9 Secret Spots To Visit In New York City

New York can be a traveller’s dream! Combine millions of people, different cultures, beautiful architecture, scrumptious food and amazing museums and what do you get? An all-time incredible city to explore.

Visiting the best areas of New York is a must, as is visiting the iconic Lady Liberty and the Top Of The Rock but what about everything else. Where are the secret spots you have to see in this incredible city? 👀

I’ve always been about experiencing the best views in Manhattan (case in point here and here).

You see, ever since finding out about these secret spots in London, I’ve been on the hunt to uncover New York’s secrets spots which will hopefully help on your next trip to New York.

Take a look, below, at some of the secret spots you have to visit in New York.

1.) Whispering Arch of Grand Central Station

On the walk down to the lower concourse of Grand Central Station is one of New York’s open secrets that every visitor has to try.

Stand to face the corner of the arches and ask a loved one, friend or random stranger to stand on the opposite side of the arches. Surprisingly, even when speaking in a normal volume, your voice will carry straight to the ear of your recipient on the other side of the arches.

This little spot has become a really cool little place to surprise a loved one with a surprise proposal. 💍

2.) Touch The Berlin Wall

After the fall of the Berlin Wall a generation ago, parts of the wall were distributed all across the globe, with five pieces ending up across the city of New York.

Take a journey down to 520 Madison Avenue to see this one above (which is very similar to these parts of the wall in the East Side Gallery in Berlin).

If you’re living ‘across the pond’, don’t forget to visit the piece that resides outside The Imperial War Museum in London too.

3.) Walk New York’s Glass Waterfall Tunnel

Nestled onto one side of the McGraw-Hill building in New York, the glass waterfall is situated a mere 4-minute walk from all the action at Time Square. Stand inside the tunnel and let the waterfall over you… There’s an overwhelming feeling of being inside this ‘waterfall’.

All without getting wet of course! 💦

4.) See Old City Hall Subway Station

Old City Hall Subway Station is one of the prettiest subway stations in New York. Closed in the early 20th Century, the stained glass window and beautiful arches is a remnant of historic New York.

This can be one of the hardest secret spots of the lot to see when you’re in New York but if you stay on the 6 train while it turns around you may catch a rare glimpse of this beautiful station.

On certain, special occasions the MTA Transit Museum may also run special tours of the station – which allows you to really enjoy this magnificent piece of New York City history so it’s worth checking in with them before you visit.

5.) See The Abandoned Small Pox Hospital

Built on Roosevelt Island, this abandoned smallpox hospital has been left untouched since its last inhabitants left.

It’s an eery reminder of the endemic problem smallpox was in many of the world’s largest cities.

Nowadays, this hospital is closed to the public however if you travel to Roosevelt Island, you can still get relatively close to this infamous New York site.

6.) See The Tiny Little Doors

Created by artist, Cynthia von Buhler – there are scores of tiny little doors that are dotted all across New York City.

Keep your eyes peeled, especially around pedestrian crossings, where you might be lucky enough to spot one on a lamp-post.

Legend has it that these doors move around (almost like they lead to magical fairytale kingdoms) so you need to be very alert to see one.

7.) Time Square Sound Installation

With the hundreds of thousands of visitors each day, it can be hard to hear the calming art installation that has been installed by Max Neuhaus right in the middle of Times Square.

Created in the 1970s, it has now become a permanent installation in New York.

To hear this, walk or stand in the pedestrian triangle (above the grates) between the streets of 45th and 46th, as the crowds dissipate, you will begin to hear the installation in all its glory.

8.) Pomander Walk

Discover a piece of Olde England right in the heart of New York City.

Pomander Walk is such a stark contrast to the huge glass and steel towers that define New York City and looks like you’ve just stepped into a quaint little town in the middle of the English countryside.

9.) UN’s Meditation Room

Most people are not familiar with the Meditation Room at the United Nations but it is totally free and open to the public to visit (subject to airport-style security checks). It’s a great way to see a little part of the iconic UN building.

Did you know that the U.N. Building, despite being located in New York City is regarded as an International Territory?

Visiting this is building is one of the few times you can technically say you are not in any country in the world! 🤗