New York City is known worldwide for its landmarks and tourists attractions. I mean, if you went to New York without standing in the center of Times Square, did you really even go? But, taking a step back from the city’s “must-sees,” revealed is a plethora of magic sprinkled on every street corner.
As someone who has visited this special place countless times and fallen completely in love with it, I can assure you that a trip to New York City spent exploring beyond the expected can be the best trip of all, which is why I have curated a list of just a handful of what I have found to be some of the city’s best hidden gems.
Food
225 Bistro Oliva
This lovely little walk-in deli serves as the perfect lunchtime stop. With an international variety of sandwiches, salads, hot foods, and desserts, you are sure to find something to cure any craving here. The deli’s rock-lined back area serves as the perfect quaint and cozy place to sit down and enjoy your food selections.
225 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
Olio e Piú
Take a trip to Italy without even leaving the city at this picturesque eatery featuring a mouth-watering menu that will transport you straight to Naples itself as you people watch from the beautifully designed sidewalk seating.
3 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
The Famous Cozy Soup ‘n’ Burger
As my personal favorite eatery in the city, of course “Cozy’s” has earned a spot on this list. Personal bias aside, this 24/7, full-service delivery diner features one of the most extensive menus I have ever seen paired with unbeatable speedy service, and a classic diner aesthetic that will just make you feel, well, cozy. Best of all, fans of the 1999 comedy Big Daddy can appreciate a little movie nostalgia, as this very Cozy’s is referenced frequently throughout the film, though seems to have remained a bit under the radar.
739 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Shopping
ABC Carpet & Home
This extravagant and unique home decor shop features an extensive variety of items on six luxurious floors. Having stumbled in from the street with no idea what to expect, I can say this place is the equivalent to stepping into another dimension with its other-worldly themed sections and stories. Affordable? Not for most. Worth the stop? 100%.
888 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Pearl River Mart
This “eclectic emporium with 3-floors of Chinese apparel, accessories, housewares & furniture” is worth the stop just to simply look around and appreciate decor representative of such a unique culture, though I have purchased several bowl sets here myself, as they were just too adorable to resist!
395 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Broadway Market Co
This indoor artisan mall is full of a variety in goods sold by independent workers and artists with a wide diversity in prices. Having trouble finding the perfect gift? Not to worry, you’ll find it here!
483 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Explore
The Cloisters & Fort Tryon Park
Located in Upper Manhattan, allow the subway to carry you 30 minutes outside of Midtown to Fort Tryon Park where you will find a relatively easy-to-navigate walking trail that will deliver you directly to The Cloisters museum. Beware of extremely friendly locals who may want to lead you through Heather Garden, which can cause you to lose your direction if not careful. However, seeing as Fort Tryon Park and the Heather Gardens are quite beautiful, sometimes getting a little lost is worth the experience.
Riverside Dr To Broadway, New York, NY 10040
Photography and history nerds alike will be in awe of The Cloisters, a museum specializing in European Medieval architecture, sculpture, and arts, functioning as a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Entry is granted with just a donation of your choice to the Metropolitan Museum and you are then free to explore on your own, join a tour guide, or use an audio guide.
99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
Oculus
This $4 billion train station features a direct underground link to Fulton Center and nine other subway lines through the World Trade Center Oculus. Getting off the subway here unveils not only an architectural masterpiece before your eyes but also a plethora of dining options and a complete shopping center. I personally recommend Umami Burger for lunch and Gucci for prime window shopping.
33-69 Vesey St, New York, NY 10007
New York Public Library
Though the library itself is not necessarily a hidden gem by any means, its nighttime charm goes almost unnoticed. There is an indescribable feeling and a comforting sense of anonymity in the act of enjoying a late-evening snack on the terrace of the library, just next to the fountain, looking out at the city that never sleeps and just taking it all in.
476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
SeaGlass Carousel
This fish-themed carousel in Battery Park is located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island and is a rather new build, at just two years old. Seeing how I like to consider myself an honorary New Yorker, I have to say that the SeaGlass Carousel is my favorite New York City attraction of all. I visited in the heart of summer and was shocked to see not even the slightest of waits for the carousel. This truly is a hidden gem in the city and I would recommend visiting in the evening to experience the full mesmerization in the beautifully designed attraction.
New York City is a magical place brimming with possibility and though this list cannot even begin to describe the amount of “gems” hidden throughout the 5 boroughs New York, it is not a bad place to start your journey.
Happy traveling!
-xoxo, Kenna
