New York is made up of five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island), each with its own feel. The subway runs across the whole city, so staying outside Manhattan is still easy.
Manhattan
- Midtown: Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Broadway theatres and the skyscrapers. The New York you know from films, ideal for a first visit; busy and noisy.
- Upper West Side: between Central Park and the Hudson River, close to the American Museum of Natural History. Quiet, with lovely old townhouses; good for families.
- SoHo: cobblestone streets lined with cast-iron buildings, fashion stores and boutique hotels. Great for shoppers.
- East Village: once home to many musicians and artists; full of bars, cheap eats and fun nights out.
- Harlem: rooted in jazz history and African American culture, with soul food restaurants and live music.
Beyond Manhattan
- Williamsburg (Brooklyn): lively at night, with bars, live music, weekend markets and art spaces.
- Park Slope (Brooklyn): a family-friendly residential area right next to Prospect Park.
- Long Island City (Queens): just across the river from Midtown, with hotels usually cheaper than Manhattan and plenty of good food. Suits budget travellers.
- The Bronx: good for families with kids (Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden) or anyone going to a game at Yankee Stadium.
Tips for choosing
- Stay near a subway station served by several lines.
- Staying a stop or two outside Manhattan is often much cheaper and still quick to reach the centre.