New York is always a treat, regardless of whether you’re on your own or with a group of friends and colleagues. All of the attractions from the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, American Museum of Natural History and more take your breath away. But there are secret, hidden attractions in the city that make your trip to New York more bespoke and special.
Before you jet off to the Big Apple, you need to get your accommodation sorted first. Rather than settling for some grim hostel, go for one of the stylish serviced apartments in New York City from thesqua.re. They are the ideal base to enjoy the very best of the city, with central locations and all the amenities of home and much more.
But now you’ve arrived in New York and want to see things that not every tourist will be queuing up for. Here are the 5 secret attractions that you need to see in New York:
City Hall Station
Simply the ride the number 6 subway line downtown to Brooklyn Bridge and stay on it as it changes direction and you’ll enter City Hall Station – often regarded as the most beautifully designed in the city. It was part of New York’s first subway line and features Guastavino tile vaults, skylights, and Romanesque Revival architecture, among other things.
The station itself is not in use and is from a time when human traffic was significantly lower than it is today. To take a trip back in time, you can sign up for one of the free tours. Staying on the line until the train changes direction is technically illegal, so it’s best to ignore the opening paragraph and book that free tour instead.
Henry C. Frick Collection Museum’s Bowling Alley
Seeing this secret attraction is quite impossible unless you’re a member of the museum, so it might be best to put your charms to the test. Hidden away from the gallery, and in the cellar no less, is the private bowling alley of Henry Frick. Its original design has been restored so, as you can imagine, the bowling alley is quite unique. We wish you all the luck in the world in getting access to it.
Harlem’s High Bridge
Want to see some of the most spectacular and rare views of New York? Then this is the hidden attraction for you. While there are always the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Plaza for amazing views, why not upload different views for friends and family to tag on Facebook? To enjoy this attraction, head to the 168-Washington Heights station and walk to Highbridge Park. Once here you will be able to enter the Bronx neighbourhood from the bridge and unique views.
Rockefeller Center’s Rooftop Gardens
You may have seen the view from the top but you haven’t seen the rooftop gardens. A splendid batch of greenery and an awe-inspiring space in itself, the rooftop gardens are the ideal space to relax in and take a breather after long walks throughout the city. You never know, you may get invited up there for a private event depending on the nature of your trip to New York.
The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
While you can see the USS Intrepid from quite far away, nevertheless, you would be amazed how this iconic and fascinating museum is left off so many must-visit lists of travellers heading to New York. Experience the magnitude of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, used in WWII and the Vietnam War, the nostalgia of old aircraft from a Concorde SST to a Lockheed A-12, the claustrophobic USS Growler submarine and the infinite adventure of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
The air, sea and space merge together to create one of the biggest and breathtaking days out that can be had at any secret attraction in New York.