New York

Curiously Obscure and Appropriate

110 Places

New York, New York

West Terrace at the Cloisters

This hidden oasis features a stunning view of the Hudson River and the Palisades from a castle-like museum.

angelicapalma100

Added by angelicapalma100

New York, New York

Unicorn Tapestries at the Cloisters

Mysterious 500-year-old tapestries depict a unicorn hunt.

atimian

Added by atimian

Bronx, New York

West 230th Step Street

The longest step street in the city.

lampbane

Added by lampbane

New York, New York

Bennett Park

The highest point on the island known for buildings that touch the sky.

thomasharper

Added by thomasharper

Bronx, New York

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

The famous author's cottage hideaway.

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

New York, New York

United Palace Theatre

One of the last Jazz Age "Wonder Theaters" in New York City.

AaronNetsky

Added by AaronNetsky

New York, New York

The Sisyphus Stones

Hordes of precariously balanced stone figures crowd the shores of the Hudson River.

jdstillwater

Added by jdstillwater

Bronx, New York

Fordham Cemetery

A small graveyard is hidden in the midst of a bustling university campus.

Anne Marie Ward

Added by Anne Marie Ward

Bronx, New York

Cafe al Mercato

Seriously good slices of Sicilian pizza lurk at the back of the Bronx's oldest enclosed market.

lukefater

Added by lukefater

Bronx, New York

Nano Billiards Cafe

A basement pool hall is the front for some of the best Dominican food in New York City.

Rohini Chaki

Added by Rohini Chaki

Bronx, New York

Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel

The first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects.

daviddoochin

Added by daviddoochin

Bronx, New York

Woodlawn Cemetery

The end of the 4 Line is also the end of the line for 300,000 souls in one of NYC's most illustrious cemeteries.

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

New York, New York

Trinity Church Cemetery & Mausoleum

You must take the A train... to the last active cemetery in Manhattan.

isaacschultz

Added by isaacschultz

New York, New York

Audubon Mural Project

Walking around West Harlem reveals a scavenger hunt of beautiful bird murals.

Lucy DiSanto

Added by Lucy DiSanto

New York, New York

Timbuktu Islamic Center Food Vendors

These small stands sell Malian snacks to worshippers and passersby after Friday prayers in Harlem.

Reina Gattuso

Added by Reina Gattuso

New York, New York

Hamilton Grange

The only home that Alexander Hamilton ever owned has a history almost as troubled as his own.

Eirik Gumeny

Added by Eirik Gumeny

New York, New York

Bill's Place

This speakeasy continues the Prohibition-era legacy of Harlem's jazzy Swing Street.

Reina Gattuso

Added by Reina Gattuso

Bronx, New York

La Morada

Rare moles meet activism at this Oaxacan eatery.

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

New York, New York

President Ulysses S. Grant's Tomb

Visit the monolithic tomb of America's most famous general.

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

Bronx, New York

North Brother Island

Home to the infamous "Typhoid Mary" and the worst loss of life in New York's history prior to September 11, 2001.

PaperTiger

Added by PaperTiger

New York, New York

Cathedral Peacock Hutch

A Gothic-style abode built to accommodate the church's three resident peacocks.

Kerry Wolfe

Added by Kerry Wolfe

New York, New York

Blockhouse No. 1

This ruined fort hidden at the top of Central Park can't seem to keep from losing its historical plaques.

alexandralake

Added by alexandralake

New York, New York

Graffiti Hall of Fame

For over 30 years the walls of this Harlem schoolyard have been a gallery of street art by "Kings and better."

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

New York, New York

The Treasures in the Trash Collection

A New York garbage depot holds a secret collection of weird and wonderful refuse.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Village of Pelham, New York

Pelham Picture House

A century-old historical movie theatre that plays a mix of independent and mainstream films.

Added by thelonelytraveler

New York, New York

Toloache

Discover the taste of mold.

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

New York, New York

Cafe at the Swedish Church of New York

Finally, you don't have to be a pious Swedish seaman to relax like one.

lukefater

Added by lukefater

New York, New York

Marilyn Monroe’s Subway Grate

This unmarked and unloved Manhattan subway grate created one of the most iconic images in American cinema.

Luke J Spencer

Added by Luke J Spencer

New York, New York

Broadway Flea Market

An annual extravaganza of Broadway theater memorabilia.

AaronNetsky

Added by AaronNetsky

New York, New York

767 Third Avenue

A Manhattan office building is home to the world’s largest chess board.

Leslie McIntyre

Added by Leslie McIntyre

New York, New York

Queensboro Trolley Kiosk

A forgotten relic from New York's bygone trolley system hides in plain sight under a bridge.

Luke J Spencer

Added by Luke J Spencer

New York, New York

Explorers Club Headquarters

A treasure trove of artifacts, books, and artwork from the "golden age" of exploration.

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

New York, New York

Grand Central Oyster Bar

This subterranean oyster house has been the pearl of Grand Central Station since 1913.

lukefater

Added by lukefater

New York, New York

Bryant Park Escape Hatch

A commemorative plaque hides a door that leads down to the New York Public Library's underground book bunker.

lampbane

Added by lampbane

New York, New York

Bryant Park Bathroom

The fanciest public restroom in New York City boasts fresh flowers, art, and a classical music soundtrack.

Added by CharlieChar

New York, New York

Campbell Apartment

A very classy 1920s-era bar right in Grand Central Station.

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

New York, New York

The Real Winnie the Pooh & Pals

The original toys that inspired the beloved children's stories are on display at the New York Public Library.

paulypaul

Added by paulypaul

New York, New York

Giant Needle and Button

There must be a pun in this haystack somewhere...

Oliver Hong

Added by Oliver Hong

New York, New York

Sakagura

More than 250 sakes are available in an izakaya hidden in the basement of a Midtown office building.

lukefater

Added by lukefater

New York, New York

Alice in Wonderland Statue

This whimsical group of statues is a favorite of children who love to climb all over Lewis Carroll's beloved characters.

finzach135

Added by finzach135

New York, New York

El Sabroso

This semi-hidden Manhattan restaurant is based out of a loading dock.

antoniafarzan

Added by antoniafarzan

New York, New York

The Ramble Cave

Hidden in Central Park's Ramble is a troublesome cave buried just beneath the surface.

BookwormHistory

Added by BookwormHistory

New York, New York

Keen's Steakhouse

Everyone from Mark Twain to Teddy Roosevelt has a pipe hanging from the walls of this historic chophouse.

Luke J Spencer

Added by Luke J Spencer

New York, New York

Venetian Room

This lavish room in a New York City mansion is a rare relic from the end of the Gilded Age.

Kerry Wolfe

Added by Kerry Wolfe

New York, New York

Albertine

Though its celestial ceiling is impressive, the true star is the vast collection of French books.

Added by yayanzhang

New York, New York

New York Society Library

New York's oldest and possibly grandest keeper of books.

New York, New York

Flying Carpet Over Isfahan

A controversial magical figure is hidden within a diorama of the city.

Andres Schiffino

Added by Andres Schiffino

New York, New York

Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital Ruins

A crumbling hospital from the 1850s on Roosevelt Island.

Rebekah Otto

Added by Rebekah Otto