A little lighthouse in New York City, surrounded by mysterious stories of insanity-driven construction.

This exemplar of modernist architecture is meant to captivate and inspire students of the Cooper Union.

The site of the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

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

An uber-secure, windowless tower of doom in the center of Manhattan is an NSA spyscraper.

A crumbling hospital from the 1850s on Roosevelt Island.

Once a dumping spot, now a park with a kayak launch.

New York's southernmost subway station is whimsically wavy.

One of the deadliest American air disasters is nearly forgotten in Brooklyn.

Michael Jackson got Bad and Crocodile Dundee walked on heads in this iconic Brooklyn subway station.

A mass grave for victims of one of the city’s worst fires.

This enormous banquet-themed artwork honors over 1,000 notable women throughout history.

Just your average Marie Antoinette–themed speakeasy in an abandoned 19th-century subway tunnel.

Walk into the 19th century without leaving Brooklyn.

A curious friendship between two inanimate ladies.

One of the most enjoyable bits of history at Coney Island and “the most romantic ride in the world.”

The factory for the popular Dumbo location, the Greenpoint shop is a quiet gem.

Detailed facade of a brownstone in Boerum Hill.

A space dedicated to contemporary art and culture, co-chaired by fashion icon Miuccia Prada.

A Milanese café entirely designed by the American director Wes Anderson.

One of the world’s smallest bars, just 13 square feet, is brimming with speakeasy flair.

This abandoned Brutalist treehouse is a hidden architectural relic.

During the summer months, giant teddy bears take over Paris near Les Gobelins metro station.

Paris' fabled purveyor of exotic taxidermy and natural history curios.