New York’s 5 Boroughs

a melting pot of culture, history, and innovation, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring the culinary delights of the city’s 10,000+ restaurants, catching a Broadway show, or walking along the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, NYC buzzes with life and energy. Its landmarks—like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park—are globally recognized symbols of freedom and creativity. Add in its world-class museums, diverse neighborhoods, and one-of-a-kind events like Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, and it’s clear why NYC remains one of the most exciting cities on the planet. It truly is “the city that never sleeps,” with endless opportunities to discover, taste, and experience. 

Over the next few pages we hope to entice the explorer in you by showing you a few gems off the beaten path but well worth the visit.

Manhattan

Hidden Gems in the city that never sleeps

1

A clock in the sidewalk on Broadway.

The sidewalk clock sits outside Barthman’s on the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane in lower Manhattan, just as it has since 1899 when William Barthman installed it. In 1946, New York police estimated that 51,000 people stepped over the clock every day between the hours of 11am and 2pm. Legend has it, that walking over the clock’s face make take you back in time, and will bring you good fortune luck for the rest of the day.

2

The underground overground comedy club
doesn’t advertise their shows. Instead they use Instagram to let people know the what where and when, anywhere and everywhere from gym to a candy show. So open up your social media and see if you can catch a show.

3

The Freight elevator Museum in Chinatown.
This tiny museum is located on Contlandt Alley and is open 24/7. It’s a fun quirky thing to visit.

4

Economy Candy is NY City’s oldest candy shop. Located in a store front on Rivertown Street has more than 2000 different item.

5

The Merchant House Museum

located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, is considered one of the finest surviving examples of  late-Federal and Greek  architecture.  Built in 1832 the Merchant House is unique survivor of Old New York, the House offers a rare and intimate glimpse of how a prosperous merchant family and their Irish servants lived from 1835 to 1865. Tours last 1-2 hours

6

New York Catacombs by Candlelight
This is a walking tour of the historical Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral where you’ll be able to dive deep into the history of New York through the iconic Basilica’s catacombs and graveyard.

7

Frevo

Looking for a unique place to eat.. something not touristy –

In New York City, Frevo is a secret spot tucked away behind a painting in an art gallery. 48 W 8th St in the Greenwich Village

8

Chez Josephine
Located on 42nd street  Chez Josephine is a tribute to legendary entertainer Josephine Baker founded in 1986 by Jean-Claude Baker, Chez Josephine offers a French-American menu and live piano music in an intimate Parisian setting that makes one feel like they timed traveled to 1930’s Paris.

Brooklyn

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge especially at sunset should be on everyone’s list of Must-dos. But Brooklyn has other gems you should make the effort to visit.

1

The Brooklyn Flea: 
The largest flea market in Brooklyn, with locations in Williamsburg and DUMBO makes a really fun day out but bring comfy shoes when you do.

2

Brighton Beach is one of the best seaside options. But before you do anything else, get a towel and umbrella at Jackie’s Department Store, maybe a chilled coffee and pastry at Kaffeine231, and a book at St-Petersburg Bookstore.

3

Karasu
Looking for someplace different to get a drink? How about a secret speakeasy. Karasu is a restaurant hidden inside a restaurant. This dark and moody Japanese-style speakeasy can only be accessed by walking through Walter’s, a bustling upscale American eatery.

4

Brooklyn’s Loew’s Kings Theatre
Opened in 1929, as one of the most opulent film and live-performance venues in the nation. Located in Flatbush, the theater stages live music, dance and comedy.

Queens

was named after the English Queen and Portuguese royal princess Catherine of Braganza.

1

Queens County Farm & Museum

the farm has been operational for more than 325 years and occupies New York City’s largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The farm is one of the longest continuously farmed sites in the State.

2

The Socrates Sculpture Park
is located along the East River. This five-acre “art gallery” is perfect for leisurely walks as you take in the work of prominent and up-and-coming artists, The sculpture park frequently rotates its collection so there is always a reason to return.

3

The Museum of the Moving Image

From stop-motion to special effects, the Museum of the Moving Image has a lot to keep guests engaged including a screening room, the ability to create your own stop-motion book, computers to toy with animation, and puppets you can use to make your own show.

4

Utopia bagels

This favorite bagel shop uses time honored techniques to keep their clients happy. Said to be the best bagels in NYC.

5

The Latin section of the Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens food tour
The Latin section of the Jackson Heights neighborhood is one of the best places to grab a delicious and inexpensive bite to eat.

And FoodStrolls offers fun private group tours that will take you to all the delicious places you’d never find on your own. The tour includes historical information and you’ll get to sample at all the stops. English is not guaranteed at most places, and it’s wise to bring cash. If Mexican, Central American, and South American food isn’t your thing, Jackson Heights is also home to Little India, a South Asian neighborhood on and around 74th Street.

Bronx

The most underrated borough in NYC.

1

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

The famous author’s cottage hideaway.

It may come as a surprise to some that the cottage where Poe wrote poems such as “Annabel Lee” and “The Bells” is in the Bronx. It may come as a surprise to some that the cottage where Poe wrote poems such as “Annabel Lee” and “The Bells” is in the Bronx.

2

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at St. Lucy’s Church
A little history… Saint Bernadette Soubirous was 14 when she saw an apparition of  The Virgin Mary in a cave in Lourdes, France. This sighting started a trend of grotto creations. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at St. Lucy’s Church was completed in 1939. It has a large two-level catacomb section under and behind it, all filled with statues of saints. As with the original French cave, the water from the waterfall near the Bronx grotto is said to be holy.

3

Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel

The first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects. Yep, the Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel features 64 different types of insects that you can mount — including fireflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. 

4

Wave Hill,
a 28-acre estate on the banks of the Hudson River in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, contains wonderfully cared fo gardens, two historic houses (both Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Twain have lived there) and a cultural center. The greenhouse, known as the Flower Garden, contains a variety of peonies, roses, clematis and hydrangeas. The site also offers a public garden guided walk every Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free on Thursdays.

5

Explore Arthur Avenue

Little Italy in Manhattan is well known, but it’s not the only Little Italy. There’s another, Little Italy further up north in the Bronx. Referred to as Belmont, the Little Italy of the Bronx and Arthur Avenue it’s surprisingly a well-kept secret well worth seeking out.

6

Woodlawn Cemetery

Woodlawn Cemetery covers over 460 acres of land and holds the remains of over 300,000 people.

The burial ground is often referred to as the “jazz cemetery” because so many significant jazz legends were buried there.

Staten Island

A big misconception is that the island is “boring.” Nothing could be farther from the truth.

1

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

The garden is a very peaceful and relaxing place where you might be tempted to stay all day and just sit in solitude. The collection of Tibetan art consists of several thousand pieces primarily from Tibet, Mongolia, and northern China dating from the fifteenth century. The collection has been acknowledged to be one of the most important collections of its kind in the West.

2

Booze History Museum

Crammed into several rooms of a Staten Island home, this museum is dedicated to the pleasures of drinking. Lev Mezhburd’s house appears unremarkable but step inside, and you’ll be treated to a tour of the Booze History Museum collection, hundreds of drinking-themed objects from around the world.

3

Historic Richmond Town

This town might feel like a movie set since nothing has changed since 1958.

Historic Richmond Town was a joint effort of the S.I. Historical Society and the City of New York, the purpose being “not to freeze a single moment in time, but to create a journey through time”. I think they did a great job.

4

New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden

is part of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. It was built by 40 Chinese artisans in Suzhou City, as a perfect recreation of Ming Dynasty Chinese gardens. This serene spot features picturesque pavilions, rock formations, waterfalls, koi ponds, and bamboo-edged paths.