Headed to the Big Apple and not sure what to see or do? You’ll definitely want to check out these nine New York neighborhoods on your next trip to New York City!
This article is part of my Wander Like a Local series, where guest writers reveal the best-kept secrets, must-see spots, and unique experiences that only locals know. Discover hidden gems and authentic tips from those who call it home.
As someone born and raised in New York City, I have lived in three out of five boroughs and know a lot about New York’s distinct neighborhoods. Use this guide to find the best each New York neighborhood has to offer from a local’s view!
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Bowery
Bowery is located in the Lower East Side and is known for its great nightlife, music scene, food, and so much more! It’s the perfect place for a date night or a night out with your friends!
Live Music in Bowery
If you’re looking for great places to see live music, then Bowery is your place! Some of my favorite concerts have been at The Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall, and The Bowery Electric.
Restaurants in Bowery
There are tons of delicious restaurants on Bowery, but it can sometimes be hard to choose. One of my favorite restaurants is the vegan Szechuan Spicy Moon. They are known for their dan dan noodles, kung pao, and cocktails. Another great restaurant is Bar Primi Bowery, a modern Italian restaurant known for its ricotta agnolotti and ricotta crostini.
Bars in Bowery
Bowery is full of great bars! Some of my favorites are The Wren, The Cabin NYC, and the bar in The Bowery Hotel. No matter which one you choose, you’ll definitely have a good time!
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a popular neighborhood that has become a hot spot in Brooklyn. It’s known for its amazing view of Manhattan, great shopping, good nightlife, trendy restaurants, and community atmosphere.
Outdoor Activities in Williamsburg
Williamsburg is an amazing neighborhood where you can explore fun summer outdoor activities! On Saturdays, visit Smorgasburg, a food vendor marketplace with amazing local food and drinks. Or, head to Greenpoint’s Farmer’s Market, where you can buy local clothes, accessories, and more.
Shopping in Williamsburg
Williamsburg has a great shopping scene! Head to Bedford Avenue, where you can find tons of boutiques and stores, such as Brooklyn Woke Vintage, The Mini Mall, and Amarcord Vintage Fashion.
Bars in Williamsburg
There are tons of great bars throughout Williamsburg, and many have fun themes. One popular bar that my friends and I love to go to is Skinny Dennis. It’s a fun saloon country bar serving beer alongside bar games and live country music!
Upper West Side
Growing up near the Upper West Side, this adjacent neighborhood will always hold a special place for me. The Upper West Side is known for its family community, its art and museums, Columbia University, and its excellent restaurants.
Museums in the Upper West Side
The museums in the Upper West Side are a major attraction. It’s the perfect neighborhood to admire history and art. Famous museums include the American Museum of Natural History, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and the Hayden Planetarium. Spend the day exploring these museums as a cultural day for your trip!
Restaurants in the Upper West Side
There is a fantastic variety of restaurants on the Upper West Side. They have cuisines like Italian, Mediterranean, French, Latin American, American, and so much more! Some of my favorites are Miriam, Tessa, and Ella Social!
Markets in the Upper West Side
You can’t come to New York City without enjoying some shopping! The Upper West Side has many options, but my favorites are going to their markets! On Saturdays, check out the 79th Street Greenmarket. It’s a year-round farmer’s market where you can get local food. Another famous market is the Grand Bazaar NYC, which offers food, clothing, beauty products, and many other options!
Harlem
As someone born and raised in Harlem, I love this neighborhood! It’s special for its culture, food, bars, and sense of community. There’s so much to do here that you can’t go wrong taking a day and exploring the neighborhood.
Bars in Harlem
Want to spend the day (or night) bar hopping? Harlem is a great place for it! Some of my favorite must-visit bars are Harlem Hopps (beer hall), Musette Wine Bar, and The Craftsman.
Restaurants in Harlem
Harlem has amazing mix of restaurants with Latin America, Ethiopian, Soul Food, Caribbean, Italian, and so many other cuisines! Some of my favorite restaurants in Harlem are Amy Ruths, Sottocasa, Awash, and The Jerk House.
Culture in Harlem
Harlem has a rich cultural scene, and the streets are filled with important stories from American history. For example, the Harlem Renaissance happened here in the 1920s and 1930s. When you’re visiting Harlem, you have to see the Apollo Theater. It is a multi-use theater known for its black American performers and has been on numerous TV shows like “Showtime at the Apollo.”
Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is a vibrant neighborhood known for its LGBT community, lively bars, and outdoor activities like Hudson Yards and Pier 97 at Hudson River Park. It’s such a fun neighborhood to get a drink and enjoy the views by the water!
Bars in Hell's Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen has a great bar scene! Head to 9th Avenue/Columbus Ave that’s packed with bars. Some of my favorite bars in Hell’s Kitchen are Rudy’s, Mickey Spillane’s, and Dutch Fred’s.
Restaurants in Hell's Kitchen
But 9th Avenue is not just full of bars — you can get a great meal, too! There are plenty of restaurants with cuisine from Italy, Latin, Mexican, American, and so much more. My must-try restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen are Tulcingo, Greek Kitchen, and Norma.
Outdoor Activities in Hell's Kitchen
Head towards 12th Avenue and enjoy the beautiful views of the water, New Jersey skyline, Manhattan, and the piers in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s perfect for spending the day and enjoying the views of the neighborhood and the city.
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is known for the iconic 5th Avenue, Central Park, Museum Mile, Gossip Girl, and being an affluent neighborhood. There’s so much to do here and tons of tourists love to visit this iconic neighborhood!
Museum Mile
Want to spend the day engrossed in culture and art? Then the Upper East Side is perfect for you! Museum Mile is known for its famous museums including The MET, the Guggenheim, The Jewish Museum, El Museu del Barrio, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Shopping in the Upper East Side
Shopping is a must on the Upper East Side! Head towards 5th Avenue and enjoy the iconic shops such as Cartier, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co. Spend the day shopping (or window shopping) and enjoy!
Central Park
This expansive green space is the most famous park in New York City and the first scenic landmark in the United States. Spend the day strolling throughout the beautiful park, people-watching, exploring the Upper East Side, and enjoying nature in the country’s biggest city.
Bushwick
Bushwick is an artsy neighborhood in NYC known for its nightlife, street art, and bars. It’s perfect for young people looking for a good time and offers a much more affordable cost of living.
Art in Bushwick
Bushwick is full of street art throughout the area, and people come from all over the world to explore. Head towards Troutman St for The Bushwick Collective to enjoy the art galleries and stroll along the neighboring streets to enjoy the free art.
Nightlife in Bushwick
Personally, I LOVE going out to Bushwick for a fun night out! There are so many clubs with DJs and live music. I highly recommend visiting House of Yes, Elsewhere, and Mood Ring for a fun time.
Bars in Bushwick
Before you head out to the club to dance the night away, try these fantastic bars for some good drinks! I personally love Doublé, Birdy’s, and 101 Wilson.
Soho
Soho is famous for its shopping, amazing restaurants, and bar scene. I love spending a day here on the weekend getting some cute clothes, eating great food, and having a nice drink! Beware, you might find someone filming a TikTok in this area.
Shopping in Soho
If you’re coming to SOHO, then you have to go shopping! They are known for all the amazing stores in the area. My favorites are MuJI SOHO, Artizia, Uniqglo, and Bloomingdale’s.
Restaurants in Soho
After you finish your shopping, it’s time to get some food! Some great restaurants that I recommend are Odd Sister, Boqueria Soho, and Sartiano’s.
Bars in Soho
End your time in this neighborhood by trying out all of the different bars! Here are the places you need to go for a fun time and some good drinks: Mother’s Ruin, Milano’s, and The Crosby Bar.
Forest Hills
Forest Hills is a residential neighborhood in Queens known for its live music, large park, and great restaurants.
Concerts in Forest Hills
When you’re coming to Forest Hills you must go to the Forest Hills Stadium. This well-known music venue is home to concerts, the US Open Tennis Championships, and music festivals. I saw Ed Sheeran perform here, and it was amazing, so be sure to check out a show during your trip.
Restaurants in Forest Hills
Queens is the most diverse New York neighborhood, something that’s easy to tell by its wide variety of food options. Enjoy an array of Latin, American, Asian, Seafood, Irish, and Greek restaurants in this neighborhood. My favorite restaurants are Mojo, Bamboo Ya, and Agora Taverna.
Bars in Forest Hills
End the night at one of the various bars in this neighborhood. There are a ton to choose from! I love Forest Hill Station House, Cobblestone Pub & Biergarten, and Queens Bully.
Sage Advice: Use these New York captions for Instagram to add the finishing touch to all of your photo-worthy experiences in the neighborhoods of New York.
Visiting The Best New York City Neighborhoods
No matter which New York City neighborhood you visit, you’re going to have a fun time! Definitely check out these nine amazing options, and leave me a comment below to tell me all about your favorite!
Ready to Go?
Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog and Skyscanner
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- Or take the scenic route on an epic road trip in a rental car or an RV from Outdoorsy
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- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with CityPASS, Tiqets, and Viator
- Don’t leave home without travel insurance from AXA
- Discover the sights, history, and culture of your destination with an interactive scavenger hunt
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners. Happy wandering!
Phelize B.
Phelize is a local New Yorker who has been traveling the world for almost two decades. She loves sharing her city, vegan travels, and studying/working abroad. Follow her adventures at Blogging Her Adventure or on Pinterest and TikTok.
