When it involves NYC, everybody is aware of the large websites. It’s widespread information that first-time guests ought to take a look at Times Square, the Empire State Building, and museums just like the Met. Kati and I’ve executed all that many occasions. I come from PA and began going to NYC on a bus after I was 15. NYC was one of many first cities Kati explored when she moved from Germany 20 years in the past. NYC has a lot to supply.
So what if, like us, you’ve been to New York earlier than? Or, possibly you’re a first-time traveler that wishes to discover a number of of NYC’s hidden gems. That’s why we created this checklist of 11 off-the-beaten-path locations to go to in NYC. Hint—you’ll have to depart Manhattan to see a few of them!
Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Everyone is aware of (and loves) New York’s sprawling Central Park. But its designers—Fredrick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux—additionally put their skills to the take a look at in Brooklyn. The consequence? A shocking park in the course of one in all New York’s busiest boroughs.
Generally, Prospect Park is much less crowded than Central Park. The individuals lounging within the grass are seemingly locals from the encircling neighborhoods, so anticipate to see picnics, volleyball video games, and barbeques in full swing. Hawks, herons, turtles, and geese additionally benefit from the beneficiant inexperienced areas and idyllic ponds.
The park can be much less manicured than Central Park. In Prospect Park, you’ll discover meandering wooded trails, elegant stone bridges, and sweeping inexperienced fields. It’s a really perfect spot to learn a guide on a sunny day. Or, for a peaceable stroll within the snow. Or, merely to flee the noise and bustle of NYC.
On Saturdays, you should definitely take a look at the Green Market on the north finish of Prospect Park (close to Grand Army Plaza). You can seize recent produce, espresso, or a snack. Then, be a part of the locals deep within the park to take pleasure in a morning within the solar.
Dim Sum (Queens)
Manhattan’s Chinatown is a superb place to discover—and it’s even higher when you have time to cease for dinner or lunch. But when you’re searching for a superb, scrumptious dim sum, hop on a subway. You’re going to Flushing, Queens.
Queens isn’t solely essentially the most various place in New York City—it’s thought of to be one of the linguistically various neighborhoods on the planet. Here, you’ll discover mouthwatering Mexican meals, wonderful Greek cafes, and a incredible array of different choices. (In the temper for a Bosnian pastry or a Brazilian buffet? You’re more likely to discover it right here.)
But you’ve got a mission! You’re going to trace down a few of the metropolis’s finest dim sum. So, quiet down on the 7 prepare as a result of it’s a little bit of a trek. You’re going to Flushing!
Here, you’ll discover a wholesome collection of dim sum eating places. Places like Asian Jewels are rightfully acknowledged as having a few of the finest dim sum within the metropolis. They’re crowded on the weekends, nevertheless it’s definitely worth the wait. Carts crammed with scorching dishes will zip by when you sit down—you’ll be consuming scrumptious dim sum very quickly.
Roosevelt Island (between Manhattan and Brooklyn)
What makes this subsequent place enjoyable to go to is the way you get there. Roosevelt Island is an island, after all. So, how do you get to Roosevelt Island? There are a few methods—that is New York City, in any case! —however I’d advocate both taking the ferry, or the tram.
First, the ferry. This route additionally connects to Astoria, Long Island City, East 34th Street, and Wall Street (search for the Astoria line). This is a cool solution to get a novel perspective of the town skyline.
But I’d advocate the second choice. The tram prices as a lot as a subway ticket and leaves fairly usually from 59th road and a pair ofnd Avenue in Manhattan. From right here, you’ll actually elevate over the town. That’s a view that’s troublesome to beat.
Once you’re on the island, your journey continues. History lovers will adore exploring Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. Anyone who likes a view ought to take a look at the lighthouse on the north tip of the island. And when you’re seeking to ship a chill up your backbone, there are few locations as creepy because the Renwick Ruin, an deserted smallpox hospital.
Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn)
Although visiting a graveyard could not strike many as a “fun” factor to do in NYC, this lovely Brooklyn cemetery is value a go to (even a fast one).
Green-Wood Cemetery, which incorporates 478-acres, is stuffed with fascinating issues to discover. Not solely that, it’s lovely, a park that rivals Central and Prospect Parks with its rolling inexperienced hills, peaceable glades, and escape from the town. Budding photographers and historical past buffs will take pleasure in exploring the elegant graves and mausoleums.
So, what’s there to see right here? Honestly, it’s fantastic to easily stroll round Green-Wood with out an agenda. Wander the paths and see what you discover—you’re certain to find some curiosities.
But you could wish to take a look at a listing of Green-Wood’s everlasting inhabitants as you resolve the place to wander. Civil struggle troopers, Titanic survivors, and massive names like F.A.O Schwarz are buried right here.
Aside from visiting with Green-Wood’s residents, I’d recommend mountain climbing as far up the hill as you’ll be able to go. Green-Wood is the very best level in Brooklyn. That means, from sure angles, you’ll get a incredible Manhattan view from throughout the water.
Socrates Sculpture Park (Queens)
Instagrammers and art-lovers will love this subsequent off-the-beaten-path place to go to in NYC. The Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens is house to an array of zany sculptures.
Once a landfill, this piece of riverside land was designated as a park within the Eighties. Today, it’s house to a formidable array of sculptures. One cool factor concerning the Socrates Sculpture Park is that it has no everlasting exhibit. Every time you go to, you’re certain to see one thing new. And the sculptures themselves are fascinating! Since it’s an outside artwork house—unconfined by the partitions of a museum—most are huge, bold, and bursting with creativity.
The park can be utilized by the encircling neighborhood. In the previous, they’ve sponsored Yoga Sundays, farm stands, tai chi practices, outside movie viewings, and theater and dance performances.
Do remember the fact that the park is small in measurement. I’d recommend visiting it as a part of a much bigger journey to Queens—hopefully, you’re already headed there to bask in some scrumptious dim sum meals.
Little Italy on Arthur Avenue (Bronx)
Many individuals learn about official Little Italy. Located in downtown Manhattan, it’s was one thing of a vacationer lure in recent times…
So, when you’re searching for incredible Italian meals and to get off-the-beaten-path in NYC, I’d recommend going north, to Arthur Avenue within the Bronx. The so-called “real” Little Italy of New York is full of fantastic eats! Plus, because it’s removed from the principle drag of Manhattan, you’re much less more likely to encounter touristy crowds.
Arthur Ave, positioned within the Belmont part of the Bronx, is house to generations of Italian households. For a superb sampling of what this hidden gem neighborhood has to supply, take a look at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. Here, you’ll discover sausages, bread, cafes, pastries, fish, and even wine—in different phrases, you’ll be able to mainly discover something.
As you wander the streets, you’ll discover much more pleasant fares. The space is full of delis (like Joe’s Italian Deli on 187th road, which makes their very own mozzarella) and pastry retailers (like Madonia Brothers Bakery on Arthur Ave, recognized for providing a few of NYC’s finest cannoli.)
Come hungry!
Staten Island Ferry (Manhattan-Staten Island)
Can we qualify a continually shifting object as a spot to go to? In this case, sure. The Staten Island ferry perpetually drifts forwards and backwards between Manhattan and Staten Island. Even so, it undoubtedly qualifies as off-the-beaten-path in NYC.
So, why take the Staten Island ferry? First of all, it’s free. You merely need to board the orange ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan. No ticket wanted!
Secondly, the ferry gives one in all NYC’s finest views of the Statue of Liberty. Find a spot alongside the west facet of the vessel and peer out over the waves. You’ll get a superb perspective of Lady Liberty.
Once you hit Staten Island, merely disembark the ferry after which flip round and get again on. Snap one other image of the Statue of Liberty and you should definitely go to the entrance of the boat so as to benefit from the Manhattan skyline in your method.
When it involves off-the-beaten-path locations in NYC, nonetheless, Staten Island could prime the checklist. Most guests—and plenty of locals—by no means make it over. But Staten Island has loads to supply! Here, you could find nice pizza, a museum devoted to lighthouses, and even some incredible hikes.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden (Brooklyn)
For a peaceable getaway, look no additional than the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. This inexperienced oasis in Brooklyn is stuffed with colourful blooms, winding paths, and peaceable ponds.
You can take your time exploring the 52 acres of the backyard—and you must, as there’s loads to discover. In the spring, you’ll be able to benefit from the vivid pink blooms of cherry bushes. In the summer season, the Garden’s rose bushes burst into vibrant colours.
This is a peaceable spot to go to all 12 months spherical. I particularly just like the Shakespeare Garden, an enclosed house crammed with vegetation that William Shakespeare talked about in his performs or sonnets. Talk about romantic!
While within the space, you’ll be able to simply take a look at the Brooklyn Museum (proper subsequent door to the Botanical Gardens) or stroll down Eastern Parkway to the Brooklyn Library.
The City Reliquary Museum (Brooklyn)
For one thing quirky, zany, and actually off-the-beaten-path in New York City, go to Williamsburg. A number of blocks from the Metropolitan Ave subway station, you’ll discover—however it’s a must to search for it—the City Reliquary Museum.
What is a City Reliquary Museum, you ask? This tiny, hidden gem is stuffed with New York historical past and treasures. You can inform that from the window, the place they’ve displayed metropolis oddities like a carton of chocolate milk that somebody left on prime of a mailbox…and the place it stayed…for weeks…
The museum is cool however small. Once you’ve loved the curiosities inside, go for a wander across the Williamsburg neighborhood. If you stroll west, you’ll hit the water, in addition to some incredible Manhattan views.
If you go east, you’ll undoubtedly get off the overwhelmed path. Here, you’ll discover an industrial a part of the town untouched by crowds of vacationers. Be certain to cease by Grimm’s Artisanal Ales for a glass (or two) of native craft beer.
Riverside Park (Manhattan)
We’ve mentioned Central Park and Prospect Park. But maybe essentially the most unrecognized park in New York City is Riverside Park, which stretches 4 miles alongside the west fringe of Manhattan, from 59th road all the best way as much as 155th road. It contains 330 acres of parkland and trails.
Here, you’ll discover completely unbeatable river views. This is a well-liked spot for runners, bikers, and walkers, so it could be a good selection when you’re seeking to begin your day with a jog, or just stroll off a few of these NYC energy.
You can stroll the size of the park. Or, you’ll be able to look out for a few of the sights alongside the best way. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial (89th road) and Grant’s Tomb (on 122nd road) are the right spots for historical past buffs.
One factor’s for certain—there’s no higher spot within the metropolis to observe a sundown than Ellington In the Park. Grab a desk, order a beer, and put together for some dazzling colours.
Governors Island (off Manhattan)
Finally—one final off-the-beaten-path place in NYC is Governors Island. Getting here’s a breeze. The island is just 800 yards from decrease Manhattan, and the ferry experience takes lower than 10 minutes.
This former army base—it was used through the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812—is now a peaceable respite from metropolis life. Its 172 acres are crammed with grand, deserted former army buildings, inexperienced fields, and loads of lovely NYC views. In the summer season, you’re additionally more likely to discover artwork installations to discover.
Many New Yorkers decide to carry a picnic to Governors Island. You can carry meals, however you’ll additionally discover a collection of meals vans—and even locations to have a drink.
So when you have been to NYC a number of occasions, or simply have additional time, take a look at a few of the off the overwhelmed path locations.