Amazing Things to do in NYC: The Neighborhoods Guide

Hailed as one of the most elegant streets in the world, Fifth Avenue is a major thoroughfare that is full of upscale real estate, high-end shopping stores and some of the finest places to dine in the city. This Manhattan Neighborhood in NYC stretches from Washington Square Park in the south to 143^rd Street in Harlem. It has hundreds of shopping stores and restaurants which range from premium to mid-range affordable by most crowds. You can buy everything from clothes to electronics in the various showrooms and department stores that are spread out across the neighborhood. Some of the most famous places to visit include the Rockefeller Center, The Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, New York Public Library, Trump Tower and more. While shopping and dining are one of the main attractions of this avenue, it is also popular among joggers and bicyclists who enjoy their exercise or commute along the dedicated bike lanes. Central Park which is an iconic feature of this part of the city is also a must-visit place for every tourist.

SoHo which stands for South of Huston is a Neighborhood in NYC which is a paradise for shoppers and an important art district in the southern part of Manhattan. Being a part of the backdrop of a number of movies, this bright part of the city is not only popular but also loved by many due to its quaint appearance with cobbled streets and unique, architecturally wonderful buildings. Its uniqueness in its soulful expression is reflected in the names of its streets instead of numbers like most other places. Famous for art and fashion, SoHo is also a popular hangout spot for celebrities and artists so while you’re here keep an eye out! Typically it takes about 2 hours to stroll around grab something to eat at a bakery or even window-shop. The famous Broadway which runs through the heart of the neighborhood has a number of places to shop such as Zara, H&M, Nike and more. Green Street and Prince Street are other places to shop as well.

The one thing that strikes everyone who visits Brooklyn is how lively and populated this Neighborhood in NYC is. Although not the biggest Borough, Brooklyn has enough population to be called a small city by itself. Popular in TV shows and movies, it has much to offer for every traveler starting from live music in Williamsburg for enthusiasts to Prospect Park for those with families looking for a quiet place for a stroll. The iconic Brooklyn Bridge which has been the backdrop of countless movies connects to Manhattan and is even better in real life. DUMBO a once-industrial neighborhood is now a trendy hotspot for street art reflecting the local culture, and while you’re there grab a slice of the best pizza in town at the Grimaldi’s. To experience more of the local markets try the Brooklyn Flea or the Old-time stores at Williamsburg’s Bedford Avenue. The Coney Island is must-visit when you’re in Brooklyn because this scenic stretch of the town is famous for its eats, carnivals and the general vibe of a beach escape.

Long story short, Little Italy was built around the 1880s by settlers from Naples and Sicily and it stretched from the Huston Streets to Canal and in between Bowery and Lafayette. It was once a sprawling Italian community in New York City but over the years has reduced to a little more than a tourist destination that’s about four city blocks wide. The prime attraction of this Neighborhood in NYC is its delicious authentic Italian specialties and the bars and restaurants made famous by the notorious New York gangs and of course the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mulberry Street is its most famous avenue which also has some popular clothing stores and great bars. Some of its top attractions also include the Italian American Museum and the Police Building. Popular shopping stores include Alleva Dairy famous for Italian cheese since 1892, Diplo's Fine Foods famous for its delicious imported products and Piemonte Ravioli which sells some of the best pasts since 1920. Try getting a bite to eat at the Ferrara Bakery & Cafe, IL Cortile and the famed Da Nico Ristorante which is fancied by celebrities.

Chinatown has the densest population of Chinese in New York and surprisingly it’s also the largest settlement of the Chinese in the United States. Chinatown dates back to the late 1870s when the Chinese immigrants settled in the area and brought in their culture. Walking through Chinatown now is like being in a whole other world as it is teeming with restaurants, bakeries, snack shops, boutiques, herbal pharmacies, bars and night clubs and everything that’s reminiscent of the east. If you visit their informative museums and brilliant galleries you will get to hear the story of the immigrants their history and growth. This Neighborhood in NYC is best explored through tours that will guide you with the best way to explore the neighborhood and try out their best foods. Some of the top attractions include the Mahayana Buddhist Temple, Columbus Park, Museum of the Chinese in the Americas and the Chinatown Fish Markets. One of the must-try Chinese delicacies is the pork-and-crabmeat filled dumpling at 456 Shanghai Cuisine along with other dishes at the restaurant.

While you’re exploring Manhattan, Koreatown is where you need to head to for an experience of the best of Korea in New York. The key to getting the best out of this Neighborhood in NYC is not only to look around but also to look up as some of the best stores are stacked up and it’s easy to miss out on half of the experience if you don’t look out for them. The most important of this neighborhood is the Korea Way which is a stretch between Sixth and Madison Avenue that is filled with over a hundred shops full of eateries, spas, and other businesses. Experience some of the best of the Korean cuisines in award-winning restaurants such as the veg-tastic Hangawi, Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, New Wonjo or Jongro BBQ. If you need a little extra fun along with great food and beer, try the Turntable Chicken Jazz. This retro restaurant has a pretty cool place featuring an all-wooden interior and karaoke for a whole evening of fun.

The Upper East Side is an upscale Neighborhood in NYC knows for its refined character as it is also a residential area for the city’s elite. This neighborhood is also home to some of New York’s finest restaurants and high-range shopping stores and celebrity sightings are a common thing. Upper East Side is most well-known avenues include the Museum Mile which features world-class institutions and Madison Avenue which is filled with the biggest name in fashion and boutiques and a great place for window shopping. Park Avenue is a brilliant place for a casual stroll with its beautiful pre-war apartment buildings. This neighborhood is also a great place to start exploring Central Park. For those with a sweet tooth Serendipity III famous for its frozen hot chocolate is the first place to head to for dining. Other fine dining places include Daniel- one of New York’s most refined restaurants, EJ’s Luncheonette, Sarabeth’s and Tony’s DiNapoli.

The world-famous Wall Street stretches the length of eight city blocks all the way from Broadway to South Street. Being synonymous with the Financial District, this street and its surrounding Neighborhood in NYC have some of the most important exchanges in the world including the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. While the New York Stock Exchange itself is the most popular tourist attraction some of the others that are frequently visited include the Federal Hall, Trinity Church and the famous statue of the bronze Charging Bull at Bowling Green which is also a popular photo opportunity for tourists. Although a self-guided tour of Wall Street is great to explore things at your own pace, a guided tour would be great to learn all about its history and architecture. If you need to quickly grab something to eat while you’re here, head to Financier Patisserie for some great coffee, sweets, and light eats. If you need real experience, Delmonico’s, which is one of the city’s oldest restaurants is the place to go.

Broadway which is one of the most world-famous streets in New York is known for its theatres and Times Square. If you didn’t already know, the name Broadway comes from the road’s broad width! It runs the full length of Manhattan starting from the southern tip at Bowling Green to the Bronx. What’s more interesting is Broadway is the oldest north-south street in New York that existed since the time of the Native Americans. The most popular section of Broadway is between the 42^nd and 53^rd street which includes Times Square and the home of the American Theatre industry. Popularly known as the Theatre District, it is home to about 40 large professional theatres that can seat 500 people or more. Broadway shows are the most famous tourist attraction here. The most popular way to explore Broadway is through walking tours which give you enough time to explore the theatre scene and the area’s crowded vibe.

Greenwich Village or just “The Village” as New Yorkers affectionately call it is another upscale Neighborhood in NYC that has a quaint charm and lack of skyscrapers making it a calm place for long strolls and relaxed tours. While many of the houses date back to the early 19^th century, they’re also top real estate property owned by some of the wealthiest in the city. A number of walking tours head this way every day to check out its popular tourist attractions, with the most famous one being the “Friends” Apartment. It’s quite easy to spot on the corner of Bedford and Grove St with throngs of the Sitcom’s fans stopping by the iconic apartment to take pictures. Greenwich Village also has the smallest street in New York called the “Gay Street” which has been at the center of the LGBT movement. Try one of the food tours of Greenwich Village that will take you through the neighborhood's best shopping and dining streets.

The Historic Chelsea Hotel located at 222 W 23rd St, New York which is also simply called the Chelsea has been home to some of the most famous artists, writers, musicians and actors over the decades. Built around 1884, the hotel is a landmark as well as a popular tourist attraction. Since August 2011 the hotel stopped taking reservations for guests due to the ongoing renovation works and is expected to open after 2018. The Chelsea neighborhood is hip with plenty of shopping and dining options along with flea markets, antique shops and grub spots for foodies. The 10^th Ave and the 9^th together are host to a number of shopping stores and restaurants with plenty of dining options.

The Meatpacking District was once full of slaughterhouses and factory units that exported meat all over the country. Although several of them are still operational, the Meatpacking District is now more of a glamorous Neighborhood in NYC with its host of shops, boutiques, trendy galleries, and cool nightlife venues along with a number of upscale restaurants. Being one of the most popular areas to socialize, this neighborhood features quirky places all along that are popular both with the tourists and the locals. The High Lane for example used to be an abandoned rail line that was saved by local people to turn it into an elevated public park which now how public art installations and gives amazing views of the city. The Whitney Museum of American Art with its striking new building looking over the Hudson River features a collection of 22,000 contemporary artwork pieces and is rapidly becoming a popular tourist attraction. The Ground Zero Museum Workshop is also a highly-visited museum that features the story of the wake of the 9/11 attacks through the pictures of photographer Gary Marlon Suson.

For shopping and drinking the High Lane is favored for its varied drinking venues with fantastic views of the city. The Chelsea Market is where you need to head to for a complete shopping and dining experience. Covering a space of about a city block, the market has a number of restaurants and 35 food vendors for you to buy a variety of items.

The East Village which is actually a part of the Lower East Side developed its own identity after the neighborhood turned into a Mecca for artists, writers, musicians and students in the city. It has seen steady growth since and a transformation into a highly progressive part of the town that it is. You would need a whole day to explore the entire neighborhood and experience its music, street art, and culinary scene. Some of the popular restaurants include Veselka which serves Ukrainian food and stays open 24 hours, Veniero’s Pasticceria and Cafe which is an Italian bakery and cafe and Momofuku Noodle Bar.

New York the melting pot of cultures that it is has incredible sights, foods and experiences to offer for everyone who visits. Although the different boroughs have their own unique personalities, their microcosm can be experienced at their most touristy spots. On your next visit to New York ensure that you book your flight tickets along with the accommodation that allows you to best explore the neighborhoods and still give you cheap deals at the same time. No matter what the season is, it’s always a great time to go to New York.