Day Tripper: Jackson Heights

Between keeping within your budget and scheduling time off from work, planning a vacation can be stressful.

If you find you have too little time to travel and not enough money in your bank account, there’s no need to fret.

Each Thursday, Douglaston Patch will profile one of the five boroughs’ unique neighborhoods, where you can sample some local culture and culinary delights.

This week’s pick is Jackson Heights:

Noon

Start your day by sampling some Argentine food at La Portena, located at 74-25 37th Ave.

The restaurant’s menu includes soups, salads, pastas, steaks, pork chops, breaded chicken Milanese and omelets.

A full menu is available on La Portena’s website.

2 p.m.

Spend your afternoon walking around the neighborhood and checking out stores along 74th Street, which is known as Little India.

Be sure to stop by Butala Emporium, where you can purchase clothing, incense, religious charms and other gifts, as well as the Neena Sari Palace and numerous Bollywood DVD stores, such as Melody Stop, or music shops, such as Raaga Super Store.

5 p.m.

For dinner, drop by the Jackson Diner, located at 37-47 74th St. The restaurant, which is one of the neighborhood’s most popular places to eat, offers everything from Tandoori chicken and kabab dishes to lamb, goat, seafood and vegeterian offerings.

Visit the diner’s website to view the complete menu.

7 p.m.

Stop by the Rogue Magic and Fun Shop, which offers evening performances that combine magic, music and dance.

On Nov. 19, the shop will host its Saturday Spectacular from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The show blends comedy, magic, hip hop and dancers. Tricky Tuesday, which includes a ventriloquist, will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 22.

All shows are $10 with reservations or $12 at the door. For more information, visit Rogue’s website.

The shop is located at 85-08 Queens Blvd.