Longing for a New York City experience beyond the usual hustle and bustle? While escaping the crowds entirely is challenging, NYC offers many fantastic attractions that, despite their popularity, tend to be less overrun than major draws like Times Square, the Empire State Building, or Central Park.
Hudson Yards
Location: Between West 28th Street and West 38th Street along 11th and 12th Avenues.
Subway stop: 34th St–Hudson Yards on the 7 train.
One of Manhattan’s newest neighborhoods, Hudson Yards is set atop rail yards and has become known for its innovative architecture, featuring the Vessel, an interactive public art piece with unique staircases, and The Edge, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, offering thrilling panoramic views of the Hudson River and a glass floor. Hudson Yards has a mix of office and apartment buildings, as well as a sprawling luxury shopping mall with over 100 high-end stores and diverse dining options. I mention The Edge observation deck in more detail in my 5 days in NYC itinerary, including prices. To purchase tickets to the Vessel, check their website here.
Little Island
Location: Meatpacking District, at 10th Ave and West 13th Street. It is close to the High Line, Chelsea Market, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Subway stop: 14 St/8 Av
It is free to just walk around, explore the landscape, and take photos (no tickets required)! Tickets cost $25 per person for concerts. Opened in 2021, Little Island is a 2.4-acre architectural marvel! It consists of 132 “tulip pot” structures of varying heights that look like they are floating above the Hudson River. The elevated design of Little Island was influenced by Hurricane Sandy (2012) and how it was designed to be resilient against future floods, while still allowing sunlight to penetrate and support the marine ecosystem below.
Little Island also has diverse plant life, with over 400 species of trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials. Its location against the Hudson River and plant life provide a unique sense of escape and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Check out their website here to learn more.
Walk the High Line
Location: Meatpacking District
Subway Stop: 34 St-Hudson Yards; this is at one end of the High Line. When you get out of the station, walk behind it towards the Javits Center and you will see signs at the entrance on the left.
Tickets are not needed, and visiting is free! The High Line has several entrances; click here to see all of them. One end is on Gansevoort Street, and the other end is across the street from the Javits Center on 34th Street and 12th Avenue.
As you walk the High Line, you will find original steel rails embedded in the concrete or gravel pathways. This is because the High Line was built upon the existing steel viaduct that was constructed in the early 1930s. This massive infrastructure project lifted freight trains 30 feet (9 meters) above street level to eliminate dangerous street-level crossings in Manhattan’s industrial district. By being elevated, the High Line provides a new perspective of New York City. You walk above the street noise and traffic, seeing panoramic views of the city skyline, the Hudson River, and the surrounding neighborhoods. This height also creates a sense of calm from the urban bustle below.
There are also seasonal food vendors throughout the High Line, offering a chance to grab a snack or drink while enjoying the views. The High Line is also designed to be accessible to all, with elevators and ramps. Other cities in the US and around the world are actively seeking to replicate the High Line’s success, such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Amsterdam, Seoul, and Helsinki.
Museum of the City of New York
Location: 1220 5th Ave, between East 103rd and 104th streets (uptown)
Subway stop: 103rd Street
Tickets cost $23 per adult. This museum was founded in 1923 and is dedicated to the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It was conceived as a place to preserve the “annals and records” of the city and its people. The core mission of the museum is to explore New York City’s past, present, and future. It delves into what makes New York “New York”: its unique character, its heritage of diversity, endless opportunities, and its perpetual transformation. Besides major historical events, the museum also focuses on the everyday lives of New Yorkers, their struggles, successes, and the cultural movements that have shaped the city.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Location: 99 Gansevoort Street, 5-minute walk from Chelsea Market
Subway stop: 14 St / 8 Ave
Tickets cost $30 per adult; free for those aged 25 and under. The Whitney Museum of American Art is an art institution dedicated to the art of the United States, mainly focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. It also mainly showcases works by living artists. The museum stands out for its commitment to showcasing the full range of American creativity, often embracing overlooked artists, especially those whose work may not yet be widely recognized.
Eataly NYC Flatiron
Location: 200 5th Ave, between West 23rd and 24th streets and next to Madison Square Park
Subway stop: 23rd Street
Eataly is a food lover’s paradise! Eataly offers cooking classes, restaurants, and food shopping, reflecting their “Eat, Shop, Learn” philosophy. You can get quick bites to eat at several food and drink counters, eat pizza, pasta, gelato, panini, and coffee, or sit at their various themed restaurants. Shop their vast selection of imported Italian products, such as olive oils, cheeses, cured meats, pasta, sauces, and sweets, and locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. Lastly, you can take cooking classes and participate in wine tastings. Eataly also offers a rooftop restaurant, Serra. This is consistently popular, so make reservations!
Tenement Museum
Location: 103 Orchard Street between Allen Street and Ludlow Street ( Lower East Side, downtown)
Subway stops: Delancey Street–Essex Street, Grand Street, Bowery
Tickets cost $32.50 per adult. Through guided tours, the preserved 1863 Tenement Museum vividly portrays the stories of Lower East Side immigrants. The museum is a National Historic Site of the immigrants who lived in its preserved tenement buildings. The museum’s two historical tenement buildings, at 97 and 103 Orchard Street, were home to approximately 15,000 people from over 20 different countries between 1863 and 1935 (97 Orchard Street) and 1888 and 2015 (103 Orchard Street).
Columbus Circle
Location: Columbus Circle is located at the southwestern tip of Central Park
Subway stop: 59th Street–Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle is a traffic circle and iconic intersection located at the southwest corner of Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. Several major avenues meet here: Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South (West 59th Street), and Central Park West.
At the center of Columbus Circle, there is a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus. It was completed in 1892 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage. The monument itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the southwest entrance to Central Park, just off Columbus Circle, is the USS Maine National Monument. This monument commemorates the more than 250 sailors who died when the battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor in 1898.
Columbus Circle also serves as a major gateway to Central Park; the Merchants’ Gate leads directly into the park’s southwestern section. The Shops at Columbus Circle is also at the southwest corner of Central Park. This is a quintessential Manhattan destination, offering a sophisticated blend of luxury shopping, acclaimed restaurants (including several Michelin-starred), and panoramic vistas of Central Park, making it a destination worth visiting.
Central Park is a dynamic public space, a cultural hub, and a significant landmark that beautifully encapsulates the energy and diversity of Manhattan.
Trinity Church
Location: 89 Broadway in the Financial District
Subway stop: Wall Street
Once the tallest building in NYC (until 1890), Trinity Church is one of the earliest and finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. George Washington himself attended services here during his time as president and worshipped at St. Paul’s Chapel (a chapel building of Trinity Church built in 1766 and the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan) on his Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789. Washington also attended services at St. Paul’s Chapel during the two years New York City was the country’s capital after the ratification of the Constitution (1789-1790). Additionally, United States Founding Father Alexander Hamilton is buried here, whose life story became world-famous thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony award-winning musical Hamilton.
See a Broadway show in the Theater District
Location: Between West 40th and 53rd streets, between 6th and 8th Ave
Subway stops: 50th Street, 7 Ave, Times Square (Times Square has 3 stations, depending on which train you take to get there)
Synonymous with Broadway, the Theater District is the pinnacle of live stage entertainment. When it comes to commercial live theater in the English-speaking world, Broadway is in a league of its own, rivaled only by London’s legendary West End. The NYC Theater District also encompasses a dynamic neighborhood brimming with pre- and post-show dining options, from celebrity restaurants to casual options. Additionally, Times Square is considered the heart of the Theater District. Many famous Broadway theaters are right on or immediately adjacent to Times Square.
Walk along Fifth Avenue
Location: The main shopping area on Fifth Avenue is generally considered to be between 49th and 60th Streets.
Subway stops: 5 Avenue/53 Street, 5 Av/59 Street
Fifth Avenue is the second most expensive retail destination in the world (after Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, Italy). Stores that stand out on Fifth Avenue include:
Tiffany & Co. –The Landmark: The flagship location of this famous retailer of fine jewelry that underwent a massive renovation, making it a museum-like experience for jewelry and luxury goods, including the Blue Box Cafe, which offers three main dining including the classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, a refined take on the classic movie with a fixed-price menu.
Apple Fifth Avenue: The iconic glass cube entrance leading to a subterranean store, known for its 24/7 operation and unique design.
Nike House of Innovation: A multi-story experiential store where customers can test shoes on treadmills or customize products.
The Cartier Mansion: A former private home transformed into a stunning retail space, known for its history and exquisite jewelry.
The stores on Fifth Avenue are more than just stores; they are often global flagships, architectural statements, and brand showcases. Designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Cartier, Chanel, and more use their Fifth Avenue presence to project their global image.
Walking along Fifth Avenue offers more than just seeing expensive stores. You will also see many architectural landmarks as you walk along Fifth Avenue, including:
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: A stunning Neo-Gothic cathedral
New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building): With its famous lion statues, “Patience” and “Fortitude”
Rockefeller Center: An Art Deco complex, especially famous for its Christmas tree and ice rink
The Plaza Hotel: A legendary 5-star hotel at Grand Army Plaza
Shopping in the Diamond District
Location: From West 47th to West 50th street (mainly on West 47th Street), between 5th and 6th Ave
Subway stop: 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center
The Diamond District is the epicenter of the diamond and jewelry trade in the United States and one of the most significant globally. Simply marvel at the dazzling displays in every window or consider buying something to treat yourself. What makes the Diamond District unique amongst jewelry sellers is that bargaining is an expected part of the experience when shopping here. Unlike typical retail stores with fixed prices, many of the vendors on 47th Street operate more like a traditional marketplace where negotiation is the norm. Security is paramount here, with armed guards, police patrols, and a network of surveillance cameras safeguarding billions of dollars worth of merchandise.
Remember these tips when considering bargaining: It doesn’t mean you’ll always get a huge discount, or that it’s a simple process. It requires some effort and knowledge. Some vendors may be more open to negotiation than others, so remember to shop around. Politeness and respect are still crucial when negotiating a sale.
The American Museum of Natural History
Location: Upper West Side, across from Central Park
Subway stop: 81st Street: Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is an expansive institution housing 34 million specimens and artifacts, from dinosaur fossils to meteorites, rare gems, and cultural artifacts from around the world. Highlights include the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life and the dinosaur halls! Tickets cost $30 per adult and $24 per child ages 3-12. Discounted tickets are available for students with an ID, seniors, and New York state residents.
