Even in a bustling metropolis like New York City, with its towering skyscrapers and lively streets, ecotourism is gaining popularity each year. The city and its boroughs, including Queens, are increasingly offering sustainable resources. Tourists can find eco-friendly accommodations, restaurants, hotels, and green transportation options. Read more about this popular 21st-century trend on queens.name.
What is Green Tourism?
Green, or sustainable tourism, involves responsible travel. Key principles include minimizing environmental impact, protecting biodiversity, promoting ecological awareness, and respecting local cultures.
Developing green tourism requires the involvement of all stakeholders and strong political leadership to achieve consensus. Green tourism aims to maintain high levels of visitor satisfaction, while increasing awareness about sustainability issues.
Ecotourism in New York involves more than reducing carbon footprints and conserving energy. It includes supporting local communities, participating in eco-friendly events, and exploring lesser-known green spaces in the city. Major sustainability initiatives, such as improving public transportation and promoting green urban spaces, directly enhance tourists’ eco-friendly lifestyle.
Eco-Friendly Accommodations
In New York, and specifically in Queens, there are numerous eco-friendly accommodations that practice waste reduction, energy conservation, and use of green products. One example is the Boro Hotel in Long Island City. The hotel offers minimalist rooms and suites, some with stunning views of Manhattan from their balconies. Guests can enjoy breakfast at the hotel cafe, relax in the lobby bar, or visit the library in the foyer. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, conference rooms, and a rooftop bar.
Another eco-friendly hotel in Queens is Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City / Manhattan View, a luxurious but affordable option for families and long-term stays. Each suite features a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and other essentials. Guests also have access to laundry facilities, and pets are welcome.
These accommodations contribute to environmental conservation without compromising guests’ comfort. Eco-friendly lodging is more than just a place to stay – it promotes sustainable development.
Green Transportation
New York City, the city that never sleeps, is also a leader in green transportation. The city offers many transportation options that reduce carbon emissions and enhance the travel experience. Overall, the city’s extensive public transport system includes subways, buses, and trains.
In Queens and other boroughs, the Citi Bike program provides an eco-friendly biking option. Created to reduce emissions, road wear, and traffic, while improving public health, Citi Bikes can be unlocked at one station and returned to any other station within the network. Options include classic bikes, next-gen e-bikes, and pedal-assist e-bikes for bridge crossings and shorter routes.
Eco-Friendly Food
Queens has dining options featuring organic and locally sourced ingredients. One such place is Drinkology NYC, a cocktail bar and restaurant offering quality alcoholic beverages, fresh juices, and meals prepared with local ingredients. Containers here are compostable.
Another eco-friendly restaurant is Bloom Botanical Bistro, established by a couple who met and fell in love at first sight, despite having different dietary preferences – Alfred was vegetarian, while Jamie was not. After spending considerable time looking for suitable dining venues, they created Bloom Botanical Bistro, offering a variety of culinary options under one roof. The restaurant composts containers, uses organic ingredients, and provides vegan and vegetarian meals, all while promoting animal welfare. Overall, New York City recycles bottles and cans, so remember to look for recycling bins when disposing of waste.
Green Locations
Visitors can contribute to environmental conservation by choosing places within the borough that prioritize sustainability. For example, attending a baseball game at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, is a green choice. Opened in 2009, this stadium serves as a gathering place for sports fans.
Citi Field is built from 95% recycled steel and features high-efficiency field lighting that reduces energy use by 50%. It also includes an on-site irrigation system and low-flow plumbing (waterless urinals and sensor faucets). These features help save approximately 4 million gallons of water annually.
Citi Field offers many amenities for fans and New York visitors alike, including tours that provide field access and visits to restricted, non-public areas. The stadium seats over 40,000 fans and features a wide range of food and beverage options, including Shake Shack, Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, and Sweet Chick, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available throughout.
Behind the center field scoreboard, there’s the FanFest family entertainment zone, offering games like wiffle ball (a mini baseball game for smaller spaces) and dunk-tank-style games. Video game kiosks and other attractions are also available.
Volunteering
Participating in local, sustainability-focused events is another aspect of green tourism. Travelers can join community cleanups or attend workshops and tours focused on environmental preservation and sustainable living.
Queens has numerous green groups and community initiatives that welcome tourist involvement. Information can be found on local nonprofit websites and ecotourism project sites. Many New York businesses and attractions embrace sustainability, offering tourists the chance to learn about eco-friendly practices. By supporting these institutions, tourists indirectly contribute to sustainable development. While ecotourism primarily focuses on reducing negative environmental impact, it also includes preserving and boosting the local economy.