The Real New York is Its Neighborhoods and Its People
For us, the people of Big Apple Greeter, New York City is our home, our passion, our joy. In this section, we’ll show you why we feel this way by writing about places you might want to explore.
Learn about what makes each New York City neighborhood special.
New York City is composed of five distinct boroughs, once separate cities. Though combined into “The City of Greater New York” in the late 19th century, they remain a patchwork of colorful neighborhoods, each with its own history, architecture, ethnic restaurants, shops, and attractions. Enjoy this sampling of our diversity.
Bronx
The Bronx is where Edgar Allan Poe, Lauren Bacall, and Billy Joel once lived; where the Yankees play baseball; and where both hip hop and salsa were born. Arthur Avenue has some of the best Italian food ever, and don’t miss the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is big in size, population, and spirit. Here’s where you’ll find Old-World traditions mingled with youthful innovation. Eat hot dogs at Nathan’s on the beach at Coney Island or cheesecake at Junior’s in Downtown Brooklyn, and don’t miss the Brooklyn Museum and the Botanical Gardens next to it.
Manhattan
Manhattan has it all: the bright lights of Broadway theater, the history of lower Manhattan, the beauty of Central Park, and world-class cultural institutions everywhere. And, of course, thousands of restaurants and shops.
Queens
Queens is one of the most culturally diverse urban areas on the globe. Foodies love it for the vast number of cuisines and restaurants, sports fans love it for the Mets, who play baseball at Citi Field, and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Jazz fans should visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona and architecture fans should visit Eero Saarinen’s TWA Terminal at Kennedy Airport, newly restored and reopened as the TWA Hotel. For more, go to It’s In Queens.
Staten Island
Surprising Staten Island! Take the free Staten Island Ferry past Lady Liberty for great views of the harbor, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Staten Island is packed with wonderful museums, Revolutionary War sites, glorious parks, botanical gardens, and the best shopping at the Empire Outlets Mall. For more, go to Visit Staten Island.
Learn more about all the amazing things to see and do in all five boroughs from New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official marketing organization for the city.
Getting to Town
BY PLANE:
Three major airports serve NYC: John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) in Queens and Newark (EWR) in New Jersey. All three airports offer multiple ways to reach Manhattan or other parts of NYC, including taxis, ride-share services, and public transportation—buses, subways, and railroads.
BY TRAIN:
New York has two main train stations. Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station serves inter-city travelers traveling on Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Grand Central Terminal serves LIRR trains, as well as the Metro-North Railroad. Travelers from New Jersey can take PATH trains to stations in midtown and lower Manhattan.
BY BUS:
Inter-city buses arrive and depart from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan.
Navigating NYC
Install Google Maps and the MyMTA apps on your smartphone to find the easiest way to reach your destination in the five boroughs via subway or bus. (MTA is the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority.)
Both Lyft and Uber ride-share services are available in the city. Download the Curb app to request a ride with a NYC taxi or flag one down on the street.
Travel the city on two wheels with the Citi Bike app. There are more than 1,000 Citi Bike rental stations throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
See the Big Apple from the water on one of New York’s three ferry systems. NYC Ferry serves the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. NY Waterway runs several routes between Manhattan and New Jersey. And the Staten Island Ferry offers free travel between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan.
Access: Travelers with Disabilities
Our Access Program helps travelers with disabilities get the most from their visit by matching them with a Greeter who will show them a favorite section of the city. The Greeter will also explain how to use accessible public transit.
The New York City Tourism + Conventions website offers an Accessible NYC guide.
Access Program Contact: Telephone: 212-669-8198 TTY: 212-669-8273 access@bigapplegreeter.org