Why You Have to Leave Manhattan to Really See NYC

The image most people have of New York City includes the Manhattan skyline: the skyscrapers, the famous landmarks, the humming streets. It’s the first stop for tourists, the heart of the city, a world-class haven for food, shopping, and culture. But to find the true meaning of New York, you have to leave Manhattan. The rest of the boroughs, especially the Bronx, have their own culture and history, just as colorful and important to the New York story.

This blog explores why one needs to get out of Manhattan in order to experience NYC and why a hotel in the Bronx, NY, is a great starting point for your adventure. From exploring hidden gems in the Bronx to experiencing authentic local culture, New York City has so much more to offer than just Manhattan’s well-trodden streets.

The Allure of Manhattan

Manhattan is, without a doubt, a global hub. It is home to Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty. Skyscrapers, neon lights, and the pace of life make Manhattan one of the most recognizable places in the world. Tourists go there to see the famous sights, take a stroll down Fifth Avenue, and do some shopping in flagship stores. Manhattan is an exciting and iconic destination, though it does not reflect the full picture of what New York City has to offer.

Yes, Manhattan is charming, but in so many ways, it’s just a version of the city that has been polished for tourists. High rents, over-commercialization, and heavy foot traffic force many of the “real” experiences to be buried beneath the surface quite often. New York’s real diversity, soul, and grit come into their own in the lesser-known boroughs of this city, where culture is raw, diverse, and historically deep.

The Bronx: NYC's Heartbeat

The Bronx is where one needs to be if he desires to find the real character of New York. Generally referred to as the birthplace of hip hop, it’s a borough that has framed culture in ways other than through the glitz built up by Manhattan. Though history, art, and food speak to New York in ways Manhattan simply cannot, for the most part, its more famous neighbor overshadows it.

History and Culture of the Bronx

Going back to some of the oldest neighborhoods within the city, the Bronx really resonates with a great web of culture formed via immigrants, the working population, and even artistic movements. The most emblematic attribution probably given to the Bronx would come in the shape of musical legacy. It means that hip-hop came into flower here in the 1970s, and today it is important in terms of cultural identity for this borough. You might want to explore street arts today in the South Bronx area, or visit iconic establishments such as the Apollo Theater.

History is not in short supply either in the Bronx, as it houses Yankee Stadium, where the New York Yankees grew up, and a place that brings to life all the legacies of the Bronx within American sports. The world-famous Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden present beauty living right next to urban life. To walk through them presents an entirely different perspective of NYC from the commercial Manhattan sights.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation Options with Amenities Available Locally

Staying in the Bronx is, indeed, one of the best ways to experience the borough. While most visitors stay in Manhattan for convenience, there are actually several advantages to booking a hotel in Bronx, NY, with more affordable pricing being just one of them—getting to know your neighborhood a little better is another.

For instance, Ramada Bronx is one of the best options to stay in the very heart of the Bronx within proximity of main highways. In this respect, this hotel represents a small trip from Manhattan and therefore will give a chance to the guests staying there to enjoy staying at an unpretentious, reasonably priced stay with all the authenticity of New York. Its close proximity to Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and many other significant attractions makes this hotel the ideal base to explore from.

Food Culture: A Taste of the Bronx

Food derived from most of the immigrant groups is what constitutes the cultural melting pot of the Bronx in this sense. From Dominican and Italian to Puerto Rican, extending further into West African communities, an explosion occurs—in terms of its food scene and in the cultural landscape generally. As Manhattan might claim with pride its smattering of Michelin-starred restaurants, the Bronx has little need for such artifacts—what it offers is much more organic, eclectic.

Taste the flavors of the Bronx by sampling the neighborhood restaurants serving delicious meals for decades. Sample classic New York pizza in the Little Italy section of the Bronx or explore several restaurants representing Latin America: sample authentic dishes like mofongo, empanadas, and arepas. The Bronx is also a hub for Arthur Avenue, which many refer to as New York City’s “real Little Italy,” where you can find fresh pasta, Italian meats, and cheeses.

Staying in a hotel in the Bronx, NY, such as the Ramada Bronx, puts you right in the middle of this gastronomic adventure. Access to the best eateries, local bakeries, and street food vendors within the borough is easy and truly authentic—flavors that you will not find in the more touristy areas of Manhattan.

Exploring Beyond Manhattan

While Manhattan may be the most popular borough of New York, there is much more to see if one is apt to venture into other parts of the city. The Bronx is just one example of what New York has in store.

Brooklyn’s Artistic Culture

If you head to Brooklyn, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a lively arts scene, eclectic neighborhoods, and great food. It houses the famous amusement park Coney Island, the Brooklyn Museum, and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Williamsburg is more of a haven for indie art galleries, trendy shops, and hip cafes with a strong sense of community among local artists and performers—so one is more likely to find a little something different from the mainstream appeal of Manhattan here.

Queens: A Global Destination

Another borough that should not be missed in New York is Queens. This is known to be the most ethnically diverse urban area in the United States; thus, Queens serves up a world of cuisines across the globe, from Chinese dim sum in Flushing to Indian street food in Jackson Heights. It houses the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the venue for the 1964 World’s Fair, and Citi Field, where the New York Mets play. There is also the Museum of the Moving Image and MoMA PS1, each contributing to cultural experiences parallel to those of Manhattan institutions.

Staten Island: Nature and Serenity

For a quiet and peaceful New York experience, Staten Island is the place. Catch a ride on the Staten Island Ferry for spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. At Staten Island, you’ll discover wonderful parks, including the Staten Island Greenbelt, with their much more relaxed pace of life. The Staten Island Museum and Staten Island Zoo offer great ways to further experience the region’s history and wildlife.

The Advantages of Staying in the Bronx

There are a couple of reasons why you may want to consider the Bronx instead of Manhattan: the fact is that accommodation sometimes happens to be cheaper, meaning it would be easier for you to find yourself a good reasonably-priced hotel in the Bronx, NY. For example, you may want to have a look at Ramada Bronx: its amenities are fantastic, public transport around it is easy to come across, and the spot will allow you to easily travel between the Bronx and Manhattan.

Moreover, this would let you, when in the Bronx, take yourself away from all those overwhelming crowds of Manhattan and enjoy the city like a local. Certain neighborhoods are so appealing—with that particular something that can only add flavor to the ideas you will have of New York. Along with the residence, one gains more genuinely an idea of NYC that often gets lost amongst all the hustle-bustle occurring in Manhattan.

Conclusion

The only way to see New York City is to get out of Manhattan and into the boroughs that make this city so great. One such borough is the Bronx, which offers a plethora of history, culture, and authenticity not found in the commercialized streets of Manhattan. From food and art to every nook and corner that houses several historical sites, with a hotel in Bronx, such as Ramada Bronx, you can enjoy every aspect of this pulsating part of the city. It is beyond Manhattan’s famous sights that the real spirit of New York City starts to unfold.