Five Off the Beaten Track Places to See in New York City

Today we welcome local guide Jordan in New York City as he shares his favourite off the beaten track destinations to explore with visitors.

Hi, I’m Jordan. I love New York, have lived here for 35 years, and have led small walking tours for most of my NYC life. I lead tours and experiences in many different areas of the city, but Greenwich Village, where I live, and Central Park, where I chill, are my favorite places to show guests. The best things about being a tour guide are having fun and watching my tourees be wowed by astonishing NYC history, sites and life.

Here are five of my favourite off the beaten track places to recommend in New York City.

Pier 57 Rooftop Park

Atop an old shipping terminal-turned-Google office building, stretching far into the Hudson River, sits the two-acre Pier 57 Rooftop Park, one of New York’s newer and lesser-known spots to relax, enjoy a meal from the food hall a few floors below, and take in sweeping views of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor.

Opened in 1954, Pier 57 was the last major pier built on the Hudson and one of the few to survive as cargo shipments into Manhattan by boat dramatically decreased soon after its completion. Starting in the early 2000s, the sliver of land along Manhattan’s far west side—once New York’s thriving port—began its transformation into the wonderful Hudson River Park. The park now includes the bases of numerous old piers, with Pier 57 standing out as the "pier de résistance" due to its size, height, and prime location.

Here’s what I love most about Pier 57—a sentiment echoed by many tour guests I’ve taken there: it’s free, uncrowded (especially on weekday mornings), offers stunning photo backdrops, and provides a fabulous perch to clearly see where Henry Hudson came upon our great harbor 400 years ago, made a slight left, and sailed up the river that now bears his name.

Bushwick

Over the past 20 years, this scrappy, industrial Brooklyn neighborhood has emerged as the street art capital of the world. Block after block, artists express themselves and their views with vibrant, fun, and thrilling works, often including their social media handles so you can learn more about them and their creations.

In 2000, Bushwick underwent a major transformation when zoning laws were changed, allowing former factories and warehouses to be converted into artist studios and residences. As the neighborhood evolves and becomes trendier, numerous restaurants and cafes have opened—many offering views of the very street art that draws visitors here.

Despite its growing popularity, Bushwick has remained refreshingly uncrowded during my visits. You could spend a couple of hours wandering the streets and discovering art, or make a half-day of it by including lunch at a local spot. From Manhattan, Bushwick is an easy 20-minute subway ride on the L train to Jefferson Street.

The Morgan Library & Museum

The "Morgan" in The Morgan Library & Museum refers to American financier John Pierpont Morgan. Between 1902 and 1906, he commissioned the construction of the building that is now the centerpiece of the museum—a majestic structure designed to house his private office, his librarian’s office, and a library to hold part of his vast collection of books, manuscripts, maps, music, and objects.

The museum’s collection, along with the three historic rooms connected by a soaring rotunda, is truly a sight to behold. However, the library itself may be the most stunning interior space in New York City. It is an intimate, breathtaking "cathedral" with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, vaulted ceilings, and secret staircases. Among its treasures is one of the 49 remaining Gutenberg Bibles—the first mass-produced book printed with movable type in the Western world.

While The Morgan is a significant New York City museum, it is much smaller, quieter, and typically less crowded than other major institutions like The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). If this recommendation piques your interest, consider reading The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray before your visit. This book tells the remarkable story of Morgan’s librarian, Belle da Costa Greene.

C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries

Bigelow, as it’s known to locals, is a Greenwich Village institution and was essentially the CVS of the 1800s. Stepping inside feels like stepping back in time. For one, you’ll be entering America’s oldest continuously operating drugstore, which opened in 1838.

As you wander through its narrow aisles and beneath the original chandeliers (now electrified), you can almost feel the presence of historical figures like Thomas Edison, who reportedly came here for salves to treat burns he suffered while inventing the lightbulb.

While Bigelow offers plenty of modern health and beauty products, it also carries its own line—some still made with original 19th-century formulations. Their Lemon Body Butter is my personal favorite!

Take the Hudson Line

Let’s end where we started—sort of. As a longtime New Yorker, few things excite and relax me more than taking the Metro-North regional train out of the city and along the Hudson River. And when I say “along the Hudson River,” I mean mile after mile of uninterrupted views, with nothing between the tracks and the water. This gives you stunning scenes of the mighty Hudson, the George Washington Bridge, and the picturesque Palisades cliffs on the New Jersey side of the river.

A train-only round trip from Manhattan to Beacon makes for a surprisingly lovely half-day excursion for about $30. Alternatively, you could make a full day of it and explore one of the charming towns or natural areas along the way, such as Irvington, Cold Spring, or Beacon.

Here’s an important tip if you decide to take this trip: sit on the left side of the train car when leaving Grand Central and on the right side when heading back to the city. While scenic views are visible from either side, the river side of the car offers the best show.

Heading to New York anytime soon? Get in touch with Jordan to book one of his super-thoughtful itineraries, or work with him to customize your own!