Quirky Places to Visit in New York

Back to blog There are lots of great places to visit in New York, like the Empire State Building, Broadway, Central Park and The Met. But if you’re a seasoned traveller, a local New Yorker or an adventurous tourist you might be on the look out for places to visit that are unusual or quirky. These are the places that have something different to offer from the normal tourist destination. There are lots of fun and quirky things to do in NYC, so many in fact that it was hard to select just 10 for this list. We’ve tried to include a bit of everything here, museums, outdoor spaces and places to eat. So hopefully there should be something for everyone. The best way to get around New York is by taking the subway. That’s why we’ve included notes about the nearest subway stations and selected locations that are all walking distance from the subway. If you’re a first-time rider on the subway or a local looking for service information, check out the New York Subway app for journey planning and live information.

The Top 10 Quirkiest Places to Visit in New York

1. The High Line

We had to start off with this Mapway favourite and it comes with a recommendation from our HR manager! The High Line is a section of elevated railway that has been revitalised and turned into a place where you can find greenery, great views and even food carts. There are always events happening on the High Line so make sure you check their calendar before going. Nearest subway stations: 34 St Hudson Yards (Northern end) and 14 St/ 8 av (Southern end)

A photo posted by Friends of the High Line (@highlinenyc) on Mar 15, 2016 at 9:36am PDT

 

2. The Ghostbusters Firehouse

We’re huge nerds here at Mapway so there’s no way we could pass up the opportunity to add this to the list. The Ghostbusters Firehouse is as iconic as the Ghosbusters car, the Ecto-1. It’s a fully functional fire station so you won’t be able to go inside but there are plenty of photo opportunities on the outside, including some Ghostbusters street art. Nearest subway stations: Franklin St/ Varick St and Canal St/ 6 Av

3. Primrose Café

If you’re in NYC, at some point it’s required to have a coffee. There are so many options in a city like New York but Primrose Café is such a beautiful place to sit and relax with a hot drink. The outside looks like an ordinary apartment so be sure to look out for the sign or you might just miss it. Nearest subway stations: Clinton-Washington Avs/ Lafayette Av and Clinton-Washington Avs/ Fulton St

4. City Reliquary Museum

Out of all the places to visit in New York, this will be one of the most memorable. Within the strange little shopfront is a bounty of New York artefacts. The City Reliquary Museum houses a permanent collection as well as a rotating exhibit. Inside you’ll find souvenirs from the World’s Fair, chunks of the New York Subway and shrines to baseball players. The museum blog is a fascinating read and a good taste of what can be seen, of course nothing beats seeing it in person! Nearest subway stations: Metropolitan Av and Bedford Av/ North 7 St

5. City Hall Station

We make the New York Subway app so it was inevitable something from the subway would be on this list of places to visit in New York. City Hall Station was built using beautiful architectural design and featured tile motifs, skylights and glass chandeliers. If you want to know how to get to this New York Subway station, you won’t be able to reach it on foot. Sadly, the station is closed to the public but you can see it from a subway car (see below for a quick guide on where to go). There are several tours for City Hall Station but you need to be a full-time member of the New York Transit Museum before you can purchase a tour ticket. If you’re interested in taking a tour you will need to check the MTA programs page. There are only about 16 tours a year and tickets sell out quickly so you’ll have to be quick. How to get there: Get on the 6 train at Canal St, pass through Brooklyn Bridge/ City Hall and stay on as it turns around to go North again.

City Hall subway station, NYC #cityhallstation #cityhallstationny #nyc #ny #subway #americanlife A photo posted by Guzzirider (@motobox33) on Jun 10, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT

 

6. Hess’ Triangle

A strange entry on the list that we just had to mention. This bizarre little triangle is technically the smallest privately owned piece of land in the city. The history behind it is fascinating, but the short version is that a dispute over property between David Hess and the city government ended with his refusal to hand over the last bit of land that belonged to him. If you need to know how to get to it, the triangle can be found outside a cigar shop, close to the subway station. Nearest subway station: Christopher St-Sheridan Sq/ 7 Av South

7. MoMath Museum of Mathematics

Don’t let the mention of math put you off! The MoMath museum aims to show how fascinating mathematics can be when put into action. The whole museum feels like a giant playground featuring light shows, bicycles with square wheels and bizarre sculptures. If you’re after something a bit different from the normal history and art museums, this is definitely worth your time. Nearest subway stations: 23 St/ Broadway, 23 St/ Park Av S and 28 St/ Park Av S

8. Washington Square Park

After a few hours at the museum you will probably be in the mood to get some fresh air. Forget Central Park and the other parks around New York because Washington Square Park has its own charm. There are multiple play areas and dog runs. There’s a large fountain and at the Northern end is the Washington Square Arch, perfect places to take some photos. But if that’s not quirky enough for you, why not play chess on one of the built-in chessboards? The corner of the park marks the start of the Manhattan “Chess District”. Don’t have chess pieces? Don’t worry because there are several chess shops nearby. Nearest subway stations: W 4 St-Washington Sq and 8 St-NYU/ Broadway (Hint: When using New York Subway you can search “Washington Sq”.)

A photo posted by Brooklyn Gin (@brooklyngin) on Jun 15, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT

 

9. Whispering Gallery: Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is an impressive place to be and somewhere you might find yourself if you’ve got a train to catch. But if you have some time to spare then there’s something you’ll want to do. If you head to the domed intersection on the lower floor, you can test out a really cool trick. You’ll need a friend to try this one out. Stand in opposite corners with your ears close to the tiles and talk. Thanks to the unusual acoustics you will be able to hear each other over the crowds, even if you whisper. Subway station: Grand Central-42 St/ Lexington Av (If you’re still not sure how to get to the right spot, look for the Oyster Bar restaurant that’s nearby.)

10. Camaje Bistro’s Dinner in the Dark

After a day of getting around New York to see its quirkiest offerings, you’ll want to grab some grub. How does eating blindfolded sound? It’s a strange idea but one that creates a unique dining experience. Camaje Bistro offers special Dinner in the Dark events where the customers wear blindfolds throughout the evening and the menu is kept secret until the end. Without sight, diners can focus more on the smell, texture and taste of the food. The Dinner in the Dark events take place 4-5 times a month so you’ll need to check the dates on their website before visiting. Nearest subway stations: W 4 St-Washington Sq and Houston St/ Varick St Have your own favourite quirky place to go in New York? We love to hear suggestions on Facebook and Twitter! If you need to know how to get around New York, the New York subway app helps to plan journeys and will show you the quickest and easiest routes to your destination. It’s available on Android and iOS.   Image credits: “FDNY Hook & Ladder 8” by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr. Primrose Café photo taken from the official website. City Reliquary photo taken from the official website. “Property of the Hess Estate” by Jason Eppink on Flickr. MoMath photo taken from the official website. Dinner in the Dark photo taken from the official website. Back to blog