NYC Areas Compared: Visit QUEENS and The BRONX (Pt 3)

Across the East River from Midtown Manhattan and over the Harlem River in the north are New York City’s two most ethnically diverse boroughs: Queens and The Bronx. In fact, depending on the source, each one is cited as THE most diverse borough in the United States, and in the world. Compared to the other areas of NYC, Queens and The Bronx offer tourists an edgier, more colorful and possibly more fascinating NYC experience.

Here are the other posts in this series, NYC Areas Compared:

• Part 1: Your Perfect Manhattan Stay
• Part 2: Comfy Staten Island and Brooklyn

And if you love You’ve Got Mail, check out my ULTIMATE You’ve Got Mail walking tour with 26 stops!

Now, I want to clarify: I don’t mean edgy as in not safe … the question of safety in Queens and (especially) The Bronx comes up a lot on travel forums. Residents are quick to defend how safe their area is and remind tourists that basic common sense is enough to keep you safe: don’t wander into dim, unknown streets at night; don’t wave your wallet around; and, if intoxicated, it’s probably best to get a ride to your hotel.

Queens and The Bronx have SO many interesting things going on, that it’s really a shame most tourists skip these areas completely. Visitors looking for a more engaging, authentic experience of NYC’s diversity will have plenty to seduce them in Queens and The Bronx. And even if you decide not to stay in either borough, both have must-see (or at minimum, definitely should-see) NYC sights.

Both Queens and The Bronx are generally well connected to Manhattan by subway, so if you want to spend time in the other boroughs, you definitely can. There are also a few good hotel options just inside each borough, where access to Manhattan is very good.

My #1 tip when deciding where to stay in NYC is this: First decide on the type of NYC experience you want to have. When you think of NYC, what do you think of? What gets you most excited to go? Then pick an area and a hotel that helps bring that to life.

Because NYC offers SO many different experiences for tourists, it’s very helpful to have a picture in your mind of what you’re looking for.

In this post, I’ll repeat my overview from Part 2 that shows the different vibes of all four NYC boroughs outside of Manhattan, and then I’ll do a deep-dive into Queens and The Bronx.

Contents:

• MAP, OVERVIEW and TABLE: Comparing NYC Areas Outside Manhattan 
• QUEENS: Hyper-Multiculturalism offers Amazing Tastes and Treasures 
• THE BRONX: Stunning Parks and Fascinating People 
• SUMMARY and PLANNING RESOURCES

A note on hotels: I’ll include hotel suggestions you might want to consider for each of these boroughs. Since I haven’t been to these places yet, I’m basing my list on affordability, value, location and – perhaps most importantly – strong visitor reviews.

NYC has many options to fit your preference, including boutique hotels, well-rated chains and personal apartments. My preference is usually a non-chain hotel that enhances the overall experience of a particular area. If you don’t like what you see here, browse amazing apartments on airbnb.com or hotels on booking.com.

MAP, OVERVIEW and TABLE: Comparing NYC Areas Outside Manhattan

Let’s start with a map to get a sense of where each borough is, get an overview of what makes each area distinct, and then pull the highlights together in a helpful little table.

By that point, you’ll likely have a sense of which borough you want to know more about, to see if that’s the NYC experience you’re looking for. Keep reading for the deep-dive below!

MAP: The 5 Boroughs of NYC

I love maps! Hopefully this gives you a sense of where each borough is, plus the main tourist sights.

This map of NYC shows each of the five boroughs, plus the sights and hotels mentioned in this article and Part 2.

To use the map below: Use the buttons at the top to access map details (e.g. to turn off “Borough Shapes” layer to access Google Map details beneath), to share it (i.e. with yourself to modify it for your own trip) or view a larger version.

OVERVIEW: Comparing Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx

Here’s my summary of the four NYC boroughs outside of Manhattan:

• Staten Island | Chill-axing Haven with Outlets, Museums and Boardwalk. Often called the “forgotten borough,” Staten Island has a super-chill, friendly neighborly vibe that’s only a free 15-minute ferry ride from Manhattan. Staten Island is by far the least dense of the boroughs, with much of its interior being parks and forest. But there’s enough to intrigue a tourist along Staten Island’s north and east coastlines, including outlet shopping, craft beer, gardens, museums, military fort and beaches.
• Brooklyn | Manhattan Views, Cobblestones and Street Art. Once considered a cheaper place to live, the hipster, avant-garde community relocated to Brooklyn but was eventually pushed north as big tech companies and the upper-middle class moved in. Now it has a “small Manhattan” vibe with lots of big-name shopping mixed with trendy boutiques, galleries and nightlife. It has the most beautiful waterfront promenade compared to the other boroughs, cobblestone streets, brownstones, impressive Prospect Park, bagels, pizza, Nathan’s hot dogs and borscht. Awesome.
• Queens | Hyper-Multiculturalism offers Amazing Tastes and Treasures. Queens is so much more than a 5-minute train ride to Midtown Manhattan. In a super-multicultural city, Queens is THE most multicultural metropolitan area in the entire world. Crazy, hey?! Two of the most fascinating areas to explore are Jackson Heights and Flushing, with an active nightlife that makes staying in either neighborhood a total experience. Check it out!
• The Bronx | Stunning Parks and Fascinating People. The misunderstood child of the boroughs, The Bronx has a bad rep but arguably NYC’s most stunning parks, history and food. Its parks offer amazing views overlooking both the Hudson River and Long Island Sound, and have historic homes-turned-museums tied to the revolutionary war and famous poets. Not to mention Babe Ruth’s career, the birth of hip hop and NYC’s “real” Little Italy. The Bronx is fascinating.

TABLE: Comparing Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx

Here’s a helpful table that pulls together the deep dives into each borough. Each borough has something unique to offer tourists looking for a different NYC experience.

	Staten Island	Brooklyn	Queens	The Bronx
Best for	Super chill, slower-paced NYC visit	Experiencing a smaller Manhattan, plus hipster street art	Submerging yourself into the most diverse area in the world	Exploring huge parks, historic homes and Little Italy
History	Dutch fort at South Beach to last British stand in revolutionary war to naval base	Six Dutch towns to edgy hipster to techy gentrification	Small Dutch towns to Flushing Remonstrance to immigration magnet	Farmhouses to revolutionary war posts to poverty and gangs to poets and hip hop
Vibe	Small town	Downtown, brownstones and street art	Super multicultural	Up-and-coming
Shopping	Outlet mall and vintage	Variety of big names and boutiques	Trendy shops and galleries	Decent malls, markets and discount
Restaurants	Some highly-rated restaurants and pubs; craft beer	Trendy cafes, restaurants, clubs; bagels and pizza	Lots of Asian restaurants, plus every ethnicity you can think of	Lots of Caribbean influence; Little Italy
Beach	South Beach, Midland Beach	Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach	Rockaway Beach	Orchard Beach
Connectivity	Okay to Manhattan; okay within Staten Island	Very good to Manhattan; good within Brooklyn	Okay to Manhattan; poor within Queens	Great to Manhattan; okay within The Bronx

QUEENS: Hyper-Multiculturalism offers Amazing Tastes and Treasures

Queens is known for its ethnic diversity. With almost half of its population born outside the US, representing more than 100 nations and speaking 167 different languages, Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. It’s NYC’s largest borough and the second most populated, and has almost 100 neighborhoods.

The best areas in Queens for tourists to stay are along the subway line, as getting around within Queens is more challenging unless you have a car (in large part due to its size). The typical way to get around Queens is Uber or Lyft.

Many tourists are interested in staying in Queens because it’s a cheaper option to Manhattan and only a 5-minute subway ride to Midtown (depending, of course, on where you stay in Queens). I would argue, though, that the more interesting places to stay are farther in: Jackson Heights, about a 20-minute subway ride to Grand Central Station, or Flushing, about a 35-minute subway ride.

Queens has two busy airports: John F. Kennedy International in the south and LaGuardia in the north. Hotels tend to cluster around the airports, in Long Island City and in Downtown Flushing.

Long Island City: Manhattan Views and Pockets of Activity

Long Island City is directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan. Formerly a manufacturing center, Long Island City has become a mixture of high-rises, art galleries and pockets of trendy restaurants and bars (as well as empty warehouses). It’s home to young professionals and local artists escaping rising studio costs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is well-connected to Manhattan with many subway lines and ferries.

A number of decent hotel options, along with restaurants, shops and pubs, cluster along the subway lines, making Long Island City a decent option for tourists.

Note: Long Island City used to be an actual city but is now a general term for neighborhoods in west Queens, including Hunter’s Point, Astoria and Sunnyside.

Local sites:

• Museum of Modern Art PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave, Hunters Point): An old school now houses the Queens wing of the Museum of Modern Art, featuring “experimental and contemporary” pieces.
• Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria): A highly-rated museum on the history of film, television and digital media. Visitors love the architecture, interactive elements, and permanent Jim Henson exhibit with more than 300 pieces.
• Hunters Point South Park (Center Blvd, Hunters Point): Popular waterfront promenade near the ferry.
• Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoria): An open studio and outdoor gallery with terrific views of Manhattan.
• Taverna Kyclades (33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria): Super-highly rated Greek restaurant, popular for its fresh seafood.
• Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (2919 24th Ave, Astoria): An outdoor Czech-style beer garden serving Czech and Slovak food.

Jackson Heights: Epicenter of Multiculturalism and Great Street Food

Jackson Heights is considered the epicenter of Queens’ multiculturalism, with 167 languages spoken here. All of these cultures are represented by cuisines … so many types of fantastic restaurants serving a delicious dinner for under $10. Options include Tibetan, Nepalese, Latin American, and, of course, Indian in Little India, where you’ll get NYC’s most delicious curries and find plenty of sari and Bollywood music shops.

Most of this neighborhood is a designated historic district with lots of prewar apartment buildings. It’s where Scrabble was invented and where residents gather for the annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival.

Local sites:

• Diversity Plaza (73-19 37th Rd, just off Broadway): This isn’t really a plaza, but a pedestrian-only area with tables set out for diners to try the huge variety of international cuisine surrounding you: Philipino, Indian, Tibetan and Napalese, to name a few. Note that some visitors say it can get kinda dirty.
• Little India (the corner of 37th Ave and Broadway to 74th Street): Find mouth-watering curries, Indian grocers and shops selling saris and Bollywood music.
• Roosevelt Avenue street food: Usually after the sun goes down (9 p.m.-ish) is when the best vendors line Roosevelt Ave under the elevated 7 train. Music from the carts compete with the music from nearby bars, adding to the experience. A popular vendor is the Arepa Lady at 79th St from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Arepa Lady (77-17 37th Ave): If you don’t want to wait for the street cart, head over here to try the popular Columbian cornmeal cakes. Cash only.
• Wat Buddha Tai Thavorn Vanaram (76-16 46th Ave): A small Thai Buddhist temple.
• Scrabble street sign (corner of 35th Ave and 81st St): Scrabble was invented in the early 1930s by architect Alfred Butts, who lived in Jackson Heights. This street corner sign is a tribute to the game, worth 14 points!
• Travers Park (Roosevelt and Baxter Ave/83rd St): The area’s largest recreational space. A nice place to walk with shady trees, food carts and food trucks.

Flushing: NYC’s “Real” Chinatown

Hop aboard the 7 Train at Grand Central Station for a 35-minute ride to the end, and you’ll land in Flushing. Flushing is at the east end of Queens and is home to predominantly Chinese and Korean communities. Because of this, you’ll find a world of authentic Asian food spots, markets, karaoke bars and spas.

Flushing also has the beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which hosted the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs and now hosts the popular Queens International Night Market.

Local sites:

• Streets to wander: Main Street and Roosevelt Ave are the main thoroughfares through Flushing, with lots of shops and restaurants.
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Host to the annual US Open tennis tournament, this huge beautiful park features the Mets arena, Unisphere (iconic 12-story 1964 World’s Fair globe), small amusement park, and the New York State Pavilion that’s featured in many shows. Stroll the miles of paths under cherry blossom trees and through lovely gardens, or get out on Meadow Lake by kayak or paddleboat (available at Ederle Terrace). The Queen’s Zoo, New York Hall of Science and Queens Museum (with “The Panorama” miniature replica of NYC) all have fantastic reviews.
• Queens International Night Market (4701 111th St): In the northwest corner of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, this seasonal outdoor market features live entertainment and food from more than 85 countries. It attracts more than 10,000 people every night. It’s open until midnight and has a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main St): Take the Botanical Garden Bridge from Flushing Meadows Corona Park to access this 39-acre garden. It was originally planted for the 1939 World’s Fair and expanded for 1964. Visitors remark that it’s smaller than expected, only taking about half an hour to explore.
• Han Ma Um Zen Center (144-39 32nd Ave): Lovely Korean Buddhist temple.
• Bowne House (37-01 Bowne St): The oldest home in Queens, built in 1661. It has about 5000 artifacts and correspondence connecting its owners to the Flushing Remonstrance religious freedom movement and the underground railroad.
• Louis Armstrong House Museum (34-56 107th St): The furnished house and gardens is where the famous jazz trumpeter lived. Visitors love it.
• Spa Castle (131-10 11 Avenue, College Point): A family-friendly Korean water spa on the banks of the East River. It’s a half-hour commute by bus from Downtown Flushing.

Rockaway Beach: Beach Bum Getaway

Rockaway Beach is one of NYC’s busiest beaches during the summer and is particularly loved by surfers. There are a few hotel options if you want to stay but not a lot to do. So if you want to see it, I suggest just spending a day here.

You can get to Rockaway Beach by subway or ferry. The most fun would definitely be the ferry, which leaves from Wall St/Pier 11 and takes about an hour. Find more information at ferry.nyc.

To get to Rockaway Beach by subway, you’re looking at about 1.5 hours from Grand Central Station. Take the Blue A train that specifically says “Rockaway Beach.” Note that there are three Blue A trains: Lefferts Boulevard, Rockaway Beach, and Far Rockaway; you can take Far Rockaway as far as Broad Channel, but then get off and take the shuttle train to the beach.

Where to Stay in Queens

Queens has some interesting hotel options in some intriguing neighborhoods – enough so that they may just lure you away from Manhattan.

Here are three great options in three very different neighborhoods:

• Aloft Long Island City-Manhattan View (27-45 Jackson Ave, Long Island City; $170+): This sleek hotel is in a great location: it’s a 2-minute walk to the Queens Plaza subway hub, a 10-minute walk to MoMA PS1 modern art museum, and surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and stores. Includes wifi and rooftop terrace with views of Manhattan. Guests rate it high for comfort, location and helpful service.
• Asiatic Hotel – Flushing (135-21 37 Ave, Flushing; $140+): This hotel is among the best rated and the best value in Flushing, and only three blocks from the subway. It includes wifi and continental breakfast with some Asian options. Guests say it’s clean and comfortable with good service.
• Elmhurst Hotel (37-59 81st St, Jackson Heights; $170+): This hotel is within a block of the subway, has lots of restaurants and shopping within a few blocks, and includes wifi. It doesn’t look particularly special to enhance your stay in Queens, but it’s newer and has very strong reviews.

THE BRONX: Stunning Parks and Fascinating People

Head north of Manhattan over the Harlem River and you’ll land in The Bronx, NYC’s only borough that’s part of the US mainland. More than 75 different languages are spoken here, though English and Spanish are by far the most prevalent. The Bronx has a Hispanic majority, which is unique compared to all other NYC boroughs.

The Bronx is the birthplace of hip hop, where Babe Ruth immortalized the Yankees, and home to NYC’s “real” Little Italy. Nestled into its sprawling, beautiful parks are historic farmhouses that housed Washington during the Revolutionary War, the gorgeous New York Botanical Garden, and the expansive Bronx Zoo that’s leading the way on wildlife conservation. Along its western shore is the manicured Wave Hill park with wooded paths and breathtaking views of the Hudson River; along its eastern shore is NYC’s largest park, Pelham Bay, and the fishing village on City Island, both of which provide soul-refreshing views of Long Island Sound.

The Bronx is quite well connected to Manhattan by the Red, Orange and Green Lines. West and East Bronx are separated along the Bronx River, which runs through the botanical garden and zoo. West Bronx is more densely populated than East Bronx, and is closer to Upper Manhattan. The south end of West Bronx is generally referred to as South Bronx.

The more I research visiting The Bronx, the more it feels like the misunderstood child of NYC. It gets a bad rep for crime, but its residents refute this and staunchly defend how much they love their home. Certain areas may feel a little sketchy, but the areas in this post are all considered quite safe.

South Bronx: Yankees, Hip Hop and Poets

Let’s start with South Bronx, as it’s the closest to Manhattan. South Bronx is an informal and undefined area immediately north of Harlem River and west of the Bronx River. To keep it simple, I’m mostly referring to the neighborhoods south of I-95.

South Bronx is home to the Yankees, art museums, parks memorializing poets, and the birthplace of hip hop (although technically it’s just north of I-95).

Local sites:

• Yankee Stadium (1 E 161 St): The current Yankee Stadium was built in 2009 to replace the original 1923 stadium. The original stadium was nicknamed “The House That Ruth Built” after the baseball superstar Babe Ruth and stood just south of the current one, in Heritage Field. If you’re lucky enough to take in a game, the best section to sit for high energy is 203 bleachers where regulars immerse you in traditions (just don’t root for the opposing team!); if you have kids, check out the 300-level right-field side next to the Kids Clubhouse. Hour-long tours are available through ticketmaster.com.
• Grand Concourse (between 145th and 167th Streets): The Bronx’s main thoroughfare features many historical buildings and art deco. 
• Joyce Kilmer Park (955 Walton Ave): Just north of 161st Street is Joyce Kilmer Park. This lovely park is named after the author of the 1913 poem “Trees.” It features the Heinrich Heine Memorial Fountain – a mythical maiden from his poem “Die Lorelei” published in 1827. Come on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy the buskers.
• The Bronx Museum of the Arts (1040 Grand Concourse): Just over a block north of Joyce Kilmer Park is this contemporary art museum specializing in local Latin, Asian and African-American artists. Check out the events calendar for storytelling, films, activities for kids and guided neighborhood walks.
• Birthplace of Hip Hop (1520 Sedgwick Ave): I’m breaking out of my definition of South Bronx to include this here, but it seems to be a good fit; it’s immediately north of Washington Bridge and next to Harlem River. It’s generally agreed that hip hop was born at a DJ houseparty in this apartment building. To accommodate more people, parties moved into parks, like nearby Sedgwick Playground.

West Bronx: Beautiful Parks, Delicious Food and Local Art

West Bronx has stunning galleries and museums, NYC’s “real” Little Italy, and both the largest metropolitan zoo and botanical garden in all of the United States.

It has three significant greenspaces: the manicured gardens at Wave Hill that overlook the Hudson River; the expansive Van Cortlandt Park; and, the park along the Bronx River that houses the New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo, which are north and south of E Fordham Rd, respectively.

Local sites:

• New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Blvd; north side of E Fordham Rd): The New York Botanical Garden is the largest metropolitan botanical garden in all of the United States, with more than 1 million plants. It was founded in 1891 and is now a National Historic Landmark. Visit its 50 gardens, glasshouse with rain forest and cactus displays, and, if visiting around Christmas, the model trains winding through a miniature NYC made of natural materials like acorns and cinnamon sticks (mmm … imagine how wonderful it smells!). If possible, plan your visit on a day with tours (included with admission). Note that tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
• The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd; south side of E Fordham Rd): Built in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, with 265 acres and more than 6,000 animals. These animals are in replicas of their native habitats and separated by natural elements, rather than in cages. Ages 3 and up should check out the Nature Trek of elevated tunnels and towers. There’s also a zipline and climbing zone that looks sooo fun! It has four levels to try out; fee is separate from the zoo (use the northeast Bronx River entrance if you don’t want to see the zoo).
• Wave Hill Public Gardens (4900 Independence Ave): There is an entrance fee to this beautiful 28-acre manicured public garden along the Hudson River. Check the events schedule for tours, concerts and sunset picnics with live music. On-site cafe and shop featuring local artisan gifts. Free shuttle from the last Red 1 train stop (242nd St).
• Van Courtlandt Park (north of Van Courtlandt Park S, between Broadway and Jerome Ave): This park has lots of wooded trails, an outdoor pool, playgrounds, and two golf courses. The historic Georgian-style Van Cortlandt House Museum (6036 Broadway) is the oldest surviving building in The Bronx, built in 1748 on a plantation owned by the family since 1691. It was also used by Washington during the Revolutionary War.
• The Museum of Bronx History/Valentine-Varian House (3266 Bainbridge Ave): This 1758 stone farmhouse is the second oldest building in The Bronx, home to exhibits about The Bronx’s history. It was occupied by both sides during the Revolutionary War and managed to survive despite fierce battles. It now sits on the edge of Williamsbridge Oval Park.
• Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and Park (2640 Grand Concourse): Continue north along Grand Concourse to this little old farmhouse, restored to when this poet lived here (1846 until his death in 1849).
• Arthur Avenue and Arthur Avenue Retail Market (2344 Arthur Ave): Come hungry and take your time experiencing NYC’s “real” Little Italy. The indoor food hall opened in 1940 and has been described as “epic.” Find amazing vendors, like Mike’s Deli, the Bronx Beer Hall, and Madonia Brothers Bakery.

East Bronx: Pelham Bay and City Island Beaches and Fresh Seafood

The most popular places for tourists to visit in East Bronx are Pelham Bay Park and City Island. Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in NYC (at 2772 acres, it’s more than three-times the size of Central Park), with the popular Orchard Beach, two golf courses, and trails for hiking and horseback riding. City Island takes you to an entirely different world of fishing boats and nautical culture.

To get here, take the Green 6 train to the end at Pelham Bay Park (45 minutes from Grand Central Station). I suggest starting your day of exploring at Bartow-Pell Mansion and then City Island, to make best use of the bus routes: take the #45 bus to the Mansion, backtrack to City Island Rd stop, and take the #29 bus to the end of City Island. (Thank goodness for Google transit!! You can also do this in reverse; i.e. City Island, then the Mansion.)

It’s crazy to me, but there’s no bus stop right at Orchard Beach; you have to get off the #29 bus at City Island Circle stop and walk 20 minutes to the beach.

Local sites:

• Pelham Bay Park (Watt Avenue &, Middletown Rd): This is NYC’s largest park, with riding trails, golf courses, woodlands and wetlands, and the “Bronx Riviera” of Orchard Beach on Long Island Sound.
• Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Rd): Visit this beautifully-restored mansion built in the 1830s, its carriage house and formal garden on Pelham Bay Park. It’s free to explore the grounds and garden. To get here from the Pelham Bay subway station, take the #45 bus.
• City Island: This 1.5 mile stretch of shops and restaurants serving fresh seafood will transport you to a small fishing village vibe. Start at the tip of the island at Belden Point and work your way back along City Island Ave. Eat some incredible seafood with a view at Belden Point; both Tony’s Pier and Johnny’s Reef get high reviews. Make a stop at the quirky 239 Play! Vintage shop (239 City Island Ave), City Island Nautical Museum (190 Fordham St), and The Royal Tenenbaums’ summer home (21 Tier St). Jack’s Bait & Tackle (551 City Island Ave) rents out boats.

Where to Stay in The Bronx

It was disappointing to find only one hotel in all of The Bronx that was cute and highly rated. I really wanted to find a little inn near Little Italy or along one of the beautiful parks, but no luck. Most hotels were either meh or had something in the guest reviews that flagged for me.

Here are two options I’d seriously consider:

• Opera House Hotel (436 E 149th St, South Bronx; $180+): This cute, comfortable and highly-rated boutique hotel in the South Bronx is a converted 1913 opera house. It’s two blocks from the subway and includes wifi and a continental breakfast. Some guests felt uncomfortable walking from the subway at night.
• Residence Inn by Marriott – The Bronx at Metro Center Atrium (1776 Eastchester Rd, East Bronx; $225+): I don’t love chain hotels, but this hotel has very strong reviews. It includes wifi, breakfast and parking. It’s a 10 minute walk to the subway, surrounded by hospitals and near a number of solid restaurants, coffee shops, bars and a market.

Summary and Resources

When I started researching where to stay on my next visit to NYC, I was blown away by how much I didn’t know … especially about the boroughs outside of Manhattan.

As the most diverse areas in the world, Queens and The Bronx are completely unique NYC experiences. Come to Queens or The Bronx to immerse yourself in a world of cultures, to explore their rich history and stunning parks, and to eat the best of the best of ethnic food.

Wondering about the other boroughs? Check out:

• Part 1: Your perfect Manhattan stay 
• Part 2: Comfy Staten Island and Brooklyn 

And if you love You’ve Got Mail, check out my ULTIMATE You’ve Got Mail walking tour with 26 stops!

So … which area has the NYC experience you’re after? Please share below!

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• Interested in other great city highlights? Check out Where to Stay on your First Trip to Los Angeles!
• Looking for a little more beach time? See how I compare 4 popular spots in Maui (and I’ve been to them all!)
• Or how about an epic 2-day road trip that takes you to 4 absolutely stunning canyons?

Planning Resources for NYC

There are a number of great online resources for planning a trip to New York City, but here are two of my favorites:

• Vlogger Here Be Barr on YouTube: His video, “New York’s 7 MOST Unique Neighborhoods? – Discover NYC!” inspired this post.
• NYC The Official Guide at nycgo.com: search the neighborhood you’re considering for specific places to check out.

And here is a VERY helpful subway map and ferry information (for Rockaway Beach).

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Featured photo credit (Unisphere): creativemovementglobal from Pixabay.