New York City is a concrete jungle boasting five interesting boroughs with something for everyone. While tourist attractions from Manhattan to Brooklyn might be ideal for the usual tourist, many underrated spots can elevate your NYC experience.

On my last visit, I spent just under two weeks in New York City in one stint, so I had plenty of time to explore and unintentionally find hidden spots. I completed most major attractions during my first few visits to the city, from the Empire State Building to Central Park, which I highly recommend. Yet, the underrated and hidden spots throughout the city will make your experience more interesting and unique.

I often ask locals for recommendations, which always works well. However, on my last visit to NYC, I took it upon myself to find my own hidden gems. Today, I want to share the best-underrated spots I found unintentionally, which might be places only NYC locals know about.

7

Greenacre Park

Greenacre Park is a lush green and hidden oasis tucked away in Midtown

Greenacre Park was one of my favorite hidden spots in NYC. It is a privately owned yet publicly accessible park between Second and Third Avenues on East 51st Street. Tucked away in Midtown, the park is a hidden oasis ideal for escaping the center of what is questionably the loudest city in America.

Due to its subtle entrance and quietness, I almost passed by without noticing it. I was walking from The Smith on Second Avenue to the 51 St underground station and noticed two people leaving through the gate, so I took it upon myself to see where they had come from.

I spent two hours here, immersing myself in nature, reading on a quiet bench, and witnessing people enjoy the park’s lush greenery. Visiting one of the most peaceful NYC parks during summer in the late morning might be preferable as I found the space quiet and lacking human life. Instead, I was surrounded by nature and peacefulness, which was ideal after a busy few days in the city.

6

The Elevated Acre

The Elevated Acre is an elevated park atop an office building in NYC’s Financial District

You could easily miss The Elevated Acre if you aren’t actively looking for hidden gems. While spending time in NYC’s Financial District, I had an hour to spare before a lunch reservation. Luckily, I was already on Water Street after jumping off at the New York Water Taxi pier. I opened my phone map and set it to satellite mode to see what the surrounding sights looked like (this is a great tip when looking for hidden gems).

I noticed a green space atop an unassuming building, which is when I stumbled upon The Elevated Acre. I feel so lucky to have found this outdoor space. The small, elevated park offers incredible East River and Brooklyn Bridge views. It’s a quiet, hidden retreat that most tourists will never discover.

I wandered the planted areas, sat for around half an hour, and felt a sense of calm away from the busy city. Considering that you usually need to push through crowds and pay a considerable fee to enter buildings with the best views of NYC, this is a real winner regarding affordability and peaceful surroundings.

5

Pomander Walk

Pomander Walk is a micro-neighborhood that feels like a step into a European village

Pomander Walk became designated a New York City landmark in 1982, yet it isn’t a spot you often find in travel guides. I have performed hours of research on New York City and quiet places, and Pomander Walk is one I have yet to come across.

I stumbled upon the micro-neighborhood when walking from The Jewish Museum in Manhattan to the Joan of Arc Monument to meet a friend for coffee. I found Pomander Walk tucked away between Broadway and West End Avenue. It is a charming, hidden street that resembles a Danish or Norwegian village.

The area’s quaint houses and cobblestone paths are a secret slice of old-world charm in the middle of the city. I only spent a bit here as it is tiny and feels intrusive when staring at people’s homes. However, it is worth a quick stop if you are interested in unique architectural gems in the city.

4

Mmuseumm

Mmuseumm has the strangest location and view of natural history I’ve experienced

On my first visit to NYC, I visited the world-famous American Museum of Natural History. It was a remarkable experience, ideal for new tourists to the city. Yet, visiting the museum has taken me to more unique and hidden museum spots across the city.

On my last visit, I stumbled upon Mmuseumm, a museum featuring a modern take on natural history in Tribeca, Lower Manhattan. I noticed a sign for it when passing through Lafayette Street one sunny Friday afternoon and was surprised by its strange location. The location is so unique that I thought I had gone in the wrong direction. The museum is in a freight elevator shaft.

Mmuseumm is a tiny museum that features bizarre, eclectic exhibits. It’s a favorite and overlooked attraction that I like to recommend to visitors to NYC. It displays everyday objects, oddities, and small collections worldwide.

3

Sutton Place Park

Sutton Place Park is a relaxing spot overlooking the East River to witness the Queensboro Bridge

Sutton Place Parks are five small public parks along the East River in NYC. I spent time at Sutton Place Park South after coming across it on my way to the Upper East Side for lunch. After walking for an hour, I needed a place to sit down and beat the NYC heat in a place where you can cool down for free, and this was the perfect spot.

It didn’t look special when I approached, but it became a new spot for quiet time away from the hustle and bustle on several occasions during my visit. It is a long, narrow, paved park offering shaded bench areas to sit and enjoy beautiful Queensboro Bridge and East River views.

When I arrived, it was obvious that it was a local spot. The quietness and benches filled with office workers eating an early lunch made me feel part of the local culture.

2

Vinegar Hill

Vinegar Hill is a charming, historical neighborhood in the heart of Brooklyn

Vinegar Hill is one of the most charming neighborhoods I have discovered in New York City. It is close to Dumbo, Brooklyn, and the East River waterfront. Hence, it is the perfect location for tranquility and relaxing vibes.

The neighborhood is historic and reflects its history through its cobblestone streets, old brick buildings, and mysterious, almost forgotten vibe. It’s a hidden slice of Brooklyn that feels worlds away from the city.

My favorite spot was Damascus Bakery for its incredible pita bread, which I took to Pebble Beach (with a pot of hummus) for a late afternoon snack a few hours after I left Vinegar Hill. The day I visited, I took an early morning class at the Bridge Pilates studio as I was already in my exercise outfit, thanks to a lot of walking.

1

The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters is an overlooked part of the city’s popular Metropolitan Museum of Art

NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of my favorite tourist museums. It attracts more than 5.5 million visitors yearly, so you can understand how busy it gets daily. Yet, the frequent new exhibitions will never get boring.

However, a part of the museum that is often overlooked and seldom visited is The Met Cloisters. I walked around the grounds on the phone during my last visit to a friend. While wandering, I came across a sign for The Met Cloisters, which is hosting a new collection of European medieval art.

Instead of continuing my tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (which I have visited numerous times), I spent my final hour exploring the overlooked museum, and the collections truly blew me away. The museum mainly focuses on the Romanesque and Gothic periods, which are entirely different from the main museum. It is an excellent spot for anyone interested in these eras or a quiet museum visit in the hub of the busy city.