Are you looking for a unique way to experience New York City? If so, you're in luck! There are plenty of ways to explore the city like a true local. From visiting museums and taking classes to discovering hidden gems and attending unique events, there's something for everyone. For starters, don't go to the Hard Rock Café. Instead, check out some of the city's interesting classes.
Trapeze School New York offers aerial arts classes, while 92Y offers a variety of classes. Brooklyn Brainery has classes on all sorts of topics, SassClass offers dance classes, CocuSocial has kitchen classes, The PIT has improvisation classes, and East Village Hats offers headwear classes. If you want to experience New York City's rural past, visit the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. This museum dates back to 1785 and is located on the last farm in Manhattan.
Downtown Manhattan is known for its crowds, but savvy locals know that there's a hidden oasis right in the heart of some of the city's busiest blocks. Greenacre Park is a small park with a 25-foot waterfall tucked away in the middle of Midtown. The 191st Street subway station in Manhattan is the deepest in the city and is home to the colorful “Tunnel Street”, which is the only underground street in New York. This underground street is lined with graffiti murals and is definitely worth visiting.
Governors Island is another great place to explore. This 172-acre car-free island can be accessed by a short ferry ride from Lower Manhattan. It has incredible views, outdoor recreational activities, public art, and many annual events such as the Jazz Age Lawn Party and Pinknic music festival. The DeKalb Market Hall in downtown Brooklyn is an indoor dining room with more than 40 food vendors.
You won't go hungry here! Brooklyn also has its fair share of museums. The Brooklyn Museum houses several contemporary art exhibitions and more than 2000 works from its permanent collection, which dates back to the 1820s. It includes Arts from Africa, Arts from the Islamic World, Decorative Arts, Contemporary Art and American Art. The Bronx is home to several world-class museums as well, including the Bronx Museum of Art which houses several contemporary art exhibitions and more than 2000 works.
Central Park may be the most famous park in New York City but it's actually ranked number five in terms of size. If you're looking for great stores but don't want to pay designer prices on Fifth Avenue, try attending a sample sale or getting a personalized photo session with an influencer or professional photographer in New York City. For a unique experience that feels more like a New England coastal city than typical New York City, visit City Island in The Bronx. It has quaint huts, lighthouses, seafood restaurants and marinas that will transport you back in time.
Times Square may be one of the most touristy places in New York City but there are still some hidden gems to discover here too. Download the printable PDF guide for more information on exploring this iconic area like a local. Taking classes in New York City is another great way to get to know the city better and there are plenty of options available for all kinds of interests. Staten Island is another district that tourists tend to miss but it's full of non-touristy activities such as exploring historic townhouses and visiting parks.
The Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan has historically been the residence of the mayor of New York City and it's definitely worth visiting if you're looking for something off-the-beaten-path. Finally, don't forget to take out travel insurance when visiting New York City or anywhere else in the world!.
