Get to know the five boroughs of New York before your visit. Photo/Pexels
Printhead: First we take Manhattan
In the sprawling metropolis of New York, it can be difficult to know where to stay or what you’d like to see. Our advice? Start with the boroughs. From Brooklyn hipsters to Manhattan urbanites, we’ve got your guide to where you’ll fit in.
manhattan
If you’re in New York for a short time and want to do the most, head to Manhattan. Staying in the best-known of the boroughs means that any accommodation will be within walking distance of the most iconic attractions like the Metropolitan Museum, Central Park or Rockefeller Center, making it more popular with travelers than long-term residents.
If you thrive on the constant bustle, check into new-for-2022 hotels like the French Hotel Barriere Le Fouquet’s New York in Tribeca or the super-luxury Aman Hotel in the famed Crown Building.
The Bronx
Once the struggling younger brother, the Bronx has grown since the 90s and is beginning to thrive. Families can enjoy the famous Bronx Zoo or stroll through the New York Botanical Garden, while a stroll through the South Bronx offers Art Deco delights, and Little Italy can be found along Arthur Avenue.
queens
If you’re looking for the “real” New York, where the locals live and play, head to Queens.
As the largest and most ethnically diverse borough, it offers some of the best cuisine in the city, from Greek souvlaki to Sichuan hot pot.
It may seem far from downtown, but neighborhoods like Astoria, Jackson Heights, and even Forest Hills are only 20-30 minutes away on the subway.
brooklyn
Where the hipsters go, the masses soon follow and Brooklyn is now one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. For visitors, this makes for a gorgeous borough that still has an elegant and creative energy, but with an added sparkle.
Expect to find eclectic restaurants like Dirt Candy, cute Williamsburg boutiques, and craft cocktail bars like Grand Army.
Staten Island
Staten Island’s selling point “being in New York without feeling like you are in New York” may not appeal to all visitors, but it is a good place for families and those who want a calm and relaxed stay.
A 90-minute subway ride from the center of the island to the heart of Manhattan, the borough is rich with its own attractions like shopping at Empire Outlets, Snug Harbor, and Historic Richmond Town.
For more things to see and do in the city, see nycgo.com