New York, New York

The Bronx is a part of the city that is always reinventing itself. Today, this borough is known for its urban green spaces, such as the Bronx Zoo, Van Cortlandt Park and the New York Botanical Garden; fantastic international food, including an authentic Little Italy; and the famous Yankee Stadium, which you can tour even if there isn’t a Yankees baseball game happening when you visit. Fans of mystery writer Edgar Allan Poe can visit his cottage in the Bronx, where he spent the later years of his life and penned such classics as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Annabel Lee.” With a history dating to 1654, the opulent Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated New York City Landmark. Take a tour of the mansion and carriage house.

Brooklyn is a meeting point of old and new. The borough has evolved into a cultural hub, particularly in the Williamsburg neighborhood – think artisanal shops, vintage clothing and trendy nightlife. Still, Brooklyn claims timeless icons such as the Brooklyn Bridge (have your camera handy for a selfie), nostalgic Coney Island (try a Coney dog at Nathan’s Famous) and the Brooklyn Museum, one of the country’s oldest and largest museums housing nearly 1.5 million works. Next door, stroll through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Throughout the year, but particularly during cherry blossom season in the spring, this garden impresses visitors with colorful blooms and peaceful paths to evoke your inner wanderer. For a different type of culture, check out the 150-year-old Brooklyn Academy of Music and its calendar full of avant-garde plays, dances, music, literary events and lectures.

Manhattan is (literally) an island unto itself and is recognized for its world-famous landmarks. On your list of must-dos: people-watching and exploring the urban outdoors attractions in Central Park, seeing a Broadway show and, of course, getting caught up in the wave of excitement that is Times Square. Manhattan is known for its impressive art institutions. Admire the striking Frank Lloyd Wright design of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which features definitive works of Impressionists, Surrealists, Minimalists and more. Another favorite is The New Museum, which spotlights contemporary art in a unique, seven-story space in Manhattan’s trendy Lower East Side. Don’t leave New York without visiting the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, site of the former immigration station complex where millions of immigrants entered the USA from 1918 to 1924. It’s also the site of the iconic Statue of Liberty.

Named the top destination for U.S. travel by Lonely Planet in 2015, Queens is notable for its artsy offerings, distinctive neighborhoods and extraordinary cultural diversity. Explore the Greek tavernas, restaurants and bakeries in Astoria, or the thriving Chinatown in Flushing. Check out the changing art galleries at MoMA PS1, specializing in avant-garde work from ultra-modern artists. Both of New York City’s primary airports, John F. Kennedy and La Guardia, are also located in Queens. For an indoor-outdoor cultural experience, Noguchi Museum has the best of both worlds. Housing the works of celebrated Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, the museum offers guided tours and a tranquil sculpture garden perfect for relaxation. Visit the King Manor Museum in Jamaica, Queens, for a journey back in time. The estate was home to Rufus King, an abolitionist and one of the drafters and signers of the U.S. Constitution.

The Staten Island Ferry runs for free, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to this beachy borough. The ferry stops in the historic St. George neighborhood: home to 19th century architecture, the 1920s St. George Theatre, the National Lighthouse Museum and the Staten Island Museum. Green spaces are plentiful in this borough. Explore the trails and parks of Staten Island’s Greenbelt, which is three times larger than Central Park. In the summertime, enjoy kayaking and sunbathing at Staten Island’s family-friendly beaches. Staten Island has a number of unique historic sites. The Alice Austen House holds a collection of photos and the original 19th-century wooden camera of Alice Austen, one of the first women to become a professional photographer. Visit for a detailed look at the life and accomplishments of this pioneer. Check out the natural history exhibits, regional art and local history at the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor. See thousands of artifacts and more than 30 structures dating to the 17th century at the Historic Richmond Town museum complex, a cultural treasure of Staten Island.