Many people, both nationally and internationally, don’t know that New York City is more than just Manhattan.
Sure, the city’s most well-known landmarks and attractions are in Manhattan, but it’s not the only kid in town!
Manhattan is just one of five boroughs (pronounced burrow) in NYC.
There are four other boroughs all of which are bigger than Manhattan: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
Just look at this map!
I was born in Brooklyn, lived in Manhattan for a while, and am now back in Brooklyn.
I have friends and family in the Bronx and Queens. While I don't have any connection to Staten Island, I've been there.
My fellow local tour guides at Tours by Foot NYC live all over New York City.
Between us, we know what makes each borough special.
In this post, I'll introduce you to NYC's fabulous five boroughs and go over the top attractions and neighborhoods within them.
1. Overview: What Are the 5 Boroughs of NYC?
Boroughs are formal subdivisions of a city. They are different from neighborhoods as I explain further down in this post.
Each NYC borough has its own local government but ultimately is governed by the New York City government.
Each borough has a borough president, but New York City has one mayor who governs all 5 boroughs.
A side note. I'm a history buff, especially when it comes to my city, and even more so my borough of Brooklyn.
Before 1898, Brooklyn was a city, separate from what was then called the City of New York.
You can read more about this in our post on Brooklyn Heights.
Like New York, Brooklyn was a major player nationally on the economic and cultural fronts. (The same cannot be said of the other three boroughs).
Brooklyn had its own mayor and its own City Hall, which I think is a more attractive building than NYC's City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Here it is with a group of my tour guests posing in front.
Brooklynites to this day take pride in the fact that when we were a city, we stood side by side with what was then called the City of New York.
Now that I have professed how much I adore my borough's history, I have a confession to make.
I am one of the millions of New Yorkers living outside Manhattan who, without thinking, refer to Manhattan as 'the city'.
Although all five boroughs are 'the city', Manhattan does feel like the epicenter of NYC.
It's a bad habit when I say to friends, "Let's meet in the city", meaning Manhattan.
Bad habits are hard to break.
Borough vs. Neighborhood
Boroughs are parts of a city with formal boundaries. Neighborhoods are defined areas within each borough.
Just a few well-known Manhattan neighborhoods are SoHo, Midtown Manhattan, Chinatown, Upper East Side, Greenwich Village and the West Village.
There are sub-neighborhoods that are informal small areas within defined neighborhoods.
For example, the Meatpacking District is a sub-neighborhood in the northwest corner of the neighborhood of the West Village.
Our post, New York City Neighborhoods Explained, may help make this clearer.
Manhattan – The Heart of It All
As I said above, Manhattan feels like the epicenter of New York City and there are dozens and dozens why this is so.
It’s where the Dutch settled in 1624, naming what is now Lower Manhattan “New New Amsterdam”.
So many of NYC’s iconic attractions, like Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Central Park are in Manhattan.
Though geographically smaller than the four other boroughs, there are over 60 neighborhoods, many of which deserve a visit.
What to See in Manhattan
Times Square
Known around the world for its New Year's Eve gathering and the ball drop, Times Square is a must-see neighborhood.
While a majority of locals say they avoid Times Square like the plague, I like it.
To me, there is nowhere else that oozes so much of New York City’s electric atmosphere.
I don’t spend a lot of time there, but I do tell my tour guests that they absolutely should visit Times Square just to soak in the energy.
Many do, to see Broadway shows, but there are plenty more things to do in Times Square.
Central Park
Central Park is a whopping 6% of Manhattan's land area!
From its spacious grand lawns to its wooded areas and bodies of water, Central Park is not to be missed.
Plus, there are some of the best cultural festivals there during the summer.
I've been going to Shakespeare in the Park and SummerStage for years now. Both are excellent.
Be sure to read our post, Things to Do in Central Park when planning your outing.
Midtown is the center of Manhattan.
Hundreds of thousands of people work here or pass through this part of Manhattan via Grand Central Terminal on their way to work in other parts of Manhattan.
One place I always bring friends visiting New York City for the first time is Grand Central pictured below).
It’s a magnificent building with lots of interesting architectural features and secrets! Add Grand Central to your itinerary.
Just a few top Midtown Manhattan attractions are the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the Museum of Modern Art.
It also has the largest concentration of hotels.
This part of Manhattan has some great attractions and historic sights.
It’s where you’ll find Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and One World Observatory with its breathtaking views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond.
It’s also where you catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Other Top Neighborhoods in Manhattan to Visit
Of the nearly 60 neighborhoods in Manhattan, these are the ones you should definitely consider checking out.
Chances are you have them on your list of places to see already.
Read more about New York City’s neighborhoods and what there is to do in each of them.
Brooklyn – Creative, Cool, and Ever-Changing
With an estimated population of 2.6 million, Brooklyn is home to the most number of New Yorkers.
If it were its own city (as it once was), it would be one of the largest cities in the United States.
It's larger than the smallest states in the U.S. and more populous than some European countries!
There are over 70 neighborhoods, and Brooklyn has an enormous diversity of ethnic backgrounds, with 200 languages spoken. Yes, you read that right!
From gorgeous historic neighborhoods, fantastic ethnic food, cutting-edge culture and amazing skyline views of Manhattan, Brooklyn has something for everyone.
Things to See and Do in Brooklyn
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is something that locals love to do. I never get tired of it.
So many of my tour guests have fallen in love with the bridge and I understand why.
The views from the bridge are expansive and include parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was a feat of engineering at the time.
Though its innovative architecture has been long outdone, the bridge remains one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.
Way off in the distance, you can see the Statue of Liberty.
I cannot state more emphatically that walking over the bridge is an experience every visitor to NYC should have.
This stunning neighborhood located next to the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest neighborhoods in NYC and the site of significant moments in American History.
Its charming residential streets are lined with houses of different architectural styles.
The oldest house dates back to 1824.
I know I have mentioned a few of my favorite places in NYC. That's because there are so many.
Brooklyn Heights is a neighborhood I spend quite a bit of time in since I live nearby and its charm is incomparable to any other NYC neighborhood.
Again, just my opinion, but if you go there, I think you may just agree with me!
Also located right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO is artsy and historic.
Yes, it's another favorite neighborhood of mine. Here's why.
It's a historic neighborhood with century-old warehouses now occupied by businesses (like ETSY) and apartments.
You can see the sky here and everywhere you turn are excellent photo-ops, like the iconic one in the picture below.
It's the Manhattan Bridge with the Empire State Building framed within the bridge's arch.
Street art is abundant here and some of the best murals in NYC are in DUMBO.
Its waterfront parks are perfect for playing and picnicking.
If you are looking for great skyline views, DUMBO is for you!
Wondering what's up with the name? Read our post, What Does DUMBO Stand For?
Once called America’s Playground, Coney Island is a pretty cool place to check out.
I don't recommend going there if you have only a few days in NYC.
But if you are here for several days and want to see a part of the city dramatically different from others, head on out!
Besides the famous boardwalk and beach, there’s Luna Park, an amusement park with thrilling rides, the New York Aquarium, and the Annual Mermaid Parade every June.
I've included Bushwick in this post mainly because of its huge open-air gallery of murals in the world.
For street art fans like me, the Bushwick Collective is a must-see.
Some of the most famous muralists have been showcased here. Local artists are also featured.
Here are more places to see street art in NYC.
Located along the East River, Williamsburg is a vibrant neighborhood, perfect for shopping at boutiques and vintage stores, seeing live music and dancing late into the night.
The food scene is fantastic, street art is abundant and the waterfront parks offer stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
Staten Island – Quiet, Green, and Scenic
With only half a million people, Staten Island is not a big tourist destination.
In fact, many New Yorkers (including myself) from other boroughs never go there simply because it is overwhelmingly residential.
It does have some historical sites and lots of green space. There are even some local beaches.
For non-residents and visitors to NYC, the reason to go there is to ride the free Staten Island Ferry.
For spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride into New York Harbor.
You can come right back to Manhattan or explore Staten Island a bit.
I ride the ferry for fun a few times a year and it is a must-do when I have out-of-town guests.
They are blown away by the views and cannot get over the fact that it is free!
You can also take the NYC Ferry from Midtown Manhattan and Lower Manhattan, though it isn't free.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
Opened in 1883 as a home for retired sailors, this botanical garden covers 83 acres and has 20 different gardens.
Richmond Town is a living history museum that takes visitors back in time to the 1600s when the Dutch settled the island.
There are 15 restored buildings over 100 acres.
Guides are dressed in the part and various aspects of colonial life such as craft demonstrations and country fairs are held.
The Bronx – Birthplace of Hip-Hop and Yankee Stadium
Though much of it is residential, the Bronx has a few attractions that rank up there with many of Manhattan's attractions.
It’s home to the New York Yankees and the Bronx Zoo.
Plus, there is Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s answer to Little Italy.
There is lots of green space including the Bronx Botanical Gardens.
TIP: If you are in NYC during the Christmas holidays, the botanical gardens has a super light installation called GLOW.
Kids love it -- but grown-ups like me do too!
What to See and Do in the Bronx
The Bronx Zoo is the largest city zoo in the country with more than 7,000 resident animals.
What makes this zoo exceptional is that the animals live in habitats that recreate, as best as possible, their natural habitats.
Yankee Stadium is home to the New York Yankees baseball team.
The ‘Bronx Bombers’, as they are affectionately known, have won the World Series 27 times.
It’s a quick subway ride from Manhattan, so if you want to see a baseball game, head to the ‘da Bronx.
Baseball lovers can take a Yankee Stadium Tour.
Located in the Belmont section of the Bronx, Arthur Avenue is what locals say is the “real” Little Italy.
Certainly, that’s true of the population.
There are more people with Italian heritage living in Belmont than in Manhattan’s Little Italy.
Food-wise, Arthur Avenue is quite a treat. Shops sell homemade mozzarella and sausages.
The bakeries are fantastic. Dine out for some of the best spaghetti and meatballs in NYC.
The Borough of Queens
Many visitors to New York City visit Queens without realizing it.
Both John F. Kennedy and Laguardia Airports are in Queens.
But there is much more to Queens than runways!
Queens (pop. 2.2 million) is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world.
With at least 138 languages spoken throughout the borough, one could travel the world just by exploring Queens.
Much of the borough is residential, but that doesn't mean sleepy, quiet streets.
Neighborhoods like Long Island City, Greenpoint, and Astoria, have vibrant art and music scenes.
Queens – The World’s Most Diverse Borough
A popular destination for locals in the summer, this Queens beach is easily reached by subway or the East River NYC Ferry.
Besides swimming, sunbathing, and surfing, there are festivals and family-friendly events.
Citi Field
Home to The Mets, Citi Field is a great alternative to seeing the Yankees in the Bronx.
It replaced Shea Stadium in 2009. It’s very easy to reach by subway.
Flushing
Flushing is home to one of NYC’s largest parks, Flushing Meadows, and the city’s second-largest Chinatown.
It's also known as Koreatown, though the primary Koreatown is around W. 32nd Street in Manhattan.
I don't spend a whole lot of time in Queens, but every year in August, I'm out there for several days straight at the U.S. Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments in the world.
If you are a tennis fan, Flushing is where to go in August!
Jackson Heights
This immigrant-dominated neighborhood is a perfect place to take yourself on a self-guided food tour.
You’ll find foods from South and Latin America, China, Thailand, Mexico, India and even Tibet!
Nearby Cities and Counties that are NOT boroughs of NYC
I just wanted to clarify two things, should you have been told inaccurate information about what is part of NYC and what it not.
First, you may come across people who think that New York City has seven boroughs because they include nearby Jersey City and Hoboken, cities in the state of New Jersey.
They are not part of NYC but do have a very close connection to it as tens of thousands of people from those cities commute daily into NYC.
Also, Long Island is not a borough of NYC although two of NYC's boroughs are geographically on the island.
But, at some point on the east end of those boroughs there is a border where New York City ends and Long Island's two counties, Suffolk and Norfolk, begin.
