When people think of New York City, they usually picture the bright lights of Times Square, the Empire State Building, or Central Park. But the real magic of the city unfolds when you step outside Manhattan. 

Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are packed with hidden gems NYC locals love: vibrant street art, authentic food from every corner of the globe, and wide green spaces where you can actually breathe.

Brooklyn. DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park

DUMBO (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is one of the most photogenic spots in the city. Stand at Washington and Water Street and you’ll get that iconic shot of the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed between red-brick warehouses. But don’t just stop for a photo — wander into Brooklyn Bridge Park, a 1.3-mile stretch of lawns, piers, and waterfront paths.

Here you’ll find Jane’s Carousel, art galleries tucked into old warehouses, and sweeping skyline views that look unreal at sunset. This is the place to feel the pulse of the city while still having room to breathe.

• How to get there: take the A/C to High St – Brooklyn Bridge or hop on the NYC Ferry to the DUMBO pier. By car, cross the Brooklyn Bridge – there’s metered parking nearby. And if you’re renting, Drivo has a convenient office right by DUMBO, so you can drive straight here.
• Best time to visit: early morning for calm and golden light, or sunset for glowing city views.
• Where to eat: Juliana’s Pizza for classic pies, Cecconi’s for waterfront dining, or Superfine for cocktails and live music.

Bushwick Street Art

If Manhattan has museums, Bushwick has its walls. This neighborhood has become a giant open-air gallery known as the Bushwick Collective, where artists from all over the world turn warehouses into canvases. Every turn reveals bold murals - abstract swirls, portraits, political statements — making it one of the top NYC street art destinations.

The vibe here is raw and energetic: skaters on the sidewalks, music spilling from converted lofts, the smell of wood-fired pizza wafting from a graffiti-covered corner.

• How to get there: take the L train to Morgan Ave. By car, park near Troutman Street and explore on foot.
• Best time: daylight hours, when the colors pop and you can see artists at work.
• Where to eat: don’t miss Roberta’s Pizza, a Brooklyn institution. For something sweet, grab a scoop at OddFellows Ice Cream or a vegan doughnut at Dun-Well.

Prospect Park & Brooklyn Botanic Garden

If Central Park feels too crowded, head to Prospect Park, a 526-acre green retreat designed by the same landscape architects. With its rolling meadows, forest trails, and a 60-acre lake, this park is Brooklyn’s backyard. On weekends, locals picnic, jog, and strum guitars under the trees — it’s the definition of a scenic NYC neighborhood escape.

Right next door is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where cherry blossoms explode in spring, roses bloom in summer, and Japanese maples paint the fall in red and gold. Walking through its themed gardens feels like traveling the world in an afternoon.

• How to get there: subways B/Q to Prospect Park or 2/3 to Eastern Parkway. Driving? parking is available at the Eastern Parkway entrance.
• Best time: spring for cherry blossoms, fall for fiery foliage.
• Where to eat: grab a coffee at the park’s Boathouse Café, or head out for Shake Shack at Grand Army Plaza.

Queens. Flushing Meadows – Corona Park

Queens’ largest park is a legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair. Its centerpiece, the Unisphere, is a 140-foot steel globe and a must for your Instagram. The park itself is vast: lakes, trails, soccer fields, and cultural landmarks.

You’ll also find the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (home of the US Open), Citi Field where the Mets play, the Queens Zoo, and the New York Hall of Science. It’s part park, part playground for sports and culture fans.

• How to get there: take the 7 train to Mets – Willets Point. If you’re driving, there’s ample parking near Citi Field.
• Best time: spring and fall for pleasant walks, late summer if you want the buzz of the US Open.
• Where to eat: sample global bites at the Queens Night Market (seasonal), or grab authentic Asian food in nearby Flushing – think dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, or Korean barbecue.

Jackson Heights Food Scene

Jackson Heights is where New York’s diversity comes alive on a plate. Within a few blocks, you can eat Tibetan momos, Colombian arepas, Indian dosas, and Mexican tamales. The aromas of cumin, cilantro, and grilled corn mix in the air - it’s an edible passport.

This is hands down one of the best multicultural food NYC neighborhoods. If you’re hungry for adventure, let your stomach lead the way.

• How to get there: take the 7 train to 74th St – Broadway/Jackson Heights. By car, street parking is available on side streets.
• Best time: evenings, when the streets light up and the restaurants fill with locals.
• Where to eat: try Arepa Lady for Colombian specialties, Jackson Diner for Indian curries, and Nepalese Yak for steaming momos. End with kulfi (Indian ice cream) from a street cart.

The Bronx. Bronx Zoo & New York Botanical Garden

The Bronx is home to two of the city’s most impressive attractions. The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest urban zoos in the world, with over 11,000 animals spread across 265 acres. From lions to penguins, you can easily spend a full day here.

Across the street lies the New York Botanical Garden, a 250-acre wonderland with over a million plants. Its Victorian glasshouse transports you to a tropical rainforest, while its seasonal exhibitions - like the Orchid Show or Holiday Train Show - are local favorites.

• How to get there: take Metro-North to Botanical Garden station or drive (there’s parking at both sites).
• Best time: spring and summer for the zoo, fall for the garden’s foliage.
• Where to eat: the zoo has casual kiosks, but for a real meal, head to nearby Arthur Avenue for Italian specialties.

Arthur Avenue — Bronx’s Little Italy

Arthur Avenue is often called the “real Little Italy” of New York. Here, family-owned bakeries, butcher shops, and trattorias line the street. The smell of fresh bread and simmering tomato sauce hangs in the air, while locals chat in Italian over espresso.

If you want an authentic Italian meal in New York, this is the spot. Think handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, cannoli, and cappuccinos served without pretense.

• How to get there: take the B/D or 4 train to Fordham Road and walk, or drive and park along Arthur Avenue.
• Best time: Saturdays, when the Arthur Avenue Retail Market is buzzing.
• Where to eat: Dominick’s for hearty pasta, Roberto’s for fine Italian dining, Madonia for fresh bread, and any corner café for cannoli.

Travel tips

1. Getting around: the subway is reliable, but if you want to see multiple boroughs in one day, renting a car makes things easier. With Drivo, you can explore New York boroughs by car without juggling transfers or worrying about missing the last train. Just watch for one-way streets and parking signs.
2. Itineraries: pair neighborhoods close to each other. For example, DUMBO and Prospect Park make a perfect Brooklyn day, while Flushing Meadows and Jackson Heights can be done together in Queens.
3. Food strategy: don’t stick to one restaurant – snack your way through. Grab a taco here, a momo there, and save room for dessert.
4. Safety & comfort: stick to well-lit streets at night, especially in quieter areas. Always carry a MetroCard or OMNY tap card even if you’re driving – sometimes it’s easier to park once and take the subway.

Conclusion

The real New York isn’t in Times Square — it’s in Brooklyn’s sunsets, Queens’ global eats, and the Bronx’s hidden corners. Book a car with Drivo, hit the streets at your own pace, and discover the city the locals love.