LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is in northern Queens, a short ride from some of the borough's best stages and within reach of Manhattan's landmark concert halls. Here is where to hear live music near the airport, and how to get there once you land.
Key Takeaways
- Forest Hills Stadium in Queens is a 14,000-seat outdoor venue with a regular summer concert series.
- Flushing Town Hall, the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona and the Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows Corona Park all bring live performance close to the airport.
- In Manhattan, the Beacon Theatre on the Upper West Side and Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center are the classic big rooms.
- From LGA, the free Q70 bus connects to the subway at Jackson Heights in about 15 minutes in typical traffic.
Live Music Venues in Queens Near LaGuardia
Forest Hills Stadium. Home of the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills and originally a tennis stadium, this 14,000-seat outdoor stadium hosted The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra and The Rolling Stones in the 1960s and 1970s. It reopened as a concert venue in 2013, when Mumford & Sons played the first show, and it has held a summer concert series ever since. It is also the summer home of The New York Pops.
Flushing Town Hall. A performing arts center in the historic town hall at 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing. The building once served as the seat of government for the village of Flushing, before the village became part of New York City in 1898.
Louis Armstrong House Museum. The house at 34-56 107th Street in Corona was home to Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille from 1943 until his death in 1971. The museum presents concerts as well as educational and community programs, so check its calendar if you want to hear music where Armstrong lived.
Queens Night Market. Held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday nights from April through October, with a break while the US Open is played in the park. The market brings together food vendors and hosts free live entertainment each Saturday night.
Queens Theatre in the Park. One of the attractions inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park, alongside the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science and Citi Field.
Experience the Vibrant Manhattan Nightlife
If you're staying in Manhattan, two historic halls anchor the big-name concert circuit:
- Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street on the Upper West Side. It opened in 1929 as a movie palace with 2,894 seats across three levels.
- Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas in Rockefeller Center, between 50th and 51st Streets. Nicknamed "The Showplace of the Nation", it is the home of the Rockettes. The 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center subway station, on the B, D, F and M lines, has an entrance on Sixth Avenue.
Ticket prices depend on the show and the seat, so compare sections on the venue's official box office before you buy.
Getting from LaGuardia to the Venues
- Q70 LaGuardia Link bus (free). Runs nonstop from Terminals B and C every 8 to 10 minutes to the subway at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and 74 St-Broadway, about 15 minutes in typical traffic. From there the subway reaches Queens and Manhattan venues. If you land at Terminal A, take the airport shuttle to Terminal B first.
- M60-SBS bus ($3). Runs from LaGuardia into Manhattan along 125th Street, with subway connections on the way.
- Taxi. LGA trips are metered, plus a $5.00 LaGuardia surcharge, a $2.00 airport access fee for pickups and other surcharges. The airport's own estimates, before tips, tolls and congestion pricing, are $14 to $19 to Jackson Heights and $30 to $52 to Times Square and the Theater District.
- Ride-hailing apps. Uber and Lyft pick up in marked areas at each terminal. At Terminal B, that's Level 2 of the parking garage.
Nearby Attractions Worth Exploring
Museum of the Moving Image. In Astoria, at 35th Avenue and 36th Street, in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios. It covers the art, history and technology of film, television and digital media.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The 1939 World's Fair grounds, with the Unisphere, the Queens Museum and the New York Hall of Science. Concerts at Forest Hills Stadium or a Saturday at the Queens Night Market pair well with a daytime visit.
Louis Armstrong House Museum. Worth a visit even on a night without a concert, for the house itself and the museum's archive of Armstrong's recordings and memorabilia.
Tips for Attending Live Music Events in New York
- Buy from the official box office or the venue's listed ticket seller.
- Check the venue's rules on bags, re-entry and outdoor seating before you go, especially at an open-air venue like Forest Hills Stadium.
- Plan your ride home before the show ends. Late at night, check subway service changes or book a car in advance.
- Leave time for the airport. If you're flying out the morning after a show, check your terminal and allow for traffic on the way to LGA.
- Stay with your group and know where the exits are.
Summary of Live Music Venues Near LGA
Queens gives you live music close to LaGuardia: summer concerts at Forest Hills Stadium, performances at Flushing Town Hall, concerts at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and free Saturday-night entertainment at the Queens Night Market. For the classic Manhattan halls, the Beacon Theatre and Radio City Music Hall are a bus and subway ride or a taxi away.
Frequently Asked Questions about Music Venues Near LaGuardia Airport
What is the largest live music venue near LaGuardia Airport?
Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, a 14,000-seat outdoor stadium and concert venue.
Which terminal is American Airlines at LaGuardia Airport?
- American Airlines uses Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport.
How do I get from LaGuardia to a concert in Manhattan?
Take the free Q70 bus to the subway at Jackson Heights, the M60-SBS bus along 125th Street, a taxi from the stand at your terminal, or a ride-hailing app.
Are there family-friendly attractions near LaGuardia Airport?
- Yes. Flushing Meadows Corona Park has the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science and the Unisphere, and the Museum of the Moving Image is in nearby Astoria.