New York City has so much to offer, no trip should feel the same as your last. Here are a few places that will get you off the main throughfares and exploring the Five Boroughs to capture a unique New York City feeling.

1.    The Alice Austen House - The Narrows, Staten Island

A trip to the Alice Austen House is a step back in time and away from the grind. The house, aptly named "Clear Comfort," is a meticulously preserved Victorian Gothic cottage. Located just off Buono Beach with a serene view of New York City, it's easy to see why wealthy New Yorkers once flocked here for quiet summers. Alice Austen is a notable figure in LGBTQ history who rejected the social norms of her time and was one of America's first and most prolific female photographers. Her work skillfully captured the lives of New York City's immigrant communities and Victorian women's social activities through a non-traditional lens.

2.    Greenmarket - Union Square, Manhattan

A farmers market in the heart of Manhattan? Yup! The Union Square Greenmarket runs year-round, with hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The market has been around since 1976 and now features almost 140 farmers, fishers, and bakers during peak summer months. New York City and the surrounding regions have one of the best growing seasons in the country so this market does not disappoint. Many of these farms supply some of NYC's world-renowned restaurants. Keep your eyes peeled at the Greenmarket - you may catch a famous chef during a cooking demonstration or an incognito celebrity doing their weekly shopping.

3.    Powerhouse Arts - Gowanus, Brooklyn

Gowanus, a once-neglected neighborhood in Brooklyn, has experienced a remarkable renaissance that has captivated both locals and visitors to NYC. A place once known for its run-down industrial buildings and a toxic, lavender-colored canal (not a good lavender) is home to breweries, restaurants, unique shops, and even a hip shuffleboard club. Powerhouse Arts, in the heart of Gowanus, is a new destination for art enthusiasts and cultural explorers. Previously known as the "Gowanus Bat Cave" due to its mysterious atmosphere and rumored bat inhabitants. Visionary artists and community members recognized its potential. They journeyed to convert this forgotten gem into a haven for creativity that now captures the essence of New York City’s endless reinvention.  The space showcases a diverse range of artwork, exhibitions, and performances, but more importantly, is committed to making art accessible to the entire community and empowering young adult artists through sustaining wage-earning career internships.

4. Rubin Museum of Art - Chelsea, Manhattan

This unique museum is an oasis amidst the frenetic pace of New York City. With a special focus on the art of the Himalayan regions, the Rubin Museum of Art features five floors of galleries featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions of art spanning 1,500 years. The design and exhibits are aesthetically beautiful and evoke a contemplative feeling that is hard to describe. One of the highlights at the Rubin Museum of Art is the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine. This beautifully designed installation captures the feel and atmosphere of a traditional Tibetan place of worship, inviting visitors into a meditative state of mind.

5. New York Botanical Garden – Bronx Park, The Bronx

Located just a quick Metro-North Railroad ride from Midtown Manhattan, the New York Botanical Garden, is a place that will have you genuinely questioning whether or not you are still in NYC. NYBG contains over a million plants in 50 gardens spread across 250 acres and has hosted temporary exhibits featuring famed international artists like Kusama, O'Keeffe, and Chihuly. The centerpiece of the Garden is the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, home to A World of Plants, which highlights the wonders of the NYBG living collections in lush tropical rain forests, cactus-filled deserts, curated displays of palms from around the world, aquatic and carnivorous plants, and much more. Our favorite place at NYBG is the Thain Family Forest, a 50-acre tract of original, never-logged, old-growth New York forest dating back thousands of years. Running through this forest is the Bronx River, becoming a glorious cascade waterfall at one point, providing a serene environment to sit and reflect.  

6. Arthur Avenue – Belmont, The Bronx

You may hear Arthur Ave in the Belmont neighborhood of The Bronx called the “real” Little Italy of NYC. Unlike Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, Arthur Ave. is far less inundated with the many visitors that flock to the City. Arthur Avenue is now home to a diverse population, but the neighborhood maintains an old school Italian American vibe boasting over two dozen Italian merchants, shops, and restaurants that have been in business for 50 to 100 years. over the years. On our most recent visit, we brought a trunk load of fresh pasta, Italian meats, cheeses, and three varieties of fresh bread. And if live music and good beer are your vibes, stop by Bronx Beer Hall in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, one of the premier destinations for New York State and American craft beers in New York City.

7. MoMA PS1 - Long Island City, Queens

Dedicated solely to contemporary art, MoMA PS1 is one of the largest art institutions in the United States.  Although based in Queens, the institute presents contemporary art exhibitions within disused urban spaces. The PS1 acronym means Public School One since the building was originally home to Queens’ first public school. In 1976, founding director Alanna Heiss set out to assemble “the most powerful installation art under one roof,” turning the school’s hallways and rooms into a playground for 78 artists.  Much of that work can still be seen today. There are several evocative long-term installations and constantly changing exhibitions from talented artists across the Globe.

If you love discovering the unexpected, NYC Borough Pass is here to help. Pick up one of our 1, 3, 5, 7, or 90-day passes and see more of what New York City offers.