Manhattan is New York’s most iconic borough, often considered the cultural, economic and historical heart of the city. Its history dates back to the early days of European settlement, when the Dutch founded New Amsterdam here in the early 17th century. Manhattan quickly became a vital commercial and port centre, before becoming the financial epicentre of the United States in the 19th century with the creation of Wall Street.
Finding your way around Manhattan
Manhattan is an island located between the Hudson River to the west, the East River to the east and the Harlem River to the north, which separates it from the Bronx. The borough is approximately 21 kilometres long and 3.7 kilometres wide at its widest point. Manhattan is divided into several distinct neighbourhoods that run mainly north-south, with Downtown (the south of the island) home to historic districts such as the Financial District, and Uptown (the north), known for residential areas such as Harlem and Washington Heights.
Midtown, in the centre, is one of the densest areas in terms of skyscrapers and attractions, with iconic landmarks such as Times Square and the Empire State Building. Manhattan’s famous street grid, put in place in the early 19th century, makes it easy to navigate, with avenues running north-south and cross streets numbered east-west. The island is also linked to the rest of the city and to New Jersey by several bridges and tunnels, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, providing easy access to the other boroughs of New York.
Today, Manhattan is world-famous for its soaring skyscrapers, legendary neighbourhoods and internationally renowned cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The borough is also a crossroads of diversity, with neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and Little Italy offering unique multicultural experiences.
Manhattan’s most popular tourist areas
Harlem
Upper West Side
Upper East Side
Central Park
Midtown
Hudson Yards
Chelsea
Greenwich Village
SoHo
Little Italy
Chinatown
South Street Seaport
Financial District
Popular Manhattan activities
Manhattan offers endless activities for visitors: a walk in Central Park, a Broadway show, breathtaking views from the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center, and strolls through iconic neighbourhoods such as SoHo, Greenwich Village and Harlem. The borough is also a major shopping destination, with streets like 5th Avenue packed with luxury boutiques.
Whether it’s culture, food, architecture or nightlife, Manhattan is a must-see destination for any traveller looking to discover the very essence of New York.
The 10 most visited attractions in Manhattan
Empire State Building
Statue of Liberty
Grand Central Terminal
Times Square
New York Public Library
Bryant Park
The Met
Brooklyn Bridge
September 11 Memorial
American museum of natural history
The dynamism of Manhattan
Manhattan’s dynamism is embodied in its new attractions, which combine innovation and futuristic design. Hudson Yards, with its spiral building, The Vessel, and the Edge observation platform, offers breathtaking views of the city. Little Island, a unique park floating on the Hudson River, offers lush gardens and cultural events.
Manhattan is also seeing the opening of new art galleries and public spaces, such as The Shed, a multi-purpose arts centre, consolidating its role as a global creative hub. These new attractions add to Manhattan’s appeal by combining nature, art and modern architecture.
Manhattan’s new attractions
Edge
Little Island
Spyscape Museum
