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Heading to the Big Apple for the first time? This one’s for you! 🏙️
New York City is one of those places you’ll never fully “finish,” no matter how many times you visit. And while most travelers spend the bulk of their trip in Manhattan, exploring each NYC borough gives you a way more complete picture of what the city is all about.
The five NYC boroughs each have their own rhythms, landmarks, hidden corners, and cultural identities, and discovering them is a big part of why New York stays fresh and exciting.
Now, if you're hoping to cover more ground without the stress of planning every transfer and route, the New York Boroughs: Bronx, Harlem, Queens & Brooklyn Day Tour is worth checking out. It introduces you to multiple neighborhoods in one day (transportation included), which is perfect if you’re looking to get a taste of everything.
And if you want more? Keep reading for our borough-by-borough guide filled with practical tips, nearby highlights, walking ideas, transport details, and activity suggestions to help you get the most out of your NYC experience. ⭐
Manhattan
Does Manhattan need an introduction? Home to some of the city’s most iconic sights, here are some of our most beloved attractions for you to discover.
Aerial view of New York, including Central Park, Photo Credit: Jermaine Ee on Unsplash
Central Park
Central Park remains one of the easiest ways to escape the city without leaving Manhattan. The highlights are clustered in walkable pockets: The Mall and Literary Walk, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge for photos. If you enter from 72nd Street, you can create a convenient walking loop that hits most major viewpoints.
Klook Tip: Use the B, C, or 1 trains for the west side entrances and the 4, 5, 6 trains for the east side. Central Park is huge. We recommend setting aside at least 2–3 hours if you want to explore more than just the main spots.
Museum Mile
Museum Mile is a famous stretch of Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side where many of New York’s most important museums sit within easy walking distance. It’s home to institutions like the MET, the Guggenheim, Neue Galerie, and several others, so you can go museum-hopping without jumping on the subway.
Lower Manhattan
The views of Statue of Liberty and New York from Ellis Island
Lower Manhattan is home to Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Financial District, making it a natural starting point for anyone exploring New York’s harbor. And trust us, there’s plenty to see!
From Battery Park, you can take a Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Half-Day Tour where you’ll be ferried to Ellis Island and have the chance to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty. With a local guide, you can explore the Statue of Liberty Museum, and snap photos of this iconic landmark — as well as NY’s skyline!
Getting Around New York
For first-time visitors to the city, taking the subway to get around is your best bet. We recommend grabbing an OMNY card for easier access on the subway. This card uses a tap-and-go system and can be linked to your debit/credit card for cashless payments.
A USA eSIM is also well worth considering, especially since you may often be exploring on foot or public transport. It gives you WiFi access on the go, and works exactly like a physical SIM card, except you install it on your phone via QR code.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has its own character and pace compared to Manhattan. It’s easy to explore by subway or on foot, and the borough offers a mix of scenic spots, local food, and historic neighborhoods. If you’re looking to see a more residential side of New York, this borough should not be missed.
An iconic DUMBO Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on Unsplash
DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park
DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a top spot for first-time visitors. The area has clear views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building from Washington Street. Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches along the waterfront, with walking paths, playgrounds, and Jane’s Carousel.
If you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat. DUMBO also has great food options! For a structured taste of the area, opt for the Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour where you can hit up famous landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Time Out Market all with a friendly local guide.
Brooklyn Museum & Prospect Park
The Brooklyn Museum sits near Prospect Park, which is great if you want a slower day. This art museum includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, while Prospect Park offers walking trails, a lake, and open spaces.
If you prefer exploring at your own pace, the Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental (Full-Day Pass) is a great option for moving between DUMBO, the park, and nearby neighborhoods.
Queens
Queens is one of the most diverse counties in the United States and a must-visit if you love food, culture, and big public parks. Each neighborhood feels different, and you can easily spend a full day here without repeating a single experience.
The Unisphere, an iconic globe structure at the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Photo Credit: Emma Angel on Unsplash
Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
Home to two World’s Fairs, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is full of landmarks like the Unisphere, Queens Museum, and the New York State Pavilion. Inside the park, families can pair their visit with the New York Hall of Science, which includes science playgrounds, hands-on exhibits, and seasonal programs.
Now, if you’d like a more in-depth look at each NYC borough, you can explore this Manhattan, Bronx, Queens & Brooklyn Tour in New York City, which brings you on a guided tour of these areas.
Flushing
If you’re a foodie, Flushing is a great place to check out. With a large Chinese immigrant population, there are plenty of Asian eateries and a large Chinatown in this area. Citi Field can also be found here, and some visitors may opt to set up base in Flushing with its more accessible prices and its proximity to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) located 5 minutes away by car.
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The Bronx
The Bronx is one of the boroughs of New York that offers a surprising mix of sports culture, botanic gardens, and riverfront parks. It’s incredibly easy to reach by subway or commuter rail, and most attractions are clustered in convenient pockets.
Baseball fans unite! The Bronx is home to Yankee Stadium, Photo Credit: ja'corie maxwell on Unsplash
Bronx Zoo
This is one of the largest city zoos in the world, and is a great place for kids to learn about wildlife conservation and education. The Bronx Zoo’s Wild Asia Monorail and Congo Gorilla Forest are consistently popular, so don’t forget to check those out!
New York Botanical Garden
Right across the street from the zoo, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is peaceful, scenic, and ideal for slow travel days. Seasonal events like the Holiday Train Show and Orchid Show draw big crowds, so booking timed-entry tickets in advance is smart.
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is one of the most recognizable sports venues in the country and an easy stop if you’re heading up to the Bronx. You can visit for a game or join a guided tour when the team isn’t playing. If you’re attending a game, plan to arrive 45–60 minutes early to get through security and check out the streets around the stadium, where you’ll find quick food spots and merch stands.
Staten Island
Staten Island offers a quieter break from Manhattan and is surprisingly simple to reach thanks to the free Staten Island Ferry. It’s a good option if you want open harbor views without paying for a cruise or if you’re exploring Lower Manhattan and have extra time.
New York skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, Photo Credit: Stephan Valentin on Unsplash
Staten Island Ferry
The ferry runs 24/7 and is completely free. It connects Lower Manhattan’s Whitehall Terminal to St. George Terminal on Staten Island. For the best skyline photos, stand on the right side when the ferry leaves Manhattan.The ride takes about 25 minutes each way, so feel free to sit back and relax.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Staten Island Museum
Once you arrive at St. George, you can take a short bus ride to Snug Harbor. This large complex used to be a 19th-century retirement home for sailors and now includes botanical gardens, a heritage farm, art spaces, and small museums. The Staten Island Museum is compact and easy to explore in under an hour, which is good if you’re pairing multiple stops in one trip.
Nearby Harbor Cruises
Now, if you want to combine a Staten Island visit with other landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the One World Trade Center, this Liberty Midtown Standard Tour is worth checking out — especially if you’re only staying in New York for a couple of days.
See you soon? 🧡
You'll never run out of things to do in the city that never sleeps, and we’ve gone through the best of each NYC borough. So, if you’re ready to book that flight — we’ll see you there. 😉
FAQs about the Best Destinations in Every NYC Borough
What are the 5 boroughs of New York City and their names?
New York City is made up of five NYC boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough functions almost like its own mini-city, with separate neighborhoods, local governments, and unique identities.
Which NYC borough is the most diverse?
Queens is widely considered the most diverse borough, and one of the most diverse places in the world. More than 150 languages are spoken here, and many neighborhoods have strong cultural communities, including Flushing, Jackson Heights, and Astoria.
Which borough of NYC is the best to live in?
There’s no single “best” borough since it depends on lifestyle and budget.
- Manhattan is extremely convenient but has the highest cost of living.
- Brooklyn is popular for its mix of neighborhoods, parks, and food scenes.
- Queens is known for diversity and more space for the price.
- The Bronx has strong cultural institutions and more affordable housing.
- Staten Island appeals to those who prefer quieter, suburban-style areas.
Is it better to put the borough or New York in your address?
Most mailing addresses use the borough name, not “New York,” unless you live in Manhattan. For example, addresses typically list Brooklyn, NY, Queens, NY, or Bronx, NY. Manhattan addresses usually use New York, NY.
What are the main attractions in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx?
- Queens: Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, the Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria Park, and Citi Field.
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, and Williamsburg.
- The Bronx: Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, and Arthur Avenue’s Little Italy.
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