The Bronx keeps evolving while holding tight to its roots. It’s home to some of New York’s best green spaces, from the vast Bronx Zoo and Van Cortlandt Park to the New York Botanical Garden, where seasonal displays draw visitors year-round. The borough’s Little Italy on Arthur Avenue is a must for old-school bakeries and family-run trattorias, and Yankee Stadium remains a top stop whether you’re catching a game or taking a behind-the-scenes tour. Literature fans can visit the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, where the author spent his final years, while the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum offers a look at 19th-century life inside one of the city’s most elegant estates. For something more contemporary, explore the Bronx’s creative side through its growing street art scene and deep ties to hip-hop, which was born here in the 1970s and continues to shape its identity today.

Brooklyn blends history with constant reinvention. Williamsburg draws crowds with its mix of independent shops, vintage finds, and late-night spots, while the borough’s landmarks never lose their pull. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge for skyline views, head to Coney Island for a classic boardwalk experience and a Nathan’s Famous hot dog, and spend time at the Brooklyn Museum, home to one of the country’s most impressive art collections. Next door, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a calm break from city life. Down by the waterfront, DUMBO’s cobblestone streets and bridge views make it a favorite for photos and coffee breaks, while nearby Prospect Park offers a quieter, more local version of Central Park. And 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.

Located in the heart of the city, Musée Bargoin is made up of two distinct exhibitions, one devoted to archeology and the other to textiles. The first presents an extensive collection of archaeological items from excavations carried out in the Clermont-Ferrand region. The second tells the story of world's textiles, from the 18th to the 21st century, and illustrates the passion of weavers, dressmakers and other cloth manufacturers.

The small town of Guardiagrele is another great option for a short day trip, but it is not reachable by train, so visitors are advised to hire a car. It lies in the foothills of the Maiella mountain, and the stunning views of the surrounding region led Gabriele d'Annunzio to nickname the town 'The terrace of Abruzzo'.