Favorite offbeat travel experiences in New York

updated 12:24 p.m. ET May 1, 2006

Visit the Little Italy of the Bronx. Though it still qualifies, this experience, growing in popularity, is slowly becoming not so offbeat. With the demise of Little Italy in Manhattan, the area centered around Arthur Avenue, known as the Little Italy of the Bronx, is the place to go for old-fashioned Italian charm, food, and ambience.

Museum of Sex. How many cities can claim their own Museum of Sex? Only in New York. But you must be 18 or older to enter.

Roosevelt Island Tram. Impress your family and friends with a little known, but spectacular view of the New York skyline and take them for a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram. During the 4-minute ride you will be treated to a gorgeous view down the East River and the east side skyline with views of the United Nations and four bridges: the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges. On a clear day you might even spot Lady Liberty.

Bike Along the Hudson River. If you are physically ambitious and walking is just not enough exercise for you, a good alternative is to rent a bike and ride the length of Manhattan via the work in progress, Hudson River Park. As of this writing, you can bike from Battery Park to Fort Tryon Park near the George Washington Bridge. However, there are detours along the way which occasionally take you on and off the paths.

Ride the International Express. The 7 train is sometimes known as the International Express. Take it out of Manhattan and through the borough of Queens and you will pass one ethnic neighborhood after another, from Indian to Thai, from Peruvian to Columbian, from Chinese to Korean.

BEST WAY TO SPEND A DAY IN A BOROUGH

In the Bronx: Spend the morning at the Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Park or the Bronx Botanical Gardens and then head to Arthur Avenue, the Little Italy of the Bronx, for an authentic Italian feast.

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In Brooklyn: First take a look at what's showing at the always exciting Brooklyn Museum, and then get some fresh air with a stroll in nearby, lovely Prospect Park. Cap it off with a sandwich and a slice of cheesecake at Junior's on Flatbush Avenue.

In Queens: Take the 7 train, the International Express, to either the Queens Museum of Art, on the grounds of the 1964 World's Fair, or the Louis Armstrong House Museum. On your way back, stop for a meal at any number of ethnic restaurants you will find within close proximity of the 7 train.

For a complete listing of what to see and do in NYC, visit the online attractions index at Frommers.com.

Frommer’s is America’s bestselling travel guide series. Visit Frommers.com to find great deals, get information on over 3,500 destinations, and book your trip. © 2006 Wiley Publishing, Inc. Republication or redistribution of Frommer's content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Wiley.

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