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The Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building; these are among the first things to come to mind when you think of New York. It is no surprise really, they are some of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
A trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without seeing the landmarks it is famous for. However, when visiting with a group of mates, you might also like to see a different side to it and discover the Big Apple’s hidden gems.
So, get the boys together, book your hotel and flights to New York, then plan a trip that will allow you to get to know the less touristy side of the city that never sleeps.
A quirky place to rest your head
You will no doubt have a jam-packed trip planned. So, you need somewhere conveniently located, that is a little different from the norm, to rest and recover. The Carlton Arms is a reasonably priced hotel located in Manhattan, a short walk from Madison Square Park. Each room has been designed and decorated by an up-and-coming artist. Even street artist Banksy has made his mark here. The creativity and explosion of color make this a fun and unique place to stay plus the rooms have a stylish student vibe perfect for young guys.
Alternatively, why not check out Yotel? This hotel is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, just two blocks from Times Square. The rooms or ‘cabins’ are inspired by luxury first class aircraft design and are adaptable spaces to suit your needs. It also boasts one of the city’s largest hotel terraces with incredible views across the city.
You might also like Hostelling International – New York. This budget hotel caters specifically for groups with dorm rooms that sleep up to 12 guests. It is within walking distance of Central Park and offers daily pub crawls.
Different eateries to tickle your tastebuds
New York is bursting with fast food outlets and chain restaurants. But, if you are looking to fill your bellies somewhere a little different, then make sure you head to Smorgasburg. This is the largest weekly open food market in America and, while it attracts thousands of people each weekend, it isn’t somewhere that tourists are necessarily aware of.
You will find 100 local vendors in Brooklyn, on the Williamsburg waterfront on Saturdays and Prospect Park on Sundays. The New York Times has called it ‘The Woodstock of Eating’.
When you aren’t at the market, here are nine unusual restaurants to tickle your taste buds.
Keep hydrated at local bars
To get a real feel for the less-touristy side of this buzzing city, you will need to step away from Times Square and discover the bars that are frequented by the locals. You know the ones that are tucked away and popular among residents but hidden from tourists.
One you definitely would just walk past unless you were in the know, is Blind Barber on the Lower East Side. This is an edgy barbershop by day and a lively cocktail bar by night. Once you and the boys have had a spirit or beer alongside your short back and sides, make your way to the back room after 6 pm to start working your way through the cocktail menu.
You might not find many ladies in a barbershop so, if you are hoping to meet the love of your life in one of the most romantic cities on Earth, here are 25 bars to consider going to for a pint or two.
Unique way to travel from A to B
You will see many tourists sitting atop the hop on hop off buses as they make their way through New York’s boroughs, snapping photos of the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions. This is a brilliant way to see the city while traveling from Upper Manhattan down to Midtown and eventually Lower Manhattan. However, if it is hidden gems you are after then you will want to board the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
The aerial tram connects the Upper East Side, 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. It runs every 7 to 15 minutes and is the most modern of its kind in the world.
This is the only aerial commuter tram in the whole of the country and will allow you to look down on Queens and Manhattan – while avoiding the gridlock traffic below. You will need a MetroCard to travel but then it costs just $2.75 each way.
Hidden gems to fill your itinerary
Roosevelt Island: it perhaps goes without saying that if the tram is a hidden gem, then so too is the island it connects to. Technically part of Manhattan, Roosevelt Island has previously been known as Blackwell Island and then Welfare Island.
This is a peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspots, which not many visitors are aware of. It used to be home to asylums and prisons, then hospital patients and UN workers.
Today, you can enjoy a riverside walk with views of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, visit Four Freedoms Park, see art at RIVAA and Blackwell House the sixth oldest house in New York as well as the ruins of a Smallpox Hospital which opened in 1856.
Rooftop views from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Tourists head straight to the Top of the Rock or The Empire State Building, to get views across the city. To get away from the crowds and see a different view of the city, head up to the spacious Metropolitan Museum of Art rooftop instead.
Before you take in unobstructed views of Central Park and the city skyline, you can view more than two million works of art. The rooftop terrace is open from May to late fall. Enjoy a hot drink, alcoholic beverage or soft drink as well as light snacks and desserts, and marvel at the single-artist installation that is featured up here each year. It’s great for the more cultured group.
Walk The Highline: The High Line is an elevated freight rail line on the West Side of Manhattan which has been transformed into a public park. The mile and a half long ‘park in the sky’ is a calm and peaceful escape, 30ft above the noise below. The High Line was first constructed in the 1930s as part of New York’s West Side railway, stretching from the Meatpacking District up to West 34th Street to deliver meat, milk and manufactured goods.
After the last train ran in 1980 the plan was to demolish it. However, in 1999 locals came up with the idea that would allow people to experience the city in a completely new way. Work started on it in 2006 and now it is a green public space with flowers, trees and benches. It is a hidden oasis within a concrete jungle.
Once you and the boys have booked your flights and hotels, make sure that as well as the world-famous tourist attractions you plan some hidden gems into your weekend to really get to know this city.
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This post made possible by site sponsor Jessica Foreman
Photo: Getty Images