New York is a city that is packed full of everything a tourist could ever want or need — from the world’s most prominent museums, celebrity chef restaurants, indie brand shopping to amusing oddities here and there. While the hustle and bustle of the “city that never sleeps” is exceptionally invigorating and the historical significance of the storied city is undeniably captivating, one may wish to see New York from a more authentic point of view.
Therein lies the allure of the less frequented and somewhat “hidden” spots scattered throughout the city, beaming with historical gems, interactive experiences and kitschy spots waiting to be explored. The magic of New York City is boundless, from the interactive spy-themed experience of SPYSCAPE, architectural marvel of the Whispering Gallery to America’s oldest Apothecary. Get to know the city beyond the blinding lights of Times Square and Broadway, with the unique charm one can only experience in New York. LUXUO has gathered a list of unique experiences and historical gems to visit in New York City for the ultimate “Big Apple” experience.
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SPYSCAPE
SPYSCAPE is the ideal activity for those who enjoy a truly interactive experience and for those travelling with children or teenagers. This museum is not what one would expect with ancient relics or centuries-old artwork, it is a spy-themed museum which is entirely interactive. Upon arrival, visitors will embark on a mysterious journey along seven gallery zones, with each gallery testing one’s skills on problem-solving, physical and mental prowess as well as personality types.
The immersive world of secrets features challenges created by M16 trainers including lie detection, code breaking, laser dodging and surveillance, to name a few. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see rare and original spy-themed historical objects throughout the experience, including the the infamous German Enigma machine, and iconic gadgets from fiction like James Bond’s DB5. At the end of the fun-filled experience, visitors take home a spy persona and a 40-page profile developed by M16 psychologists on one’s unique attributes and skills. SPYSCAPE is located conveniently in midtown Manhattan, right off Central Park.
Tannen’s Magic Store
Delve into the whimsical side of the bustling city and experience the true magic of America’s oldest operating magic shop, Tannen’s Magic Shop. The store was established in 1925 and still maintains many quirky features of the past, like the “Secret Back Room” and a massive elephant prop. For magic enthusiasts, Tannen’s Magic Shop is the place to be, with rows of Louis Tannen’s famous Mystery Boxes that feature an assortment of mystery magical items, magician straitjackets and tight-knit community of like-minded magicians that gather at the unassuming location. It is also known to be frequented by iconic names, including the likes of David Blaine, David Copperfield and even legendary boxer Mohammad Ali. The store also offers weekly late night magic shows, the ideal activity if one is looking to experience a more interactive and magical night out.
Artechhouse NYC
New York is known for being home to some of the world’s most iconic museums such as The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the American Natural History Museum. While these museums are truly spectacular, why not experience art, science and technology all at the same time? Artechhouse NYC combines all three, in a whirlwind of experimental art that allows a visitor to truly immerse themselves in the beauty of art.
Artechhouse is dedicated to pushing the innovation of experimental art with state-of-the-art technology, advanced design tools and unique architectural spaces where technology-driven creatives can showcase their works. This year in celebration of their five-year anniversary, Artechhouse is bringing back five of their most memorable exhibitions: Geometric Properties created with Julius Horsthuis, the introspective TRUST created with fuse*, the Life of a Neuron in collaboration with the Society for Neuroscience, the celestial Beyond the Light in collaboration with NASA and the powerful Ase: Afro Frequencies in collaboration with Vince Fraser and Ursula Rucker. These exhibitions pay homage to the “essence of human existence and the boundless potential of creativity”.
The Mysterious Bookshop
The Mysterious Bookshop is a great destination for all bookworms visiting the city. Hailing as the oldest and biggest mystery specialist book store in America, this place is a one-stop-shop for book collectors. Opened in 1979 by Otto Penzler and as the name suggests, this bookstore stocks every mystery book one can imagine, with a plethora of crime fiction, thriller and espionage books. Their offerings include limited edition hardcovers, paperbacks and periodicals as well as signed or first-edition copies from world-renowned authors like Michael Connelly, James Ellroy, and Lee Child. Located in Tribeca, the Mysterious Bookstore is a peaceful oasis away from the loud hustle and bustle of the city.
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Lexington Candy Shop
The Lexington Candy Shop is well-known to be a neighbourhood favourite for New Yorkers and holds the title for the oldest family-owned Luncheonette in the city. The treaured gem was opened in 1925 and maintains the old-fashioned charm, with the original coffee urns, malted milkshakes and traditional New York egg creams with a 1940 Hamilton Beach mixer. The shop is now run by John Phillis, the grandson of the original owner and still serves the same menu from its early days, consisting of well-loved diner classics like tuna melts, pancakes and sodas made with real syrups like the old days. The Lexington Candy Shop is located in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side and a perfect spot for a casual meal with a charming atmosphere.
Nonnas of the World
The thought of “grandma’s cooking” in most, provokes feelings of warmth and comfort, typically associated with hearty meals or well-loved family recipes. Enoteca Maria in Staten Island, New York has truly transformed the concept of grandma’s cooking with “Nonnas of the World”, meaning grandmas of the world. The wholesome project was inspired by owner Joe Scarvella’s love for home cooking, with a team of Italian grandmas cooking and serving food when the restaurant first opened in the early 2000s. In 2015, Scarvella invited a Pakistani grandma to cook for a night, and since then “Nonnas of the World” was born. The project ensued the help of grandmas all around the world, with a different “Nonna” cooking each week. Hence, cuisines and “Nonnas” change each week to provide a diverse ever-changing menu of warm home-cooked dishes to visitors and cross-cultural recipe sharing.
Conwell Coffee Hall
The newly-opened Conwell Coffee Hall has quickly moved up the New York City list of must-visit places due to the historical nature of the location and the excellent coffee. The cafe is the best of both worlds — mixing old and new — the art deco-themed caffeine hub is both a historical landmark and a new “it” cafe to visit. Nestled in between the skyscrapers of of New York’s famous Wall Street area, is Conwell Coffee Hall, with the original silver art deco embellishments and mural from the historical landmark of Conwell Towers, once occupied by the Life and Trust Bank.
The project was inspired by CEO J.G. Conwell, coffee merchant Wright Gillies and psychopharmacology pioneer Emil Kraepelin, a trio who had made a “scientific discovery” in the banking hall. They had discovered that caffeine paired well with Conwell’s Cough Syrup, stating that the two substances perfectly balanced each other out, Gillies and Conwell had then concocted the perfect coffee blend in 1924 and named it “The Skyscraper”. Hence, the Conwell Foundation now honors J.G. Conwell with Conwell Coffee Hall and the “Skyscraper” blend inside the iconic Life and Trust Bank building.
C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries
C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries is among New York’s most historical stores — operating as America’s oldest Apothecary — dispensing their own range of medicines, salves, balms, perfumes and remedies since 1838. As stated by C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries themselves, they aim to “transport customers back in time and a place of personalised attention, customised formulas and healing, therapeutic preparations.” Nestled in New York’s Greenwich Village, the almost 200-year-old store has been said to be visited by some of history’s most influential figures, including the famous Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt and Mark Twain. Legend has it that the inventor of the light bulb, Thomas Edison soothed his burnt fingers with a Bigelow’s balm while testing an early prototype of his light bulb. Despite the rapid growth of indie Apothecaries, beauty chains and mass retail stores, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries is still going strong. With the impressive clientle and historical significance, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries is definitely worth a visit.
Governors Island
Governors Island is situated off the south of Manhattan Island in the Upper New York Bay and possesses a past just as storied as the city itself. The land was previously reserved for colonial residence in the 1690s, and later served as a military installation in the 1790s. After being off-limits for 200 years, Governors Island opened to the public in 2005, and is now New York’s most popular seasonal getaway. The island was created as a hub for sustainability, being home to urban farming projects, zero-waste efforts and marine restoration initiatives, with future plans to establish a Climate Solutions Centre.
Just a seven-minute ferry ride away, despite being in such close proximity to the skyscraper-filled city, Governors Island could not be more different. The 172-acre island boasts sprawling meadows, bike trails, picnic spots and is totally free of cars and other motorised vehicles. Enjoy the stunning city landscape of Manhattan in the comfort of lush greenery and fresh air at Governors Island.
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Grand Central Terminal’s Whispering Gallery
While the majority of New York visitors have heard of the famous Grand Central Station, few tourists may have heard of the “Whispering Gallery”. Tucked away in the lower floor amongst well-frequented dining spots, between the Vanderbilt Hall and the Main Consourse is the Whispering Gallery archway. At first glance, the unique charm of the space is not visibly clear. The genius architectural design of the vaulted chamber creates an acoustic trick called the “telegraphing effect”, which allows two people standing on opposite ends, approximately 30 metres apart, to communicate as if they were standing right next to each other. In addition to the magical marvel of the acoustics, the gallery is also known for the captivating appearance. The Whispering Gallery’s intricate tile work was called “Gustavino”, after the Spanish tile worker Rafael Guastavino — who designed the sweeping archways in 1913.
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