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If you’re uncertain about the 5 regions of New York City, they`re the five districts comprising NYC: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. You can view them as individual cities, with each encompassing several neighborhoods (some of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC are highlighted here).
Each district of New York City offers its own unique attractions, merits exploring beyond the most well-known areas. While Manhattan and its iconic landmarks attract most visitors, taking the time to get to know each borough reveals more of what makes this metropolis fascinating.
From the trendsetting art and nightlife of Brooklyn to the history of Queens; to the culture of the Bronx and the lovely parks on Staten Island, there is much to explore. In this guide, I’ll assist you in planning your trip through NYC’s boroughs by sharing the highlights of each area. This way, you’ll know what to see in each location, as well as where to lodge if you plan on spending the night.
| If you plan on touring multiple popular visitor attractions, check out one of the New York locality passes, such as the New York Pass. These cards offer substantial savings on top activities and sights throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City. |
After numerous visits to the Big Apple, I have come to appreciate the unique personality and charm of each borough. Hopefully, reading this article will give you a better idea of them. I’ll also share a mapofNewYorkCity’sboroughs to aid in planning your itinerary.
Table of Contents
Manhattan, the most popular borough in New York City
No doubt, Manhattan is one of the most popular boroughs in NYC. Many of the top attractions in New York City can be found in Manhattan, like the iconic Empire State Building and the historic Statue of Liberty. You can experience all of this and more in Manhattan.
A excellent locale to visit here is Times Square, where one can enjoy a Broadway show, go shopping, or check out a rooftop bar. It`s an awesome place to go at night, but if seeking daytime activities, head to Central Park.
Spreading across 843 acres, this expansive urban park features walking paths, playgrounds, green spaces, waterways, and historic buildings. It`s surrounded by some of the premier museums in NYC, such as the renowned American Museum of Natural History, the esteemed The Met, and the acclaimed Guggenheim Museum.
In addition to the theaters, bars, museums, and monuments found in this NYC borough, there are also beautiful vantage points. Manhattan has some of the best viewing platforms in NYC, such as the Top of the Rock,The EDGE at Hudson Yards,SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and One World Observatory. If you go to the latter, I suggest also visiting the 9/11 Museum and checking out the nearby Financial District.
Recommended accommodations
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- Four Seasons Hotel New York – A 4-star lodge by 5th Avenue shopping and several famous places in Manhattan
- The Plaza – One of the most lavish accommodations in NYC most luxury hotels in NYC
- 1 Hotel Central Park – An eco-friendly accommodation with amazing views overlooking Central Park
Our guide to the top accommodations in Manhattan presents additional lodging choices you may prefer.
Brooklyn, the trendiest New York City borough
Brooklyn contains a lively atmosphere full of art, culture, entertainment, food, and more. It in fact represents the most populous borough in NYC and draws individuals from families and couples to young professionals.
While there is much to see here, the borough of Brooklyn, NY offers a more relaxed vibe than Manhattan. I recommend exploring some of the best Brooklyn neighborhoods, like DUMBO,Williamsburg, and Bushwick. It’s also worth traveling to the beach and amusement piers of Coney Island, especially if you’re looking for things to do in NYC with kids.
That said, Brooklyn has plenty for adults too. For example, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is regarded as one of the top places to visit in NYC as a couple. This romantic venue is just one of the attractions in Prospect Park, a huge green space featuring a lake, boathouse, sports fields, and the Brooklyn Museum.
If you appreciate art, you’ll delight in viewing the street art at the highly notable Bushwick Collective, and you can even embark on a guided tour of the collection. At nighttime, check out the perspectives from the prominently renowned Brooklyn Bridge, one of the most iconic places to visit in Brooklyn.
Recommended accommodations:
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- The Williamsburg Hotel – A renowned hotel providing lovely views of the East River and Lower Manhattan skyline
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – A hotel in DUMBO, near the Brooklyn Bridge, with easy access to Manhattan. It`s one of the top hotels in NYC
Our guide to the best lodging in Brooklyn has more accommodation choices you’ll like.
Queens, the largest borough in New York City
New York City’s Queens borough, situated on Long Island adjacent to Brooklyn, represents the biggest neighbourhood by surface area in NYC and connects to Manhattan and the Bronx through numerous bridges. Ranging from museums and parks to the area’s nightlife, there are plenty of entertaining activities to partake in Queens.
Firstly, I must reference Flushing Meadows Corona Park, one of the top parks in NYC. Constructed for the 1939 NY World’s Fair, which it also hosted in 1964, this park encompasses several notable landmarks in Queens, such as the USTA Billie Jean King National TennisCenter and the Unisphere sculpture. It also houses Queens Botanical Garden, a picturesque venue with various outdoor gardens, a fragrance walkway, an arboretum, and an indoor gallery.
The park has a few museums, too, like the New York Hall of Science and the QueensMuseum, one of the finest free museums in NYC with a room-sized scale model depicting NYC’s boroughs.
Some alternate Queens museums I propose to explore include the Place to View Moving Pictures and Devices Institute,Modern Art Gallery PS1, and the Noguchi Sculpture Garden & Outdoor Art Exhibit Area. For a novel experience, check out Rockaway Coastline, one of the most popular shores in NYC, where you can glide on waves, maneuver boards, or swim.
Recommended accommodations:
- The Rockaway Hotel – A suitable place to stay if planning a visit to the eastern end of Long Island and the Hamptons region
- Ravel Lodging – A 4-star hotel along the East River, conveniently near Manhattan
- The Collective Paper Factory – A cozy boutique hotel near the Museum of the Moving Image. It’s also one of the most affordable hotels in Queens
The Bronx, the most culturally diverse NYC borough
North of Manhattan, the Bronx borough of New York City is renowned for exuding a grittier ambiance, yet it has been experiencing an uptick in recent decades. The Bronx offers a diverse perspective of the large city, with extensive greenery, historical structures, and a cultural melting pot.
One of the most beautifully scenic places in the Bronx is Van Cortlandt Park, where you can engage in various sports and appreciate natural elements such as brooks, streams, forests, and a freshwater lake. The park is next to Woodlawn Cemetery, one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in the city, and the final resting place for notable figures like Herman Melville, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Celia Cruz.
Nearby, you can visit the New York Botanical Garden or go across to see the public gardens at Wave Hill. Alternatively, Orchard Beach is the perfect place to get fresh seaside atmosphere.
Record specialists and workmanship darlings will appreciate the Bronx Museum of the Arts and the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, where the horrid writer spent his last years. During baseball season, you can get a kick out of a game at Yankee Stadium.
If you’re uncertain of what to do in the Bronx, I would recommend this comparative tour through four NYC boroughs: the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. It’s one of the optimum tours in New York City, and you’ll obtain a fine overview of the Bronx.
Recommended accommodations
An overnight stay in the Bronx is not advised. Instead, check out the top hotels in Manhattan, the best Brooklyn hotels, or our guide on where to stay in NYC.
Staten Island, a historic New York City borough with lots of outdoor activities
Staten Island is one of the five districts that comprise NYC which could be overlooked, but merits visiting. It provides many green spaces and a more languid pace of life compared to the other five regions of New York City.
One of the premier venues on Staten Island is the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, where visitors can meander through beautifully landscaped grounds and admire buildings from the nineteenth century. Additionally, it houses the beautifully designed Staten Island Botanical Garden inspired by English gardens.
This locale also encompasses the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, which transports visitors to the tranquil gardens and ponds of Suzhou, China. Snug Harbor is furthermore home to the Staten IslandChildren’s Museum and the Staten Island Museum, which boasts an impressive collection of art, history, and scientific artifacts.
I additionally suggest learning about New York’s historical association with the sea at the National Lighthouse Museum. It lies near the Staten Island Ferry, one of the top free attractions in NYC that transports visitors past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor’s Island.
Finally, round out your exploration of this NYC borough with a visit to Fort Wadsworth and Historic Richmond Town. If the weather is fine, visit the Staten Island Greenbelt NatureCenter, where you can enjoy one of the finest hikes in New York City.
Recommended accommodations:
- Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island – A contemporary hotel that’s just a 20-minute drive from Newark Airport
If you’re traveling alone, you can check where lodging is available in Grand Canyon Village here
Since lodging options on Staten Island are limited, reviewing our guide on where to reside in NYC may provide additional ideas.
Boroughs of New York City map
Now that you are more informed about these various regions, here is a map of the boroughs that make up New York City to help in your trip planning. Take note of the three nearby airports, two in Queens and one across the river in New Jersey:
FAQs – NYC boroughs
If you have any additional queries or worries regarding the five regions of New York City, below are responses to some regularly asked questions.
Does the Star Adventurer 2i have an automatic feature to find objects?
There are 5 urban communities in New York City, yet numerous unique neighborhoods.
Is Long Island a region?
No, Long Island is a region near NYC that includes Brooklyn and Queens. Long Island City is a neighborhood in Queens.
Which borough has the largest population in NYC?
Brooklyn has the largest number of residents of any borough in NYC, with over 2.5 million inhabitants.
Most affordable NYC borough?
According to costs of renting and owning homes, the Bronx borough of NYC has the most affordable prices.
What is each NYC borough renowned for?
Each borough in New York City has distinctive traits. Manhattan is renowned for its famous attractions that draw tourists, Queens has significant cultural diversity, and Staten Island is known for its natural green areas. Brooklyn offers endless activities and is considered trendy, while the Bronx is recognized as the birthplace of a popular music genre.
What is considered the best borough in New York?
Manhattan undoubtedly receives the most popularity as a region within New York. However, another area may be preferable based on one`s interests and plans for time in the city.
I hope this guide helped you become familiar with New York City’s boroughs and that you’re eager to explore each one. If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your experience, leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to hear from you!
I hope you have a wonderful journey!
