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New York City is home to a vast array of expansive spaces. From the dazzling Broadway theatres to the majestic hotel lobbies, world-renowned art galleries, and the sprawling green of Central Park, NYC stands as one of the most iconic cities worldwide. But beyond the famous landmarks, there are numerous hidden gems waiting for exploration.
Don’t wait too long to explore these places—New York may not be in the best shape at the moment. Still, there’s much to see, so don’t rush to pack up and head to Austin just yet! This list highlights some must-see locations.
10. The Metropolitan Club
New York, like other major cities around the world, excels in its collection of historic, refined, and exclusive members-only clubs. However, this particular one stands out with its extra touch of luxury. Looking at the list of founding members—financier JP Morgan, railroad mogul Cornelius Vanderbilt, steel titan James M. Waterbury, former Assistant Secretary of State John L. Cadwalader, and James A. Roosevelt—it’s easy to see how this place became so elegant.
Founded in 1891, this club has preserved its grandeur from the Gilded Age. The West Lounge, located on the first of the club’s six floors, is the most notable feature. The breathtaking Renaissance murals hover above the intricately designed marble fireplaces, making the sweeping views of Central Park feel almost secondary—why would you gaze outside when such beauty is right before you? So, if you want to round up your friends for a good time, imagining yourselves as powerful business magnates and masters of the modern world, the club’s spaces are available for hire. They might ask for your house as a deposit... or perhaps you could sneak in for a quick peek.
Closest Subway Station: 5th Avenue Station—Broadway Local Line.
9. Greenacre Park
Parks represent a fascinating human creation. Rather than some ancient druid invoking reverence for nature by pointing to oak trees adorned with entrails, modern parks are our ultimate symbol of respect for the natural world. As beings capable of sending people into space and creating complex systems that govern every aspect of life, we carve out parts of our cities and towns to recreate nature. It’s something we deeply need. However, not all parks are created equal, and some smaller parks tend to be overlooked, often overshadowed by their larger, more impressive, and historic counterparts.
One such hidden gem is Greenacre Park. Featuring a 7.6-meter (25-foot) granite waterfall at its center, this park spans three levels, offering a layered experience. And what an enjoyable experience it is! The waterfall gives rise to a gentle stream that leads to the park’s entrance. Right next to the waterfall is a cozy seating area, the perfect spot to relax, read a book, and forget about the chaos of New York’s relentless pace.
Nearest Subway Station: Lexington Avenue/53rd Street—E Line or the M Line.
8. The Ford Foundation Building
Since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, many public spaces in Lower Manhattan’s skyscrapers have become off-limits. Yet, the atrium of the Ford Foundation Building remains open. Since 1963, this tiered garden has provided a peaceful sanctuary where people can escape the busy, fast-paced environment of downtown New York. While Greenacre Park offers an outdoor retreat for city dwellers, the atrium of the Ford Foundation Building serves as its tranquil indoor counterpart.
Landscape architect Dan Kiley crafted the garden, and following a redesign in 2018, it continues to exude the serene atmosphere that was part of the original vision. The mid-century buildings and spaces of America’s heartland represent a clear break from earlier architectural trends. Gone are the days of celebrating industrial triumphs and financial conquests; instead, we entered an era of retreat, shifting toward a more socially aware and sustainable future—progress at a far gentler pace than the breakneck speed of the past. The Ford Foundation Building stands as a striking example of this kind of beauty, a sharp contrast to the modern monstrosities surrounding it in the city.
Nearest Subway Station: Grand Central Station—Lines 6, 7, and the 42nd Street Shuttle.
7. Old City Hall Subway Station
There’s something eerie about abandoned subway stations. But not this one—it’s undeniably cool. It answers the long-standing question: “Why did people in the past dress so impeccably when they were out and about?” Gorgeous green and white glass tiles gleam beneath the vaulted Gustavino ceilings, with light from a multitude of chandeliers casting an enchanting glow throughout the space. Given that this was once a bustling transit hub at the dawn of the 20th century, it’s hard to imagine how many commuters actually took the time to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of this hidden gem. Probably not many.
The City Hall station is an absolute treasure. That’s likely why the New York Transit Museum charges $50 for a tour (plus an additional $60 for museum membership). But if you’re someone who’s content with a fleeting glimpse, why not just hop on the 6 train? It’ll pass through the station on its loop, offering passengers a brief (but deeply envious) peek at the kind of space people once stood in while waiting for their rides around the city.
Alright, the nearest subway station…well, okay, let’s talk about the next closest one: Chambers Street Station—A Line.
6. Gould Memorial Library
Some have suggested that the USA is the modern equivalent of the Roman Empire. So, it’s no surprise that this 19th-century University library in the Bronx was designed as a tribute to Rome’s Parthenon—and quite a remarkable one at that! Now part of Bronx Community College, this space deserves a visit. In fact, a long one.
Constructed between 1894 and 1895 by the renowned architect Stanford White, this building was part of the University of New York City’s (now NYU) expansion onto the recently purchased Mali Estate. The entire complex stands as a tribute to academia. The main reading room is awe-inspiring. Sixteen imported Connemara marble columns frame your view, drawing your gaze upwards to the 70-foot-wide stucco dome, gilded with Dutch metal. It’s designed to inspire students toward academic greatness, reinforced by a quote from Milton’s *Paradise Lost* on the grand entablature: “And chiefly thou o spirit that dost prefer before all temples that upright heart and pure. Instruct me for thou knowest what in me is dark. Illumine what is low raise and support.” Indeed.
Nearest Subway Station: 183rd Street Station—4 Line.
5. AT&T Long Distance Building
Beyond the melting clocks and subtly smiling ladies, the bizarre anatomical features, and the formaldehyde-soaked sharks, visual art has often served to celebrate humanity’s accomplishments—more than just impressionistic, expressionistic, devotional, or simply strange. Today, this heroic style isn’t as common, except in certain school murals or public artworks commissioned by smaller community groups. However, if you visit the AT&T Long Distance Building in Manhattan’s Tribeca district, you’ll get a firsthand feel for this once-dominant artistic trend.
The art deco style both inside and outside the building is stunning. While many famous New York buildings can boast about their exterior deco credentials, it’s the magnificent murals that line the walls inside that truly make this place a must-see for art aficionados.
Nearest Subway Station: Canal Street Station—A Line.
4. Grove Court
You might initially scoff at the idea of a gated community—it feels elitist and gives off a 'keep your distance' vibe. However, once you take a sly peek at Grove Court, perhaps alongside other curious tourists, you may find yourself imagining what it would be like to live there. A square of red brick townhouses in charming Federal style, this spot is a stark contrast to the more stoic brownstone buildings scattered throughout the West Village.
Built in 1854 by a grocer named Samuel Cocks (and yes, his surname is as amusing as it sounds), this hidden architectural treasure was originally designed to house laborers and local traders—not the wealthy. But, of course, that’s exactly what it’s become today. The last time a two-bedroom, two-bath townhouse here went on the market, it sold for a jaw-dropping $ million.
Nearest Subway Station: Christopher Street Station—3 Line.
3. The Explorers Club
The atmosphere you experience when entering a strikingly beautiful or unique space is often dictated by its design. A richly baroque interior invokes a sense of grandeur and elegance, while a stark brutalist structure suggests humanity’s march toward a utilitarian, perhaps dystopian, future. But sometimes, the decor tells a different story. A baroque room, adorned with Lalique vases, Romantic landscape paintings, and bronze busts of French kings, will immediately transport you to an opulent Parisian salon.
New York’s Explorers Club doesn’t take you to a specific time or place, but rather offers a whirlwind journey through the most remote, untamed parts of the world. The ambiance here calls forth adventure, scientific exploration, and humanity’s growing responsibility as caretakers of nature. Everywhere you look, you’ll encounter exotic taxidermy—from cheetahs and lion pelts to rhino heads mounted on walls, and massive elephant tusks flanking the fireplace in the reading room. Pith helmets may be required, but vegans, proceed with caution…
Nearest Subway Station: 68th Street, Hunter College—6 Line.
2. Beneath the Brooklyn Bridge…
Urban exploration has evolved significantly in recent years. Once seen as a rebellious, nuisance activity, much like skateboarding or BMXing, it now carries an aura of respect and intrigue. Urban explorers have become the modern-day Indiana Joneses, discovering hidden remnants of the past in forgotten spaces. One of the most significant discoveries in New York may be a relic of this subculture: an abandoned nuclear bunker concealed within the Brooklyn Bridge!
Incredible...or it would have been, had it not been discovered by construction workers simply doing their routine bridge inspections. Oh well, they’ll have to settle for the next entry on the list.
Nearest Subway Station: Fulton Street Station—3 Line.
1. The Tunnels Under Columbia University
One of New York’s worst-kept secrets is the network of tunnels that runs beneath Columbia University. Despite being widely known, these underground passageways remain largely unexplored by urban adventurers, which is surprising given their fascinating history and hidden nature.
We often overlook the hidden systems that keep our world running smoothly—those behind the conveniences we take for granted. The tunnels beneath Columbia University serve as the institution's lifeblood, providing vital infrastructure. But these tunnels have a darker history. Before supporting the university, they were part of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum. Later, they housed scientists working on the Manhattan Project. So, if you’re intrigued by the past, take a tour beneath Columbia—you may find it far more exciting than attending a lecture.
Nearest Subway Station: 116th Street Station, Columbia University—1 Line.
