Hollis Queens NY — Lifestyle, Amenities & Things to Do

What everyday life looks like in Hollis, Queens

Hollis offers a lifestyle that balances urban convenience with residential community character. Hollis leads SE Queens in single-family home concentration — 43% of properties are detached 1-family homes on tree-lined blocks near the Nassau border.

Hollis holds a special place in American music history — the neighborhood is the birthplace of hip-hop legends Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Ja Rule, all of whom grew up on Hollis Avenue.

Parks & Outdoor Space

Green space is a defining feature of Hollis's quality of life:

• Cunningham Park (southern access)
• Hollis Park
• Merrick Boulevard Greenway

Source: NYC Parks Department

Local Landmarks & Points of Interest

• Hollis LIRR Station
• Merrick Boulevard Commercial Strip
• Queens/Nassau Border proximity

Dining & Shopping

Hollis reflects Queens' extraordinary diversity in its dining scene. The neighborhood's main commercial corridors offer everything from family-owned delis and ethnic cuisine to national retailers and specialty grocery stores. Queens is widely recognized as one of the most culinarily diverse counties in the United States.

Community & Culture

Median household income in Hollis is $80,870, reflecting a working-to-middle-class community with strong homeownership rates. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023.

The neighborhood's population of approximately 18,486 (source: Point2Homes / U.S. Census ACS) creates the critical mass needed for a full range of neighborhood services: local schools, libraries, community gardens, houses of worship, and civic organizations.

Weekend Activities Near Hollis

• Forest Park — hiking, tennis, golf, picnicking (5–10 min from most Hollis addresses)
• Aqueduct Racetrack (seasonal horse racing)
• Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (National Park Service)
• Rockaway Beach — NYC's only ocean beach, accessible via A train
• Queens Museum and Flushing Meadows Corona Park (20–25 min via subway)

Why Families Choose Hollis

In addition to schools, parks, and transit, Hollis offers something harder to quantify: a genuine sense of neighborhood belonging. Block associations, local sports leagues, cultural festivals, and community board involvement keep residents engaged and connected in ways that newer suburban developments rarely replicate.

→ Learn More About Living in Hollis — Talk to a Local Agent