OUR FAVOURITES FROM EVERY NYC BOROUGH

Topic	Our Favourites From Every NYC Borough
Read Time	6 Minutes
Author	Laura Radford, Travel Writer

New York City is made up of five boroughs, each with a different offering and range of activities that will keep you busy when visiting the Big Apple. Whether you are stopping off on your way to another destination or taking a trip to discover all NYC has to offer.

Here we list some of our favourite things about each of them…

MANHATTAN

Manhattan is the most densely populated of all the New York boroughs, and the most famous. Its buzzing with tourists year-round, all flocking here for its shopping, Broadway shows, amazing eateries, and range of attractions.

One of the most-famous sights in New York resides in Manhattan, and that is of course the Statue of Liberty. The iconic statue of Lady Liberty was given as a gift to the people of America from the people of France way back in 1886 and has not lost its icon status since. Catching the Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see her in all her glory, but you can also enjoy great views from Battery Park, and atop One World Observatory.

No trip to Manhattan is complete without visiting the Empire State Building (seeing it from atop the Rockefeller Center is your best bet, this way it is included in your skyline photos), and if you’re into your museums and galleries, we highly recommend the Guggenheim with its concrete spiral, a work of art in itself, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art with its 2 million items!

But we cannot mention Manhattan without mentioning The High Line, this amazing aerial walkway was built on an abandoned railway track and includes a park which makes it a beautiful option for a summer stroll or an evening walk among the skyscrapers, away from the hustle and bustle below.

BROOKLYN

Over the Brooklyn Bridge lies the borough of the same name, easily accessed from Manhattan by subway, or by strolling over the Hudson. Brooklyn boasts a wonderful array of parks, extremely cool restaurants & bars, amazing museums and much, much more.

Just like Central Park, Prospect Park in Brooklyn is also home to a zoo and an ice rink during the festive season, but minus the crowds! Prospect Park also has its own wetlands, and Brooklyn’s last remaining indigenous forest. There are BBQ areas for the gathering with friends in the summer months, and plenty of cycle ways if you want to take in Brooklyn on two wheels.

When visiting Brooklyn on your trip to the Big Apple, you absolutely must spend some time in Williamsburg, one of the coolest districts in the borough. Known for being a bit ‘hipster’ it is brimming with vintage shops, flea markets and incredible restaurants.

We must also mention Coney Island, which is located at the southwest section of Brooklyn, and home to the famous Luna Park, an iconic destination of fun and thrills, with everything you need for an afternoon of fun including its two famous rollercoasters!

QUEENS

The borough of Queens, is the largest borough of New York City, and home to the New York Mets, a Botanical Garden, and some of the city’s best museums including the Museum of Modern Art.

If you can arrange a visit to Queens in the evening, then the Night Market is a must-not-miss, as its offers some of the most diverse food stuffs in the whole of New York.

We also recommend a visit to the Museum of Moving Image, where you can learn all about the history of filmmaking, including artefacts from the early days of film and hands on exhibits including classic arcade games, perfect for all the family.

THE BRONX

The Bronx is one of the most vibrant of the New York boroughs, and the birthplace of a lot of Hip Hop music legends. Here you can also watch a game of baseball at the Yankee Stadium and the borough is also bursting with cool dining options, pop-up events, a zoo, and a Botanical Garden.

The Bronx Zoo is the biggest urban zoo in the United States, and its easily accessible via the New York City Metro. You will find lions, a Congo Gorilla Forest, bears, tigers, plenty of primates, and a monorail where you can view all these amazing creatures from a height!

Bronx Night Market is also well worth a visit. Enjoy creations from all areas of gastronomy, including vegan, soul food, Mexican, incredible ice cream, and an array of locally brewed beverages. You can even enjoy performances from musicians as you tuck into a tasty snack.

STATEN ISLAND

Located in the southwestern part of New York City, Staten Island is a 25-minute ferry ride away from Manhattan and offers an up-close view of Lady Liberty, as well as some of the best panoramic views of the New York City skyline, day, or night.

Explore the island’s East Shore’s beaches, its many museums, and parks, and why not out one of its great Italian restaurants? Some of the city’s best pizza can be found at eateries such as Marie’s 2, with pizza on offer by the slice.

Although Staten Island’s tourist attractions cannot rival its neighbours, it is worth a brief visit, especially if you are flying in and out of Newark as opposed to JFK or spending longer in nearby New Jersey.