The area of Manhattan can be divided into several different districts or communities, each offering a different character or side that you can explore while sightseeing New York. Here is a selection of eight of the most visited areas:

Lower Manhattan

If you plan to catch one of the infamous free Staten Island ferries to get a closer look of the Statue of Liberty while sightseeing New York, then you’ll be catching the boat from the district known as Lower Manhattan. This is a mainly commercial district and one that includes Wall Street and Battery Park. With people rushing to work clutching their tall mochaccinos, this area is busiest in the morning. However, one part remains eerily silent 24-hours a day; Ground Zero. The former home of the World Trade Center has become something of a pilgrimage as visitors come from around the world to pay their respects.

Chinatown

Chinatown has one of the largest concentrations of Chinese living outside Asia in the world. Technically it could be named Asiatown as the district is also home to Korean, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese immigrants. The area is famous for its restaurants selling authentic and inexpensive Chinese cuisine.

Little Italy

If you’re a fan of the Godfather then you can’t afford to miss Little Italy while sightseeing New York. Many scenes from the movie were shot in this area, located next to Chinatown, north of Canal Street and comprising Mulberry and Spring Street. The area is best known for its high proportion of Italian-Americans and contains of number of fantastic Italian restaurants offering cuisine from the various different regions of Italy.

Greenwich Village

The area of Greenwich Village is divided into two separate districts known as East and West Village, which together make up Greenwich Village. The East Village attracts a younger crowd of tourists sightseeing New York as it contains punk-rock clubs, funky cafes, experimental theatres and trendy clothing boutiques. Meanwhile the West Village is its slightly more laidback cousin. Tree-lined boulevards and jazz clubs sit alongside vintage clothing stores and organic delicatessens. This area is home to the Magnolia Bakery, made famous by Sex and the City and serving probably the best cupcakes in the world.

Tribeca

Tribeca stands for Triangle below Canal Street and was once the industrial centre of New York City. Nowadays all the factories have been closed and converted into luxury condos that attract famous residents like Robert De Niro. The area is popular with the wealthy and contains a number of upscale restaurants.

SoHo

In New York SoHo stands for the area named “South of Houston”, whereas the Soho in London is named after a former hunting cry used in the area. This 19th century area is filled with trendy galleries, boutiques and fashionable restaurants.

Midtown

Midtown Manhattan is the area of Manhattan that tourists traditionally visit when sightseeing New York. Midtown extends from the East River to Times Square and the Theater District on the west; while the east includes the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the United Nations and St. Patricks Cathedral. As the business, commercial and shopping district of the city it is also home to some well-known stores including Tiffanys and Macys.

Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.

Author Bio: Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city sightseeing. New York tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.

Category: Travel
Keywords: sightseeing New York