6 places to check out that are not in your tourist guide
Heading the New York City this Summer? Going to check out the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Central Park and Yankee stadium? Those are all popular destinations, but have you thought about checking out some of the lesser-known haunts. Here are six places that you need to make a stop at, whether you are a tourist or a born and bred New Yorker.
Century 21 (22 Cortland St, c21stores.com)
For those of you who are coming to New York for the epic shopping experience, this needs to be a first stop on your trip. Located in New York’s Financial District, you are guaranteed to find some great deals on your favorite designers. Prices are slashed up to 80 percent, and boast brands such as Manolo Blahnik, Marc Jacobs, and Armani. It is recommended that you get there early (store opens at 7:45am on week days) for the best deal.
Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th St. Brooklyn, brooklynbrewery.com)
One of the oldest and most popular breweries in New York, this is a must-see for anyone who likes fine drinking, or just having a good time. If you swing by on Saturday, tours of Brewery are free. While there, check out their flavor-filled beers that will have your taste buds swimming. Otherwise, stop in for daily happy hour. Whenever you come by, and whatever the occasion, you are guaranteed a great time here!
The Federal Reserve Bank (meeting point: 33 Liberty Street: newyorkfed.org)
Head five stories beneath the City’s surface to the Fed’s gold vaults, learn a little about the “secrets” of the bank, and even pocket some (shredded) money at the end of the tour. You will also get the chance to test your bank knowledge at Fedworks, an interactive, multimedia center. One note about this tour: you need to plan ahead. You need to call at least a week ahead to make reservations, and you need to arrive early as you will be expected to go through lengthy security measures before entering the bank.
John J. Harvey Fireboat (Pier 63 Maritime at W. 23rd St.; fireboat.org)
Got a naval enthusiast in the family? Want to check out New York Harbor? While there, make sure to stop and check out this historic landmark. Putting out flames on the water since 1931, this boat is a pier mainstay. One interesting item to check out while there are the boat’s brass cannons. They shoot at a rate of 18,000 gallons of water per minute. That is a lot of water!
Lombardi’s (32 Spring Street)
This is truly one of the best restaurants to check out while in New York. Opened in 1897, this restaurant had its beginnings as a grocery store. That changed in 1905 when they began serving pizza. Cooked in stone ovens, this pizza is some of the best you will ever taste. Oh, and one other little tidbit worth mentioning about Lombardi’s? They hold the exclusive bragging rights for being the first pizzeria in America. Pretty neat, huh?
City Hall Park (1 Center Street, New York, NY)
This is a fantastic place to relax for a bit after a hectic day of tourism and travel. Surrounded by the Tweed and Woolworth buildings among others, this is a destination that is often overlooked by many visitors to the City. It has a wonderful array of benches to sit down in and enjoy a little “people watching” if that interests you. It also has a fantastic bike path worth trying out!
It’s hard to cram all the sites of New York City worth checking out into one article. In the end, the decisions will be yours as to where to go. However, remember that there are some fantastic gems off of the beaten path! Enjoy!
Sarah Sinclair is loves kayaking, writing poetry, and just got a great deal on travel insurance at travelinsurance.org