When most people think of New York City, they think of Manhattan. There’s a lot more to New York than the skyscraper views of The City! There are five main boroughs, or neighborhoods, in New York City, and they all have their own unique draws. If you’ve visiting the Big Apple, you should take the time to explore the best of these boroughs. You can take a bus tour of the 5 Boroughs to see the highlights or you can explore on foot. This guide will introduce you to the best of every borough in NYC!
Manhattan
Manhattan is the most recognizable burrow of them all. Manhattan is actually an island, and it’s where most of New York City sights are located. Most resident New Yorkers don’t actually live there, though it’s a hub of commerce and tourism. There’s a lot to see and do in Manhattan, but it can be more crowded than the other boroughs, so it might take longer to see the attractions.
Best sights in Manhattan:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The MET is one of the most well-known art museums in the world. With everything from art of Ancient Greece to the work of modern artists like Picasso, it’s easy to get lost in this enormous museum.
The Empire State Building: Everyone knows the Empire State Building from the New York skyline! This skyscraper can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, but you can actually purchase a ticket for one of its viewing platforms. That is, if you’re not afraid of heights!
Central Park: This large park is a quiet oasis in the middle of NYC! Central Park is gorgeous all year round, and it’s free to visit. Stroll the old paths of Central Park and watch the locals enjoy their day!
Staten Island
Staten Island is a small island just south of Manhattan. It’s the least populated borough but it still has a unique history that attracts visitors. The old historic houses look like a relic from Victorian times, and the Staten Island boardwalk looks like its own time capsule.
Best sights in Staten Island:
Staten Island Ferry: The Staten Island Ferry offers some of the best views of the NYC skyline in the city! It’s free for everyone to take the ferry, and it leaves every half hour from two ports in Manhattan.
Staten Island Boardwalk: The boardwalk on Staten Island looks like it belongs to another time! With fishermen casting lines from the dock year round and quaint businesses, this is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has risen in popularity recently with the resurgence of local businesses and tourism. Now there’s always something going on in Brooklyn! You could spend weeks exploring the best of this neighborhood!
Best sights in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge: The brooklyn Bride is a 19th century landmark that is easy to recognize. You can take in great views of both Manhattan and Brooklyn by walking along this huge bridge! The best time to enjoy this walk is when the sun is rising!
Coney Island: Coney Island is an amusement park and boardwalk known for its crowded beach and lively atmosphere. This area is never boring, especially in the summer!
The Bronx
The northernmost borough is The Bronx. This borough is along the Bronx River, and it’s one of the busiest parts of the city. Known for having one of the biggest concentration of immigrants in the country, this diversity has led to a vibrant and memorable community!
Best sights in the Bronx
The Bronx Zoo: It’s hard to believe there’s such a large zoo in the Big Apple! The Bronx Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country, and you’ll be surprised by the variety of animals in this unique park.
Yankee Stadium: The famous baseball stadium calls the Bronx its home! Don’t miss out on the chance to watch a ballgame in this well-known stadium!
Queens
The largest borough of New York City is Queens. Located between Manhattan and the Bronx, Queens often gets overlooked for other, more exciting boroughs. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do in Queens! You will take in the local side of New York by exploring Queens!
Best sights in Queens
Astoria: Astoria is a small neighborhood within Queens that’s made a name for itself because of its thriving Greek restaurants and well-known beer garden.
Bushwick: Like Astoria, Bushwick is another thriving local community known for its street art, art museums, paintings, and bar culture!
Explore the best of New York!
Don’t limit your trip to New York by only seeing the most famous parts! All five boroughs have something to offer visitors, and you’ll love exploring all the different neighborhoods. Research the parts that you want to see most in order to make the most of your time in the city!
