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 New York has many unknown public art galleries, peaceful oases away from the crowds, architectural treasures and more. (Shutterstock) |
NEW YORK CITY -- The Big Apple is filled with hidden urban treasures that often don't make it into traditional travel guides. Unknown public art galleries, peaceful oases away from the crowds, architectural treasures and more. Check out our guide to the city's free hidden treasures:
1. The Whispering Gallery. This is one of Grand Central Station's (42nd and Park Ave.) best kept secrets and also one of the most romantic. A large vault in front of the Oyster Bar possesses mysterious acoustic properties. Be careful what you say inside as it is possible to hear people whispering while you are on the opposite end of the tunnel. This could be an ideal spot for an original marriage proposal.
2. Looking for a breathtaking view of Manhattan and Central Park? The terrace on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum cannot be missed. Until Oct. 25, going up to the roof will also allow you to admire the work of Roxy Paine. The seven-tonne work of art resembles a silver branch that has crashed through the roof. Few people know this, but admission to the museum is a suggested donation, so, pay what you can at the door.
3. The large mural at Houston and Bowery on the Lower East Side is an urban artistic jewel that cannot be missed. For 25 years, the wall was covered by the illegal art of Keith Haring and was just re-done -- at the city's request -- by Os Gemeos (twin Brazilian graffiti artists Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo). Surprising for a city that has decided to ban graffiti. The mural was inspired by the dreams of the artists and will be on display until next March. It has already become a favourite of photographers.
4. The Conservatory Garden is an isolated garden in the middle of Central Park. With its roses, fountain and lush green lawn, you might think you were in England. You can get to this oasis via 5th Ave. and 105th St. in the Upper East Side. To get there, you must pass through the Vanderbilt Gate, which served as the entrance to the famous family's home in the 1930s. Another perfect proposal spot.
5. It's probably one of the most unusual things to see in Manhattan and perfectly illustrates the ostentatious side of the Upper East Side, where women don't leave the house without their white gloves. Financier and art collector Richard Perry has installed a giant green diamond on the terrace of his penthouse at 1 Sutton Place. The sculpture, done by Jeff Koons, is worth $2.3 million. Not everyone loves it though; neighbours across the street have complained about being blinded by sunlight passing through the diamond. Tough life.
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6. The Berlin Wall in New York? It's a well-kept secret but one can indeed check out five intact panels of the Berlin Wall in Midtown. Located in the indoor courtyard of the chic office building at 520 Madison Ave. at 54th St., they are accessible to the general public. The many business people who eat their lunch in front of these pieces of history seem oblivious to their origin. The building's owners bought the pieces in 1990 and had them transported, at a hefty cost, to New York. The West-facing side is covered in graffiti by German artists Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny. The other side is clean, a reminder of East Germany's former communist regime.
7. Palazzo Chupi is reminiscent of the Grand Canal in Venice, transplanted into the Manhattan sky. In 2007, eccentric artist and director Julian Schnabel decided to build a pink, eight-storey "castle" on the roof of a factory in the West Village (360 West 11th St.). In contrast to its surroundings, the 50,000 sq. ft. palace looks like an elaborate cake. It holds five apartments, a giant pool, 180 windows, Moroccan-style balconies and the city's largest terraces. Schnabel lives there. Richard Gere bought one for $12 million. Bono, Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman and Madonna are said to have their eyes on the others. Check out the video palazzochupi.com.
8. Built on an old suspended railway line that runs along the city's south-west, High Line Park is a free attraction not to be missed. The line was abandoned after transport trucks replaced railway freight cars in the 1950s. Rudy Guiliani had wanted it demolished but West Village residents banded together to save it and, 10 years after the project began, the park finally opened last June.
Celebrities -- including Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton and Martha Stewart -- helped fund the project. You can reach the park via Gansevoort St. in the Meatpacking District. When two additional phases open next year it will be 3 km long. From the top you get a different perspective of the city as you look past buildings to the Hudson River.
IF YOU GO TO NEW YORK CITY
For more on travel to the Big Apple, contact nycgo.com.