There’s a reason so many people aspire to visit New York City. The city that never sleeps is so much more than a collection of wonderful attractions strewn over five boroughs. The distinctive neighborhoods that make up this metropolitan area are what truly make the city so special.

If you arrange your travels without first studying a map of NYC, getting around might be frustrating. It can also be time-consuming, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best New York City neighborhoods worth visiting.

The Best New York City Neighborhoods To Explore

Upper Manhattan

Upper East Side

Parameters: 96th Street to the north, East River to the east, 59th Street to the south, and 5th Avenue to the west

Relatively quieter than other Manhattan neighborhoods, the Upper East Side is just minutes from the grungier downtown nightlife. From the well-kept buildings to the picturesque tree-lined avenues, it feels like a whole different city.

The neighborhood is a mash-up of banks, Michelin-starred restaurants, and posh cocktail bars rubbing shoulders with burger joints and divey sports bars. Within walking distance of Central Park, there are numerous community centers and schools, while Second Avenue is home to a thriving nightlife. Karaoke lounges and Irish pubs abound!

Well-to-do families, young professionals, and blue-collar workers share sidewalk space while upscale boutiques mingle with national chains.

While there are many attractions, museums are the primary draw on the Upper East Side. The Jewish Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and The Guggenheim are among the museums along Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile.

Museum Mile runs from 82nd Street and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to 104th Street and the lesser-known El Museo del Barrio.

Upper West Side, Manhattan

Parameters: 110th Street to the north, Central Park to the east, 59th Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west

The attitude of the New Yorkers and the strong sense of community make the Upper West Side one of the best New York City neighborhoods.

While many districts have become commercialized, the Upper West Side retains much of its old charm. Its proximity to Central Park is another reason to consider staying in or visiting this area. If you enjoy being outside, you’ll find lots of opportunities to bike, jog, walk, or relax in the park.

The Upper West Side is home to some of the most prominent cultural attractions, like the Lincoln Center, which houses performing-arts institutions like the New York City Ballet. In addition, the American Museum of Natural History is nestled among the stately apartment towers of Central Park West, housing exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to outer space.

Harlem, Manhattan

Parameters: 155th Street to the north, the East and Harlem rivers to the east, 96th Street (east of Central Park) and 110th Street and Cathedral Parkway (north and west of Central Park) to the south, and Amsterdam Avenue to the west

Since the early 1900s, Harlem has been the center of Black culture in America. The area came into its own in the 1920s, when the Harlem Renaissance ushered in a decade of unparalleled artistic expression.

Thanks to its tiny jazz clubs, soul food restaurants, and African-American heritage, the neighborhood attracts a diverse population of locals and visitors. An active nightlife environment is honed by trendy diners, sophisticated clubs, and hip bars.

Those interested in the history of the area have a plethora of possibilities. For example, the “Home to Harlem” effort at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has made the personal collections of important artists and activists, like James Baldwin and Maya Angelou, accessible to the public. In addition, Minton’s Playhouse, where jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, Billie Holiday, and Dizzy Gillespie, among many others, once performed, is a night well-spent.

We also can’t talk about Harlem without mentioning the Apollo Theater, located on 125th street, Harlem’s main drag. Amateur night, tours, and exhibits on topics such as Black cinema dominate this famous venue.

After a show, peruse the lively sights, sounds, and scents of 125th street, co-named Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Midtown, Manhattan

Parameters: 34th Street to 59th Street north to south and 3rd Avenue to 8th Avenue east to west

For first-time visitors, Midtown Manhattan is an obvious choice. Some of New York City’s most iconic and well-known landmarks, such as Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building, are in Midtown. Midtown also includes Times Square and Rockefeller Center.

It’s one of the best neighborhoods that many people think of first when they think of New York. However, the neighborhood isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s also home to some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, including Restaurant Row in the Theater District and Hell’s Kitchen’s boisterous pubs and clubs.

Catch a Broadway show before visiting the famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets.

Lower Manhattan

Chelsea

Parameters: 30th street to the north, Sixth Avenue to the east, 14th Street to the south, and the Hudson River and West Street to the west

Because of its artsy ambiance, Chelsea is one of the best New York City neighborhoods. You’ll find a plethora of art galleries and studios, as well as some of the most incredible restaurants and shopping.

Chelsea Piers, located on the Hudson River, is a vast leisure and sports facility with ice skating, golf, batting cages, biking, and more.

Don’t forget to visit The High Line, a 1.45-mile elevated linear park, green space, and path built upon former railroad tracks.

Greenwich Village & The West Village

Parameters: 14th Street to the north, Broadway to the east, Houston Street to the south, and the Hudson River to the west.

Although the West Village is technically a part of Greenwich Village, many see the two neighborhoods as separate entities. Greenwich Village and The West Village, interchangeably referred to as “The Village,” have a fascinating past. It was not just the birthplace but also the epicenter of the beatnik generation in the 1960s.

The Village has long been a focal point for LGBTIQ+ life in New York. The Stonewall Inn was the location of the 1969 riots that began the gay rights movement, while nearby Christopher Park was a popular hangout that drew large crowds during the uprising.

Another incentive to consider visiting this area is its central location. The train can take you almost anywhere in NYC in under 25 minutes, including Union Square, Wall Street, and Grand Central Station.

Considering its historical significance, cobblestone streets, tree-lined lanes, well-maintained brownstones, stylish boutiques, pubs, and restaurants tucked into every nook and cranny, The Village is a must-visit.

East Village

Parameters: 14th Street on the north, the area east of the Bowery and Third Avenue, and Houston Street to the south

The thriving East Village of lower Manhattan is known as the birthplace of punk rock. The neighborhood, however, has changed with time. There’s still an indie vibe, with some places preserving their gritty look and intensity, but there are also a plethora of luxury complexes. This rise in high-priced real estate has spurred the growth in upscale boutiques, cafés, clubs, concert venues, and restaurants.

The neighborhood has the highest density of community gardens in the United States. So get your green thumb on before perusing the Museum of the American Gangster artifacts.

Lower East Side

Parameters: East Houston Street to the north, FDR Drive and East River to the east, the Bowery to the west, and Canal Street to the south – the western boundary below Grand Street veers east off the Bowery to about Essex Street.

Suppose you’re searching for a bustling neighborhood with plenty of nightlife and a unique appeal to embracing individuality. In that case, the Lower East Side is a great place to start. Take the Home Sweet Home Bar, for example, where patrons dance to a live DJ in a room decorated with chandeliers and taxidermy.

On the other side of Houston and stretching down to Chinatown, the Lower East Side is a neighborhood shaped by immigrants, with a fascinating history best experienced at the Tenement Museum on Orchard Street. The structures on the Lower East Side were explicitly developed to shelter the hordes of immigrants pouring into the city between 1840 and 1930. As a result, this was the world’s most densely populated area at the turn of the century, with overcrowded apartments and pushcarts that clogged the streets.

Today, New Yorkers in this area have a great sense of pride in their heritage. Several synagogues and museums depict what life was like for the community’s immigrant population. The International Center of Photography Museum and the New Museum are also close and worth visiting. In addition, two well-known eateries pay homage to the city’s Jewish heritage: Katz’s Delicatessen and Russ & Daughters.

Brooklyn

Williamsburg

Parameters: Greenpoint to the north, Bushwick and East Williamsburg to the east, Bedford–Stuyvesant to the south, and the East River to the west.

Enticing visitors across the East River for decades, our first of Brooklyn neighborhoods offers many things to do at all hours. From contemporary shopping, gastronomic excursions, and a thriving music scene, Williamsburg is a hipster haven, not exactly off-the-beaten-path.

From the Music Hall of Williamsburg, on North 6th Street that hosts indie favorites to National Sawdust, a few doors down, one is bound to be entertained by a spectrum of talent. Of course, one mustn’t forget the Brooklyn Bowl – walking distance from both venues mentioned above.

On summer Saturdays, Smorgasburg brings together unique food vendors along the riverbank, showcasing the unique neighborhood’s taste. With several of the city’s trendiest restaurants and bars, Williamsburg is easily one of the best New York City neighborhoods.

Bushwick

Parameters: neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens, to the northeast, Williamsburg to the northwest; East New York and the cemeteries of Highland Park to the southeast, Brownsville to the south, and Bedford–Stuyvesant to the southwest

Bushwick is a developing, industrial neighborhood characterized by innovative street art, art galleries, artisanal coffee shops, and music venues sprung up out of abandoned warehouses. Buildings are adorned with bright, vivid paintings.

Bushwick’s cultural variety is celebrated through an emerging gastronomic culture. Mom-and-pop pizza joints to vegan Ethiopian restaurants and French bistros are local favorites.

As long-time residents and newcomers develop a culture unique to the rejuvenated area, Brooklyn’s northernmost neighborhood reconciles with its heritage. There has been a change toward a more art-focused society due to an influx of youthful residents lured to Bushwick’s affordability.

Park Slope

Parameters: Flatbush Avenue to the north, Prospect Park and Prospect Park West to the east, Prospect Expressway to the south, and Fourth Avenue to the west

Organic food markets, lovely sidewalks, and charming cafés can all be found in Park Slope. It’s a beautiful neighborhood that values its green space. With its excellent public and private schools, safety, and pedestrian-friendly walkways, Park Slope is one of the best New York City neighborhoods for families.

The neighborhood is also close to important cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Public Library and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. With easy access to Manhattan, it’s bordered by the beautiful western slope of Prospect Park, a 526-acre nature lover’s dream.

Queens

Astoria

Parameters: The East River to 36th Ave north to south, 81st Street to the East River east to west

Because of its trendy restaurants, modern art, and waterfront houses, Astoria is one of the best New York City neighborhoods. Its laid-back attitude and affordability provide a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

This Queens neighborhood, located just over the East River from Midtown, is a hub of ethnic culture and eating, with a longstanding Greek influence and a Little Egypt. Another attraction is its film-related history and sites. With displays on film, television, and digital media, the Museum of the Moving Image is a must-see while in Astoria.