Do you want to truly get to know New York? That is, do you want to go beyond the usual, well-known tour of classic monuments (Lady Liberty, Wall Street, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Central Park, MoMA, etc.)? Try exploring every single soul of this metropolis, which is divided into five major boroughs—or quarters—each of which holds both well-known and lesser-known treasures. The idea of a tour that covers all five, the “fabulous five,” will introduce you to each borough’s top attractions as well as a few hidden surprises. Find your private transfer as soon as you land at one of the New York airports ( JFK, LaGuardia or Newark)… and let’s get started!
New York and the Fab Five
New York has always been divided into five boroughs that work almost like autonomous entities. In fact, each borough is part of its own county and is politically and economically autonomous, except for being subject to the mayor of New York for other duties. The five boroughs are the two islands of Manhattan and Staten Island and the boroughs of Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. In turn, the boroughs can have internal distinctions… for example, Manhattan is divided into four “sides”… and each segment contains wonders. Here we’d like to give you a general guide to admire the best of each major district.
Manhattan
Manhattan “is” New York. In fact, it’s where the Dutch settlers, who first arrived in the 17th century, founded their New Amsterdam, which later became “New York” for the British. The name Manhattan comes from a phrase in the local native language meaning “the place of good wood for bows.” Today, this long, narrow island is the main attraction because its forest of glittering skyscrapers makes it the famous “postcard from New York” we all know.
The most famous areas of Manhattan are the Upper East Side (the area of the very wealthy), Central Park, the Empire State Building, Wall Street—now home to the monument to the Twin Towers—Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, areas like Little Italy, and Chinatown. Our tip, if you want to admire a bit of everything at once, is to climb to the top of the Empire State Building and enjoy the entire panorama of the island from above.
If you’re looking for something unique and less touristy, head to the Village and find Christopher Park: famous for its white statues depicting two same-sex couples, the first protest movement by the gay community fighting for their rights began in a hotel overlooking this garden, the Stonewall Inn.
Staten Island
This large island is New York’s “green lung.” It boasts the largest number of parks and gardens, as well as residential neighborhoods immersed in the shade of private trees. The main attractions of this neighborhood are its houses, many dating back to the 1600s, with the typical architectural style of old British mansions. People travel to Staten Island, however, to admire the “green shore” of the famous Brooklyn Bridge (or Verrazano Bridge), which connects this neighborhood to neighboring Brooklyn. Fort Hill, its historic heart, is also the most touristy area of the borough.
If you want to experience the “original” and lesser-known touch of Staten Island, we suggest the Sri Lankan community neighborhoods, where hippies, both old and new, have found the ideal setting for their colorful and quirky shops.
Brooklyn
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, you reach the Brooklyn borough. This borough is also located on an island, Long Island, which, however, does not belong (except for a small segment) to the City of New York. Brooklyn is the most crowded borough in the city and takes its name from the first Dutch settlers’ village, Breukeleen.
Having always been a ghetto for migrants, it was also the most dangerous and violent, home to clashes between Italian, Russian, and Irish gangs. After a long period of decline, however, the area has been significantly revitalized since the 2000s. Besides the famous bridge, the main attraction of this neighborhood is the Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest art museums in the United States. Brooklyn is home to some of New York’s best nightlife!
Brooklyn’s original attraction is the Old Luna Park: dating back to 1903, it fully shows its age but is fascinating precisely for this reason!
The Bronx and Queens: The “Bad Boys”
The Bronx and Queens have always been considered the two “bad boys” of New York City’s five boroughs. In fact, both have unfortunately tied their “fame” to violence and decay. For many years, these two areas were dangerous to visit, and even today, safety is the primary concern of tourists who venture there. Yet they are worth visiting, precisely because they are less well-known and therefore more mysterious and fascinating.
The Bronx, which borders the “African-American neighborhood” of Harlem, is now home to two major tourist attractions: the Bronx Zoo, one of the largest in America, and Toscanini’s Villa, an elegant building where the famous composer lived. A unique place that few visit, however, is Pelham Bay Park. This “green side” of the wild Bronx is still unknown to many tourists. The large garden offers hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries, and picnic areas where people can easily admire wild birds and other small animals. You can also walk up to the Hutchinson River’s mouth through green forests and marshlands.
Queens is also seeking its redemption through tourism. In addition to Flushing Meadows Park and the New York Hall of Science, this neighborhood is also home to the “Surreal Elevator” inside the Macy’s building and Houdini’s Tomb in the Cypress Hills Street Cemetery. Today, many come to pray and leave decks… of poker cards in front of the tombstone commemorating the great magician!
