New York City's Best Kept Secrets — Start at the Top

Most visitors arrive in New York with a list of the best things to do in NYC, from The Statue of Liberty to Times Square and Central Park.  But the real hidden gems in New York City tend to live just off the list, and the best way to discover them is to start at the top. 

See the City, Then Go Beyond It

Use the Observation Deck as Your Compass

From the iconic Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd Floor Observation Decks, you can see all of Central Park’s greenery, spot the bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens, and get a genuine sense of how the city is laid out.

New York can feel overwhelming at street level, but from above, it becomes navigable. Use your time on the 86th Floor Observation Deck to get your bearings, pick out the neighborhoods you want to explore, and plan your next move. If you really want to take it up a notch, add a ticket to the 102nd Floor Observation Deck for even more sweeping views of up to six states. 

Is the Empire State Building Worth It?

Absolutely — and then some. Beyond the iconic views, the Observation Deck is a genuine introduction to NYC history and legacy. For first-time NYC visitors especially, there is no better place to begin. Learn more about the Empire State Building Observation Deck!

The Neighborhoods Most Tourists Never Find

Midtown is magnificent, but New York's real personality lives in its neighborhoods. Once you have soaked in the view, consider an adventure to some of the city's most overlooked corners. 

• Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a walkable, creative neighborhood packed with independent coffee shops, vintage boutiques, and some of the best brunch spots in the city.
• Astoria, Queens is a food lover's dream. Greek tavernas, Middle Eastern bakeries, and incredible diversity all within a short subway ride from Midtown.
• Inwood, at Manhattan's northern tip, is peaceful, historic, and almost entirely tourist-free. It's home to one of the city’s most beautiful (but often overlooked!) museum extensions, the Met Cloisters. 

Hidden Green Spaces Worth the Detour

Beyond Central Park - The Best Things to Do in NYC That Nobody Talks About

Central Park is iconic for good reason, but New York's lesser-known green spaces deliver just as well, and with less crowds.

• Fort Tryon Park and the Heather Garden in Upper Manhattan are the city's largest public perennial gardens with sweeping Hudson River views.  
• Riverside Park, that runs along the Upper West Side waterfront, is a favorite among locals for its calm, tree-lined paths.  
• If you are willing to venture to the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is a world-class destination that most tourists overlook. 

Food Experiences That Go Beyond Midtown

Eat Where New Yorkers Eat - Some of NYC's Best Kept Secrets

You can’t throw a stone without hitting a restaurant in NYC, so the choices can be overwhelming. You will not find any locals at dinner in Times Square, so here are some of the hidden alternatives: 

• Open on Saturdays, Smorgasburg in Brooklyn is an open-air food market that brings together dozens of local vendors in one riverside park.  
• Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is the most authentic Little Italy, where portions are generous and the mozzarella has never been fresher.  
• Essex Market on the Lower East Side is a reimagined historic market that is perfect for an afternoon graze. 
   

Your NYC Travel Guide Starts Here

Plan Your Visit and Make the Most of Every Moment

Whether this is your first time in New York or your fifth, the best things to do in NYC always start with an understanding of the city, and there is no better vantage point than the Empire State Building Observation Deck. This is your NYC travel guide in a single view.