15 non-tourist spots worth visiting in New York

You may have already been to the top of the Empire State Building, taken selfies in Times Square and tried street food, and now you are not sure what to do next. There are many more tourist destinations in New York to visit. Why not get off the beaten path and embark on an extraordinary journey? Edition stasher shared a selection of unique non-tourist locations of the Big Apple.

You won't find these locations in any guidebook, so keep them secret.

1. Visit the secret bars of New York

The era of Prohibition is long gone, but dozens of secret establishments still remain throughout New York. “Don't worry, these bars are all legal and you don't need a fancy password to get inside. All you need to know is where to find these well-hidden bars, ”the author writes.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

First, head to 8 Stuyvesant Street in the East Village. Here you will find Village Yokocho Japanese Restaurant. Look for a side door at the entrance - it will lead you to one of the most famous bars in the city. Enjoy a drink and take in the stunning views of the Stuyvesant Triangle. The bar is open from 18:00 pm to 1:30 am every day throughout the week.

If you're looking for a more historic site, visit Chumley's at 86 Bedford Street. This iconic establishment was opened in the 1920s. At the beginning of the so-called noughties, the bar suffered significant damage, but was reconstructed and is currently open to the public. Opening hours: 17:30 to 00:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:30 to 15:30 on Sundays. It is better to check the opening hours of bars now before visiting - due to quarantine, it may have changed.

2. Feel aromas colors on The flower district

Located on 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, this tiny neighborhood has been providing New Yorkers with exquisite fresh flowers for decades. Delivery trucks usually arrive at Flower Quarter at 3 a.m. every day to deliver the freshest flowers imaginable.

The best time to visit the area is 8am, when most florists are open to the public. Even if you're not going to buy anything, it's worth waking up early to see the colorful flowers in this wonderful area of ​​the city.

3. Visit the food market Smorgasburg

With over 100 food vendors, this open-air market is a haven for gourmets interested in international cuisine. On weekends, it is much better to visit this place than the more touristy and crowded Chelsea Market.

Smorgasburg is open from 11:00 to 18:00 every weekend from April to November. On Saturday Smorgasburg is in East River Park, and on Sunday - Breeze Hill in Prospect Park.

4. Admire the street art in Bushwick

The best place to appreciate New York City's street art is in Bushwick Brooklyn near Flushing Avenue. There are about 100 blocks of street art here for your viewing.

The best time for a more intimate viewing of these pieces is between morning and lunchtime, Monday through Thursday.

If you want to know more about artists and their work, go on a guided walking tour of the area.

5. Explore Victorian architecture at Ditmas Park

When people think of Brooklyn, images of Victorian houses usually don't come to mind. Interestingly, Ditmas Park in downtown Brooklyn is home to about 2000 exquisite Victorian houses. This makes the park one of the most unique places in the city to take a quick architectural tour.

In addition to Dietmas Park, be sure to stroll past the many beautiful homes in Prospect Park South and Albemarle-Kenmore Terraces - all three are now listed as Official Historic Quarters.

6. Take a walk along the High Line

One of the most exciting walks in Manhattan is along the High Line. Since it opened to pedestrians in 2009, this former rail link connecting Hudson Yards and North Chelsea has become a popular getaway for New York City nature lovers. The High Line is almost 3 km long. This road is especially beautiful during the warmer months; throughout the year, it is decorated with many fabulous art installations.

If traveling by underground, the High Line is just a short walk from the 14th Street station.

7. Relax on the elevated position of The Elevated Acre

After taking a selfie with the Wall Street Bull, walk along 55 Water Street off the East River. Here you will find an elevator that will take you to a well-guarded garden known as The Elevated Acre. In addition to stunning views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge, this relatively unknown green area also features an amphitheater. While the Wall Street subway is within walking distance, many people working in the Financial District are unaware of this fabulous park.

8. Immerse yourself in history at At Fraunces Tavern

Another hidden gem of the Financial District to visit is At Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl Street. Founded in 1762, this bar is one of the oldest in the city and was an important site for the early revolutionaries. The famous Fraunces Tavern became the place where General George Washington delivered his farewell speech at the end of the Revolutionary War.

On the subject: Top 10 New York City's Top Attractions

Be sure to visit the impressive museum of this bar to learn more about its incredible history. It is open daily from 11am and is a 5-minute walk south of the famous bull statue (Charging Bull statue).

9. Order coffee at Tesla's favorite cafe

The revolutionary inventor of the twentieth century, Nikola Tesla, called New York home for most of his adult life. Anyone interested in the great scientist's legacy should check out Patent Coffee, which is located in Tesla's former Manhattan residence. If you visit the cafe after 17:00, then be sure to visit the Patent Pending special bar, which can be accessed through a secret door near the restaurant's menu.

Patent Pending is open from 17:00 pm to 00:00 am on Sundays and Wednesdays and from 17:00 pm to 02:00 am on Thursdays and Saturdays. Patent Coffee is located at 49 W 27th, next to the 28th Street subway station.

10. Bargain with vendors on Canal Street

Do you want to find a unique product and buy it cheaper? Do you mind the crowd and have some cash? If you answered yes to all of the questions, then you need to visit Canal Street in Chinatown. Here you will find dozens of vendors selling everything from fake souvenirs and DVDs to designer branded bags and trendy perfumes.

“This is a truly daring experience to have in New York. Keep your valuables with you, however, because this busy area tends to be overcrowded and petty thefts are not uncommon here, ”warns the author.

11. Visit an ice cream factory in Chinatown

Once you're done shopping on Canal Street, you're sure to need a break with real Chinese ice cream. The best place to do this is at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (OCICF). For four decades, the family-run OCICF ice cream factory has remained one of New York's top sellers of this cool dessert. Unique flavors that you will only find in this well-established factory include ginger, green tea, Oreo and red beans. OCICF is located at 65 Bayard Street, a short walk from Canal Street Subway.

12. Enjoy the scenery at Governors Island

Forget the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Instead, board the ship from Battery Park bound for Governors Island. This tiny island has as many traces of history as Ellis Island, but you won't have to deal with the huge tourist crowds. Located near Brooklyn Heights, Governors Island was originally used by the indigenous Manahatas tribe for fishing until the Dutch colonized the area.

During the Revolutionary War, the island gained prominence as an important strategic area for General George Washington. Although there are several museums here, most New Yorkers love to visit the island for privacy and hide from the concrete jungle. From May to October, the island can be visited by ferry from Battery Park.

13. Plunge into the Middle Ages

Everyone who visits New York makes at least one trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but few bother to visit the Cloisters Museum at Fort Trion Park. Once you arrive here, you will be amazed at the serenity of these authentic French monasteries and the thousands of medieval works they hold. Take your time to admire the immaculately manicured gardens, incredible architecture, and overall tranquility of this magical museum.

The location is open daily from 10:00 to 17:15 - from March to October and from 10:00 to 16:45 - from November to February. Adult tickets cost $ 25.

14. Visit the vintage CO Bigelow pharmacy

Visit the historic CO Bigelow Pharmacy at 414 6th Avenue. First opened in 1838, this pharmacy is considered the oldest of its kind in the United States and has served very famous customers over the years. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Twain and Thomas Edison are just a few of the famous people who have visited Bigelow. Surprisingly, business is still thriving at this old pharmacy.

O. Bigelow is open from 7:30 am to 21:00 pm Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 19:00 pm on Saturdays and from 8:30 am to 17:30 pm on Sundays.

15. Travel to England without leaving New York

To do this, we only need to visit the Pomander Walk on West 95th Street. This private village has over a dozen traditional Tudor style homes. They were originally built in the 1920s as hotels, but the owner of these houses passed away before he could fulfill his dream and make money from such a business.

Please note that as Pomander Walk is a private settlement, you will need to obtain an invitation to visit the area. However, even if you are not allowed to enter, you can get a good idea of ​​this charming place from the surrounding houses and look through the main gate.