🗺️ What to see in New York besides Manhattan: 4 boroughs and best places

New York doesn't end at Manhattan. Tourists usually skip the other four boroughs, even though the real New York starts right there. In Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, you'll see how the everyday city lives without crowds at every facade. There's a baseball stadium, New York's oldest farm, and a beach with signs in Cyrillic.

We've rounded up places beyond Manhattan that are genuinely worth visiting at least once. We checked prices and hours on 09/2026 on official websites. Bronx Zoo admission starts at $37.70 (as of 09/2026, zoo's official website).

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What to see beyond Manhattan

💡 In short:

Brooklyn: Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, Brighton Beach, and hot dogs at Nathan's Famous.
The Bronx: baseball at Yankee Stadium, the zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden.
Staten Island and Queens: Richmond Town, the waterfront with Manhattan views, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Prices and hours: 09/2026, verified on the official websites of the Bronx Zoo and Statue of Liberty ferries.

New York's five boroughs each live their own lives. Besides Manhattan, there's Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each has its own character: hip-hop was born in the Bronx, and in Queens you can sample cuisines from five continents in a single evening (according to NYC's tourism office). From the center, it's easy to get here by subway, and a free ferry across the harbor takes you to Staten Island.

Staten island and Richmond town

Staten Island is considered New York's southernmost borough, where tourists most often arrive on the free ferry (according to the city's tourism office). Around half a million people live here, and it's the least-known borough of the metropolis. But it's also home to one of the country's oldest historic villages.

old stone church with a cemetery among trees

Richmond Town has been turned into an open-air museum of 15 historic buildings (according to Historic Richmond Town). Bison once grazed nearby, and the land was owned by Native Americans. The complex includes New York's oldest continuously operating family farm and one of the oldest residential houses in the country.

The village regularly hosts traditional-style events. If you time your visit right, you can catch Pumpkin Picking Day at Decker Farm or see how Harvest Day was celebrated in olden times. Admission is paid, so check current prices and the event calendar on the village's website.

Liberty island and the statue of liberty

The Statue of Liberty stands outside the five boroughs, so treat it as a separate ferry trip across the harbor. The Statue of Liberty became the first symbol of New York for ships entering the harbor after a long ocean crossing. Its official name is "Liberty Enlightening the World." France gave the monument to the United States for the centennial of American independence, and the statue itself greeted immigrants arriving across the Atlantic on ocean liners (according to Statue City Cruises).

Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island with the Manhattan skyline in the background

Inside the pedestal there is a museum, but most visitors are drawn to the observation deck overlooking New York Harbor. You will have to climb several hundred steps, but the panorama of the city and the water is worth it. The seven rays on the statue's crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents.

Ferry tickets come in three types: General Admission, Pedestal Reserve, and Crown Reserve. Each includes a round trip, entry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, the museum, and an audio guide (according to the official ferry operator). The crown is open only to visitors at least 122 cm tall, so check that in advance. You can book a tour on GetYourGuide.

Brooklyn: bridge, beach, and hot dogs

Brooklyn is the most populous borough of New York City. Stop by and see how everyday neighborhoods of a big city live.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn with Manhattan and ranks among the most beautiful suspension bridges in the world. When it opened in 1883, it was the largest suspension bridge on the planet (according to a guide to New York neighborhoods). At the time, locals seriously feared it would collapse, and the authorities had to prove the structure's strength.

To convince the public, 21 circus elephants were walked across the bridge. They passed the test and trust was restored: today about 100,000 cars and 10,000 pedestrians cross the bridge every day (according to the official tourism portal).

A walk across the bridge, about 1.8 km long, takes 30 to 40 minutes one way. The best time for you: early morning or sunset, when there are noticeably fewer people. Bring water, because the open part of the bridge has almost no shade.

Brooklyn Heights and its mansions

New York's high-rises quickly become exhausting, and you want to hide from the skyscrapers. The best place to do that is Brooklyn Heights, one of Brooklyn's oldest neighborhoods. It is one of the last corners of the city with classic architecture.

Row of brick townhouses in Brooklyn Heights

Here you'll find Victorian houses, brownstone mansions, gardens, and wide tree-lined avenues. Poet Joseph Brodsky lived in this neighborhood after emigrating. Take a walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade: it offers one of the best views of Manhattan.

Brighton Beach by the ocean

Cyrillic signs will make you forget you're in the US. Nearby English storefronts modestly fade into the background, as if making room.

Street intersection in Brighton Beach with cars

Here's the paradox: rows of immigrant shops line the streets, while an ocean beach lies just steps away. Americans see Brighton as a resort area, which is what it originally was. The neighborhood is worth seeing to understand just how diverse New York can be.

Nathan's Famous and hot dogs

The most appetizing attraction on this list is called Nathan's Famous, if you love hot dogs. This is where you'll taste authentic American street food.

Nathan's Famous facade with signs and flags

The eatery was opened in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker (according to the city tourism office). He set his prices at half of what competitors charged. He also hired people in white coats so customers would think doctors ate there. The trick worked, and the place quickly became popular.

Today it hosts the world hot dog eating championship, which has become a local tradition. The eatery sits right by the ocean, and its hot dogs have long been part of local culture. Go for the classic with mustard and onions.

The Bronx: baseball and the zoo

From the movie "A Bronx Tale" it is clear that this is not the safest area of New York. Some neighborhoods, such as Hunts Point and Mott Haven, are best avoided by tourists. Otherwise, it is an ordinary residential area with several important attractions, and you would be wrong to skip it entirely.

Yankee Stadium and the Yankees

For Americans, the main sport is not soccer, but baseball. Yankee Stadium serves as the home stadium of the New York Yankees, the most decorated team in baseball history (according to MLB). Thanks to pop culture, even those who know nothing about baseball are aware of its fame.

Yankee Stadium baseball field with stands

Just coming to the stadium is worth it for the Yankees merchandise. It is far more interesting to buy a ticket to a game and blend into the crowd of fans. Ticket prices start in the low double digits; check the exact cost for your date on the MLB website.

The Bronx Zoo and its residents

The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the United States. More than 11,000 animals live on 265 acres (as of 09/2026, Bronx Zoo price list). In addition to lions, zebras, and antelopes, there are bison, bald eagles, and grizzly bears.

Subway train in Brooklyn with the Manhattan skyline in the background

An adult ticket costs from $37.70, a child ticket from $27.70 (as of 09/2026, tickets on the zoo website). From April through October, the zoo is open from 10:00 to 17:00, and until 17:30 on weekends. Buy tickets online in advance, otherwise you will waste time in line at the entrance.

New york botanical garden

The Botanical Garden in the Bronx is located next to the zoo. It is one of the largest plant collections in the United States: about one million specimens are planted here (according to the botanical garden). Those who are not into flora will find the historic buildings interesting, such as the stone tobacco mill.

Admission for adults is paid, and on Wednesdays there are free hours. Check current prices and the schedule of free days on the botanical garden website.

Queens: parks and museums

Queens is considered the largest borough of New York by area. It is worth heading here if you have free time that you want to spend in an unconventional way.

Unisphere globe frame in Queens park under a gray sky

There are not many interesting spots, but they do exist:

Long Island City waterfront with a great view of Manhattan.
MoMA PS1: a contemporary art museum with bold abstract installations.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park: the largest park in the borough, home to the US Open tennis tournament (according to the NYC tourism portal).

Tours and tickets in New York

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need to see the boroughs outside Manhattan?

Two full days are enough for Brooklyn and the Bronx. Spend one day on the bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and Brighton Beach, and the second on Yankee Stadium, the zoo, and the botanical garden. Queens and Staten Island can each be covered in half a day if you skip the museums.

How do you get from Manhattan to Brooklyn and the Bronx?

By subway. Lines run under the East River from Lower Manhattan into Brooklyn and north into the Bronx. You can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in about 30-40 minutes. A free ferry runs from Battery Park to Staten Island, and it doubles as a sightseeing platform.

How much does admission to the Bronx Zoo and the botanical garden cost?

An adult zoo ticket starts at $37.70, a child ticket at $27.70 (as of 09/2026, prices on the zoo's website). The botanical garden charges admission separately, and on Wednesdays there are sometimes free hours. Check exact prices on the official websites right before your trip.

Is it safe to go to the Bronx?

During the day, the tourist areas of the Bronx are safe. Yankee Stadium, the zoo, and the botanical garden are in calm neighborhoods where families with children go. However, tourists are better off avoiding the Hunts Point and Mott Haven neighborhoods, especially in the evening.

Where in Brooklyn can you try real American food?

At Nathan's Famous. This eatery has been selling hot dogs for over a century and now hosts the world hot dog eating championship. Get a classic hot dog with mustard and onions, it's the simplest way to understand the local street food.

In short: what to book

The plan depends on how much time you have and who you're traveling with.

One free day: the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, and a hot dog at Nathan's Famous.
Traveling with kids: the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
Sports fans: a ticket to a New York Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
History buffs: Richmond Town on Staten Island and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Tours and tickets to the main sights are easy to book in advance: see tours and tickets on GetYourGuide. Look into transfers and car rental separately if you're planning trips outside the city.

The real New York beyond Manhattan: Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens