Neighborhoods in New York City: Overview by Borough and Tips

New York consists of five boroughs, and each borough is divided into dozens of neighborhoods. The differences between these neighborhoods are significant and range from upscale residential areas such as the Upper East Side, to creative and trendy districts like SoHo and the Lower East Side, to bustling entertainment zones with skyscrapers such as Midtown. In Brooklyn and Queens, you’ll also find neighborhoods with very distinct identities, such as Williamsburg, DUMBO, and various cultural districts, each with its own atmosphere, architecture, and population.

For many visitors, it isn’t always easy to decide which neighborhoods best suit their trip. Some areas are within walking distance of each other, while others are farther apart and are better reached by subway. In addition, what you can do varies by neighborhood—from famous landmarks and shopping streets to quiet residential areas and places mainly frequented by locals.

On this page, you’ll find an overview of the most well-known and most visited neighborhoods in New York, organized by Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. For each borough, you’ll find the neighborhoods that are most interesting for tourists, with links to detailed pages where you can read more about what there is to see and do.

This makes it easy to decide which neighborhoods best match your travel plans and how to most efficiently organize your city trip to New York.

The Bronx consists of various neighborhoods, each with its own character. Compared to Manhattan, the areas here are less focused on tourism and are more spread out. Still, there are several neighborhoods that are interesting for travelers who want to see more of New York than just the well-known highlights.

Many neighborhoods in The Bronx have a strong local identity and a rich cultural background. Influences from Latin America and the Caribbean are clearly visible in the streetscape, music, and food. Most visitors explore The Bronx with a specific goal in mind, such as visiting Yankee Stadium, Pelham Bay Park, or the New York Botanical Garden.

Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in The Bronx)

One of the most well-known neighborhoods among visitors is Arthur Avenue, also known as Little Italy in The Bronx. This area is famous for its Italian roots and is often considered the most authentic Little Italy in New York. Unlike Little Italy in Manhattan, the focus here is still very much on local shops, markets, and traditional restaurants.

Arthur Avenue is located close to Yankee Stadium and is often combined with a baseball game or a walk through the surrounding streets.

South Bronx

The South Bronx is a large area historically known as the birthplace of hip hop. In the 1970s, a music and cultural movement emerged here that went on to influence the world. Today, this part of The Bronx is undergoing significant development, with increasing amounts of street art, cultural initiatives, and renovated residential areas.

Although it is not a typical tourist neighborhood, some travelers visit parts of the South Bronx on organized tours, mainly because of its cultural significance and the street art visible in many places.

Riverdale

In the northern part of The Bronx lies Riverdale, a quiet and green residential neighborhood that differs greatly from the image many people have of The Bronx. Riverdale is known as one of the safer and more affluent areas of the borough and is sometimes described as a “suburban oasis.”

The neighborhood is located on a ridge overlooking the Hudson River and is rarely visited by tourists, but it shows a very different side of New York.

Around Yankee Stadium

The area around New York Yankees Stadium is the most familiar part of The Bronx for many visitors. On game days, it is busy and lively, with fans, food stands, and nearby cafés. On non-game days, the neighborhood is much quieter, but it remains a recognizable point for travelers visiting The Bronx.

How do you visit the neighborhoods in The Bronx?

Because the neighborhoods in The Bronx are spread out, you usually don’t visit them all in one day. Many travelers choose one or two places and combine them with a subway ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn. This keeps your visit manageable and helps you make the most of your time in The Bronx.