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Travel + Leisure
13-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
There's an All-inclusive Wellness Resort in Massachusetts—and It Was Just Voted One of the Best Destination Spas in the U.S.
Miraval Berkshires was named among the best U.S. spas hotels in T+L's 2025 World's Best Awards. The resort, now part of the World of Hyatt family, feels like a sprawling Berkshires countryside estate on a 380-acre property designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Rooms are designed with restorative rest in mind; the cloud-like beds—a Miraval staple—are the fluffiest I've ever slept in. Activities run the full gamut of health and wellness and include exercise classes, animal therapy, meditation, and so much more. The inclusive package covers all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, plus complimentary daily activities, spa access, transportation, and gratuities. Amid what felt like the longest winter known to humankind, I needed a break. A breakup, dreary weather, and general burnout had me searching for a reset—and it came to me in the form of an all-inclusive wellness getaway in Massachusetts' Berkshires. Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa is one of three wellness-focused Miraval resorts in the United States; the first location, Miraval Arizona opened in Tuscon 30 years ago, and Miraval Austin opened in 2019. The newest of the trio, Miraval Berkshires maintains the brand's holistic well-being approach that feels like a happy medium among health-focused resorts. It's not so regimented in its wellness programming that you're scheduled from sunup to sundown or feel restricted in what you can eat and drink (there is a bar here, and you can find a wide range of dishes for every palette). But if you're the type of person who finds relaxation in a stacked schedule and wants to eat as cleanly as possible while at the resort, you can do that, too. Daily activities—some included within the daily rate, some for an extra fee—include arts classes, workouts ranging from gentle to intense, meditation, hikes, and mental health–focused group sessions, inviting guests to design their own wellness adventure that meets their needs. For me, that meant a heavy dose of meditation (including a silk hammock sound bath), a class about conquering fear, an introduction to wheel pottery, and several workout classes, leaving plenty of time for treatments and relaxation at the Life in Balance Spa. The adults-only property is undoubtedly serene, tucked into the rolling hills of Lenox, Massachusetts. The hardest—but perhaps most restorative—part of my stay was adhering to the resort's no-phone policy. Cell phones are not permitted in the common areas, and I was embarrassed at first by how often I instinctively reached for my device, often out of habit more than need. It's a simple policy that forces you to stay present, something I greatly appreciated by the end of the trip when it was time to go back to endless emails and notifications. A sign telling guests where they can, and can not use their cell phones. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure Throughout my stay, I met many Miraval loyalists, fans of the brand who have visited every property, some multiple times for an annual (or even more frequent) break. With such a dedicated fan base, it's no surprise our readers voted the resort among the best domestic destination spas in T+L's 2025 World's Best Awards. I went in curious and left a convert; in the months following my trip, my mom (who joined me) and I kept commenting on how good we were feeling—body and mind. Whether it was from our chakras being fully realigned in a bespoke spa treatment or from just devoting three days to doing things that made us feel good physically and mentally doesn't really matter to me—it did exactly what I hoped it would do. My time at the resort got me over my midwinter hump and feeling like myself again, and it gave me a newfound appreciation of the transformative power of a great wellness escape. Below, my review of Miraval Berkshires. Interior of a King guest room. James Baigrie/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa One hundred and twenty-one rooms and suites are spread across the property, from 10 recently renovated guest rooms in the historic Wyndhurst Mansion to carriage houses and cottages. Cottage rooms are connected to the rest of the main indoor areas—including the Harvest Moon Restaurant, Life in Balance Spa, and activity and exercise areas—so you don't have to worry about walking outside if it's snowing or raining. I stayed in a cottage double queen room, which had all the typical hotel amenities (you can expect a simple, modern feel) plus a Tibetan singing bowl and meditation pillow. The best part of any Miraval room is the signature bedding, which truly feels like being swallowed up by a marshmallow—in the best way possible, of course. (The bedding is so popular, they even sell it so guests who fall in love with the ultra-plush featherbeds and comforters can bring a bit of Miraval home.) Some rooms and suites also feature a patio or balcony. The accommodations in the Wyndhurst Mansion have a slightly different, elegant feel to reflect their setting. Interior of the Tea Room. Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa When you imagine the food served at a wellness resort, bland salads and restrictive menus may come to mind, but that is not at all the case at Miraval Berkshires. Food and drinks (including all meals, snacks, coffees, smoothies, and more) are part of the all-inclusive rate, though there are a few exceptions we'll touch on below. We had all our meals at Harvest Moon Restaurant, the main (included) restaurant on property. The restaurant serves three meals a day, with options for buffets or a la carte ordering at breakfast and lunch and a nightly dinner menu. I had relatively low expectations before I arrived—all-inclusive resorts often have a reputation for serving less-than-stellar food—but I was very impressed by the ever-changing menus. Everything we ate was delicious, flavorful, wholesome, and often incorporated seasonal ingredients from local farms and producers (like a local cheesemonger and baker). You might think that dining at the same venue multiple times a day would get boring, but each meal had distinct offerings, perfectly portioned. For lighter snacks plus coffee, tea, and smoothies, The Roost (located right next to Harvest Moon) has you covered. And really, what is better than unlimited lattes and matcha? Snacks are available at the counter and in a refrigerator and include everything from granola bars to the best chicken salad I've ever had. The food was a highlight for us, and we didn't even have the chance to eat at the more upscale 1894 Restaurant inside Wyndhurst Mansion, available at an extra charge and only open for dinner Friday-Sunday (though fellow guests raved about their meals there, too). Unlike some other wellness resorts, alcohol is available at Miraval Berkshires, served in the restaurants and at The Roost's bar, but it is not included in your rate. Beer, wine, and craft cocktails are available and delicious if you choose to partake, but there are plenty of non-alcoholic options, too. Note that you will need to make dinner reservations each night; you can do this ahead of time or in the morning day-of at the Harvest Moon host stand. The Challenge Course is one of the many outdoor actives. James Baigrie/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa Miraval is all about creating your perfect wellness experience, bespoke to your own needs and interests, so there's truly something for everyone. There are several opportunities to move your body however you like each day, including hiking, yoga, barre, high-intensity interval training, and Pilates, plus unorthodox exercise classes like cardio drumming (a personal favorite). There's mindfulness in many forms, from various sound baths (the sensory silk cocoon mediation was a highlight) to beginner-friendly gratitude meditations to pottery classes that take a hands-on approach to mindfulness. There are foodie-focused classes, like the Joy of Java, which dives deep into coffee, Champagne and oyster tastings, and even fermentation classes. There are physical and mental health-related group sessions that cover everything from love and compassion to navigating menopause to coping with fear. From astrology, tarot, mediumship, and past-life regression to chicken keeping and hatchet-throwing—there is genuinely something for whatever journey you're on. There is also golf, a ropes course, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, trails, and other on-property amenities. Each day offers a mix of paid (usually $50-$150, though some fall outside that range) and complimentary classes, and you have the opportunity to pay for private sessions with many of the instructors. The art studio is where guests can engage in creative activities. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure This is truly a four-seasons property, and activities may change depending on the time of year you visit, so I highly recommend scoping out the daily activities calendar before booking. You can also chat with an Experience Planner after you book your stay to figure out which classes you want to sign up for. Classes do fill up, so I recommend booking as early as possible. You can pack your schedule as much or as little as you want; Personally, I aimed for at least one physical class, one mindfulness-related activity, and one other activity that caught my eye each day, with plenty of time for relaxation and meals in between, but you can structure your days however you see fit. You can always add more to your schedule if there is space, but know that you cannot arrive late to any class. The Women's Lounge at the resorts spa. James Baigrie/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa Treatments at the Life in Balance Spa range from traditional massages and facials to unique-to-Miraval experiences that incorporate all the senses. There are Ayurveda-influenced treatments, Thai massages, reiki, and bodywork done in hanging silks or pools of water, just to name a few. There are also salon and nail services and a menu of prenatal options. The spa itself is beautiful, with co-ed relaxation areas (including an indoor/outdoor pool and a hot tub) and gender-separated areas with steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs across the nearly 30,000-square-foot space. The spa is of course a huge draw here, so we recommend making an appointment early so you can ensure you get the treatment and time slot you want. Guests must be 18 and up to stay at the resort. Couches sit around a cozy fireplace. Scott Barrow/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa ADA rooms are available, and public areas including restaurants, the swimming pool, and the spa are accessible. All Miraval resorts share a commitment to sustainability that includes providing guests with refillable water bottles when they arrive (they can refill at stations throughout the property), caring for rescued animals, using eco-friendly single-use food products, and more. Miraval Berkshires uses an onsite Bokashi composting system. Scenic view of the grounds at Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. James Baigrie/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa Miraval Berkshires is located in Lenox, Massachusetts. If you're not driving, take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to and from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut (about 75 minutes away) or Wassaic Train Station (about 70 minutes away). Later this year, the resort will discontinue Wassaic service and instead offer complimentary transportation to and from the Hudson Amtrak station (about 50 minutes away) for those traveling by train from New York City or nearby areas. I took the Metro-North from Manhattan to Wassaic (which includes one transfer), where we met our driver. You can also book a helicopter charter through the resort if you want to get there faster. Be sure to contact the transportation team a minimum of 72 hours in advance to schedule your shuttle. The patio of one of the cottage guest rooms. James Baigrie/Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa The standard Miraval Package includes all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a $175 nightly resort credit that you can use on paid classes, spa treatments, and more. The resort is gratuity-free, and there are a number of free activities each day. The Ultimate Wellbeing Package includes all activities, plus the $175 nightly credit. Miraval is part of World of Hyatt, so you can earn and redeem Hyatt points at Miraval Berkshires. It's also bookable via the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts portal. Amex cardmembers may receive property credit, room upgrades, and late check-in/checkout. Nightly rates at Miraval Berkshires Resort and Spa start from $679. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Bloomberg
26-06-2025
- General
- Bloomberg
Squeezed by Crowds, the Roads of Central Park Are Being Reimagined
When Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux presented their design for New York City's Central Park — then called Greensward — in 1858, they designated spaces by speed. The park's traverses could handle crosstown carriages. Bridle paths were for foot traffic. And the drives would be treated as a promenade for all, split first between pedestrians, soon bicycles, and, later, cars. 'There should be separation of ways, as in parks and parkways, for efficiency and amenity of movement,' Olmsted wrote, 'and to avoid collision or the apprehension of collision, between different kinds of traffic.'
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Boston's secret garden has nearly 200 varieties of roses. "It smells just like you think it does."
Frederick Law Olmsted transformed Boston with the Emerald Necklace. One of the first formal landscapes of the park system was the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden, which continues to attract visitors. "Olmsted designed the Back Bay Fens in the late 19th century. The landscape kind of changed after he died when they dammed the Charles River up at the Museum of Science and they had to replant the whole area," said Declan Battles, marketing and communications manager of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Nearly 2,000 rose plants Designed in the 1930s, the garden still has lots of visitors in the city, along with volunteers who help take care of it. "Rose gardens were all the rage in the early 20th century," said Battles. The blooms have been popular ever since, transporting people into a real-life fairytale. "In the early 2000s the conservancy worked with the city of Boston to renew it, so that involved bringing in rosarians putting the turf down, putting irrigation in there, replanting the rose beds, weeding," said Battles. With nearly 2,000 plants and almost 200 varieties of roses, Battles describes it as Boston's own secret garden. "Now is probably the best time to look at them," he told WBZ-TV. Fountain restored Roses of all colors and sizes greet you as soon as you walk through the gates. Displayed through lined pathways lined with benches and on arched trellises, guests get a 360-degree view of the most beautiful roses. The garden's focal point, a fountain that wasn't operational for years until a little over a decade ago. "The cherubs around the fountain were not the originals, they were stolen sometime in the 60s or 70s, so the ones there were replaced in about 2014," explained Battles. Thanks to funding from the conservancy, the cherubs were replaced and the fountain restored. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy partners with the city of Boston to care for the garden, pruning and weeding every day. The group also runs volunteer cleanups every Tuesday through September. "Of course, it's a very popular place for people to get engaged, get married, I couldn't tell you how many phone calls and emails we get," added Battles. "People just appreciate nice flowers and it smells just like you think it does." The peak blooms are through the end of June. The garden is open from April to October. Guided tours are also available. Click here for more information.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Beyond Manhattan: The highlights of New York most visitors miss
There was a time when Manhattan-dwellers wouldn't deign to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, but those days are long gone, as are the cheap rents that originally fostered the artists and musicians who made this borough a byword for hip the world over. It has become a parody, too: quinoa milk lattes, tattoo parlours on every block, and unwanted innovations such as rainbow bagels and bars inside barbershops. But there was a Brooklyn long before any of this, and a Brooklyn that lies beyond the reaches of gentrification still. It is reductive, in fact, to talk about Brooklyn as a whole – if it were a city, it would be the third most populous in the US and each Brooklyn neighbourhood has its own distinct vibe and calling card. Each neighbourhood within Brooklyn has its own atmosphere. Williamsburg and Greenpoint are well-trodden by tourists, the first neighbourhoods to gentrify and still generating some of the city's hottest dining destinations – just try to get a table at Cantonese American spot Bonnie's ( But the red brick artist lofts and gritty dives that once gave it character have given way to luxury condos and pricey cocktails, and it can feel like a hipster Disneyland. Further south, Fort Greene hits that sweet spot between harbouring genuine local culture and excellent fodder for any visitor. Catch a show at Brooklyn Academy of Music ( then stroll along DeKalb Avenue to find dinner – the eagerly awaited Saraghina Caffe ( just opened there – finishing at nearby Vanderbilt Avenue ( for one of the city's best Open Streets. From here, it is a short stroll to Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux of Central Park fame. At weekends, the borough's de facto backyard is a ruckus of runners, cyclists, competing barbecues and birdwatchers, weddings and quinceanera birthday celebrations. On its north side, the Brooklyn Museum ( is at the forefront of culture, and the bandstand hosts the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival ( In the evenings, fireflies dart between picnicking attendees while music plays. But go deeper into Brooklyn still. To Gowanus, where the clean-up of its notoriously polluted canal continues (you can now take sunset canoe rides, bookable at ushering in a new era of development around clusters of great spots: Threes Brewing ( for craft beer; Insa ( for Korean barbecue and karaoke; and the charming old-world Jalopy Theatre ( for folk music. Further south, Green-Wood Cemetery ( offers tours of its 194 hectares of ostentatious mausoleums and notable internees, such as artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and composer Leonard Bernstein. It has evolved into a cultural destination for the living, with outdoor movie screenings and pop-up performances. End a visit on the waterfront in Red Hook, with a shrimp basket and sunset views at Brooklyn Crab ( Essentials Brooklyn is well serviced by multiple subway lines (J, M, Z, F, B, D, N, Q, A, C, 2, 3, R, 4, 5, G), plus buses and the NYC Ferry ( The Ace Brooklyn ( offers double rooms from about $A323 a night (excluding taxes). The Bronx Visitors come to the Bronx for its three main attractions: Yankee Stadium (try to catch the New York Yankees on their home turf; ( the Bronx Zoo, which is as vast as it is impressive ( and the New York Botanical Garden, the country's largest with a million plants and a gorgeous Victorian-style glasshouse ( The latter two are adjacent to Arthur Avenue, far and wide considered the real Little Italy (Mario's Restaurant is the stuff of red sauce legend). All of these are worth the ride and could fill a three-day itinerary on their own. Affluent 19th-century New York families built their summer houses amid the greenery of the northwest Bronx, and many remain standing today. The 18th-century Van Cortlandt House has been restored as a museum, and its surrounding land is now the 464 hectare Van Cortlandt Park. Nearby, Wave Hill ( was a private estate visited by Charles Darwin, Mark Twain, and Theodore Roosevelt, but is now a serene public garden, looking out over the Hudson River. There are also unexpected architectural gems, such as the historic district of the Grand Concourse, originally modelled on the Champs-Elysees, or the Bronx Community College, a National Historic Landmark designed by Stanford White. Once a Roman-style aqueduct, the High Bridge ( has been restored and reopened as a footbridge connecting Washington Heights in Manhattan and the Bronx. And it has its own quaint seaside escape; City Island is a fishing community, packed with seafood restaurants, local galleries and boat culture. But none of that gets to the heart of what the Bronx is about: vibrant, tight-knit and eclectic, as exemplified by the emerging neighbourhood of Mott Haven. With easy access to Manhattan, this previously industrial hood has been slowly, quietly burgeoning with hip dining spots like Bricks & Hops ( and Beatstro ( drawing the crowds. Other local businesses to check out include indie bookstore and wine bar the Lit Bar ( Bronx Native ( a clothing line in homage to the designers' home turf; and Mottley Kitchen ( a cafe with rooftop yoga and fresh juices. Essentials Take the 1, 2, 5, B, or D subway lines north to reach the Bronx, or the Metro-North commuter train from Grand Central station. Wingate by Wyndham ( offers double rooms from about $US135 a night (excluding taxes). Queens Some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline are from the Gantry Plaza State Park ( in Long Island City. But it would be a disservice to this borough to use it solely as a vantage point to its glitzier neighbour. Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in the US, with more languages spoken here than anywhere else on the planet. This diversity breeds a wildly rich food culture with more than 3000 restaurants representing at least 120 nationalities. If nothing else, come here to eat your way around the world. Corona is famed for its Latin American kitchens; Elmhurst veers more pan Asian; and Jackson Heights is the go-to for Indian, Mexican, Nepali and more. Queens' own Chinatown, Flushing, is the largest outside Asia. The New World Mall food court ( is the go-to for affordable and diverse Chinese cuisine. Tangram Mall food court is terrific, featuring many popular Queens food vendors ( If navigating between momos and chivitos is overwhelming, Culinary Backstreets ( offers a foodie walking tour of Queens to help you find that hole-in-the-wall Thai eatery you may otherwise overlook. Another way to taste it all is to head to Queens Night Market ( in Flushing Meadows' Corona Park on a Saturday. Down in the leafy residential neighbourhood of Ridgewood, gentrification has started to cross the border from Brooklyn's Bushwick. Multipurpose arts venue Nowadays ( with its massive outside space and dance parties, has a lot to do with the changes. Venues such as Rolo's ( and Pizzeria Panina ( both helmed by impressive hospitality talent, have set out to create long-standing neighbourhood restaurants rather than flash-in-the-pan successes. But Queens is more than its food (or, at least, in between eating, there is plenty to entertain). The contemporary arts institution MoMA PS1 ( is certainly responsible in part for heralding a new era in Long Island City, such was its impact. In Astoria, the Museum of the Moving Image ( with its permanent Jim Henson Exhibition, is an immersive audiovisual experience too often overlooked. Queens stretches all the way down to the Rockaways, a 17-kilometre peninsula of sandy beaches merely an A-train ride from the city. Devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the revitalised Rockaways now boasts cute beachy boutiques such as the Swellife ( and popular eateries like Tacoway Beach ( Essentials The 7 subway train traverses most of Queens; for the Rockaways, take the Far Rockaway-bound A train or the Rockaway Park-bound shuttle. The Rockaway Hotel and Spa ( offers double rooms from $US290 a night (excluding taxes). Staten Island It's a classic New York City tourist hack to ride the Staten Island Ferry instead of coughing up for a boat trip to visit the Statue of Liberty. After all, the ferry is free, beer is served on board and it glides right past Lady Liberty herself. Yet many visitors make a U-turn and head straight back. Staten Island has an entrenched outsider status – they did vote to secede from New York City in 1993 – and is closer geographically and culturally to New Jersey. Nicknamed "the forgotten borough". With a population just shy of 500,000, Staten Island is the least populated of the boroughs, but also the greenest, with a 1133-hectare greenbelt cutting across its centre and flocks of wild turkeys. Freshkills Park ( is an unlikely ecological success story, replacing what was formerly the world's largest landfill. The attractions are fewer than those of her sister boroughs, but nonetheless intriguing – such as the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art ( the largest collection outside Tibet, so groundbreaking that the Dalai Lama visited in 1991. Another example is the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden ( which comprises 14 botanical gardens, three museums (the Staten Island Museum is a great place to get some historical bearings), two art galleries and an urban farm which supplies restaurants across the city. Visit the South Shore's Conference House where Revolutionary War peace talks were held, or the Historic Richmond Town ( home to 40 restored properties on the site of a 17th-century village, including the Dutch-style Voorlezer's House, the nation's oldest schoolhouse. St George offers a cluster of good dining options like Enoteca Maria ( which has grandmas from around the world cooking up a storm and acclaimed beer outlet Clinton Hall ( The Flagship Brewing Company ( launched in 2014 and brought new energy to the area; order an award-winning IPA and have a pizza delivered to the bar from nearby Pier 76 ( The prize for best pizza is keenly contested, thanks to the borough's Italian roots, but Joe & Pat's ( usually takes the title. Essentials The Staten Island Ferry runs every 15 to 20 minutes from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan; tickets are free and the trip takes about 25 minutes. Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Staten Island ( offers double rooms from about $A234 a night …And if you must take Manhattan Manhattan comprises six islands in total, plus a small section of the mainland, called Marble Hill, usually assumed to be the Bronx. If you feel you have seen it all, try visiting the other islands. Governors Island ( just minutes from Lower Manhattan by ferry, has been transformed over the past decade and is now packed with art, educational centres and some beautifully restored historic buildings. There is also an array of wellness experiences at QC NY spa ( and good things to eat at the beautifully designed Island Oyster ( which has views of Manhattan from the outdoor bar. The almost 70-hectare island is car-free; hire a bike and explore at leisure. Roosevelt Island's first hotel, the 224-room Graduate ( on the campus of Cornell Tech, is spectacular, with a chic rooftop bar and dining room in anticipation of more visitors arriving on the aerial Roosevelt Island Tramway. As well as the lesser-known parts of Manhattan, there are also new attractions for a return visitor. Little Island ( near the Meatpacking District, is an extravagant floating park, free to visit and offering an amphitheatre with live performances, food stalls and landscaped gardens. Summit One Vanderbilt ( is a sky-high viewing experience, this one including a dizzying 42-second ride in a light and mirror-lined lift. The Museum of Broadway ( in Times Square offers an in-depth lesson on Broadway's history and a fascinating look at what it takes to make the on-stage magic happen.
The Age
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Beyond Manhattan: The highlights of New York most visitors miss
There was a time when Manhattan-dwellers wouldn't deign to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, but those days are long gone, as are the cheap rents that originally fostered the artists and musicians who made this borough a byword for hip the world over. It has become a parody, too: quinoa milk lattes, tattoo parlours on every block, and unwanted innovations such as rainbow bagels and bars inside barbershops. But there was a Brooklyn long before any of this, and a Brooklyn that lies beyond the reaches of gentrification still. It is reductive, in fact, to talk about Brooklyn as a whole – if it were a city, it would be the third most populous in the US and each Brooklyn neighbourhood has its own distinct vibe and calling card. Each neighbourhood within Brooklyn has its own atmosphere. Williamsburg and Greenpoint are well-trodden by tourists, the first neighbourhoods to gentrify and still generating some of the city's hottest dining destinations – just try to get a table at Cantonese American spot Bonnie's ( But the red brick artist lofts and gritty dives that once gave it character have given way to luxury condos and pricey cocktails, and it can feel like a hipster Disneyland. Further south, Fort Greene hits that sweet spot between harbouring genuine local culture and excellent fodder for any visitor. Catch a show at Brooklyn Academy of Music ( then stroll along DeKalb Avenue to find dinner – the eagerly awaited Saraghina Caffe ( just opened there – finishing at nearby Vanderbilt Avenue ( for one of the city's best Open Streets. From here, it is a short stroll to Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux of Central Park fame. At weekends, the borough's de facto backyard is a ruckus of runners, cyclists, competing barbecues and birdwatchers, weddings and quinceanera birthday celebrations. On its north side, the Brooklyn Museum ( is at the forefront of culture, and the bandstand hosts the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival ( In the evenings, fireflies dart between picnicking attendees while music plays. But go deeper into Brooklyn still. To Gowanus, where the clean-up of its notoriously polluted canal continues (you can now take sunset canoe rides, bookable at ushering in a new era of development around clusters of great spots: Threes Brewing ( for craft beer; Insa ( for Korean barbecue and karaoke; and the charming old-world Jalopy Theatre ( for folk music. Further south, Green-Wood Cemetery ( offers tours of its 194 hectares of ostentatious mausoleums and notable internees, such as artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and composer Leonard Bernstein. It has evolved into a cultural destination for the living, with outdoor movie screenings and pop-up performances. End a visit on the waterfront in Red Hook, with a shrimp basket and sunset views at Brooklyn Crab ( Essentials Brooklyn is well serviced by multiple subway lines (J, M, Z, F, B, D, N, Q, A, C, 2, 3, R, 4, 5, G), plus buses and the NYC Ferry ( The Ace Brooklyn ( offers double rooms from about $A323 a night (excluding taxes). The Bronx Visitors come to the Bronx for its three main attractions: Yankee Stadium (try to catch the New York Yankees on their home turf; ( the Bronx Zoo, which is as vast as it is impressive ( and the New York Botanical Garden, the country's largest with a million plants and a gorgeous Victorian-style glasshouse ( The latter two are adjacent to Arthur Avenue, far and wide considered the real Little Italy (Mario's Restaurant is the stuff of red sauce legend). All of these are worth the ride and could fill a three-day itinerary on their own. Affluent 19th-century New York families built their summer houses amid the greenery of the northwest Bronx, and many remain standing today. The 18th-century Van Cortlandt House has been restored as a museum, and its surrounding land is now the 464 hectare Van Cortlandt Park. Nearby, Wave Hill ( was a private estate visited by Charles Darwin, Mark Twain, and Theodore Roosevelt, but is now a serene public garden, looking out over the Hudson River. There are also unexpected architectural gems, such as the historic district of the Grand Concourse, originally modelled on the Champs-Elysees, or the Bronx Community College, a National Historic Landmark designed by Stanford White. Once a Roman-style aqueduct, the High Bridge ( has been restored and reopened as a footbridge connecting Washington Heights in Manhattan and the Bronx. And it has its own quaint seaside escape; City Island is a fishing community, packed with seafood restaurants, local galleries and boat culture. But none of that gets to the heart of what the Bronx is about: vibrant, tight-knit and eclectic, as exemplified by the emerging neighbourhood of Mott Haven. With easy access to Manhattan, this previously industrial hood has been slowly, quietly burgeoning with hip dining spots like Bricks & Hops ( and Beatstro ( drawing the crowds. Other local businesses to check out include indie bookstore and wine bar the Lit Bar ( Bronx Native ( a clothing line in homage to the designers' home turf; and Mottley Kitchen ( a cafe with rooftop yoga and fresh juices. Essentials Take the 1, 2, 5, B, or D subway lines north to reach the Bronx, or the Metro-North commuter train from Grand Central station. Wingate by Wyndham ( offers double rooms from about $US135 a night (excluding taxes). Queens Some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline are from the Gantry Plaza State Park ( in Long Island City. But it would be a disservice to this borough to use it solely as a vantage point to its glitzier neighbour. Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in the US, with more languages spoken here than anywhere else on the planet. This diversity breeds a wildly rich food culture with more than 3000 restaurants representing at least 120 nationalities. If nothing else, come here to eat your way around the world. Corona is famed for its Latin American kitchens; Elmhurst veers more pan Asian; and Jackson Heights is the go-to for Indian, Mexican, Nepali and more. Queens' own Chinatown, Flushing, is the largest outside Asia. The New World Mall food court ( is the go-to for affordable and diverse Chinese cuisine. Tangram Mall food court is terrific, featuring many popular Queens food vendors ( If navigating between momos and chivitos is overwhelming, Culinary Backstreets ( offers a foodie walking tour of Queens to help you find that hole-in-the-wall Thai eatery you may otherwise overlook. Another way to taste it all is to head to Queens Night Market ( in Flushing Meadows' Corona Park on a Saturday. Down in the leafy residential neighbourhood of Ridgewood, gentrification has started to cross the border from Brooklyn's Bushwick. Multipurpose arts venue Nowadays ( with its massive outside space and dance parties, has a lot to do with the changes. Venues such as Rolo's ( and Pizzeria Panina ( both helmed by impressive hospitality talent, have set out to create long-standing neighbourhood restaurants rather than flash-in-the-pan successes. But Queens is more than its food (or, at least, in between eating, there is plenty to entertain). The contemporary arts institution MoMA PS1 ( is certainly responsible in part for heralding a new era in Long Island City, such was its impact. In Astoria, the Museum of the Moving Image ( with its permanent Jim Henson Exhibition, is an immersive audiovisual experience too often overlooked. Queens stretches all the way down to the Rockaways, a 17-kilometre peninsula of sandy beaches merely an A-train ride from the city. Devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the revitalised Rockaways now boasts cute beachy boutiques such as the Swellife ( and popular eateries like Tacoway Beach ( Essentials The 7 subway train traverses most of Queens; for the Rockaways, take the Far Rockaway-bound A train or the Rockaway Park-bound shuttle. The Rockaway Hotel and Spa ( offers double rooms from $US290 a night (excluding taxes). Staten Island It's a classic New York City tourist hack to ride the Staten Island Ferry instead of coughing up for a boat trip to visit the Statue of Liberty. After all, the ferry is free, beer is served on board and it glides right past Lady Liberty herself. Yet many visitors make a U-turn and head straight back. Staten Island has an entrenched outsider status – they did vote to secede from New York City in 1993 – and is closer geographically and culturally to New Jersey. Nicknamed "the forgotten borough". With a population just shy of 500,000, Staten Island is the least populated of the boroughs, but also the greenest, with a 1133-hectare greenbelt cutting across its centre and flocks of wild turkeys. Freshkills Park ( is an unlikely ecological success story, replacing what was formerly the world's largest landfill. The attractions are fewer than those of her sister boroughs, but nonetheless intriguing – such as the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art ( the largest collection outside Tibet, so groundbreaking that the Dalai Lama visited in 1991. Another example is the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden ( which comprises 14 botanical gardens, three museums (the Staten Island Museum is a great place to get some historical bearings), two art galleries and an urban farm which supplies restaurants across the city. Visit the South Shore's Conference House where Revolutionary War peace talks were held, or the Historic Richmond Town ( home to 40 restored properties on the site of a 17th-century village, including the Dutch-style Voorlezer's House, the nation's oldest schoolhouse. St George offers a cluster of good dining options like Enoteca Maria ( which has grandmas from around the world cooking up a storm and acclaimed beer outlet Clinton Hall ( The Flagship Brewing Company ( launched in 2014 and brought new energy to the area; order an award-winning IPA and have a pizza delivered to the bar from nearby Pier 76 ( The prize for best pizza is keenly contested, thanks to the borough's Italian roots, but Joe & Pat's ( usually takes the title. Essentials The Staten Island Ferry runs every 15 to 20 minutes from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan; tickets are free and the trip takes about 25 minutes. Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Staten Island ( offers double rooms from about $A234 a night …And if you must take Manhattan Manhattan comprises six islands in total, plus a small section of the mainland, called Marble Hill, usually assumed to be the Bronx. If you feel you have seen it all, try visiting the other islands. Governors Island ( just minutes from Lower Manhattan by ferry, has been transformed over the past decade and is now packed with art, educational centres and some beautifully restored historic buildings. There is also an array of wellness experiences at QC NY spa ( and good things to eat at the beautifully designed Island Oyster ( which has views of Manhattan from the outdoor bar. The almost 70-hectare island is car-free; hire a bike and explore at leisure. Roosevelt Island's first hotel, the 224-room Graduate ( on the campus of Cornell Tech, is spectacular, with a chic rooftop bar and dining room in anticipation of more visitors arriving on the aerial Roosevelt Island Tramway. As well as the lesser-known parts of Manhattan, there are also new attractions for a return visitor. Little Island ( near the Meatpacking District, is an extravagant floating park, free to visit and offering an amphitheatre with live performances, food stalls and landscaped gardens. Summit One Vanderbilt ( is a sky-high viewing experience, this one including a dizzying 42-second ride in a light and mirror-lined lift. The Museum of Broadway ( in Times Square offers an in-depth lesson on Broadway's history and a fascinating look at what it takes to make the on-stage magic happen.
