We love NYC’s typical tourist hotspots as much as the next guy, but we think there are a few truly charming hidden gems in New York City. These off-the-beaten-track attractions are sure to put a smile on your face!
Old City Hall was a subway station that opened in 1904. While it’s no longer operational, this beautiful underground space is still worth a visit.
Old City Hall Subway Station
Although trains no longer stop here, this old subway station is still one of the most charming hidden gems New York City has to offer. You can visit it on a tour offered by the New York Transit Museum. This is their most popular tour and the guide will share a brief history of the subway system (we’ve also covered it in our Subway Secrets and Top Subway Tips posts). You’ll then be guided into the abandoned City Hall station.
When it opened in 1904, the Old City Hall subway station was a crown jewel of the subway’s first line, the IRT’s Manhattan Main Line. Its elegant design reflected the City Beautiful architectural movement at that time – a belief that beautiful architecture could inspire a better civic society. Its proximity to City Hall is a nod to the city’s governmental center and symbolized the hope that the modern metropolis could compete with European cities for cultural influence.
The old subway station is situated beneath the Municipal Building where Centre Street meets Chambers Street. You can access it by taking the 6 train downtown. Though trains no longer stop here, the track is still used for a turnaround. This makes it a great addition to any Brooklyn Bridge walk, as you can take a train back uptown from here after your stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.
The old station is surprisingly beautiful, with hints of a cathedral design peeking through. Its vaulted ceilings are especially impressive. Its close proximity to City Hall also lends the station a magical feeling, as if you are walking into a fairytale kingdom. The entrance has two small arches and a staircase, which were once used to collect fares from passengers.
Life Underground Sculptures
Every day, thousands of subway riders walk hurriedly through New York City’s 14th Street/Eighth Avenue station, passing by one of its most charming hidden gems: Tom Otterness’s Life Underground sculptures. These dozens of tiny bronze figures invigorate the transit environment and invoke the subway’s lore. From a sewer alligator chomping on a money bag-headed miniature to a well-dressed man reminiscent of 19th century Tammany Hall politician William “Boss” Tweed, these clever statues reflect the real and imagined details of life in hectic New York City.
The figures are part of a larger installation that was created as part of the MTA’s Art for Transit program. It took Otterness a decade to complete 130 eye-catching sculptures throughout the vast 14th Street station, which serves the A, C, E, and L trains. The artist drew inspiration from everything from newspaper cartoons of the 1800s that reflected public opinion to political corruption that ran rampant during the subway’s construction.
Otterness, who was born in Wichita, Kansas, studied at the Arts Student League before moving to New York to become a professional sculptor. His whimsical round figures often evoke themes of class, race, and sex. They can also be slightly sardonic, as is the case with his Life Underground sculptures.
In addition to his small-scale NYC critters, Otterness has made large-scale art in parks and plazas. He also has a reputation for creating controversial performances that draw criticism from the media. Nevertheless, his playful art is worth the trip to the 14th Street/Eighth Avenue subway station to see in person. While NYC police generally frown on taking pictures in the subway, the officers here are lenient toward fans of Otterness’s work.
The Earth Room
New York City may be home to a lot of famous landmarks, but the Big Apple has plenty more hidden gems to discover. Art galleries, history museums and world-class shows on Broadway keep culture-vultures happy, immense department stores lure shopaholics, and restaurants satisfy globetrotting foodies.
But, perhaps the most enchanting of NYC’s hidden gems is the Earth Room, a one-room loft filled with wall-to-wall dirt. This unique piece of art was created in 1977 by sculptor Walter De Maria, who used wheel barrels to fill the space with the organic material. The Earth Room has been open to the public, free of charge, since 1980 and is maintained by the Dia Art Foundation.
Unlike most other modern art, this installation is not intended to be temporary. In fact, the dirt in The Earth Room has never been removed or replaced. It is still the same soil that was installed 35 years ago, and visitors can walk across it for an authentic and surreal experience. The room’s front and back windows cast soft light over the earth, and visitors can feel like they are standing on hallowed ground.
In today’s transient art world, the permanence of The Earth Room is bold and even defiant. It is also a reminder of the importance of our planet and its inhabitants.
When planning your NYC itinerary, be sure to include a visit to this charming hidden gem. You’ll be glad you did! And if you have any suggestions for our readers on additional NYC hidden gems to explore, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below. We would love to hear from you! Happy exploring!
Houdini Museum
New York City is a treasure trove of postcard-worthy landmarks, but the city’s hidden gems can also be just as fascinating. From an abandoned smallpox hospital to the remnants of the Berlin Wall, there are plenty of hidden wonders for visitors to discover. These charming hidden gems of NYC are the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Located in a nondescript building near Penn Station, the Houdini Museum is dedicated to the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. The one-room museum opened in 2012, after curator Roger Dreyer turned the front of his magic shop into a museum. The space contains many of the items that belonged to Houdini, including his famous trunk, a series of small lock picks that he would regurgitate during his escapes, and even the coffin that he escaped from after it had been nailed shut with spikes.
The Houdini Museum is free, but the staff is very helpful and informative about the history of the artifacts. The museum also doubles as a storefront for Fantasma Magic, so you can purchase all sorts of cool magic tricks during your visit.
If you’re interested in visiting this unique hidden gem of New York, check the website to see if the museum is open. Please be respectful and do not disturb the residents in the surrounding neighborhood. It’s important to preserve this hidden gem and keep it safe.
If you’re looking for another quirky hidden gem of New York, head to Grand Central Terminal in the heart of Manhattan. Tucked away in the dining area of the Terminal is a hidden gallery where people can whisper messages to each other without being heard. If you want to see this secret, be sure to visit during a quiet time when there isn’t much activity.
Weehawken Street
New York City is full of charming hidden gems that are far different from the typical tourist attractions. These places are the perfect spots for a quick escape from the bustle of the city. In addition to being a peaceful oasis, these places are also full of history and culture. One such place is Weehawken Street, a tiny street that has a rich and interesting history.
This little-known road was named after the Weehawken township across the Hudson River from Greenwich Village. It was originally home to a tobacco plantation owned by the second director general of New Amsterdam and later became the site of New York’s first prison, Newgate State Prison. Today, the street is a hidden gem in NYC that provides an interesting glimpse into the city’s history.
The street is lined with a variety of buildings, including dry goods shops and grocery stores. Some of the most notable buildings are the former homes of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The street is also home to a historic district with 14 buildings, which was established in 1974 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
A trip to Weehawken Street is the perfect way to escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. It offers a quiet and diverse residential neighborhood with beautiful views of the NYC skyline. In addition, the streets are surrounded by lush greenery, making it the ideal spot for a relaxing stroll. In addition, Weehawken is close to the city and has a great school system.
