When working in New York, you may ask, “This is wonderful, but what else is there to do here after I finish working?” Well, that’s what I am here to do. I am here to tell you what we do in all five parts of the Big Apple.
The five districts of New York
The Bronx
First, we will start in my neck of the woods, the Bronx. The Bronx is the third district one would think of when they think of New York, right there after Manhattan and Queens. Though it is third place to others, to me, it is first place. Although mostly urban, this district is home to many parks and places where you can enjoy the culinary culture of New York.
Two of the most prominent and most recognizable places that are a must to check out are both the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden. Both of these places represent the majesty of surprisingly how much nature we really see here. If you are an avid nature enjoyer, I suggest these two beautiful spots to have a good sense of city vs nature. While these places are beautiful, they could be a walk from where you are, and I bet one would be hungry after that adventure.
Well, have no fear, for the Bronx has many delis and spots one can go to satisfy their hunger. Although all districts have the famous chopped cheese and bacon, egg and cheese, the Bronx has them in spades and, in my opinion, the best. This brings up my favorite place to get sandwiches: the botanical market. If needed, it’s a great spot to get a sandwich and other groceries. My favorite thing to get from there is a beef patty when I am coming home from a trip, but if I want lunch, I’d get a chopped cheese mostly, original, I know.
Manhattan
Next up in our travels is Manhattan. Going here would have to be the first thought when one thinks of New York. Home to Times Square and many museums, such as a giant one being the Met or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This museum is beautiful, with so much art and culture in the halls, and you very much have many sites and spots in Manhattan where you can see the beauty of New York in the way it truly is a melting pot of the city and nature.
This district also has Central Park (which is right next to the Met, so I say that could be a fun day). These are just a few of the examples of what spots to see in Manhattan. Well, that would be if you weren’t looking for a show from Broadway itself. Yes, this district is filled with many majesties that one can walk to and see.
With an abundance of parks as well, and as we look through all of New York, one can see there are many of these spots. The best part of this district is that the subway (although, as always, please pay attention to your surroundings) is ever accessible and is the go-to transportation for going to many amazing spots within the city.
Culinary-wise, the food scene in Manhattan is fairly New York, as one would see in the media. The spots are mostly American, Italian American, and Asian, with an abundance of mom-and-pop stores. Depending on where you are in Manhattan and in other spots, such as the financial district, it would be more expensive.
Queens
However, if you want the most diverse and worldwide food vibe, it would have to be Queens. Queens residents have plenty of options from almost all around the world, and there are also many things of nature and culture in Queens.
These places are the Queen’s Zoo, the Museum of the Moving Image if you are an avid enjoyer of media, the NY Hall of Science to enrich your mind more, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and many others show another facet of the natural and the city portions in one area. All of these areas, like how it is in the other districts, have the means to travel to and from within these areas if needed. As it is New York,, it is not a question o whetherof whether it is needed but when.
You can use these spots and the ability to travel around whenever it is possible. You don’t have to do all the spots to spend the day, but even one or two of these could be that day. Either when you’re taking your break, or you have the day off, you have many chances to go out to eat in a different part of the world or immerse yourself in the culture of New York and the people that inhabit it.
Brooklyn
When in Brooklyn, you are looking at a big city but also somehow a cozy city. As with all the other districts, you can go to many spots and, in a way, make them your spots. Staying in New York allows one to have a chance to become a New Yorker by being part of the culture that surrounds you.
Brooklyn is one of the districts that gives you this chance the most. With many spots focusing on the natural, the district is rich in warm coffee shops, flea shops, and many spots that are ma and pa, which are fully local. All of these allow one like yourself to feel like you can make this a real snug home. Although it is New York, cozy to us is not the same as everywhere else you. I trust will find your own definition.
Even going away from the notion of cozy we have here many activities and sights to see and travel when you want to. We have main contenders being walking the Brooklyn bridge, walking through prospect park, having a blast in coney island, taking a stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and many more. This district is filled with picturesque moments which will catch your breath and look through it all.
The parks here are plenty and the spots to eat here are plenty, but I highly recommend you have the pizza here. All the districts have a debate on which district has the best pizza (Bronx, without a question for me), and Brooklyn has always been a top contender in this debate. While you are here, join that debate and come up with your own opinion.
Staten Island
Now, for our final stop on our trip through New York, We’re going to need a ferry ride, but as we get off, we see a district that the other four cannot compare to in terms of its architecture. Now, in New York, we make jokes about Staten Island because of its different vibe and look from the other districts.
It has a vibrant cultural scene and so many natural sites that once you’re there, you will feel like you’re in New York, but not at the same time. It has many spots that one can think of when they see New York, including pizza spots, bakeries, and foods from different cultures.
For pizza spots, I hear Joe & Pat’s, Denino’s, and Brother’s Pizza are absolutely delicious and a must-have there. If you are not in the mood for pizza, though, we have Bayou, Lakruwana, Sofia’s Taqueria, Banh Mi House, Kettle Black, Mandi House, and Goku Kitchen. All of these spots are so varied in their options, and the different cultures each represents that it would be great to try and always expand one’s palette.
Now, if you are the type for sweets, do not worry. You also have spots like Rispoli’s Pastry Shop and Alfonso’s and Cookie Jar, which will both satiate your sweet tooth and make you crave more. Getting away from food for now, like all of the districts, it does have its fine share of parks that give amazing views, such as Fort Wadsworth, Silverlakes Park, and Cloves Lakes Park. All of these parks here have beautiful sights and amazing trails to walk in, get away from certain thoughts, and give space to oneself.
As our travel together ends and we have taken a look at all five districts, I hope you feel more welcome and comfortable traveling to New York. It is a beautiful and massive place where you can find whatever you like and need with ease. Though it does have a reputation of being tough and it is not wrong it is mostly a place that when you give it respect it gives it..It’ll give you something. I wish you all luck where you land, and welcome to New York City!
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