

Bars

 * Terraza 7 Train Café - 40-19 Gleane St. Elmhurst, NY 11373, just off Roosevelt Avenue at 82nd Street. Good tap beer, poetry, music, and more. One of the more interesting and varied venues in Jackson Heights (that's actually in Elmhurst, Oh my!).