Running in New York City: the Big Apple
- audreyubertino
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
Running through New York City, comprising five boroughs, offers the chance to discover the achievements of a resolutely modern and fast-paced urban landscape. From Manhattan’s dizzying skyscrapers to Brooklyn’s charming brownstones, via the legendary bridges and wide, bustling avenues, explore the Big Apple with JOOKS and experience the unique energy of this metropolis that never sleeps!
“I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and I always say: ‘There’s no place like New York.’ It’s the most exciting city in the world today. That’s just the way it is. That’s all,” said Robert De Niro, the famous American actor, speaking about the Big Apple.
The history of New York dates back to 1524, when the navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano, commissioned by the King of France, landed in the bay, which was then inhabited by the Lenape people. He named it Sainte-Marguerite, in honour of the sister of Francis I, and called the land situated in the bay and along the river ‘La Nouvelle-Angoulême’. Today, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, linking the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island, commemorates this first European explorer to cross the Narrows, the strait separating Lower New York Bay from Upper New York Bay. Distracted by other matters, Francis I took no further interest in the region, which was rediscovered in 1609 by Henry Hudson, an English explorer. Employed by the Dutch East India Company, he would lend his name to the river that flows through New York.
It was not until 1664 that the English conquered New Amsterdam, which was renamed ‘New York’ in honour of James, Duke of York. Today, having undergone phenomenal expansion between the 18th and 20th centuries, it comprises five boroughs known as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. A major international financial centre, the third most populous city on the American continent, and home to the UN... New York boasts a host of titles and its fame is undisputed. It attracts 50 million visitors annually. Consequently, running there can be a truly enriching experience, both culturally and emotionally!
Manhattan, city of glass and steel
Manhattan is the beating heart of New York. Located on the peninsula of the same name, it has been the filming location for a staggering number of films. During your visit to New York, at every turn you’ll feel as though you’re in a Hollywood production!
As you run or walk through the streets of Manhattan, you’re bound to catch sight of Ground Zero, the site of the tragedy of 11 September 2001. From there, Battery Park is just a stone’s throw away, offering breathtaking views of the Upper Bay and Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty. Then, after passing the Empire State Building as you head north-east, you can admire Times Square, a neighbourhood that takes its name from the former headquarters of the New York Times. Located between 42nd Street and Broadway, it is nicknamed the ‘Crossroads of the World’. However, you’d best not be agoraphobic to enjoy the view: around 365,000 people pass through here every day!
Not far from there, on the edge of Central Park, stands the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the ‘MET’. It is Manhattan’s most famous museum, alongside the nearby Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). With its two million works, 130,000 square metres and 4.5 million annual visitors, the “MET” is one of the world’s largest museums. Don’t forget, whilst you’re out running in Central Park, to keep an eye out for its famous grey squirrels (especially on Mondays)!
Brooklyn, Dumbo and Williamsburg
Brooklyn occupies the western tip of Long Island and borders Queens. Since 1883, it has been linked to Manhattan by the Brooklyn Bridge, which is the oldest suspension bridge in the United States. Once a working-class neighbourhood, sometimes looked down upon, Brooklyn has nevertheless enjoyed a new lease of life since the start of the 21st century. This is reflected both in the boom in the business districts of Greenpoint and Williamsburg – reputed to be a haunt of ‘hipsters’ – and in the craze for Dumbo.
In New York, Dumbo is not (just) the name of a big-eared elephant. It is an acronym for ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’, one of the city’s most expensive neighbourhoods. Very popular with artists, it is full of old warehouses converted into luxurious lofts, giving it a very special atmosphere!
Further south, you’ll find the Brooklyn Museum, one of New York’s largest, and the vast Prospect Park next door. Finally, why not head down to Coney Island during your run through Brooklyn? This peninsula, located at the southernmost tip of the borough, boasts many attractions, including a magnificent sandy beach flanked by a famous amusement park.
Queens, "The World's Borough"
Queens is the largest borough in New York City and the second most populous after Brooklyn. It is nicknamed ‘The World’s Borough’ due to its cosmopolitan population. As a result, going for a run in Queens also means exploring its diverse, multicultural neighbourhoods.
Flushing is now the largest Chinatown in the United States, whilst Jackson Heights and Elmhurst are home to Indian and Tibetan communities, as well as Hispanic ones. Astoria, close to Manhattan, is the Greek neighbourhood and the birthplace of Maria Callas. Corona has historically been home to a sizeable Italian population and is now the heart of the Latin American community in Queens, whilst Jamaica is home to a large African-American and Caribbean community. Finally, the historic Jewish neighbourhood stretches from Rego Park to Kew Gardens.
During your stroll through Queens, you can also visit Long Island City, where you can admire the MoMA PS1 museum or enjoy the greenery of Gantry Plaza State Park. Along the East River, you’ll discover some stunning street art before heading to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. There you’ll find the Unisphere, a 43-metre-high steel representation of the Earth, situated above the Perisphere, a structure featuring a pool and water jets. It gives the illusion of floating in space!
It is impossible to capture the very essence of New York—its diversity—in just a few lines. The Bronx, long reputed to be violent, is the birthplace of hip-hop culture and a neighbourhood undergoing gentrification. Staten Island, the outermost borough, has five uninhabited islands, and long threatened to secede from New York City, before a regular ferry service was established in 1993! Today, the hills in the centre of the island are home to a series of public parks, well connected by hiking trails, including a path known as the Greenbelt, making it a paradise for runners.
Contrary to popular belief, there is a wealth of biodiversity in New York’s parks, the Hudson River and the various wetlands around the bay. The city is home to hundreds of bird species, as well as dozens of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. And 3,000 plant species! So, during your run, you might just spot a snow goose or an ibis. And as you’ll have realised, despite its reputation as an ‘urban jungle’, New York is brimming with parks and natural spaces, so you’re sure to encounter its famous squirrels or its elusive raccoons! In fact, 27% of the city’s total area is made up of green spaces.
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Great article! Running through New York City seems like an incredible way to experience its history, architecture, and unique energy. From the iconic skyline to the famous bridges, every route offers something memorable. As a fnaf fan, I love exploring immersive worlds in games, and New York looks like an equally exciting adventure in real life.