Today we will share with your some amazing ideas of what to see in NYC that aren’t touristy traps. Take a look and let us your what’s your favorite place!
For years, big, bustling, beautiful New York City has captured the popular imagination. And, it’s not hard to see why. We will share with you today 3 ideas of what to see in NYC that are far away from the touristy scene.
From historic museums and sumptuous restaurants to high-rise office buildings and vast, sprawling parks, there’s something in NYC for every kind of person imaginable.
Maybe you yourself have dreamed of donning a little black dress and a pair of chic women’s tights for a night out at the theater. Or strolling down one of the city’s many bustling shopping streets.
One thing’s for certain: there’s so much to see and do in NYC that just one visit is nowhere near enough.
If you’ve already seen most of New York’s most famous tourist spots, or if you’re simply the type of person who takes joy in wandering off the beaten path, then rest assured that the Big Apple has plenty of secret spots to satiate your curiosity.
Here are 3 ideas on what to see in NYC on your next visit:
The Hispanic Society of America
New York is widely recognized as one of the world’s great cultural centers, not least of all because of its abundance of museums.
Lovers of art and history won’t want to miss the Hispanic Society of America – a hidden gem located west of Broadway in Upper Manhattan.
Designed in the Beaux Arts style, this elegant building’s façade is a feast for the eyes all by itself. But, even that pales in comparison to the treasures contained within.
The Hispanic Society of America houses over 18,000 works of art in a wide array of fields, including painting, sculpture, illustration, and decorative art.
Its collections also span the breadth of human history. It begins with the Paleolithic Era and continues all the way into the 20th century.
Some of the most prominent Hispanic artists in the world have work featured at the museum. Some names include Francisco de Goya, Joaquin Sorolla, Diego de Velazquez, and many others.
Old City Hall Station
For many, the mention of NYC brings to mind images of speeding trains, packed train stations, and people rushing to and fro en route to their next destination.
Most travelers in NYC will use the city’s extensive subway system at least a few times during their stay. It’s one of the fastest and most efficient ways to get around.
What many are unaware of, however, is that a “ghost” subway station exists on New York subway line 6. And, that it’s one of the prettiest subway stations you’ll ever see.
Despite having been closed since 1945, Old City Hall Subway Station is anything but decrepit.
In fact, it’s entirely possible that the very lack of foot traffic through the station has helped it maintain its pristine state over the years.
Its intricate arches, crystal chandeliers, elaborate tilework, and stained glass windows hark back to the New York of a century past.
Actually snatching a glimpse of Old City Hall Station can be something of an adventure in itself. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Transit Museum occasionally offers special tours of Old City Hall Station. But, these are usually reserved for special occasions only.
There’s no guarantee that one will be running during your next visit to NYC, but it’s still worth giving the museum a call if you’d like to participate.
What if you can’t or would rather not take a tour? Then all you need to do is jump on the 6 train and ride it to the end of the route. This train still passes through the station on its way down the line.
You won’t be able to get off and see it up close. But, with proper timing and a little skill, you may just be able to photograph this lovely slice of New York City history.
Rockefeller Center’s Rooftop Gardens
The Rockefeller Center’s iconic central plaza is such a quintessential image of NYC that visitors tend to overlook the buildings surrounding it.
All around the Rockefeller Center stand five Art Deco sibling towers facing outward toward Fifth Avenue.
These somewhat obscure buildings are home to some of New York’s best-hidden green spaces—five elaborate rooftop gardens once collectively known as the “Gardens in the Sky.”
Characterized by ornamental hedges, elegantly manicured topiaries, and huge flowerbeds, these rooftop gardens were intended to be a public attraction when they opened in the 1930s.
Situated high above New York City’s streets, they served for a time as small oases for New Yorkers seeking to escape the chaos of city life for a brief period.
Unfortunately, the gardens proved too expensive to maintain at the time and were eventually closed.
The rooftop gardens at Rockefeller Center are no longer open to the public today, but you can still view three of them from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
Another, now known as 620 Loft and Garden, is available to rent for weddings and other celebrations.
It only makes sense that a city as large and diverse as New York City would have surprises around every corner.
The above three sights are just the beginning, so don’t hesitate to explore further and discover even more of NYC’s secret spots.
