NEWSLETTER
New York City is one of the world’s most famous cities for a reason. Home to iconic landmarks, world-renowned museums, and a food scene like no other, you’ll find it all in the Big Apple. But this city is also full of amazing hidden gem destinations and off-the-beaten path activities. Admire the Statue of Liberty’s original torch, visit one of only two authentic classical outdoor Chinese Gardens in the country, enjoy a meal from a restaurant run by grandmothers, and more. Read on to get the scoop on New York City’s coolest secrets. Credit: @justinehouyaux on Instagram.
An acoustical phenomenon in Grand Central!
Grand Central Terminal is one of New York City’s most iconic sites (and the world’s largest train station) with timeless elegance, cathedral-like architecture, and a lively bustling energy. After you’ve explored the grandeur of the main hall, get ready to discover one of Grand Central’s coolest secrets: the whispering gallery. Head towards the tiled archway next to the Oyster Bar Restaurant. Once you’re there, grab a friend, lean your heads into opposite corners of the gallery, and speak softly into the arch to experience this acoustical phenomenon. You’ll be able to hear the quietest whisper clearly from across the room - even through Grand Central’s hustle and bustle! Learn even more about the terminal’s treasured secrets on an official Grand Central Tour.
An authentic classical outdoor Chinese garden in Staten Island!
Did you know that Staten Island is home to one of only two authentic classical outdoor Chinese Gardens in the United States? Found at Snug Harbor Botanical Garden, the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden is a true hidden treasure. Take a tranquil stroll through the Ming Dynasty-style gardens where you’ll find a bamboo forest path, eight beautiful pavilions, waterfalls, Chinese calligraphy, and a variety of Ghongshi scholar’s rocks. All of the garden’s architecture is crafted from materials from Suzhou, China using a mortise-and-tenon system, characteristic of traditional Chinese construction, meaning no nails or glue were used while it was built.
One of the first free pre-Civil War African American communities!
The Weeksville Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Weeksville, one of the first free pre-Civil War African American communities in the country. It’s also one of the few African-American historic sites that still sits on its original location, dating back to the 1840s. Today, you can visit Weeksville on a guided tour of the original historic Hunterfly Road Houses, where you’ll get to see the interior of the homes, artifacts such as newspapers and household items, and hear about the lifestyles of the families who resided there. The tour also includes a visit to the center’s exhibits like “In the Pursuit of Freedom.” Admission to Weeksville Heritage Center is free and open to the public. Tours must be booked 24 hours in advance.
An island escape in The Bronx!
Credit: @fromthebronx on Instagram
Did you know that a quaint coastal escape exists in The Bronx? Just a bridge away, City Island exudes small town charm and a laid back vibe. The 1.5-mile main strip is vibrant in the summer, packed with locally-owned shops, boutiques, and restaurants serving up fresh seafood like Lobster House and Sammy’s Fish Box. Soak up the sun on a waterfront stroll and pop into the City Island Nautical Museum (open weekends from April-October) or try scuba diving with Captain Mike’s Diving.
A secret subway station!
Whether you’re a transit aficionado or just exploring the Big Apple by public transportation, the New York Transit Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience for all. As the largest museum in the country dedicated to urban public transportation history, you can explore preserved subway cars, buses, and trams from throughout 20th-century New York along with exhibits featuring historic models, photographs, and more. If you’re looking to uncover a real gem, the museum is also home to a decommissioned subway station, Old City Hall. Originally built in 1904 as part of the city’s first subway line, Old City Hall Station is often said to be one of the most beautifully-designed stations with Guastavino tile vaults, skylights, and Romanesque Revival architecture. To catch a glimpse of this ghost station and time capsule, ride the 6 train to the end, where the station is used as a turnaround. The Transit Museum also offers tours of the station, exclusively to museum members.
An under-the-sea-themed carousel!
Credit: @wewandernyc on Instagram
A carousel like no other is hidden in Manhattan’s Battery Park. Take a magical, nautical-themed spin (or should we say swim) on the SeaGlass Carousel. Inspired by the ocean’s marine life and the Battery’s history as the original home of the New York Aquarium (now located in Coney Island), the Carousel is found in a nautilus-shell pavilion and filled with 30 rideable sea creatures, including two that are wheelchair accessible, like angelfish, lionfish, bettas, and more. Each is lit internally with LEDs and swim to the accompanying music, creating a mystical under-the-sea adventure. Tickets are $6 per person.
A restaurant run by grandmothers from around the world!
When you’re craving grandma’s home cooking, head to Enoteca Maria on Staten Island. What started as an Italian restaurant reminiscent of nonna’s (Italian for grandmother) home cooking has evolved into a kitchen completely run by a rotating roster of real grandmothers from around the world. You may get to indulge in family recipes from Japan, Uzbekistan, or Peru (or a number of other countries) all in one weekend! The menu rotates frequently and is always a surprise, but the food will always be delicious and filled with love.
The Statue of Liberty’s original torch!
Credit: @justinehouyaux on Instagram
Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has stood tall as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, greeting millions of immigrants and visitors to the United States through New York City. But did you know that the torch raised today isn't the original? In 1984, the original torch held in Lady Liberty’s raised hand was replaced with a newer, more efficient design. The original torch was placed in the Statue of Liberty Museum, where you can admire its unwavering beauty.
One of New York City’s only remaining lighthouses!
Credit: @freshlycaught on Instagram
Originally built in 1880, the Little Red Lighthouse serves as a quaint reminder of the area’s history as one of the only remaining lighthouses in New York City. Now a treasured landmark, this historic lighthouse was brought to the banks of the Hudson River in the Washington Heights neighborhood in 1921 to act as a beacon to warn ships away from the shore. When the George Washington Bridge was built in 1931, the bright lights from the 600-foot towers overwhelmed the little lighthouse and caused it to be scheduled for demolition. Thanks to thousands of children who loved Hildegarde H. Swift’s 1942 children’s classic, “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge,” the lighthouse was saved. Today, you can visit the lighthouse for yourself at Fort Washington Park and celebrate it at the Little Red Lighthouse Festival Day in late September.
A rooftop farm in Brooklyn!
Credit: @stephanie.h.park on Instagram
A hidden gem rooftop farm can be found in Brooklyn! Founded in 2010, the Brooklyn Grange is the one of the largest rooftop soil farms and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Sign up to take a farm tour of one of two Brooklyn locations, the Navy Yard or Sunset Park, where you’ll get to take a guided stroll through the farm, its crops, and stunning vistas, and learn about the connection between people and the natural world. Tours at Sunset Park can also be translated into Spanish and Mandarin. Navy Yard also hosts sunset yoga in the summers.
A glimpse into homes of New York City past!
Credit: @kingasa on Instagram
Travel through time and experience over 100 years of New York City history at the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side. This unique museum tells the stories of working-class, tenement residents who lived in New York City from the 1860s through the 1980s throughout two historically-recreated homes. Follow along one of the interactive guided tours, where you’ll get to explore the hallways, kitchens, and parlors where families carved out new lives after significant historic events such as the Civil War, the Holocaust, and Industrial Revolution.
A bird’s-eye-view of a miniature New York City!
Credit: @franciskinder on Instagram
Admire a bird’s-eye-view of New York City from the Queens Museum! The Panorama of the City of New York exhibit, known as the crown jewel of the Queens Museum, is a 10,000 square-foot miniature architectural model of New York City originally built by Raymond Lester & Associates for the 1964 World’s Fair. Over the course of three years, this incredibly realistic model came to life and features all five boroughs at a scale of one inch to 100 feet, including famous miniaturized landmarks like a 15-inch Empire State Building and 1 ⅞-inch Statue of Liberty!
A working farm in Queens!
Credit: @the_travelling_sullivans on Instagram
Nestled in Queens’ Floral Park neighborhood is one of the longest continuously farmed sites in the state and New York City’s only working historical farm. Dating back to the 17th Century, the 47-acre Queens Farm is home to all kinds of farm experiences including year-round hayrides, guided tours of historic farm buildings like the three-room 1772-era Dutch farmhouse, adorable farm animals, and more. Plus, the farm also hosts an intriguing lineup of programs and events like farm yoga, wildlife talks, painting, and more. Be sure to stop by in the fall for even more family fun with corn mazes, apple cider pressing demonstrations, and 18th Century Farmhouse History discussions.
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