Woodside started as a farming community but quickly became a popular residential area due to its easy access to Manhattan via the Long Island Railroad. In recent years, the neighborhood has experienced significant development and remains a desirable place to live. Woodside is known for its wide streets, lush trees, and a mix of private homes, small apartments, and towering co-ops.
Roosevelt Avenue offers a lively nightlife scene with numerous bars, clubs, and music venues. Woodside is home to a significant Irish population, as well as many Thai and Filipino restaurants. The area known as "Little Manila" or Filipinotown, located between 63rd and 71st Streets on Roosevelt Avenue, is a hub for Filipino-owned businesses catered to the thriving Filipino American community. A popular destination is Phil-Am Food Mart, where customers can find a variety of dishes ranging from ube desserts to lumpia and balut. Woodside is a diverse neighborhood that celebrates its multiculturalism with various festivals and street fairs throughout the year. The community even hosts its own St. Patrick's Day parade, which welcomes members of the LGBTQ Irish community and showcases the area's inclusive environment.
Woodside has several landmarks and attractions, including the gothic-style Roman Catholic Church, Holy Cross, known for its impressive architecture and stained-glass windows. Moore-Jackson Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Woodside that is one of the last in New York, dating to the 18th century. Windmuller Park is another popular destination, featuring baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, and walking trails. Overall, Woodside is an exceptional neighborhood that successfully blends tradition and modernity, making it a wonderful place to call home.