New York’s Best Outer Borough Attractions
Tourists arrive via JFK, LaGuardia or Newark airports and typically like to flock to Manhattan, which only seems like it has a monopoly on tourist attractions. But these are the best ways to get the full New York City experience. Don’t worry, we won’t send you to Staten Island.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
The Promenade is the perfect introduction to the city’s most picturesque borough. Enterprising pedestrians can cross the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan on foot, walk the promenade, and hit up nearby restaurants and bars on Smith and Henry streets. The promenade is one-stop shopping for all your tourist needs, offering Brooklyn’s best vista of the Manhattan skyline and a foray into the borough’s characteristic brownstone neighborhoods. What’s more, visitors can now catch the Waterfalls installation, a public arts display featuring 100-foot cascades into the East River.
Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg
Beer drinkers should be especially keen to brave Brooklyn, if only to head straight to the source for the best microbrews in the city. The Brooklyn Brewery is an ideal weekend destination, hosting several free tours every Saturday afternoon and $4 brews at Friday happy hour. A visit entails sampling a huge range of brews, from the basic Brown Ale and Lager to the heat-packing Monster Ale and Local 1. To make the most of your $4, give the refreshing Pennant Ale a shot. While not the most intensely alcoholic of Brooklyn’s brews, it’s the most user-friendly.
Peter Luger Steakhouse, Williamsburg
Peter Luger’s Williamsburg location is the oldest and most trusted steakhouse in town; its slogan boldly states that it’s been “famous for over 100 years.” This means, of course, that the forces behind Peter Luger’s have had a century to perfect their signature steak sauce and meat selection process. The result of their toil is a highly specialized eatery, offering little in selection besides steak and beefsteak tomatoes, both prepared in the same sauce. It’s not the restaurant to choose if you’re in the mood for Shrimp Alfredo, but for steak lovers it’s Valhalla. Bring plenty of cash, as Luger’s doesn’t take any credit except their own Peter Luger card, and be sure to enjoy a pre-steak aperitif from their “gentleman’s bar.”
The Bronx
Yankee Stadium and the Yankee Tavern
Regardless of geographic affiliations, every sports fan needs to genuflect at the ill-fated Cathedral of Baseball before it’s demolished. For a thorough Yanks experience, head around the corner to the busy 161st street for deep-fried deliciousness at the Yankee Tavern. Around since 1923, this “Original Sports Bar” serves the best pre-game meal in the Bronx. Be prepared to get cozy with the Yanks-faithful, as the tight seating in the bar’s dining room results in some interesting conversation. Think about it this way: the Tavern’s website tells us that back in the day, “the Babe was known for coming in and buying a round of drinks for the house.” He’d want you to have a beer with your neighbors.
Arthur Avenue, Belmont
Compared to its trendy Manhattanite cousin, Arthur Avenue’s Italian enclave is quiet and traditional. Many of its inhabitants advertise it dutifully as “the Real Little Italy.” The neighborhood, housed in the Fordham area of the Bronx, offers its visitors a wealth of available delis, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as the odd pasta maker and pork store. It’s worth the ride on the D train to grab a parmigiana hero from a deli or to sit down for a complete pasta dinner. The wisest of visitors will eschew restaurant dessert menus in favor of a bakery cannoli, packaged in the time-honored manner with a red and white string.
Queens
Jacob Riis Park
The most resort-like escape within the city’s confines is Riis, Robert Moses’ preeminent contribution to the city parks system. The Rockaway oceanfront is easily accessible by subway and bus or, more interestingly, by water taxi from lower Manhattan’s Wall Street. Head to Riis for a basic beach day or a game of Pitch and Putt and soak up the democratizing spirit; the park derives its name from photographer Jacob Riis, famous for his portraits of New York’s underclass. The park’s founders aimed to create a beautiful space for the city’s packed populations, and tourists can capitalize as well.
The Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria
Though it’s currently undergoing major expansion and renovation, Queens’ most specialized museum still affords its visitors insight into cinematic production process and sponsors several film events throughout the city. The completed edifice promises to be one of the city’s premier exhibition spaces, housing an amphitheater and several screening rooms. Currently, the museum hosts a thorough “Behind the Screen” exhibition, schooling patrons in all aspects of film from sound editing to wig application. It’s a must for students and curious audiences alike.
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Flushing’s Chinatown
The ride to the endpoint of the rickety 7 train is one of the city’s longest, but Flushing’s Asian enclave is worth the schlep. It’s home to New York’s best Chinese food and discount shopping. Be prepared for some adventure on Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue; the neighborhood, at some turns, resembles a real far-Eastern city and many restaurant menus are printed entirely in Chinese. Point to the grainy picture that most resembles pan-fried noodles and you won’t be disappointed.
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Categories: Travel Info
