New York, New York

The Bronx keeps evolving while holding tight to its roots. It’s home to some of New York’s best green spaces, from the vast Bronx Zoo and Van Cortlandt Park to the New York Botanical Garden, where seasonal displays draw visitors year-round. The borough’s Little Italy on Arthur Avenue is a must for old-school bakeries and family-run trattorias, and Yankee Stadium remains a top stop whether you’re catching a game or taking a behind-the-scenes tour. Literature fans can visit the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, where the author spent his final years, while the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum offers a look at 19th-century life inside one of the city’s most elegant estates. For something more contemporary, explore the Bronx’s creative side through its growing street art scene and deep ties to hip-hop, which was born here in the 1970s and continues to shape its identity today.

Brooklyn blends history with constant reinvention. Williamsburg draws crowds with its mix of independent shops, vintage finds, and late-night spots, while the borough’s landmarks never lose their pull. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline views, head to Coney Island for a classic boardwalk experience and a Nathan’s Famous hot dog, and spend time at the Brooklyn Museum, home to one of the country’s most impressive art collections. Next door, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a calm break from city life. Down by the waterfront, DUMBO’s cobblestone streets and bridge views make it a favorite for photos and coffee breaks, while nearby Prospect Park offers a quieter, more local version of Central Park. And for a different type of culture, check out the 150-year-old Brooklyn Academy of Music and its calendar full of avant-garde plays, dances, music, literary events, and lectures.

Manhattan is an island packed with some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Spend time in Central Park, see a Broadway show, and experience the bright rush of Times Square. Each neighborhood here has its own rhythm, from the historic streets of Harlem to the cobblestones of SoHo and the towering skyline of Midtown. The borough is also home to major art institutions: the Guggenheim, with its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright design and collection of modern masterpieces, and the New Museum on the Lower East Side, known for its focus on contemporary art. Down by the harbor, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration tells the stories of those who came to America seeking new lives, right next to the Statue of Liberty, still one of the city’s most powerful symbols.

Queens is one of New York’s most diverse boroughs, known for its mix of cultures, food, and art. Its neighborhoods each have their own flavor: in Astoria, Greek tavernas and bakeries line the streets, while Flushing offers some of the city’s best Asian restaurants. MoMA PS1 in Long Island City showcases cutting-edge contemporary art in an industrial setting, and nearby, the Noguchi Museum blends indoor and outdoor space with sculptures by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. History fans can visit the King Manor Museum in Jamaica, once home to Rufus King, a signer of the U.S. Constitution and early abolitionist. Citi Field, home of the Mets, and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the U.S. Open takes place, are also here. Both JFK and LaGuardia airports are in Queens, making it the first and last stop for many visitors.

Staten Island might be the city’s quietest borough, but it’s full of character and history. The free Staten Island Ferry runs all day and night, offering great views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan before docking in St. George, where 19th-century architecture meets local culture. Stop by the restored St. George Theatre, the National Lighthouse Museum, or the Staten Island Museum, which mixes natural history, art, and local exhibits. Green space is everywhere here. The Staten Island Greenbelt offers miles of trails and woodlands, and in summer, the island’s beaches are popular for kayaking and relaxing by the water. For a closer look at local history, visit the Alice Austen House, once home to one of America’s first female photographers, or explore Historic Richmond Town, a preserved village with buildings and artifacts that trace island life back to the 1600s. Staten Island also has a growing food scene, especially around St. George and Stapleton, where you’ll find local breweries and waterfront restaurants worth discovering.