New York's 5 fantastic boroughs

NEW YORK CITY MUST SEES

NEW YORK CITY’S FIVE FANTASTIC BOROUGHS Everyone raves about New York City and so they should. The city is full of razzmatazz; the bright lights of Broadway, iconic history, and glamourous nightlife come to mind. There’s a side to the Big Apple you might not have seen; did you know that NYC is made up of five distinct boroughs? Each has its own flair and we can show you what’s on offer beyond the tourist trail.

BROOKLYN Brooklyn is Manhattan’s funky younger sibling. The borough is known for its hip indie scene which it effortlessly blends with family fun. Shop for vintage threads and listen to local bands in Williamsburg, head to the Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn, or take the little ones to Prospect Park.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS &WILLIAMSBURG As you take a stroll over Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find yourself in Brooklyn Heights. This charming residential area features rows of streets with quintessential New York terraced houses. Make sure you stop for ice cream in Emack and Bolio’s parlour, a favourite with the locals. Williamsburg is another favourite hang-out for tourists and natives alike. Hit the sidewalk and explore this edgy neighbourhood where you can hear live music, shop in vintage stores, and peruse art galleries.

CONEY ISLAND Brooklyn is Manhattan’s funky younger sibling. The borough is known for its hip indie scene which it effortlessly blends with family fun. Shop for vintage threads and listen to local bands in Williamsburg, head to the Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn, or take the little ones to Prospect Park.

NEW YORK CITY MUST SEES

MANHATTAN First timers to New York normally head straight to Manhattan, and for all the right reasons. Sight-seeing, museums, chic cocktail bars, trendy restaurants, the food…the list of things to explore is so vast. Gaze at the Statue of Liberty, sing and dance through Broadway, and stand in the middle of the madness in Times Square. Other must-see attractions include:

THE RIDE Think you’ve been on a tour bus before? The Ride blows all others out the water. Floor to ceiling windows and a VR headset make this an immersive experience you can’t miss. The 90-minute tour covers 10 New York City neighbourhoods and 50 landmarks including Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, the Garment District, Empire State Building, Times Square and more.

CENTRAL PARK A park for all seasons, Central Park is beautiful at all times of the year. Grab a famous New York bagel, or a slice of pizza and enjoy a picnic, take an afternoon stroll, or rent a bike for a leisurely jaunt around the park.

QUEENS Queens is probably the most diverse of New York’s boroughs, this means there’s plenty to see, eat, and experience. If you’re feeling hungry, go to Flushing Chinatown for great Asian food, visit the Queens Botanical Park, or simply find one of the breweries and sample some of the local craft beer.

MUSEUM OF MOVING IMAGE The most famous of all streets is Sesame Street, and the Museum of Moving Image is home to The Jim Henson Exhibition. Gaze at over 300 exhibits from all your favourite puppet shows and films, including the Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth, as well as The Muppet Show. Want to know the best bit? You’ll be able to get up close to 47 puppets featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Rowlf, The Swedish Chef, Statler, Waldorf, Big Bird, and Elmo.

CULINARY BACKSTREETS WALKS - CULINARY WALKS: QUEENS Hungry to know where all the best food in Queens is? Go on a foodie tour and take part in a Culinary Backstreets Walk - Culinary Walks: Queens. The diverse population has gifted the borough with so many delectable foods and cuisines. There’s no need to fret as to which restaurant to go to, these guys have done all the hard work for you.

NEW YORK CITY MUST SEES

BRONX Home to the New York Yankees and the birthplace of hip hop, the Bronx is known for its edgy, urban vibe. You’ll also find a neighbourhood called Fordham and Belmont, known to the locals as “real Little Italy”, thanks to its collection of delicious restaurants and cafes. Then there’s the Grand Concourse to the south of the borough where you can wonder through streets filled with art deco wonders.

HUSH HIP HOP TOURS

Classic hip hop is synonymous with New York and especially the Bronx. Hear about the roots of this music genre with one of the founding fathers who shares stories and anecdotes, plus see unique street art along the way. Starting at the Bronx Walk of Fame (another must-see), you’ll see early rap-battle locations, spots featured in the film Get Down and you’ll explore Casa Amadeo, New York’s oldest record shop.

YANKEE STADIUM Everyone has heard of the New York Yankees, they’re world famous. Sports fans should definitely add this to their to-do list when visiting the Big Apple, even if it’s to visit the gift shop to pick up unique souvenirs, t-shirt or a cap with the famous logo.

STATEN ISLAND New York’s most southern borough is Staten Island and it’s the perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. It features the city’s largest forest preserve, plus historic Richmond Town gives you a chance to peek into colonial life. There’s also a beach which is worth a visit in the summer, as well as plenty of botanical gardens worth an afternoon stroll.

HISTORIC RICHMOND TOWN Take a walk into the past at Historic Richmond Town, an attraction and museum which preserves 300 years of American culture and history. A fantastic day out for families and couples, you can immerse yourself into what life was like in days gone by. Stroll through period streets and the Third County Courthouse or enjoy a well-deserved drink in the historic Guyon Tavern. There’s even an old-fashioned farm, early 19th century kitchen and a two-century old general store to see.

SNUG HARBOR CULTURAL CENTER & BOTANICAL GARDEN A world away from the hubbub of the city, you’ll find a quiet oasis in the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. Once a home to a group of retired sailors in the 1800s, it’s now a collection of lush gardens and inviting, quintessential historic buildings.

The second oldest concert venue in NYC stands proud surrounded by ‘secret’ labyrinthine gardens. You’ll also see a Tuscan-style garden with lemon and olive trees in abundance, a collection of Greek Revival buildings, plus so much more. With so much to see, we recommend taking a picnic and unearthing this leafy spot in the city.