Published 3rd Aug. 2023
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Everyone thinks they know New York. They know its coffee shops thanks to Friends, its skyline and seasons thanks to Nora Ephron and its hardy locals thanks to films like West Side Story and Saturday Night Fever. But New York is far more than its movie star status. It is magnificent museums, secret gardens and rooftop parks, historic lighthouses and English-inspired villages. So, when you’re ready for your next bite of the Big Apple on a USA trip, forget the Empire State Building, Times Square and Brooklyn Bridge and head to these hidden gems in New York instead.
While you’re unlikely to feel homesick on a New York city break, you may at times find yourself craving a dash of quintessential English charm. If so, you don’t have to look far. Just 15 minutes from Manhattan, in the heart of Queens, sits the leafy Forest Hills Gardens district. Built in 1909, it was the first planned community of its kind in the country and was intended to be a suburban oasis for the city’s upper class. Drawing inspiration from English villages, its houses come in distinct Tudor and Colonial styles, while its winding tree-lined streets and pristine gardens wouldn’t look out of place in a stately home. Make a day out of it by dropping into its plethora of shopping and dining options and catch a set or two of tennis at the original US Open stadium, Forest Hills.
Lighthouses probably don’t spring to mind when you think of hidden gems in New York. But believe it or not, the city was once home to dozens of them. And if you don’t believe us, you need only head north to the George Washington Bridge to see one of its oldest, the Little Red Lighthouse. Now decommissioned, this quaint little lighthouse has stood the test of time, having been stationed in the same spot for over 100 years. Overlooking the Hudson River, it occupies a soft spot in the hearts of New Yorkers and readers of Hildegarde Swift’s 1942 children’s book, The Little Red Lighthouse and The Great Gray Bridge (based on the 40ft lighthouse). Take the time to climb its iron staircase to the top of the tower for a nose round its old lantern room and unparalleled views of the Hudson River
Sometimes secrets are so good we don’t want to share them. But we’re happy to make an exception. Tucked between two office buildings at 55 Water Street sits one of the Financial District’s best kept secrets, The Elevated Acre. Its developers designed it to be a peaceful urban savannah and they certainly delivered. Home to an amphitheatre, restaurant, ample flower beds and a grassy (albeit synthetic) field – perfect for picnics – it’s the perfect quiet spot away from the concrete jungle below. But why do we love it so (and deem it one of the best hidden gems in New York)? Its view. In fact, it is its crown jewel. With views over the East River, Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn, you’ll be stumped to find anywhere else as quiet and serene to see the city. Just make sure you pick a day when its rooftop cinema or summer beer garden aren’t in full swing… or do.
If good views are your city break kryptonite, then look no further than the Roosevelt Island Tram. Connecting Manhattan with Roosevelt Island, this aerial tramway is one of the best and cheapest ways (costing just $2.75 a trip) to see the city from the sky. Have your camera at the ready as you cross the East River before coming back down to Earth on the slimline island. As the journey is only four minutes long, we recommend hanging round for a while. Visit the Renwick Ruins (an old Neo-Gothic style smallpox hospital now swathed in ivy) and a 19th-century lighthouse that boasts wide-angle views of the city. It’s also home to numerous galleries, restaurants, a river walk and the sixth-oldest house in New York, so go wild.
Forget the Met. When it comes to hidden gems in New York, or more specifically, hidden museums, New York is the master. Whether it be unassuming Victorian homes in Queens’ Flushing neighbourhood or hole in the wall collections of everyday objects, New York knows how to curate a museum space. But if we had to pick just one, we’d choose the Tenement Museum. Housed in a historic tenement building, once home to an estimated 7,000 people who hailed from over 20 countries, you’ll be immersed in New York’s immigrant experience. Learn about the lives of its past inhabitants as you tour the tenement’s cramped living quarters, understand how they struggled through the Great Depression, and watch complimentary talks, performances and readings.
Written by Naomi Pike
Header image by Faustine Poidevin
From New York to California and all the states in between, our team knows the USA's hotspots incredibly well. What we really excel at, though, is the under-the-radar regions, thanks to our in-depth experience and the hand-picked guides we work with on the ground. Whether you’re travelling as a family or à deux, road trips are the ultimate way to explore the USA, and we're brimming with suggestions to improve journeys, from scenic route options to photogenic stop-off points (all based on our own experiences, of course). And if that's not enough, you'll have our in-country Concierge team on hand at all times for extra help and advice.
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