Of course, commonly known as the city that never sleeps, New York enjoys a fame and popularity normally reserved for capital cities. The epicenter of popular culture, America’s ‘Big Apple’ is instantly recognizable by its stunning skyline and bright yellow cabs. But when deciding what to visit in New York, it’s important to examine each of New York’s five boroughs; all of them offering a unique experience to the visitor to New York.
The Queens borough boasts an unparalleled sense of culture that no other borough can boast. During the 1940s, Queens was the focal point of the growth movement of jazz, with stars such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald enjoying the strong cultural vibrancy that Queens offered. Of course, for many New Yorkers, Queens is most famous for being the home of the New York Mets, one of the most famous baseball teams in the city. As one of the largest boroughs in New York, Queens is right behind Brooklyn in terms of population.
As the city’s most populous borough, Brooklyn has become known for its wide social and ethnic diversity. Until 1898, Brooklyn was an independent city, but decided to become part of New York City, a move many residents refer to as “the great mistake of 1898.” It is this kind of attitude that makes Brooklynites different from other New Yorkers and so interesting to a visitor exploring all the different aspects of New York.
As it goes, people often tend to picture Manhattan when they think of New York. The region’s tall skyscrapers and business district have become ingrained in our minds through film and television. In fact, when visiting Manhattan, some of the most popular areas to visit include Greenwich Village, Madison Square Garden, and the Broadway theater region. Manhattan is also home to Times Square and New York’s most popular green space, Central Park.
Unlike Manhattan, the Bronx has not enjoyed the same media representation and has often been noted for its high crime rate and neglected neighborhoods. However, over the last decade crime has dropped considerably and thanks to attractions like the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx has rapidly grown in popularity with tourists. Beginning in April 2009, the Bronx will also be known for the location of the new Yankee Stadium; the home of the New York Yankees.
Originally known as the Borough of Richmond, Staten Island is one of the most beautiful boroughs in New York City. The Staten Island Ferry proves to be New York’s most popular tourist attraction, offering spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, and Ellis Island. The rustic district also offers 35 miles of walking trails that offer a unique breath of fresh air that separates it from the other districts.
Thanks to their sheer size, New York’s five boroughs provide a unique range of diversity, each providing a different aspect of life in the ‘Big Apple’. This diversity combined with New York’s wide range of hotels and easy flights to the city’s two airports continue to make New York a popular destination for tourists.