First and foremost, let's recall that New York City is composed of 5 boroughs. Each of these boroughs contains numerous neighborhoods. To help you navigate and ensure you don't miss the essentials, we've prepared a list of New York's must-see neighborhoods by borough. 

1. Manhattan

Manhattan is the most popular and most visited borough of New York. And for good reason—it's where the majority of the city's tourist attractions are concentrated. It's therefore the borough to prioritize for a first trip to New York.

Among the neighborhoods not to miss in Manhattan, we can mention: 

• Financial District: the financial district is known for its towering buildings, businessmen, and history. You'll find, among other things, Battery Park (with views of the Statue of Liberty), Stone Street (one of Manhattan's oldest streets), Wall Street, Ground Zero, City Hall, and the World Trade Center… 

• Chinatown: New York's Chinatown is the ideal place for budget-friendly shopping. You'll also find Buddhist temples and the Museum of Chinese in America.

• Little Italy: once home to the largest colony of Italian immigrants, this neighborhood is no longer as Italian as it once was. However, it retains its original charm with its six-story buildings, Italian restaurants and cafés, and boutique shops.

• SoHo: it's one of New York's bohemian neighborhoods. You'll discover lofts converted from old factories, numerous designer boutiques, art galleries, and vintage bookstores.

• Tribeca: this is a former industrial district where today you'll find charming boutiques and trendy restaurants, as well as galleries. The neighborhood is also known for its famous Tribeca Film Festival. You can notably discover filming locations from the series Friends, CSI, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Gossip Girl…

• Times Square: the city's most famous neighborhood needs no introduction. It's the true heart of New York where oversized billboards, lights, and crowds await you… 

• Broadway: near Times Square, you'll find the famous Broadway neighborhood. Renowned worldwide, this district is the epicenter of theaters, musicals, and all sorts of shows.

• Harlem: Harlem is undoubtedly the birthplace of jazz. Many artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown began their careers there. It's also the preferred neighborhood for attending gospel services.

• Greenwich Village: also called the West Village, Greenwich Village is an artist's haven. Many stars settled there from the 1960s onward, such as the famous Bob Dylan. Here, there are no tall buildings but rather small red brick apartments. The atmosphere is chic bohemian and relaxed.

2. Brooklyn

After Manhattan, Brooklyn is undoubtedly the second most visited borough of New York. Simply cross the iconic Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to reach this borough that has become today's haven for artists and hipsters… 

Among the neighborhoods not to miss in Brooklyn, we can mention: 

• Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights: these two neighborhoods on either side of the Brooklyn Bridge are among New York's trendiest neighborhoods. Once an industrial area, you'll find many warehouses converted into lofts. This is where you can enjoy the famous view of the Manhattan Bridge between brick buildings. If you love flea markets, don't miss the Brooklyn Flea Market. 

• Williamsburg: attention all street art enthusiasts—street art is among the neighborhood's main attractions. You'll find murals on every corner, including the famous Mona Lisa of Williamsburg and graffiti by Andy Warhol and Basquiat. This is also where New York's Orthodox Jewish community lives, one of the largest in the world. If you enjoy street food, don't miss the Smorgasburg market. 

• Bushwick: speaking of street art, if there's one neighborhood not to miss to enjoy street art works, it's Bushwick. Once considered "notorious," this neighborhood in the midst of redevelopment is the new trendy Brooklyn. It's the neighborhood to visit if you want to venture off the beaten path!

• Park Slope: less known than Brooklyn's other neighborhoods, Park Slope is a residential neighborhood where life is good. It's nicknamed the green lungs of Brooklyn because of its park named Prospect Park, which houses the unmissable and sublime Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

• Coney Island: if you're looking for a neighborhood with a family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere, head to Coney Island. This is where New Yorkers gather to enjoy the great outdoors and relax on the beach… 

3. Queens

With the presence of over 150 different cultures, Queens is New York's most cosmopolitan borough. Not all neighborhoods are always recommended for tourists, but some are well worth the detour. 

Among the neighborhoods not to miss in Queens, we can mention: 

• Long Island City: appreciated for its green setting and proximity to Manhattan, it's the artistic center of Queens. You'll find a large number of museums, galleries, and contemporary art studios such as the must-see MoMA PS1, the Isamu Noguchi Museum, and Socrates Sculpture Park.

• Astoria: this neighborhood is home to the largest Greek community outside of Europe. In addition to savoring Greek cuisine and visiting Orthodox churches, the neighborhood is also known for its Museum of the Moving Image and Astoria Park, where you can enjoy a nice view of Manhattan. 

• Flushing: attention all sports enthusiasts—this Queens neighborhood is the place to know to attend a baseball or tennis match. Indeed, the neighborhood is home to the new stadium of the New York Mets and the US Open tennis tournament. As for music lovers, particularly jazz, you can discover the birthplace of the famous jazzman Louis Armstrong by visiting the Louis Armstrong House Museum. 

4. The Bronx

Often associated with a bad reputation due to poverty and high crime rates, the Bronx borough is very unpopular with travelers. However, you'll find some treasures there worth discovering. To visit the Bronx on your own safely, the best thing to do is stay in the area bordering the Hudson River and avoid the southeastern Bronx.

Among the top attractions to see in the Bronx, we can mention: 

• The Edgar Allan Poe House,

• Fordham University's Church,

• The Grand Concourse neighborhood with its Art Deco-style buildings,

• The New York Botanical Garden, the most important botanical garden in the State of New York.

• The New Yankee Stadium (to attend a Yankees game).

5. Staten Island

Staten Island is an island located about twenty minutes from Manhattan. You therefore need to take a ferry to reach it. This is precisely why it's the least known borough among tourists. Nevertheless, it's the borough that contains the largest number of buildings dating from the colonial era. 

Among the top attractions to see on Staten Island, we can mention: 

• Enjoy the view of New York Harbor, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty from the ferry;

• Discover Historic Richmond Town, a restored rural village where you can see houses dating from the 17th century;

• Visit Fort Wadsworth, a fort built by the Dutch in the 17th century that served to protect New York against enemy fleets.

Tour:

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