Many people consider NYC to be the most exciting town on earth. Join us on a tour of all five boroughs of New York City and find out what makes "The Big Apple" so special.
New York City, the never sleeping city, consists of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each of these five boroughs of New York City is, in turn, divided into districts, so-called "neighborhoods," which are as diverse as one could possibly imagine. Book your flight to New York here and discover the following boroughs of New York City with their most beautiful neighborhoods, greatest attractions, and most exciting stories.
Get into the hustle and bustle! In "The City," as Manhattan is referred to by New Yorkers, you'll find the most prominent landmarks, dozens of skyscrapers, and the most important commercial and financial center in the United States.
Manhattan may be the smallest borough of New York City, but it is also by far the most densely populated, most famous, and richest of them all.
Roughly speaking, the district is divided into three areas: Lower, Midtown Manhattan, and Uptown Manhattan. These, in turn, consist of several neighborhoods whose borders, however, are not officially defined. Each neighborhood of Manhattan is worth seeing and absolutely unique.
We present five of the most famous neighborhoods that illustrate the incredible diversity of Manhattan:
SoHo (short for "South of Houston") is a very popular neighborhood that is full of chic art galleries, elegant boutiques, hip bars, and trendy restaurants. Until the middle of the 20th century, SoHo was more of an industrial area, but in the 1970s, its use changed dramatically. Many buildings were converted into lofts, aspiring artists settled in, and SoHo became interesting and popular.
The famous Financial District around Wall Street occupies the Southern tip of Manhattan. It is where the heart of the American economy beats, with the stock exchange and the offices of numerous financial companies and law firms. Batter Park, from where the ferries depart for Staten Island, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island, is also part of Manhattan's Financial District.
As the name suggests, Little Italy was the neighborhood where the first Italian immigrants settled. Nowadays, it covers only a relatively small area around Mulberry Street, where you can visit the best Italian pizzerias, restaurants, and bars in New York City. Pastry fans can indulge themselves at New York's oldest bakery, Ferrara Bakery & Cafe, at 195th Grand Street.
The Northernmost neighborhood of Manhattan is known for its large African American and Hispanic communities. It lies South of the Hudson River and forms the border with the Bronx. Until the 1990s, Harlem had a high crime rate and a bad reputation. However, this has since changed dramatically.
Many of the buildings have been renovated, and Harlem has become a safe and livable neighborhood where you can visit tourist attractions like the Apollo Theater. Also, don't miss the cozy jazz bars and take a Harlem Gospel Tour.
Chelsea, on the West side of Manhattan, is a charming residential neighborhood characterized by saffron-colored brownstone houses and tree-lined streets. It is a lively district with no shortage of nightlife options such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and it has the highest concentration of art galleries in New York City.
Other highlights include the famous Chelsea Market, where you can buy delicacies from all over the world. Right next to the market, you'll have access to High Line Park. This unique green space was built on old elevated train tracks and runs along the West of Manhattan.
Basically, all of Manhattan is one Instagram hotspot! With so many world-famous attractions located on the beautiful island between the Hudson River and the East River, you'll have a hard time deciding what to visit first.
These top attractions in New York City are all located in the borough of Manhattan:
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You'll definitely shine with your knowledge about Manhattan on your next New York tour if you remember these interesting facts:
Brooklyn, the most populous borough of New York City, is more fashionable than ever. It is characterized especially by a creative art scene and a variety of nightlife options. At the same time, it has many well-kept and safe residential neighborhoods that are ideal for families.
Want to check out the Bushwick street art scene? Book your tour here!
There are many great neighborhoods to explore in Brooklyn. The best places to start your discovery tour are these three unique districts:
Who hasn't seen the famous view of the Manhattan Bridge photographed on the cobblestone streets of Dumbo? Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, as the neighborhood is actually called, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful photo spots in New York City. And when you've collected enough material for Instagram, creative Dumbo still has a variety of art installations, charming cafes, fancy stores, and the Brooklyn Flea Market waiting for you.
Want to check out Brooklyn Bridge & Dumbo? Book your walking tour here!
Dyker Heights is a highlight around Christmas time! Every year, the residents of this West Brooklyn neighborhood outdo each other with their opulent light installations and decorations. The phenomenon has become so famous beyond the borders of New York and the United States that you can even book tours to the Dyker Heights Christmas houses.
Park Slope, on the Western edge of Prospect Park, is considered one of Brooklyn's safest areas and was even named one of the "Greatest Neighborhoods in America" by the American Planning Society. The picturesque district features well-kept townhouses and row houses, tree-lined streets, excellent schools, and a thriving entertainment and dining scene. Nearby Prospect Park is a great place for walks or a picnic.
Creative and livable Brooklyn awaits with these top attractions:
A walk across the legendary Brooklyn Bridge should not be missing from any New York bucket list. The city's most famous bridge spans the East River over a length of more than 1.8 km and connects the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the New York icon was completed in 1883, it was considered an architectural masterpiece, and even today, the majestic suspension bridge will take your breath away!
In Dumbo, you not only have a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. You can also let your gaze wander over creative art installations in public spaces. For example, you can find continuously changing sculptures in Brooklyn Bridge Park or in the Empire Stores.
At the Southern end of Brooklyn, you can enjoy real beach vibes! The long sandy beach of the Coney Island peninsula invites you to a relaxing day at the seaside. If you're looking for some action in between, you can try out the Ferris wheel and the rides at the amusement park on Coney Island.
Want to explore the area in comfort? Book your bus tour of the boroughs and Coney Island here!
You probably haven't heard these stories about Brooklyn yet:
The multicultural Queens is the largest borough in New York City by area. It has the greatest ethnic diversity and is known for colorful parades and great culinary variety. You'll find neighborhoods dominated by skyscrapers but also quieter developments on the coast.
Big city hustle and bustle or a quiet stretch of beach? In Queens, you'll find a neighborhood to suit your taste!
Young professionals who commute to Manhattan for work and are looking for an affordable apartment love the urban Astoria neighborhood in Queens. The neighborhood is also known for its picturesque Astoria Park, excellent restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
Discover more of Astoria during this walking tour - Book here!
Long Island City is located across from Manhattan on the banks of the East River. The up-and-coming neighborhood is filled with creative art galleries, chic restaurants, hip nightclubs, and other recreational opportunities. Long Island City features both high-rises with modern lofts and small apartment buildings, many of which have well-preserved historic architectural elements.
From a beach house in the Rockaways, you look out over the waves of the Atlantic. The long peninsula in Southern Queens was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 but was quickly rebuilt. This lovely seaside neighborhood is home to a variety of single-family homes that are now home to mostly working-class families. A highlight of the neighborhood is Rockaway Beach, the only legal surfing beach in New York City.
In the borough of Queens, you will find interesting attractions away from the tourist crowds of the "Manhattan bubble:"
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a large green space in Queens where you have numerous opportunities for sporting activities. New York's second-largest park features a boating pond, a skate park, an aquatic and field hockey center, and multiple playgrounds. In late summer, tennis is the most popular sport in Flushing Meadows Corona Park because every year, the US Open is held here at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The gigantic steel globe Unisphere is one of the landmarks of the 1964 New York World's Fair. The 37-meter diameter spherical representation of the earth made of stainless steel symbolizes the diversity and global connectedness of Queens. At the foot of the Unisphere is the Reflecting Pool with its 96 water fountains, which serves as a place of peace and reflection for visitors.
Do you like unconventional art? Then MoMA PS1 in Queens is the place to be! The "little brother" of the famous MoMA in Manhattan takes a fresh and unique approach with its experimental art exhibitions and allows emerging artists to present their works to a broad audience.
Did you already know these interesting details about Queens?
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Located North of Manhattan, the Bronx lies almost entirely on the mainland. The borough became part of New York City as early as 1874 – even before Brooklyn and Queens. The underrated borough of the Bronx had a bad reputation during the 20th century as a place with a high crime rate and a lot of poverty. But a lot has changed since then: the birthplace of hip-hop is now a multicultural borough with many attractions and greener than you might expect.
These are some of the most interesting neighborhoods in the Bronx:
The Belmont neighborhood is an interesting mix of cultures. Arthur Avenue, the "Little Italy" of the Bronx, runs through here, but influences of Puerto Rican and Albanian culture are also noticeable.
The Northernmost part of the Bronx, the Riverdale neighborhood, is a bit away from everything. Riverdale is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx and is characterized by a suburban flair. Located along the Hudson River, you can find many parks and gardens, as well as sports and recreational facilities.
Fordham offers you a mix of big city hustle and bustle and recreational areas. While the lively Fordham Road offers you numerous opportunities for shopping and going out, you can spend a relaxing day at the Bronx Zoo or the New York Botanical Garden.
These are the most famous attractions in the Bronx:
Nature lovers will find the vast New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx a place to walk and breathe. On a 100-acre site that's home to more than a million plants, you can explore different habitats at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, admire the blooms at the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, or expand your knowledge of botany in the vast collection of texts at the LuEsther T. Mertz Library.
The Edgar Allen Poe Cottage in New York's Bronx is where the American writer spent his last years. The cottage was probably built at the end of the 18th century and is located on Kingsbridge Road in the Fordham neighborhood, where it is surrounded by a small park. Today the cottage is a museum that can be visited as part of a guided tour.
The Bronx holds many a surprise, such as these interesting facts:
The "forgotten borough" of Staten Island is the least visited and most sparsely populated part of New York City. Nevertheless, there is much to discover on the island located Southwest of Manhattan, from the beaches of the East Shore to the historic buildings in the center.
The laid-back Staten Island neighborhood offers New Yorkers space to breathe away from the metropolis' often fast-paced lifestyle. If you're in Staten Island, be sure to pay a visit to these neighborhoods:
The historic neighborhood in the North of Staten Island is ideal for commuters, single professionals, and couples without children. The iconic yellow Staten Island Ferries run to Manhattan from here. The area is densely populated and contains numerous stores, clubs, and galleries. Among many newly built apartment buildings, ornate 19th-century houses still line the streets here.
The Huguenot neighborhood is characterized by modern single-family homes and is the perfect retreat for families, seniors, and anyone who likes things a little quieter. Huguenot's location on the South shore of Staten Island allows residents convenient access to the beach. The developments are also surrounded by several parks.
The hip business district of New Dorp is one of the most desirable neighborhoods on Staten Island. With its Italian, Polish, and Albanian communities, it exudes an international flair, but at the same time, it is not so densely populated and has many quiet corners. New Dorp has apartments as well as charming single-family homes. And the beach is also within easy walking distance.
The fact that Staten Island is a "remote" island also has its advantages because more buildings from the colonial era have been preserved here than in any other part of the city.
In the center of Staten Island, you'll find the authentic town and farm museum complex Historic Richmond Town. It consists more than 30 historic buildings and sites dating from the late 17th to early 20th centuries. The museum village includes the Third County Courthouse, Voorlezer's House, Christopher House, and Britton Cottage, among others.
Fort Wadsworth is a defensive fort built in the 17th century by the Dutch. The fortification at the junction with Upper New York Bay protected the city from raids.
Until the 1960s, Staten Island residents had no bridge to reach the other boroughs of New York City. This changed with the construction of the over 2 km long Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Discover the bridge and more highlights in Staten Island with this tour - Book here!
The two-story suspension bridge also separates Upper New York Bay from the seaward-facing Lower New York Bay. Since 1976, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge has been the starting point for the annual New York City Marathon.
For New York travelers, a visit to the world-famous Statue of Liberty is a must. The cheapest way to do this is to take the free Staten Island Ferry. The 30-minute journey from the Southern tip of Manhattan to the St. George Terminal on Staten Island brings you so close to Miss Liberty that you can take wonderful photos of her from the boat. As a bonus, you'll get a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline from afar.
However, the ferry does not stop at Liberty Island. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty up close on the land and also visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, you can book a tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
And last but not least, some interesting facts about Staten Island:
Summer or winter? If you are having trouble deciding when the best time for your journey to New York is, take a look at our guides to the seasonal highlights in the Big Apple.
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