15 New York City treasures not even known to locals
'13.04.2020'
ForumDaily New York
New York is famous for a lot of attractions. Some of them are hidden from prying eyes, some are on the surface. But there are those that are located in plain sight, but it’s difficult to find them. About such places and said on the website of the guide to events Eventcartel.
The history of New York dates back to the 1600s. Therefore, it is not surprising that this city has saved a lot of interesting things. Many of his secrets have been hidden and forgotten for decades. “Some strange and unexpected finds, however, lie on the surface — a loft in Soho, for example — while others are so exclusive that most New Yorkers will never see them.” From the abandoned metro station in City Hall to the African colonial burial ground that has been lost for nearly 300 years. ”
Many New Yorkers themselves do not know about many of the places listed below.
- Tonybee Cookers
Tonybee slabs began to appear throughout the northeast as early as the 1980s. Unlike many of New York's secrets, they are hidden in the most prominent place. With their appearance, many curious people tried to figure out who installed them and why. “There are some pretty interesting theories, most convincingly outlined in the 2011 documentary, Resurrect Dead, but we'll never know for sure. If you look around, you can see one of dozens of New York tiles in various stages of decay right under your feet, or just take a look at the map of all the famous Tonybee tile locations if you don't want to miss them, ”the author recommends.
- Bowling alley beneath the frick
You all know the famous Frick Collection, a private collection of old Western European paintings located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. It was assembled by the American industrialist Henry Clay Frick, with the advice of leading art historians, and displayed at his mansion on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. However, this is not all that hides in his former mansion. “Frick's private bowling club is secretly located in the basement. Apparently not going to cut costs, he installed the very best track (and pool table) money could buy. Unfortunately, it is closed to the public, but you can see its beautiful wood paneling inside the Frick Art Reference Library, ”notes the author.
- The Garment District's Freight Entrance Restaurants
The eateries located in The Garment District can be unassuming in appearance. However, if you look inside, it offers inexpensive, simple food. “Some have been here for decades, like El Sabroso, which serves $ 1 pancakes and offers daily discounts. There is nothing glamorous about these places tucked away among designer salons, but they are fun places for an inexpensive, non-trivial lunch, ”the author noted.
- Abandoned City Hall Subway Station
City Hall Subway is one of the oldest and most beautiful subway stations in New York, located in midtown Manhattan. It is still abandoned today. “The old stop at City Hall was built in 1904 and is decorated with Guastavino tiled arches (the same ones used at Grand Central), stained glass windows, dormers and brass lamps. It was decommissioned in 1945 because the elegant curved track could not accommodate the new, longer, city trains, ”said the author.
To see this place, you can make a trip through the transit museum or stay on the sixth train, and when it returns to the track from the end of the line, take a look at the beautiful station.
- Secret Rockefeller Center Roof Gardens
The Rockefeller Center is visited by thousands of people every day. But few of them know what this place is hiding. These are secret gardens located on the roof of a popular building. “The lush little garden is intended solely to be rented out for private events, providing lucky visitors with amazing views of Fifth Avenue and the ice rink below,” said the author.
This pleasure is not cheap - the rent is $ 12.
- Tunnel on Doyers Street in Chinatown
Today, the Doyers Street tunnel, located next to the trendy Apothèke speakeasy bar, seems to be quite a harmless place. Although it was once used to escape the pursuing bandits who inhabited the area in the 1800s. "In fact, Doyers Street was called the 'bloody corner' of the city because its sharp bend allowed rival gangs to sneak up on each other," the author said.
- Central Park's Hallett Nature Sanctuary
Central Park, which many of you have probably walked far and wide, is also fraught with secrets. One of them is the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. “In 1934, Park Commissioner Robert Moses (the person in charge of BQE) closed off these four acres of land in an effort to preserve it as a bird sanctuary. It has remained untouched for almost 70 years - visible, but inaccessible, ”the author noted.
On the subject: Unusual Brooklyn Travel Guide: 10 Strangest Places
Park protection is making every effort to clean overgrown paths and weed weeds.
For the first time the reserve was opened to the public in 2013, and then - on limited conditions.
- Brooklyn Heights' Secret Subway Ventilator
Walking past a number of houses on Joralemon Street in Brooklyn, you may notice that something is wrong here. If you look closely at the brown red brick stone at number 58, the windows, as you will see, are completely black. The fact is that building number 58 is not what it seems. Behind the fake brown stone is a hidden subway fan and emergency exit.
- The new york earth room
This unusual art installation lurks among the luxury boutiques of Soho.
The New York Earth Room is a sculpture by artist Walter de Maria installed in the attic of a building at 141 Worcester Street in New York in 1977.
To see her, climb into a pristine white loft filled with nearly 130 kilograms of mud. Since the author created this unusual installation, its contents have not changed. “You will probably find here an exceptional place for yourself to be in a calm, meditative state,” the author believes.
- Lower Manhattan's African Burial Ground
The Lower Manhattan area of New York is home to what most New Yorkers never knew existed - the largest and oldest African American cemetery in the United States. “Africans were brought in as slaves as early as 1625 and built the original fortified wall that gave Wall Street its name. By the time the cemetery was closed in 1794, according to some estimates, about 20 people were buried there, ”said the author.
This cemetery was hidden until 1991. It was discovered during excavations.
Today it is a national historical monument.
- Radio City Music Hall's Secret Apartment
The acts of film magnate Samuel Roxy Rothafel, once responsible for the glamorous shows in the theater, were so recognized that in honor of him the architects of Radio City Music Hall built luxurious apartments in one of the most beautiful city buildings built in the style of Art Deco. Inside, they were decorated with leather chairs, velvet curtains and panels.
Located in one of the most beautiful art deco buildings in the city, Rotafel hosted notable guests including Samuel Goldwin and Alfred Hitchcock.
“After his death, the apartment was forgotten and abandoned, but today it is kept in excellent condition and rented out for private parties,” said the author.
- The New York Public Library's Book Vault
The main branch of the New York Public Library was built between 1902 and 1911. Then it was not only a major triumph in construction, but also a symbol of wealth and beauty. “At the time, it was the largest marble house in the history of the United States. While the library holds too many books to count, it is also home to some very valuable treasures that are kept under lock and key, including Shakespeare's tomes, Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass originals and Jack Kerouac's manuscripts, ”the author noted.
The collection is stored at a depth of 9 meters (30 feet) under Bryant Park. So if you have a picnic on the lawn, you literally sit on some of the world's greatest literary treasures.
- Cow Tunnels Under 12th Avenue
Today, New Yorkers are forced to put up with traffic congestion due to cars. And once on 12th Avenue, traffic jams were formed due to a herd of cows, which were led to the slaughterhouse. It was such a big problem that the city had to find a solution. “Although cow tunnels are often perceived as an urban legend, it has been proven that they existed on 34th Street and between 38th and 39th Streets on 12 Avenue,” the author says.
- Track 61 Under Grand Central
The central station is also fraught with many secrets. Most exciting, however, may be the abandoned Track 61, with its own elevator that goes straight to the Waldorf Astoria. "The VIPs used it as a stealthy escape route - the most famous fact is that of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who may have used this mysterious exit to hide the worsening polio," the author notes. "The elevator was supposedly built large enough to accommodate the car that it delivered to the Waldorf garage."
- Speakeasy Under The Woolworth Building
The Woolworth Building in the Financial District was built in 1913 and was considered the tallest in New York. Today, it is considered mysterious as access to the public was closed after 11/XNUMX. “Once called the Cathedral of Commerce, the Gothic skyscraper is known for its lavish lobby with Byzantine-style mosaics adorned with golden leaves. Even more fun is the ultra-hip hangout hidden under the building. Heading to The Wooly feels like he was in a Wes Anderson movie, with bizarre animal paintings and lights rescued from the Plaza Hotel, ”said the author.
Today it is open only for private events.
