New York Boroughs

New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs that each have their own vibe and attractions. Most tourists will focus on Manhattan and New York's most popular sights, but there is plenty to see and do in all five New York boroughs. From the rugged beaches of Queens, to the hipster hangouts of Brooklyn, from the urban parks of The Bronx to the sunset views of Staten Island, there is a lot to experience throughout The Big Apple

Manhattan

Manhattan is first on most tourists New York itinerary and is full of essential sights. Times Square is the most visited place in New York City and its towering, electronic billboards attract over 39 million visitors a year. Times Square is at its busiest on New Year's Eve with the famous 'ball drop' drawing thousands of revellers, not to mention being broadcast to millions of television viewers around the world.

Just a short stroll from Times Square is Broadway; home to over 40 professional theatres that welcome millions of tourists each year. Also within easy access of the famous square are New York's famous department stores. Household names like Sachs Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Macy's are perfect for indulging in some city break retail therapy. It's worth paying them a visit over the festive period just to see the elaborate window displays.

Central Park is a must-visit regardless of when you visit New York. The famous park is arguably at its most photogenic in winter under a layer of snow. In autumn, the changing leaves create a beautiful backdrop and in summer the park is ideal for finding a spot of shade and taking some time out from Manhattan's frantic pace of life.

Just off shore from Manhattan on Liberty Island is one of the world's most famous landmarks - The Statue of Liberty. Ferry trips to the island leave throughout the day and visits can be combined with a trip to the 9/11 memorial; a deeply moving tribute at the sight of Ground Zero.

Of course, no trip to Manhattan would be complete without a panoramic view of New York from the top of the Empire State Building. The building's exterior lighting changes daily, so you may want to visit more than once.

Essential Sight in Manhattan: Times Square

Brooklyn

New York's second largest and so-called 'coolest' borough is Brooklyn - home of 2.5 million people and a less obvious alternative to tourist hotbed Manhattan.

Head over the East River to Brooklyn Heights for an uninterrupted view of the Manhattan skyline and snap that Instagram photo to make your friends back home jealous. Whilst you're there, pay a visit to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, a spot made famous in films like Moonstruck and Annie Hall that's regarded as one of New York's most romantic spots.

Brooklyn is also home to Williamsburg - nowadays known as New York's foremost hipster hangout. Once one of the tougher neighbourhoods of the city, Williamsburg's former industrial buildings has now been reinvented as a creative hub for artists and musicians. There is a variety of cafes, restaurants, live music venues and vintage clothes boutiques to enjoy while you're soaking up the uber-cool vibe.

Beaches aren't synonymous with New York but amongst the rollercoasters of Brooklyn's regenerated Coney Island is an unlikely sandy beach, perfect for escaping the city during the summer. The popular Luna Park is at the heart of Coney Island, and features Cyclone roller coaster and Deno's Wonder Wheel.

Essential Sight in Brooklyn: The city skyline from Brooklyn Heights

Staten Island

Staten Island is just a short drive across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Brooklyn, although many tourists choose to take the 25 minute ferry across the Hudson River in order to photograph the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Staten Island isn't one of the most obvious of New York's boroughs for tourists but there are still some fun attractions to enjoy like Staten Island Zoo and the Staten Island Children's Museum. Much of Staten Island Zoo is indoors so both of these are a great day out, even in winter. There's also the Chinese Scholar's Garden - a charming green space filled with Chinese architecture that's considered a bit of a hidden gem.

If you're interested in learning a bit more about the history of New York then Historic Richmond Town - a village that faithfully recreates life in the 1800s - is a fascinating way to spend a few hours. Watching the sunset over the Statue of Liberty at the end of a day's sightseeing is a great way to end the day in Staten Island.

Essential Sight in Staten Island: Sunset over Lady Liberty

The Bronx

Despite being densely populated, the northernmost of the five New York boroughs has plenty of green spaces to enjoy. The 250 acre New York Botanical Garden showcases flora from around the world in 28 speciality gardens. It's just 20 minutes from Grand Central station but feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. There's also Wave Hill House: a lush 28 acre estate that offers impressive views over the Hudson River.

One of The Bronx's most popular attractions for tourists is the famous Yankee Stadium – home of the New York Yankees baseball team. Tours of one of the USA's most famous sporting arenas are available throughout the year, and as you'd expect the shop has plenty of instantly recognisable apparel with the Yankees logo.

Woodlawn is the place to be for fans of all things Irish, offering traditional Irish breakfasts, live Celtic music and perfect pints of Guinness. Nearby Van Cortland Park is a great option if you fancy a round of golf. If you're lucky enough to be in NYC on St Patrick's Day, Woodlawn is a great place to join the party.

Some of the other attractions you can enjoy in The Bronx include the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which exhibits thought-provoking artwork from around the world, and the Bronx Wildlife Center which is home to giraffes, gorillas and an indoor rainforest.

Essential Sight in The Bronx: The Yankee Stadium

Queens

The New York borough of Queens is an interesting mix of renovated former industrial areas in the north juxtaposed by rural openness and beaches on the south side of Jamaica Bay. Sandwiched between these is JFK Airport which is served by many of Globehunters' cheap flights to New York.

Queens' renovated urban areas offer lots of appealing options for culture vultures. Queens Museum of Art is very popular and houses an astoundingly detailed model of New York that has to be seen to be believed. MoMA PS1 in Jackson Avenue also attracts a large arts crowd; this non-profit contemporary art museum showcases the latest artistic talent and the hottest emerging genres.

For a seemingly rural escape from the urban sprawl, Forest Park is an unspoilt stretch of greenery in the midst of the city. To see an even more unlikely side of New York, head south to the grassy islands of Jamaica Bay. On the far side of the bay you can even kick back and relax on the sand at Rockaway Beach or Breezy Point Tip, found at the southern end of the Rockaway peninsula.

Essential Sight in Queens: The Queens Museum of Art