New York City’s travel challenge

As the weekend arrives challenge yourself to break free from your usual activities. Venture outside your neighborhood and into a borough that you’ve always wanted to explore.

Pick a place, design the day’s itinerary and you’ll be surprised at what you'll discover. It doesn’t have to be costly instead think of it as an escape from the norm, a day trip away from the city without having to pack a bag.

Brooklyn:

1. Take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, a free activity that provides scenic views.
2. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens-900 Washington Avenue is your 52-acre stop for a full day of discovery.
3. Local festivals-Festivals are always popping up from film to art shows.
4. Prospect Park-The 585-acre park is filled with lakes, a zoo and areas to explore, one of the most beautiful parks in New York City.
5. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory-For a finger-licking treat, it’s time for a cool drink of 1 Water Street where the Brooklyn Bridge sets the scene and the all natural ice cream is a scream.
6. Grimaldi’s located at 19 Old Fulton Street has been voted Brooklyn’s best pizza; get ready for a slice of heaven.
7. New York Aquarium-Surf’s up at 602 Surf Avenue in Coney Island. Awarded one of the best aquariums in the nation the venue hosts 10,000 sea creatures and sets the scene where visitors will take a walk on the wild side.
8. Dumbo or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass is an upcoming community that hosts art galleries, exhibits and even Jacques Torres' Chocolates.

Queens: The largest of New York City’s five boroughs is an artistic and multicultural hub  

1. Kaufman Astoria Studios: 34-12 36th Street in Astoria's claim to fame is the legendary studios of Sesame Street and The Cosby Show. Unfortunately there are no public tours but media fans can visit the Studio Café that is filled with celebrity photos and the spot where studio stars have walked its hallowed hallways.
2. Museum of Moving Images: 35th Avenue and 37th Street is keeping things moving in Astoria as the museum unlocks an appreciation for the industry by having visitors take part in interactive adventures while sifting through media artifacts.
3. Come fly the friendly skies from JFK or LaGuardia Airport. The commercial airports make their home in Queens and are convenient for a quick weekend escape or a world-wind tour.
4. P.S.1 Art Center located at 22-23 Jackson Avenue is affiliated with the Museum of Modern Arts and visitors can venture out to Queens after touring the Manhattan museum to view more contemporary art exhibits.
5. Citi Field is the home of the New York Mets and fans can strike up a game or concert at the 126th Street and Roosevelt Avenue venue.
6.  Queens Museum of Art was built for the 1939 World’s Fair, offers complimentary admission and is popular with families.
7. Travelers will ‘love’ the U.S. Open Tennis Arena, Billie Jean King Center at Corona Park where legends and records were been made.
8. Taste your way through Queens as the boroughs cooks up some of the best ethnic food in New York offering quality and quantity. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, Chinatown and Roosevelt Avenue make the foodie list.
9. Don’t forget to stop at Flushing Meadows Park for a picnic or a gander at the 140-foot Unisphere, built for the 1964 World’s Fair.

Bronx:

1. New York Botanical Gardens-Situated on over 250 acres the beloved gardens has over one million visitors per year and offers a tranquil setting away from hectic city life.
2. The Bronx Museum of Arts located at 1040 Grand Concourse is an architectural find and is filled with local talents and themes.
3. Arthur Avenue or nicknamed The Real Little Italy is Bronx best kept secret. Have a taste of the Old Country before a Yankees Game or visiting the zoo. For seafood aficionados, City Island is lined with seafood restaurants providing the catch of the day.
4. Bronx Zoo: Located at 2300 Southern Boulevard the 265-acre park lets visitors venture through their natural animal habitats.
5. Pelham Park and Mansion is the largest park in New York City with over 2700 acres. The region contains Orchard Beach, the Bartow-Pell Mansion and Hunter Island.
6. No trip to the Bronx is complete without a visit to the Yankee Stadium. It’s time to root for the home team where greats like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth have graced the ball park.

Chinatown/Little Italy:

1. Mott , Mulberry and Canal Street-Fresh ingredients, low prices and ethnic cuisine
2. Canal Shopping district-purchase knockoffs from vendors and local shops
3. Chinese and Italian bakeries
4. Mahayana Buddhist Temple-Canal/Bowery Street-Golden Buddha

Staten Island: Only a Ferry ride away from Manhattan

1. Adobe Blues-63 Lafayette Avenue-Live Blues and an extensive beer selection.
2. Nurnberger Bierhaus-For a taste of German cuisine, 817 Castleton Avenue is your destination.
3. Wolfe’s Pond-Renown for the park’s fall foliage this peaceful oasis provides a clean beach area during the summer months.
4. Botanical Gardens and Zoo-Smaller than its Bronx neighbor's the space is manageable to see in a day trip.
5. The Staten Island Ferry offers travelers a scenic view of the city and since the ride is free visitors can take the journey without having to get off at the Island.

There’s so much to do in New York City; it’s time to explore the boroughs and see what they have to offer.