New York is defined by its icons — the skyline, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty. But some of its best experiences hide in plain sight, away from the postcard views. Here are five unusual corners of the city worth seeking out once you have ticked off the obvious.
1. Morbid Anatomy in Brooklyn
For anyone drawn to the stranger side of history, the Morbid Anatomy project explores the art, science and culture of death — medical curiosities, anatomical illustration and the way different cultures face mortality. Its much-loved Brooklyn museum closed back in 2016, but the project itself lives on through regular events, talks, a library and online programming, so it is worth checking what is on before you go looking.
2. The Secret Subway Entrance at Bloomingdale’s
Tucked inside the famous Bloomingdale’s department store is a direct entrance to the subway — leading straight down to the Lexington Avenue / 59th Street station. Shoppers can drop into the trains without ever stepping onto the street, one of those small quirks of New York that most visitors walk straight past.
3. A Hidden Corner of Central Park
Even in the middle of Central Park, you can escape the crowds. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary — a gated four-acre woodland near the south-east corner — and the wooded paths of the Ramble are the park’s quietest refuges, tangled and green and surprisingly wild, the perfect place to lose the noise of the city for an hour.
4. The Subway as an Art Gallery
The New York subway doubles as one of the largest public art collections in the world. Through the MTA’s Arts & Design programme, station after station is decorated with mosaics, tilework, sculptures and installations by well-known artists — an entire gallery you travel through on an ordinary ride. Keep your eyes up as you change trains.
5. Staten Island’s Faded Theatres
Staten Island keeps some of the city’s most atmospheric old cinemas and theatres, several long shuttered and slowly decaying — dust-covered halls and the ghosts of old projectors that draw photographers and history buffs. A word of caution: derelict buildings like these are usually private and off-limits, so admire the ones you can see legally and never trespass.
These are only the beginning of an alternative New York. Seek out places like these and you see a very different city from the one on the postcards.
Getting There
New York is served by three major airports — JFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA). Visitors from the UK, EU and many other countries travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA, arranged online before you fly; check your eligibility and current rules well ahead of travel.
FAQ
Is the Morbid Anatomy Museum still open?
The physical Brooklyn museum closed in 2016, but the Morbid Anatomy project continues through events, talks and online programming — check its current schedule before visiting.
Can you really enter the subway from inside Bloomingdale’s?
Yes — the store has a direct internal entrance to the Lexington Avenue / 59th Street station.
Do I need a visa to visit New York?
Many nationalities visit under the US Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA obtained online before travel; others need a visa. Check the current requirements for your country before booking.
