If your only exposure to New York City's outer boroughs was watching the US Open on TV, you've got some catching up to do. Hop on the subway for a worthwhile trip from Manhattan; trust us, Serena Williams isn't the only person loving Queens today. The borough has a lot to offer - the Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, too (even without Astroland). Here are a few can't-miss things in each.

Queens

Museum of the Moving Image
IgoUgo member kylebarber says: “The Museum of the Moving Image is an interesting place to visit; it’s primarily worth a visit to catch one of the archived films they are showing.”

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
IgoUgo member MojoGoes says: “The beer garden is a little slice of Europe plopped into the middle of Astoria. A three-minute walk from the second to last stop on the N train, the beer garden is a walled wonderland of lagers, weissbocks, ales, and other brews to wet your whistle.”

Lemon Ice King of Corona
IgoUgo member kylebarber says: “I've always been prejudiced against Italian ices. They're just glorified snow cones, right? Well, Ben Faremo has put that foolish notion of mine to rest with his Lemon Ice King of Corona stand. Who cares if it's winter, I'm heading back there soon...”

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Museum
IgoUgo member Brooklynite22 says: “Easily reached by subway or bus, the Brooklyn Museum is often overlooked by tourists, despite hosting one of the finest collection of Egyptian art and artifacts in the world. It is also one of the oldest and largest museums in the US, hosting diverse collections from ancient masterpieces to modern art.”

Coney Island
IgoUgo member NodsInNY says: “The real attraction of Coney Island is the beach. Well kept and free of debris, the shoreline is broad and inviting, giving beachgoers a vast landscape to explore and find the perfect spot to hunker down. New York City is known for its cultural diversity, and Coney Island stands as a great example of everyone getting together and enjoying themselves.”

Bargemusic
IgoUgo member Zanne says: “Bargemusic is a wooden ferryboat that has been converted into a floating concert hall. It has extraordinary acoustics and amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, and the buildings of Lower Manhattan.”

The Bronx

New York Botanical Garden
IgoUgo member artslover says: “We went to see the Chihuly exhibit and did not focus a lot on NYBG itself, but could not help but notice the variety of plant life as we viewed the Chihuly pieces. It is a big piece of land and I imagine it would be easy to spend many hours there.”

Edgar Allen Poe Cottage
IgoUgo member travel2000 says: “This cottage used to be in the middle of nowhere in the mid-1800s when Poe first moved there. This is now a museum dedicated to the writer. It’s an interesting place if you are a fan of Poe, but also a nice stop as it is a slice of history in the Bronx.”

Bronx Zoo
IgoUgo member cryssteen says: “It's not often that in the middle of New York—or, more specifically, the Bronx—one can expect to run into a peacock waddling by on the sidewalk. But at the Bronx Zoo, where the birds roam free, it's a sight to see. The zoo is a memorable experience for kids, adults, and everyone in between.”

Staten Island

Jacques Marchais Center of Tibetan Art
IgoUgo member travel2000 says: “On an unassuming suburban street, this is a real find: a museum completely devoted to Tibetan art. The building looks like a small temple in the Tibetan mountains, with a beautiful Tibetan-style garden and a fishpond. I was in awe of the displays, feeling transported to a different continent and time.”

Staten Island Ferry
IgoUgo member Cauldar says: “This is the best freebie in Manhattan. The best time to go is a little before sunset for wonderful views of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Verrazano Bridge, Governor's Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. A great little bonus trip is to check out a minor league baseball game with the Staten Island Yankees.”

Snug Harbor Cultural Center
IgoUgo member travel2000 says: “This is a huge cultural center on a site which used to be the home of retired seamen. Sitting on an impressive 83 acres, this includes the Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Staten Island Children's Museum, Staten Island Institute of Arts & Sciences, a music hall, and a botanical garden.”

travel blog and content by IgoUgo.