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Updated By Elissa Garay
Many tourists miss out on Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island—the three boroughs of New York City other than the biggies for tourism, Manhattan and Brooklyn—and that’s a shame. There are some noteworthy restaurants, museums, and attractions, and the subway’s handful of express trains means that they’re closer than you might think.
Making the Most of Your Time
Queens is rich with museums and authentic ethnic cuisine. A day spent hopping around Long Island City and Astoria enables you to take in the PS1 Contemporary Art Center, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the Noguchi Museum. Then jump on the 7 train and sample international dishes at neighborhood eateries in Jackson Heights or Flushing.
It’s easy to spend a full day at either of the Bronx’s treasures: the New York Botanical Garden or the Bronx Zoo. To visit both, start early and plan a late lunch or early dinner in the Arthur Avenue area.
Many tourists’ only sight of Staten Island is during a round-trip ride on the ferry, but the borough beckons with unexpected offerings in its small museums and historic neighborhoods.
Getting Here
Queens is served by many subway lines. To get to Astoria, take the N, Q, R, or M train. For Long Island City, take the E, M, G, or 7 train. To get to Jackson Heights, take the 7 train to the 74th Street–Broadway stop. You can also take the E, F, M, or R train to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue. The 7 also brings you out to the attractions of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and Citi Field.
The Bronx is serviced by the 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, B, and D trains. The attractions in the Bronx are spread out across the borough, though, so you need to take different lines to get where you want to go, and it’s not necessarily convenient to make connections across town. The B, D, and 4 trains all go to Yankee Stadium, and the B and D continue uptown to the vicinity of Arthur Avenue. The 2 and 5 trains take you close to the Bronx Zoo and Arthur Avenue.
From the scenic (and free) Staten Island Ferry you can catch a local bus or hop in a taxi to hit up attractions that are further afield. Tell the driver where you’re going, and ask about the return bus schedule or taxi pickup.
Top Experiences
Sampling ethnic eats in Queens
Catching a game at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field
Taking a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry
Soaking up modern art at Long Island City museums
Quick Bites
Adobe Blues.
Just two blocks from Snug Harbor, this popular joint serves decent Mexican and Southwestern food to enjoy before heading back to Manhattan. | 63 Lafayette Ave., at Fillmore St.
,
New Brighton
| 718/720–2583
| Station:
S44 bus from Staten Island Ferry terminal (about 7 mins)
.
Pugsley Pizza.
Dig in to delicious and piping-hot pies at this fun, family-run neighborhood favorite and hangout for nearby Fordham University students; it’s been a locals’ go-to for quality slices for nearly 30 years. | 590 E. 191st St.
,
Belmont
| 718/365–0327
| Station:
4, B, D to Fordham Rd.
SingleCut Beersmiths.
Named for a body style of guitar, this craft brewery has a taproom that also serves food (like empanadas, flatbread pizzas, and brats), free tours, and live music on Friday nights. | 19-33 37th St.
,
Astoria
| 718/606–0788
|
www.singlecutbeer.com
| Station:
N, Q to Astoria–Ditmars Blvd.
Taqueria Coatzingo.
Order a taco al pastor
(stuffed with pork and pineapple) and take a seat among the locals in this authentic Mexican taqueria. | 7605 Roosevelt Ave., at 76th St.
,
Jackson Heights
| 718/424–1977
| No credit cards
| Station:
7 to 74th St.–Broadway; E, F, M, R to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave.
White Bear.
The wontons at this tiny hole-in-the-wall are worth the trek to New York’s other Chinatown, in Flushing. Order the No. 6: a dozen wontons with hot sauce for $5. | 135-02 Roosevelt Ave. (entrance on Prince St.)
,
Flushing
| 718/961–2322
| No credit cards
| Station:
7 to Flushing–Main St.