13 Hidden Treasures in New York That Locals Love
New York is famous for its lights, tall buildings, and most importantly Times Square, but there is a collection of gems that may not seem too interesting to tourists but are beloved by the people of the city. From quirky parks to eerie museums, these places are quite different from the typical tourist attractions and should be visited.
These are some of the least visited places that offer relief from the crowds of city life and make you feel more connected with New York City’s diverse culture. If you are ready to travel to New York City like a local, here are 13 spots that New Yorkers love.
The Elevated Acre
The elevated acre located in the Financial District of Manhattan is a secret garden on top of the concrete jungle. This is a hidden park located on the one-acre terrace with benches for relaxation, a view of the river, and a small piece of the green area in the middle of the business district. Large enough to be a place for lunch or a break at work, but small enough to be adored by those who work nearby and appreciated by those who stumble upon it.
The Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal
Despite still being a working train terminal, there are things people don’t expect to see in Grand Central Terminal. The Whispering Gallery is a structural display found at a corner of the terminal and when you whisper into a wall on one corner, it can be heard clearly in the other corner. It makes for a fun and exciting time.
The New York Earth Room
The New York Earth Room is a room filled with 140 tons of earth. This SoHo room is run by the Dia Art Foundation; it has been filled with earth since 1977. It has no special business being there but there is something soothing about coming into the room and smelling the dirt. Visitors find it oddly calming.
The Little Red Lighthouse
There is a small red lighthouse that is situated below the George Washington Bridge in Washington Heights that seems to have been plucked out of a picture book. Although it was once used in navigating ships, today it is a relic and a symbol of ships in New York city. It is visited for its history, for the view, and for the relaxing riverside.
Pomander Walk
Hidden from the hustle and bustle of New York life, Pomander Walk is an English village built in 1921 and located in the Upper West Side. This is a closed street with small houses built in Tudor style. A walk here feels like you have been transported to a London village.
The Ramble in Central Park
Located in Central Park, the Ramble is a wooded area with winding paths, dense forests, and hidden streams. It feels more like a wilderness than a portion of an enormous city park. Visitors who come here are bird watchers, nature lovers, and New Yorkers who need a break from the noise and the rush.
Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery is not just any cemetery; it is a National Historical Landmark and is beautiful. The twisted walkway allows you to get a good view of the area, and from the large tomb-like structures to the greenery of over 510 acres, Green Wood stands and feels disconnected from the normal bustle of life around it. Locals and visitors use it frequently to stroll or for sightseeing purposes.
The Cloisters
The Cloisters is the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art situated in Fort Tryon Park, and it contains medieval European art. However, what makes it unique among other cities is that it is not noisy and has many medieval structures. The museum was designed in the form of a sixteenth-century European monastery with gardens, cloisters, courtyards, and a backdrop of the Hudson River. It is perfect for anyone who wishes to experience some historical richness without having to leave the city.
The City Reliquary Museum
The City Reliquary is a peculiar New York museum which is situated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and contains various relics of New York. This small museum has everything from the subway tokens of old to shards of famous buildings and other objects that reveal the hidden histories of New York City. People like it for its uniqueness and because it reminds them of the earlier decades.
The Irish Hunger Memorial
The Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City represents the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s. Interestingly, It is a real piece of Ireland with stones from each of the counties of Ireland, native Irish plants, and an Irish thatched stone cottage. It is an emotional reminder that people often stop to reminisce on.
The Catacombs of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
Nolita’s St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral has a unique attraction to it. Constructed in the early 19th century it has a basement and catacombs below the structure. Groups can take tours to the burial chambers as they tell them the story and the discovery of this place.
The Blockhouse
Blockhouse is located in the northern area of Central Park and is listed as the oldest structure in New York City constructed during the War of 1812. Originally constructed to serve as a military lookout tower, the Blockhouse is now an object of no significant concern to the public who only occasionally come across it. It is constructed from grey stones which have a rusty look and fit the acknowledged history of the city.
Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital
Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island is an excellent example of a historical exploration of New York since the remains appear quite beautiful but eerie. The building was constructed in the Gothic style and was used in 1856 for the treatment of smallpox. Now it is in ruins, but people who are interested in the history of medical facilities in New York and fans of original architecture come here.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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