Hidden Gems of New York City: Discovering Local Favorites
Go Back To Previous PageAs a rule, tourists prefer to stay within Manhattan, and the rest of New York is left unattended. But what if we told you a little about other parts of New York? We will discuss some hidden gems of New York City.
You have probably heard that you cannot see all the sights at once when you come to New York. Of course, if you are traveling alone in a rented car or public transport, you will not have time to see many places quickly. However, you can do much more if you organize bus tours of the attraction. You will not depend on public transport schedules, and you will not be afraid of pickpockets.
You will be everywhere on time, and you do not have to think about where to park the car and whether your whole company will fit in it. Ultimately, you can settle in a more remote and quiet area (and save money). But still rent a BCS Bus Charter and visit all the sights of New York.
The Bronx gathers many Gems of New York City.
In this area lies a luxurious botanical garden – the second largest in the world, after the London Botanical Garden. Locals come here not only for peace but also for cultural enrichment.
Exhibitions and concerts are held here throughout spring and summer, worth attention.
But even if we do not take extraordinary events into account, the Botanical Garden is one of the townspeople’s favorite places; on its territory, there is everything that the inhabitants of the stone jungle lack—forest, streams, lakes, stunning greenhouses, tropical jungle, and orchards.
Traveling to the Botanical Garden is also a bonus because the largest zoo in the city is next to it —the Bronx Zoo. The Central Park Zoo is no match for it.
Queens
Where can you try Peking duck and dumplings? In Chinatown, not in Manhattan, but in Queens. Manhattan has high prices, low service, and often not very tasty food. Therefore, to enjoy Asian cuisine, it is better to visit Flushing, Queens. This is a Chinese area that most tourists have not even heard of.
Not only are the prices, the quality of the products, and the portion sizes pleasing here, but also the fact that locals and Chinese are sitting at the tables of any restaurant and cafe,
This is a perfect sign. There are also many Asian markets here, where you feel you have mysteriously moved to China, not just another part of New York.
The Cloisters
The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its collection of medieval art is so large that even the giant Metropolitan Museum of Art cannot accommodate it.
Locals love this museum for its contents and appearance. It resembles a medieval castle, towering majestically on a hill with magnificent views of the Hudson River and neighboring New Jersey.
It is lovely to come here for a walk or a picnic with the family. The Cloisters Gardens deserve special attention.
Gansevoort Market
As visitors to the city line up at Chelsea Market’s cafes and restaurants, locals stroll through another historic market, the Gansevoort Market in the Meatpacking District.
There are few people here because, unlike Chelsea, this market is not listed in any guidebook.
People come here for the best coffee in town and French crepes. And here, the breathtaking sushi is no worse and maybe even better than in the Chelsea market. The market is an example of industrial New York style; even if you are not hungry to look, it is behind the unique atmosphere and spirit of the old, classic New York.
Cafe Wha?
Residents choose concerts away from the central part of Manhattan. In the Greenwich Village area, one of New Yorkers’ most famous and favorite clubs is Cafe Wha. This club opened its doors in 1960, and since then, legends such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, and many others have performed on its stage.
Today, a group that the townspeople call “The Best Damn Band in the City” performs here seven days a week. Therefore, they will be joined by rock, movie, and theater stars, famous comedians, and other “star” guests almost daily.
Tickets to any concert cost $40 (you might be lucky enough to sit next to Woody Allen or Robert De Niro for that amount). Many celebrities often come to Cafe Wha? to watch concerts.
But even if you fail to catch the “star” on stage or in the hall, Cafe Wha? will still give you an unforgettable experience.
Like nowhere else, you can feel the atmosphere of a real rebellious New York.
Conclusion
Exploring the hidden gems of New York City beyond Manhattan allows visitors to experience the city in a new light. Countless treasures await discovery, from the lush botanical gardens and the vibrant Bronx neighborhood to the authentic Chinese cuisine in Queens.
By venturing beyond the well-trodden paths and embracing these local favorites, travelers can truly immerse themselves in the diverse and captivating spirit of New York City, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.
