The Open Road Travel

New York City is undoubtedly one of the most famous cities in the world and, perhaps unsurprisingly, is one of the most popular tourist destinations as well. Statistics suggest that NYC receives more than 65 million visitors each year.

From the Statue Of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Grand Central Station to Central Park and Times Square, it is a city simply brimming with iconic attractions. However, the vast majority of the attractions New York City is famous for are located in the lower half of Manhattan.

As a result, four out of the five boroughs of New York City are often overlooked almost entirely. This is a real shame as, while it is understandable that people want to see the hotspots, the other boroughs of New York City have plenty of fantastic attractions to enjoy as well.

With that in mind, we want to show you the 10 best things to do in New York City outside of Manhattan. So, whether you are returning visitor looking for new things to do or even a first time visitor who wants a more through experience of the city, this is the article for you.

Located in the borough of Queens, the Flushing Meadows – Corona Park is an 897 acre city park. Established in 1939 to host the 1939 New York World’s Fair, it also played host to the 1964 New York World’s Fair as well.

Many large structures from the fairs still remain to this day, including a giant globe called the Unisphere, the New York State Pavilion, and the Westinghouse Time Capsules.

You then have various other attractions like the Queens Museum, Omnium Circus, Queens Zoo, Flushing Meadows Carousel, Vatican Pavilion Site, Garden Of Meditation, New York Hall Of Science, and the Fountain Of The Planets.

Throw in sports stadiums and fields, statues of local icons, like LL Cool J, and countless food truck vendors that give you the chance to experience the cuisines of the diverse range of cultures that inhabit Queens, and the Flushing Meadows – Corona Park is a truly fabulous destination.

Between Grand Central Pkwy and, Van Wyck Expressway, 11354, Queens, New York, United States

Coney Island is technically a peninsula in southern Brooklyn that includes the eponymous neighbourhood, as well as Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. However, when most people talk about Coney Island, they are referring to the seaside resort.

Situated at the west end of the peninsula, Coney Island is best known for its iconic boardwalk along the seafront. It has a pair of amusement parks, Luna Park In Coney Island and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, that are the most striking features.

These are then supported by standalone attractions like the iconic 1920s wooden Cyclone Roller Coaster, Brooklyn Go Karts & Miniature Golf, Eldorado Bumper Cars, and Sideshows By The Seashore. All of these will help you to enjoy a wild and entertaining day by the sea.

Those not into amusements may prefer attractions like the New York Aquarium, Maimonides Park, or the Coney Island Amphitheatre. Even if you simply want to stroll along the beach or enjoy a wide range of street foods, Coney Island is a great place to do just that.

Make sure to visit between April and October if you want to visit Coney Island though, as this is when all of the attractions are open. Those visiting on the 4th of July can even watch the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is broadcast across the nation.

Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11224, United States

While Coney Island is an exciting seafront location, those seeking a more relaxing beach vacation will be better served visiting The Rockaways. A peninsula in the southwest corner of Queens, The Rockaways are home to miles upon miles of beaches and boardwalks.

The beautiful golden sands are perfect for relaxing and sunbathing, while swimming and volleyball are extremely popular too. It is then backed by the boardwalks used for rollerblading, skateboarding, and walking, as well as countless bars, restaurants, and food vendors.

If you are looking to spend a relaxing day by the beach while in New York City, The Rockaways is the best place to go.

Shore Front Parkway, Queens, 11694, New York, United States

While the Brooklyn Bridge will technically take you to Manhattan, most of its length lies over the East River, so it still qualifies for our list. Connecting northwest Brooklyn to south Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge was built around 1883.

Stretching for 1.1 miles (1.77 km), it is known for its steel and stone Neo Gothic architecture. It carries 5 lanes of traffic, as well as bicycles and pedestrians between the two boroughs, and is said to be one of the most iconic and scenic stretches in the city.

As you cross it, you can see views of the coast of Manhattan and Brooklyn in one direction, and the Statue Of Liberty, Governors Island, and Upper Bay in the other. Many people particularly enjoy crossing it at either sunrise or sunset, to see some truly spectacular scenes over the water.

Listed as a New York City Landmark, U.S. National Historic Landmark, and on the U.S. National Register Of Historic Places since the 1960s, the Brooklyn Bridge is a route that simply has to be crossed by any walking enthusiasts visiting New York City.

Prospect Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11201, United States

Located in The Bronx, Yankee Stadium is home to the New York Yankees Major League Baseball Team. Perhaps the most famous sports team in the world, Yankees Stadium is an attraction that simply has to be visited by any sports fans exploring New York City.

Opened in 2009 to replace their former stadium, guided tours of the venue will give visitors a chance to see the countless trophies the team has won through the years and learn more about this legendary franchise.

If you happen to be travelling between March and October, you may be able to watch the team play a game on home soil.

If not, Yankee Stadium also hosts boxing, college football, ice hockey, and soccer matches, as well as concerts and other events outside the season, so there is sure to be something on for you to enjoy.

1 E 161 Street, The Bronx, New York, 10451, United States

Located in the very northeast corner of New York City, in The Bronx, Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in New York City. Established in 1888, it covers 2,772 acres, making it more than 3 times the size of Central Park in Manhattan, which covers 843 acres.

While technically located within the city limits, Pelham Bay Park is the perfect location for those who want to enjoy the more natural side of the region. Numerous waterways intersect the park, while visitors can also enjoy stunning views over the Long Island Sound.

With various hiking and riding trails, bridges, golf courses, kayak launches, and even the beautiful Orchard Beach, you have plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors however you see fit.

Throw in attractions like the Bartow – Pell Mansion Museum & Carriage House and various memorials and monuments, and Pelham Bay Park has options on offer to please everyone.

Middletown Road & Stadium Avenue, The Bronx, New York, 10465, United States

Governors Island lays just 400 yards off the northwest coast of Brooklyn, in Upper Bay. Spanning 172 acres, the island has been used since the colonial period for everything from farming to military fortifications.

Attractions like Fort Jay and Castle Williams are among the most historic sites you will find anywhere in NYC. These are then surrounded by colonial houses and buildings like Liggett Hall, the Admiral’s House, and the Dutch House, to help transport you back to the early days of New York City.

For those more interested in the island itself, you can explore its groves, gardens, and fields either on foot or with a bicycle. Bikes can be rented on the island if you don’t have your own, and guided bicycle tours are even available.

With parade grounds, art centres, and schools, as well as sports courts and restaurants, all of which are backdropped by stunning views of the water, Governors Island offers a very different experience to the rest of New York City.

Governors Island - Atlantic Avenue/Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, Brooklyn, New York, 11201, USA

Roosevelt Field is technically located on Long Island, right on the eastern outskirts of Queens. With 294 stores and covering almost 2, 366,700 acres, it ranks as the largest shopping mall in New York City, as well as the 9th largest mall in the United States overall.

First opened just before Christmas in 1956, Roosevelt Field is home to all manner of stores. From budget to high end, international to domestic, it has options to keep all shoppers happy. There is also plenty of eateries to help keep you fuelled during your shopping trip.

While Downtown Manhattan is often thought of as the place to go for shopaholics in New York City, Roosevelt Field has just as much to offer, if not more, making it an ideal alternative for those seeking a slightly different shopping experience.

630 Old Country Road, Garden City, New York, 11530, United States

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a 9,155 acre wildlife preserve, located on the border between Queens and Brooklyn. Established in 1972, it boasts intertidal salt marshes, open water, dunes, ponds, woodlands, fields, and islands, and was created to protect the local wildlife and its habitat.

Its most famous inhabitants are the Diamondback terrapins that nest in the reserve, as well as a population of horseshoe crabs. Other species you can find include racoons, grey squirrels, and various species of fish and birds, as well as a wide range of plant life.

New York City may not be a destination associated with wildlife, but with its many trails and a visitor centre, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a great way to learn about the natural side of the region or enjoy activities like biking, birdwatching, boating, and hiking.

175-10 Cross Bay Blvd, Queens, New York, 11693, United States

Located on the north coast of Staten Island, the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is an 83 acre park that is filled with historic and significant buildings from the 19th century which was once a home for retired sailors.

Buildings boast everything from Beaux Arts, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian styles to Japanese gazebos and pagodas, making it a fabulous place to visit for fans of historic architecture.

You can also find a collection of galleries, museums, art schools, fountains, sculptures, and music halls, where you can learn more about what you are seeing and the period in which it was created or just sit back and enjoy a performance or cultural event.

Then there is the Staten Island Botanical Garden, with its wide range of plants and even more structures for you to roam around and enjoy.

Throw in stunning views across the river to nearby New Jersey, and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is a truly fabulous destination that will help you see and understand everything that has helped to make New York such a great city through the years.

1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York 10301, United States

New York may largely have Manhattan to thank for its fame and popularity, but it also has plenty more to offer besides. This guide will hopefully have helped you to see that and get a good idea of the best things to do in New York outside of Manhattan on your next trip.

All you have left to do now then is plan your perfect travel itinerary and start getting everything booked. That way you can look forward to jetting off to New York City and enjoying your very own dream vacation in “The Big Apple” as soon as possible.