If like me, you want to know the hidden gems of this city and go off the beaten track. This section is for you. One of the things I get asked the most is what to do in New York that’s not Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Herald Square. While I still advise you to see all those places, it’s good to have a few things up our sleeves for a less tourist-y day. Some of them might not be hidden gems, but they sure were great finds for this Portuguese gal. Insert off the beaten track places to this New York City guide:
When my father first came to visit us in April 2015, he had a list of places in mind to visit. On his second day in the city, we went to see the UN building, on the East side of Manhattan. It was a seriously gloomy, cold and rainy day, but we managed to walk for hours. After seeing the UN headquarters. we went through a path that lead us to Tudor City. Mainly a residential area, it was also very quiet and serene. We wondered for a bit through the beautiful gardens and if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful moment, Tudor City Greens is the place to go.
I knew, moving to New York City, about the Pepsi-Cola sign. But my curiosity was never spiked by the thought of visiting it. When in 2016 we moved to Long Island City, I didn’t realize how close it was to our apartment. One late summer day, I was walking our dog to the waterfront and the sign pops up! I started laughing, instantly snapped it and stood there appreciating it. The Long Island City waterfront is a great place to visit. It’s normally quiet, it’s beautiful and you get to see Manhattan’s beautiful skyline.
Featured in movies, TV shows and thousands of Instagram pictures, the Brooklyn Promenade is platform and pedestrian walkway over the BQE. Or the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. It has a privileged view over downtown Manhattan and some of the most beautiful houses in Brooklyn Heights. You can’t help but wonder what they look like inside and the feeling of waking up to that view every day.
First introduced to me by a friend back in 2015, Freeman’s alley is also a target of several Insta famous pictures. At first you get the feeling that you’re entering a scary alley, just to be confronted by the cutest entryway to an American style restaurant.
I’ve been to Greenpoint way before moving to Long Island City. But I’ve only recently took the time to explore the area. It’s one of my favorite places in this New York City guide. You have small, little restaurants, coffee shops, vintage stores and not a lot of people. You can wonder around in the neighborhood without feeling like you’re in NY. One of my favorite restaurants, as of lately, is in Greenpoint.
If you feel like there’s something I’m not covering here, feel free to e-mail me or comment below. This New York City guide is going to be edited as my experience in the city improves.