Unique Things to Do in New York: 7 Hidden Gems

If you’ve done all the top tourist attractions and are now looking for unique things to do in New York City, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some of NYC’s hidden gems that are very cool, and, most likely, you won’t have heard of them before!

Of course, everyone knows about the iconic Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Central Park already, but New York still has some secrets. We were lucky enough to call Manhattan our home for two years, so we’ve discovered great places off the beaten path in NYC that tourists do not usually visit. In this guide, you’ll discover some non-touristy things to do in New York that are definitely worth visiting. Read on for more!

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Get Off the Beaten Path in NYC: Unique Things to Do in New York

Below are some of the must-visit hidden gems in New York that you’ll definitely want to add to your NYC itinerary!

1. Governors Island: The Best Hidden Gem in NYC

I’m going to be bold and say that Governors Island is New York’s best-kept secret. I can’t believe it isn’t more popular! It was our favourite day out when we lived in NYC, and since it’s just an 8-minute ferry ride from Downtown Manhattan, it’s not that far off the beaten path!

Governors Island is an island just south of Manhattan. There is so much to do there, and it is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, as no cars are allowed on the island. You’ll see epic views of the Manhattan Skyline, relax in a free hammock, or maybe check out the spa.

Governors Island is also a perfect, unique thing to do in NYC with kids. It’s home to New York’s longest slide as well as a cute playground. The Urban Farm was my son’s happy place (we lived in NYC when he was two to four years old). It’s a great allotment space where kids can dig and water plants. They usually also have a craft or activity running.

Whether you’re visiting with a friend, as a couple or as a family. Governors Island is a place to visit!

OUR FULL GUIDE TO GOVERNORS ISLAND

2. Roosevelt Island Tramway Cable Car: A Unique Activity in NYC

A cable car in Manhattan? Who knew?! I didnt know about this either before we moved to the Upper East Side. If you’re looking for a quirky thing to do in NYC, this is the one for you!

To make it even better, riding the cable car is a very affordable activity. It costs the same as a subway trip (currently just $2.90 each way) and takes you from the East Side of Manhattan (59th Street and Second Avenue) to Roosevelt Island.

This is another location where you’ll be treated to great views of the Manhattan Skyline. You’ll probably only need half a day on Roosevelt Island. There’s not a lot to do there, but it’s a nice place for a stroll. In spring, it has the most beautiful blossom trees.

3. The Met Cloisters – A Secret Spot in Manhattan

You will have heard of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but did you know they have another site called The Met Cloisters? This one is more off the beaten track as it is located in North Manhattan. Most tourists dont venture this far North, but do; it will be worth it! You’ll feel like you’re in Italy. This is a truly beautiful location and a very unique thing to do in New York City.

The Cloisters are not easily accessible for pushchairs. It’s an old building with a lot of steps. Luckily, we had taken our favourite travel pushchair (the Joolz Aer+) so we could easily fold it and carry it up. I don’t think our UppaBaby Vista would have fit around the staircase’s corners!

READ OUR FULL GUIDE TO THE MET CLOISTERS HERE.

4. The NYC Ferry – A Non-Touristy Thing to Do in New York

Everyone will tell you that the Staten Island Ferry is a must-do when visiting New York, but no one ever mentions the NYC Ferry. That’s because it’s not aimed at tourists; it’s full of New Yorkers.

While the NYC Ferry isn’t free like the Staten Island Ferry, it’s the nicest way to get around, especially if you have kids. It’s spacious for pushchairs (strollers) and when it’s warm, you can sit on the top deck for the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

A one-way ticket is just $4, and you can use it to transfer boats for 120 minutes after its first use. Or you can buy a book of 10 for $27.50. Kids under 44 inches tall travel for free.

I mentioned taking the ferry to Governors Island earlier in this post, so you can tick off two of these unique things to do in New York at once! Some other great places to consider visiting on the ferry include Long Island City, Dumbo or even Rockaway if you fancy a day at the beach!

SEE THE NYC FERRY ROUTE HERE

5. The North Woods: A Hidden Gem in Central Park

Central Park was our happy place during our time in Manhattan. While Central Park itself is not a hidden gem, there is so much to explore there! One area that often doesn’t get mentioned is the North Woods, and it is a real hidden gem.

If you venture far enough North from the main tourist areas, you’ll discover forests, waterfalls and wild chipmunks. This is a lovely place for families to explore. Another great area of Central Park you might not have heard of is The Ramble. This is similar and not quite so far off the beaten path.

READ MORE IN OUR FULL GUIDE TO CENTRAL PARK

6. Walk the Manhattan Bridge: A Unique Thing to Do in NYC

Again, everyone will tell you to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, but has anyone ever told you, you can actually walk the Manhattan Bridge as well?

This is a great option if you’re looking for non-touristy things to do in New York. The views from this bridge include the Brooklyn Bridge; if you’re a city lover like me, they’re stunning.

Kid Tip: My son preferred the Manhattan Bridge as subway cars run through the middle of it, so you can see them quite close up. We all guessed how many would go past during our walk and then counted them. Of course, he won!

7. Pier 57 – A Secret Viewpoint in NYC

Finally, Pier 57 is so underrated, and I don’t know why this is still one of the hidden gems in New York City. You can see from the photo below just how few people were visiting here. A lot of people know about Chelsea Market, which is also a cool place to visit, but Pier 57 is just around the corner, and I think it’s better.

On the entry-level floor is a food market with lots of delicious options. Take the elevator up to the secret roof terrace. Here you can see breathtaking views of Downtown Manhattan for free!

Stay Connected in New York With Holafly

Having reliable data makes exploring New York so much easier, particularly when you’re off the beaten path, using Google Maps, checking opening times, or keeping in touch while you’re out and about.

For our international trips, an eSIM is one of the easiest ways to stay connected without relying on expensive roaming or searching for Wi-Fi. Holafly offers unlimited-data eSIMs for New York, so you can use your phone throughout your trip without worrying about running out of data.

One feature I particularly like is Always On, which gives you 1GB of backup data every 30 days at no extra cost. It can be useful for those moments when you need to quickly check a map, confirm a booking or get in touch with someone after your main plan has ended.

If you’re a frequent traveller, Holafly Plans are another option, with monthly plans offering unlimited data and coverage across 160+ destinations.

Find out more about Holafly and its New York eSIMs here.

Final Thoughts on Unique Things to do in NYC

New York City has no shortage of famous attractions, but sometimes the most memorable experiences are the ones that take you a little off the beaten path. From exploring Governors Island and the peaceful paths of The Cloisters to riding the Roosevelt Island Tram and discovering the Manhattan Bridge, there are plenty of hidden gems in NYC to add to your itinerary.

Whether it’s your first visit to New York or you’ve already seen the major sights, I hope this guide has given you a few ideas for unique things to do in New York City that you might not have considered.

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Thank you so much for reading our post on hidden gems and unique things to do in New York City. I hope we’ve inspired you to head off the beaten path and check some of them out!

Happy Exploring,