When you’re finally able to book a trip to a dream travel destination like New York City, you likely already have an idea of what you’d like to do. From taking on big-hitters like the Brooklyn Bridge to sunning it up Central Park – you’ll finally be able to tick off a whole load of things on your bucket list. There’s just one problem; every tourist in NYC will want to do the same. As such, each location may be so crammed with crowds that you won’t see a great deal of it anyway.
That’s no way to spend your trip and, if we’re totally honest with you, it’s far from the best way to experience New York City. By all means, visit the popular destinations that you most want to see, but it’s worth scrapping the stuff you can do without in place of the city’s lesser-known gems.
These off-the-beaten-track NYC locations are so secret that even many locals don’t realize they exist. Add the following hidden spots to your travel itinerary to get a true taste of the city.
# 1 – The Whispering Gallery
Grand Central Terminal is far from just a transport stop-off on your New York Trip. As the world’s largest and arguably most beautiful train station, which has also featured on screen in hits including Gossip Girl and The Girl on the Train, you’ll want to take in the sights before storing your bag with nearby Radical Storage NYC and getting on with your trip.
There are some obvious must-sees during your time here, including the iconic main concourse, but did you know that there’s also a hidden gem available in the form of the Whispering Gallery? This doomed intersection of walkways on the ground floor is home to something of an acoustic oddity, which can see you sharing whispers from corner to corner, and still being heard above the unavoidable crowds. This acoustic ability is due in large part to the perfectly shaped arches and the slanted ‘Gustavino tiles’, and you can have a lot of fun at this spot before getting started on your NYC journey.
# 2 – Hidden Pieces of the Berlin Wall
If you thought you had to fly for 10+ hours to see the Berlin wall, you can think again, because little pieces of it are hidden in New York.Simply embark on a tour to find not one, not two, but FIVE hidden pieces of the Berlin Wall that are scattered around NYC. This may seem an unlikely adventure, but trust us when we say that it’s a trip worth taking for any history buff or curious mind.
These iconic pieces were gifted from Germany at different times, and they iconically display works of art by Berlin local Thierry Noir, who began painting the west side of the Berlin wall nearest his apartment in 1980. Now, his painted pieces, which include a chicken, hearts, and a couple sharing an embrace, are located in areas including NYC’s Battery Park City, United Nations Sculpture Garden, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not in Times Square.
# 3 – Pier 57 Rooftop Park
The 843 acres of Central Park are an obvious NYC tourist draw, but trust us when we say that this hot spot gets busy. In fact, with over 42 million visitors every single year (making it the third most visited tourist destination in the world!), this won’t exactly be the peaceful park visit you might have envisioned before your trip. But, you know what could be? A visit to the lesser-known Pier 57 Rooftop Park.
This two-acre rooftop park and walkway opened in 2022, and is available to the public from 6 am-1 am daily. Perhaps in part because of its high location, this spot has remained one of the city’s secret gems, which also happens to offer 360 NYC skyline views, and fabulous views of Little Island across the street. The fun doesn’t even stop outside, with Pier 57 also offering an indoor ‘Living Room’ and the free-to-access tech-powered ‘Discovery Tank’.
# 4 – The Ford Foundation’s Hidden Forest
The Ford Foundation’s indoor forest might be NYC’s worst-kept secret, but you’d be surprised how many people still skip a visit here. Trust us when we say that you won’t want to be amongst them!
Originally built by Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo in 1967, this building on East 43rd Street was designed as the home of the humanitarian charity, Ford Foundation. But, don’t make the mistake of thinking that this office building is just the same as the other 7,000 skyscrapers in New York; there’s a literal indoor forest hidden amongst the twelve stories of this glass and steel building. Here, you’ll find over 40 plant varieties, and even a small reflecting pool. It’s a pretty impressive sight, and it’s open to the public year-round.
# 5 – Travel Back in Time on Stone Street
It’s difficult to imagine NYC as anything other than the metropolitan hub it’s become, but locations like Stone Street are a great reminder that things were different once. In fact, way back when, New York was just a small fishing village called ‘New Amsterdam’, and was filled with cobbled streets and character charm.
Stone Street at the heart of downtown Manhattan was the first ever NYC cobbled street, and it’s remained pretty much untouched since those long-ago days. The cobbles are still in place and remain preserved by a lack of cars. Instead, this iconic, historic location requires a visit on foot, where you’ll find beauty galore, and numerous iconic street food vendors including Route 66 and Mad Dog & Beans. All in plain view, but entirely overlooked by the vast majority of NYC visitors.
Conclusion
If you don’t mind crowds and endless queuing, then by all means stick to New York’s tourist trail. But, if you want free rein of quieter spots that really speak of what the city has to offer, then these secret alternatives could be a better option for you!
