New York City’s boroughs

New York is a city full of surprises! Although we often tend to only mention the borough of Manhattan, the Big Apple is actually much larger than it seems! The city’s five boroughs are simply huge! 

If you wish to explore all of New York City, you will definitely require a map and a guide to assist you in locating the best addresses and to better comprehend the various boroughs of New York. Well, you have come to the right place! Here are the complete details of New York's boroughs 😉

What are the 5 main boroughs in New York City?

Manhattan: the posh borough

Cultural sites in Manhattan

If the Manhattan borough is so popular with tourists, it's because it's impossible to get bored there 😀 If you visit New York City, you will certainly spend most of your time in Manhattan, discovering the best museums of New York. In the following lines, you will find some of the cultural places that are not to be missed 😉

Of course, if you choose to visit a museum, you will soon realise that it is impossible to see everything in one day! Therefore, I suggest you focus on an era that particularly interests you, or on the must-sees of a particular museum such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its "Temple of Dendur" exposition in the Egyptian art department, but also its Japanese fighting masks in the weapons and armours department, or its famous paintings like Gauguin's “Tahitian Women Bathing”!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)

The MET is the most visited museum in New York City. It is located in the Upper East Side, on Fifth Avenue (at 1000), near 82nd Street. With incredible collections of art from around the world, you'll have the opportunity to see works from ancient Greece, Egypt, but also Islamic, African, Native American, mediaeval and modern art. Choose the themes you wish to discover carefully though because you will not have time to discover everything in one go 😉

Take the opportunity to visit the Roof Garden Cafe, from which you will have a superb view of Central Park 😊

Ticket prices available on the official website of the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Opening hours:

• Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am to 5 pm;
• Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm;
• Wednesday: closed.

If you wish, you can buy a ticket to the MET for a guided tour with an expert guide. This is an opportunity to learn more about the treasures of this famous museum. You will also have access to the VIP rooftop terraces.

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

The MoMA is a museum dedicated to contemporary art. Located at 11 West 53rd Street in Midtown, the museum exhibits, on six floors, paintings by the world's most famous painters. You will for example see Picasso's "The Young Ladies of Avignon", Paul Cézanne's "The Bather" and Dali's "The Melting Watches". Moreover, the building itself is magnificent and the helicopter hanging from the ceiling of the entrance hall is a photo not to be missed! 🤩

A tip: when visiting the MoMA, choose in advance the works or eras you really want to discover, as you would need more than a day to see everything in detail!

*Note that every Friday evening, admission to MoMA is free from 5:30 to 7pm 😉

Opening hours:

• Sunday to Friday, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm,
• Saturday, 10:30 am to 7 pm.

The Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is well worth a visit for two reasons. Firstly, it houses a sublime permanent collection of modern and contemporary art. Secondly, it is an opportunity to admire the avant-garde architecture of the interior of this spiral-like building. Among the most popular works, don't miss those of Degas, Gauguin, Picasso, Chagall or Kandinsky 😄 The museum is also located on the Upper East Side, on 5th Avenue (at number 1071) between 88th and 89th streets.

Opening hours:

• Sunday to Friday, 11 am to 6 pm;
• Saturday, from 11 am to 8 pm.

The American Museum of Natural History

With its collection of over 32,000 animals, rocks and fossils, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world! It is located at the corner of Central Park West and 79th Street and is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Like many great New York museums, it is impossible to visit in one day. You'll have to choose from the 45 exhibition rooms, spread over 3 floors 😮

Among the exhibits that will impress you most are dinosaur skeletons 🦖, a life-size reconstruction of a blue whale 🐳, and the world's largest blue sapphire (the 'Star of India') 💎

*Reduced rate: senior citizens (60+) and students

• Standard admission includes admission to the American Museum of Natural History.
• Standard admission + 1 includes admission to the American Museum of Natural History + permanent exhibition + Rose Center for Earth and Space + 1 temporary exhibition OR 1 giant screen film OR the Space Show.
• Standard admission + ALL includes admission to the American Museum of Natural History + permanent exhibition + Rose Center for Earth and Space + 1 temporary exhibition + 1 giant screen film + Space Show

You will also find small museums in Chelsea. Take a trip there, especially to visit the Chelsea Gallery District, where old warehouses have been transformed into contemporary art galleries (there are about 200 small galleries).

You can also visit Greenwich Village, the neighbourhood where many artists have settled – such as John Lennon, Jimmy Hendricks, Simon & Garfunkel and Jack Kerouac. If you’re there, don’t forget to take the opportunity and listen to jazz at the legendary Blue Note club (Address: 131 W 3rd St, New York), or in any of New York City's best jazz clubs! 🎷

Must-see places in Manhattan

Central Park

One thing is certain: you simply cannot visit New York City without going to Central Park, the city’s green lung! This park is frequented by tourists and locals alike 🌳 Take the time to stroll along its large pedestrian avenue (the Mall), to rest on the Sheep Meadow lawn, to discover its many monuments such as the Bethesda Fountain or the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, but also to meditate on the square created in memory of John Lennon, the Strawberry Fields. 

You can also spend a romantic moment on the famous Bow Bridge, go boating on the different lakes (The Lake, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir...), rent a bike in Central Park to ride around, and if you have time, discover the animals of its zoo 😊

If you want to explore the park in its entirety and learn more about its history and evolution over the years, I recommend taking a bike tour of Central Park. Accompanied by a licensed New York City tour guide, you won't miss any of the historic monuments and famous landmarks of this iconic park!

And if you're not too sporty, you can also opt for the Central Park pedicab guided tour – an alternative where you don't have to do anything but enjoy the ride 😄

Times Square

Times Square is the symbol of New York, because of its huge size and excess! A magical place both day and night, this emblematic commercial intersection is sure to catch your attention 😉 You can admire the light show of the giant screens (and maybe even end up on one of them!), spend your money in the big shops (Levi's Store, Disney Store, M&Ms, American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21...), go see a musical on Broadway such as The Lion King or Mamma Mia! or even take a picture with the famous Naked cowboy!

If there's one thing I recommend you do in Times Square, it's to go to the red steps on the roof of the TKTS ticket office. You will be able to observe a fantastic view of the illuminated intersection 😀 And if you want to stay and admire Times Square while sipping a drink, why not go to one of the best rooftop bars in New York City? The panoramic bar "The View", for instance, is located on the 48th floor of the Marriott hotel. You won't be disappointed, that’s for sure! 🍹

The Financial District/Wall Street

The business district, which is located in Midtown, is not really a tourist attraction. Nevertheless, it is well worth a visit, if only to contemplate the famous Charging Bull! Wall Street’s huge bronze bull sculpture weighs over 3 tons and is located in Bowling Green Park. It is said that stroking the private parts of this sculpture will bring luck and prosperity, so why not give it a try? 😉

Ground Zero

If there is one place you must visit during your stay, it is Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. On the site of the former twin towers, you will find not only the World Trade Center Memorial dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, but also a museum and the city's new observatory, the One World Observatory. The latter is located at the top of the city's tallest tower, the One World Trade Center, at no less than 541 metres high!

The Flatiron Building

Located in the neighbourhood of the same name (the Flatiron District), the Flatiron Building is a Chicago School Beaux-Arts style building, known for resembling an iron. Although it is not possible to go inside the building, take some time to walk past it, take some photos, and explore the area. You will also find plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy! 👍

Grand Central Terminal

Also known as Grand Central Station or simply Grand Central, this amazing commuter rail terminal is a must-see on any trip to New York City. Take the time to discover its immense hall with its constellations painted on the ceiling and its four-sided clock, or the station’s whispering gallery. Above all, go down to the basement to discover the Grand Central Market – an indoor market where you can stock up on specialities 😋

New York City's boroughs: what to do in Manhattan?

Discover the city from above

If you think New York City is impressive from the ground, you haven't seen it from the skies yet! 🤩 Among the unmissable activities to do during your stay, climbing to the top of one of New York's skyscrapers is the opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. With breathtaking 360-degree views, you'll not only be able to see Manhattan, but also the other boroughs and their iconic landmarks 🙂

There are several choices, depending on where you are in the city:

If you want to combine a panoramic view and a bar, why not go to one of the many rooftops bars the city? 😀 For example, you can go to 230 Fifth on Fifth Avenue, and enjoy its superb view of the Empire State Building; or to the terrace of the Press Lounge from which you will have an unobstructed view of Midtown, Times Square and the Hudson River. Note that you will be able to access most of Manhattan's scenic bars for free! 🍸

Discover the city from even higher up!

If you want to have an unforgettable experience and discover Manhattan and Central Park from an even higher perspective, I highly recommend taking a helicopter flight in New York City! It's a mind-blowing activity that will give you an incredible view of the city.

Starting at around £177, you will depart from Downtown Manhattan Heliport and fly over key landmarks of the city such as Battery Park, Wall Street, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. The activity is expensive and the flight only lasts a few minutes, but I guarantee it will create a memory that lasts forever! 🤩 Be sure to book the activity in advance to ensure that you will be able to fly during your trip to New York.

Walk on the High Line

The High Line is an aerial park built on former elevated railway tracks. Walking on the High Line allows you to discover many neighbourhoods in a unique way. Gansevoort Street, at 34th Street, is a great starting point for your walk, and along the way, you'll see many neighbourhoods such as the Meatpacking District or Chelsea.

From the footbridges, you'll have superb views of the surroundings, including the Empire State Building, 10th Avenue, the docks and the Hudson River, making for a stunning show at sunset 🙂

Go shopping in Manhattan

Manhattan is definitely the borough to go to if you feel like going on a small shopping spree. If 5th Avenue is the paradise of luxury with its Dior, Tiffany or Louboutin boutiques, there are also good deals to be found in the area 😉

First of all, go to Macy’s, one of the symbols of the city. You'll find clothing, home decor, furnishings, cosmetics, jewellery and more. You can even get a 10% discount as a tourist (ask for your voucher at the Visitor Center 😉)!

Manhattan is also full of Outlets where you can buy branded products at discounted prices. Head to Century 21, Bloomingdale's Outlet, American Outlet or American Outlet Inc. To find the best of the best, go to SoHo and Tribeca: these neighbourhoods are full of designer boutiques. 

In fact, if you're in SoHo, consider stopping by the Dominique Ansel Bakery. There you can try the famous "Cronut", a mix between a croissant and a donut, created by French pastry chef Dominique Ansel. It’s delicious! 😋

You can also take a break at the Chelsea Market. This covered market is located in the former production plant of the famous Oreo biscuit (NABISCO). The industrial-style building, dating from the end of the 19th century, is well worth a visit! But, above all, it's a lovely place to have a meal, a snack or to buy fresh products, bread, Maine lobster, pastries (brownies, cookies...) or souvenirs to bring back from New York! 😊 The market is open from Monday to Saturday from 07:00 am to 02:00 am and on Sunday from 08:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Enjoy a complete change of scenery in Chinatown, Little Italy and Harlem

Why not take some time to discover a whole other culture? 🤩 Destination Chinatown! You can stroll through Grand Street Market and taste its many Chinese specialties, go shopping on Canal Street (beware though: buying counterfeits can get you into trouble at the airport!), touch the belly of the Buddha statue at the Mahayana Buddhist temple, or take a picture of the Confucius statue 🙂 I recommend you also take the opportunity to visit the Chinese American Museum or take a tai chi class in Columbus Park.

Finish your visit by going to Mulberry Street: you will then arrive in Little Italy. That’s perfect to tour the Italian delicatessens and stock up on authentic Italian products! Don't forget to visit Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral and to photograph the golden figurines on the front of the Puck Building, built in 1885 📸

Of course, if you visit these neighbourhoods, you simply can't miss the Food Tour of Chinatown and Little Italy! For approximately £59 per person, you can wander the streets of these iconic neighbourhoods in search of the best food spots! Accompanied by a guide, you'll also learn a lot about the history and heritage of the areas. Just remember to book the tour in advance to make sure there’ll be a spot for you.

Among the neighbourhoods that will let you discover other cultures, you will also find the Harlem neighbourhood. Long shunned by tourists, this neighbourhood is a must-see. You can visit the Apollo Theatre, where the great names of black American music have performed, and enter the famous Cotton Club.

Another activity is to go and attend a gospel service in one of Harlem's churches, the Abyssinian Baptist Church, for example. You can also do some shopping at the Malcolm Shabazz Market, the largest African market in the city! You’re sure to find a lot of beautiful fabrics there 🙂

Where to sleep in Manhattan?

If you've planned your trip but don't know yet where to stay in New York City, the Manhattan borough is where you'll find the majority of accommodations. Whether it's luxurious or more affordable hotels, palaces, homestays, or hostels – you're bound to find something that suits your needs and budget! 🙌

Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side

The Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side hotel is located in the heart of the Upper East Side, a 15-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum and Central Park. The spacious rooms are tastefully decorated and provide everything you need to feel at home. The hotel also features a gym and workout room, and is conveniently located less than a mile from an underground station, making it easy to explore the city.

The price of a double room starts at a minimum of £140 per night, depending on the dates of your stay and the time of booking 🙂

The Gallery House

The Gallery House is a 2-star hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms and suites with vintage and original decor. It is 5.4 kilometres from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and 7.1 kilometres from Central Park. Some rooms also have a kitchen with an oven. The minimum charge for a night in a room or suite is £150.

Brooklyn: New York City's cosmopolitan borough

Brooklyn is the most populous borough in the city (2.5 million inhabitants). It is a cosmopolitan borough where all ethnicities live: Whites, African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics... You’ll notice this diversity right away as you’ll walk along the streets, amongst the red sandstone houses, typical of the Brooklyn borough 😊

Cultural sites in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a hip and artsy borough. The Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest museums in New York, should be at the top of your to-do list! It houses 1.5 million works and objects from all over the world (Asia, Europe, Africa...), as well as one of the most important collections of Egyptian art.

Located at 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, the museum opens from Wednesday to Sunday, between 11 am and 6 pm, and on the first Saturday of the month from 5 pm to 11 pm.

In Brooklyn, you will also find many artists' warehouses, designers' studios and contemporary art galleries, especially in the DUMBO (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) suburb. They can be visited.

However, if you came here for the borough’s famous street art, head for the Bushwick neighbourhood! In fact, if you want, you can even discover this neighbourhood’s street art and learn more about local New York street art artists by booking a Bushwick Collective street art walking tour 🤩

Must-see places in Brooklyn

The first place you should visit is the Brooklyn Bridge, which separates Brooklyn from Manhattan. It’s another of the many iconic symbols of New York City! It can be crossed both during the day and at night, which will give you two very different views (great for photos!). This 1.5km walk, 40 metres above the East River, will take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on your stride and the number of photo breaks.

Right next to it, you'll find Brooklyn Bridge Park. Enjoy a picnic in this very pleasant park and take in the view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge!

And if you're looking for a relaxing spot in the heart of the city, Brooklyn is also home to a beautiful botanical garden. It is the most visited botanical garden in the country, so don't hesitate to go there to see and smell the thousands of species of plants, flowers and trees (roses and cherry trees especially!) 🌹 In this botanical garden, the Shakespeare Garden section and the Japanese garden are definitely not to be missed! 🌸

Must-do activities in Brooklyn

If you love vintage shopping and designer markets, head to the Williamsburg neighbourhood in Brooklyn! The Williamsburg Flea Market is where you will find unique items. You may also find what you're looking for in the many thrift shops in the area.

Don't forget to visit the Brooklyn Brewery, where you can taste some excellent local beers, including the Brooklyn Lager 🍺

And if you feel like going to the beach – because yes, there are beaches in NYC – then head to Coney Island, where you can also have fun in the huge amusement park that is Luna Park! 😄 It will make for a magical time, especially if you visit New York with kids!

Finally, you can also discover Brighton Beach, in the sub-neighborhood of Little Odessa. This is New York's Russian neighbourhood – a place where you will see that Eastern European traditions are still very much alive! You will see many residential buildings, but also markets, traditional restaurants and lively night clubs in the evening 😄

Where to sleep in Brooklyn?

The Brooklyn borough is often less popular with tourists travelling to New York City than Manhattan is. Still, you'll also find some great accommodations there with, sometimes, very good rates 🙂

The Lodge Red Hook

The Lodge Red Hook is a modern 3-star hotel located in the heart of Brooklyn, in the vibrant Red Hook neighbourhood (known for its rich street art). The hotel offers bright, spacious rooms with all the comforts you need for a great stay. The hotel is 1.1 km from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and less than 1 km from the Smith – 9 Sts underground station (F and G underground lines). Expect a minimum of £88 per night.

Liberty View Brooklyn Hotel

The Liberty View Brooklyn Hotel offers bright, air-conditioned rooms with en suite shower facilities. Guests can also enjoy access to a gym and the company of an entertainment staff. This 3-star hotel is 4.1 km from the Barclays Center and 6.7 km from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Double rooms are available from £97 per night, buffet or continental breakfast included 👍

Queens: New York City's largest borough

Even though Queens is often overlooked by tourists visiting New York City, this borough is full of incredible history and culture! If you have time to stop by after visiting Manhattan or Brooklyn, don't hesitate to do so 😉

Queens is the largest borough in New York and half of its inhabitants are foreign-born. According to the statistics, the borough is home to no less than 130 different nationalities!

The culture in Queens

The Museum of Moving Image

• Thursday, 2 pm to 6 pm;
• Friday, 2 pm to 8 pm;
• Weekends, 12 noon to 6 pm.

MoMA PS1

The Louis Armstrong House Museum

Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.

Activities to do in Queens

Astoria and Flushing neighbourhoods

The Astoria neighbourhood is located along the East River, north of Queens. This area has changed a lot in the last few years and is now a relatively busy place in New York City. It is one of the most cultural areas in Queens, with many museums and galleries, as well as beautiful Orthodox churches such as St. Catherine & George Church and St. Markella Cathedral. 

And if you're looking for a green spot in New York, you can also go to Astoria Park to have a picnic, do some jogging and even swim in the oldest and biggest pool in the city 😀

Another neighbourhood to visit in Queens is Flushing. There, you can walk around Corona Park, also known as Flushing Meadow Park. It is particularly famous for its Unisphere – a large metal structure in the shape of a globe measuring nearly 12 metres in diameter, right in the centre of the park! The park is also home to several museums, and it is also the site of the annual US Open in New York.

Besides this, Flushing is home to New York's largest Chinatown, much larger than Manhattan's Chinatown and much less touristy 😉 Don't forget to try the culinary specialties of the Chinese supermarket, the Golden Shopping Mall!

Of course, don't hesitate to visit the City Field in Flushing – and, why not, attend a game of the Mets, a famous baseball team of New York ⚾ It is an original activity that may happen only once in your life, so go for it if you have the opportunity!

Long Island CIty

Long Island City is the other half of Queens, along the East River. This  neighbourhood is mostly known for its greenery (relatively rare in New York!) and is also very appreciated for its proximity to Manhattan. You can walk in Hunters Point South Park or in Gantry Plaza State Park, a former harbour that was totally redeveloped and a perfect spot to admire the sunset 🤩

Rockaway

Rockaway is a peninsula in Queens, in the extension of Long Beach. It is best known for Rockaway Beach, where locals come to enjoy the sun and surfers come to enjoy the waves in the middle of summer. If you're visiting, be sure to try the beers at Astoria Beer and Cheese, and the Latin food at Roosevelt Avenue 😋 Outside of the summer months, Rockaway is an interesting area for shopping and museum visits.

Bronx, the working-class borough

With its reputation as an infamous and therefore dangerous neighbourhood, tourists are rare in the Bronx. Yet, despite its poverty, it is a popular and multi-ethnic neighbourhood that is well worth a visit! The Bronx is the cradle of hip-hop culture, but what you really need to visit is the Yankee Stadium, home to the most successful baseball team in North America! How about attending a New York Yankees game? 😉

If you're not really interested in sports, the Bronx borough is also home to the New York City Botanical Garden, as well as the largest zoo in the country 😀 With over 600 species and 4,000 animals from all over the world roaming in semi-freedom in various themed areas, this zoo is great for a family outing on your next trip to New York City!

To find out more about both sites, you can click on the links below:

Finish your tour of the borough by taking a stroll through New York City's true Italian neighbourhood, Little Italy in the Bronx, located on Arthur Avenue. At the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, you can even pick up all sorts of specialties – including the best Italian pizzas and incredible delicatessen items 😋

Staten Island, historic heart of New York City

One of Staten Island's greatest attractions is its orange ferry. Aboard, you can get close to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, as well as to Ellis Island –  the island where 12 million immigrants landed in pursuit of the American dream. Every day, the Staten Island Ferries do the trip between Long Island and Staten Island. They depart every 15 minutes from Whitehall Terminal in Battery Park and take 20 minutes to reach Staten Island. From the boat, you can admire the New York Skyline and the NYC harbour, and if you take your return trip at the end of the day, you will even witness a sunset over the river – they are magnificent! 🤩

Aside from the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island borough is most appreciated for its many green spaces. Locals love to stroll through Clove Lakes Park, a botanical garden consisting of 20 gardens (including the beautiful Chinese and Tuscan gardens) and a zoo. The latter is small but very pleasant to visit. Inside, you will see red pandas and the largest collection of reptiles in the country! 🐍

You can also enjoy the peace and quiet of the island by walking along the Greenbelt, a 5.5km long forest walk with ponds. It is one of the most popular walks for the locals 😉

On the cultural side, why not visit a village recreating the life of the inhabitants in the 19th century: the Historic Richmond Town. It is an exciting experience that will help you learn more about the history of the United States 🙂

Of course, you can also visit the Staten Island Museum, which is full of exhibits related to arts and science, but also contains many collections about the history of Staten Island.

Opening hours: Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.

Ticket prices available on the Staten Island Museum's official website:

*free for children under 2 years old

Before leaving Staten Island, be sure to pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial on St George Esplanade. It is a beautiful sculpture in the shape of wings, in honour of the islanders who did not survive the 2001 attacks.

We have come to the end of this article on New York City's boroughs. I hope you enjoyed it and that you now have all the information you need to prepare your trip to New York City 🙂

If you want to know more about all the necessary steps to best plan your trip, you can also check out my articles on the travel budget for New York to avoid unpleasant surprises as well as when to go to New York, so as to make sure you go during the season that best suits you! 😁