One of the greatest difficulties that we are preparing for a trip to New York was to understand the geographical distribution of the city, and when you think about the Big Apple you usually create a considerable mess in your head ... To try to clarify a little ideas we bring you this New York neighborhood guide, with its districts and divisions, mapitas and much more information.
To begin with, it is often believed that New York is the same as Manhattan and not at all. Manhattan is just one of the 5 districts (boroughs) that make up the city next to Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island.
But it is true that on a first visit to the city, people tend to focus on Manhattan, because that is where the main things to see and do in New York are found. Although we advise "Take a look" at the other neighborhoods in New York if you have some time, and that is that New York is much more than Manhattan!
How to do it if your trip is only a few days? It is best to sign up for one of the best known tours in the city: the Contrast tour, with which you can get closer and understand a little more what the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn neighborhoods mean for New York. The truth is that this tour was the best we did on our visit to New York ... it is well worth it, so you know: don't miss it!
If you still don't think you have time to visit the fundamentals of New York in your first time, there is only one possible answer: You have to kick the Manhattan district from top to bottom.
Where to start Understanding what are the 3 main areas of Manhattan:
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Uppertown
Within these areas there are different neighborhoods. Since it will be impossible to visit all the neighborhoods of Manhattan (unless you are not lucky enough to live in New York, ains, what a dream!), You have to choose the best ... so here We tell you more about the areas of Manhattan and the neighborhoods in which they are composed:
Downtown is the area that comprises all neighborhoods south of 14th street. It is one of the most interesting parts of the city and if you like walking it will undoubtedly be your favorite. You will meet some of the New York's most legendary neighborhoods, how:
FINANCIAL DISTRICT AND WALL STREET
This is where the money moves, the New York of La Bolsa films and brokers, but not only that: does the sound sound World trade center, the place where the Twin Towers were? Today the 9/11 Memorial and the One World Observatory, What can you visit.
→ More information about Lower Manhattan
LOWER EAST SIDE
If you are looking to stroll through the most authentic and least touristy New York, this is your place. There are no major attractions or icons in New York, but you will definitely enjoy with its character and personality.
TRIBECA
Strolling through this neighborhood is one of the must on your trip to New York, you will come across chic restaurants, modern shops and lots of atmosphere. Although one of its most visited attractions is nothing fashion: we talk about the Ghostbusters fire office!
SOHO
It is one of the most famous neighborhoods in New York thanks to its art Galeries, their clothing stores and their trendy premises. Getting lost in the streets of New York Soho will be like doing it in a movie ... and you have already seen this neighborhood a thousand and one times (even if it was on your television screen).
CHINATOWN
If, like us, you are in love with Asian culture, you will like the Chinatown in Manhattan a lot. It is not the most prominent Chinatown in the United States (Boston and especially San Francisco are more authentic), but it has that noséque (yes I know what: asian chaos) that we fall in love again and again: those smells, that atmosphere, those colors, those rare things that are sold in stores ...
→ More information about Little Italy and Chinatown
LITTLE ITALY AND NOLITA
Things as they are: the real Little Italy is in the Bronx, far from the green, white and red flags and the hordes of tourists. Little Italy in Manhattan has been losing two things: charm and space (it is getting smaller). However… you have to go before it disappears forever and an important part of the history of Manhattan is forgotten.
→ More information about Little Italy and Chinatown
EAST VILLAGE
If you are looking for a fun neighborhoodWhere to go out at night and have a great time, is your place. In the past it was the area chosen by the Bohemians for their ravings, today it has bars and stores for all tastes (and budgets).
WEST VILLAGE AND GREENWICH VILLAGE
It's the neighborhoods where the fight for LGBT rights, where is the NYU, Washington Square and the occasional stop for every movie buff that boasts ... and for every foodie! It is one of the best areas to eat in Manhattan, yum!
→ More information about West Village and Greenwich Village
MEATPACKING DISTRICT
What formerly it was a slum, with factories and nothing attractive,today it has been reborn and transformed into one of the most IN proposals in the entire city. Here the best restaurants and clubs from all over Manhattan (and yes, they are exactly where there were slaughterhouses before!)
→ More information about Chelsea, Meatpacking and Hell's Kitchen
Is the area that is between streets 14 and 59. Here are some of the biggest attractions in New York, such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Top of Rock or mythical neighborhoods like Chealsea.
CHELSEA
It is a must visit, if only to visit one of the rarest parks in the world: the Higline, an elevated urban park that crosses the neighborhood for what was the route of a railroad. Another fundamental stop is the famous Chealsea Market and a walk through its art galleries.
→ More information about Chelsea, Meatpacking and Hell's Kitchen
HELL'S KITCHEN
Next to Times Square is this entertaining neighborhood, where there is never a shortage of options for a good dinner(often expensive) or a glass at night.
→ More information about Chelsea, Meatpacking and Hell's Kitchen
MIDTOWN AND THEATER DISTRICT
It's the New York we all know: Times Square, the Empire, the lights, the neons and the infinite skyscrapers.
→ More information about Midtown Manhattan
It is the part of Manhattan that delimited between 59th Street to the north (Bronx). Here are Central Park, the Upper East Side (any fan of Gossip Girl in the room?), Upper West Side and Harlem.
CENTRAL PARK AND UPPER EAST / WEST SIDE
Everyone knows the green lung of Manhattan and we all dream of stepping on it at least once in a lifetime. Ideally, take advantage of its location to visit two other neighborhoods: the Upper East Side (where MET and Fifth Avenue are located) and the Upper West Side (where the Natural History Museum is located).
→ More information about Central Park
HARLEM
It's one of the neighborhoods with more personality from Manhattan, a different stop and if possible on Sunday. Why? Because this is where you can attend an authentic gospel mass (and a great brunch).
→ More information about Harlem
These are the neighborhoods in which Manhattan is divided. We hope you now have a little clearer ideas and can plan your trip to New York in the best way possible!
* Photocredit: Shutterstock
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