13 Underrated Spots in NYC You Need to Visit At Least Once

Explore NYC

You can spend your whole life in the Big Apple and still not experience everything the greatest city in the world has to offer. Here are 13 you might not have checked out yet. And if you have, they’re always worth another visit.

When Music and History Collide

Back in 1957, Village Vanguard became a jazz mecca. Over 100 live albums have been recorded here, from legends like Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk.

Just fifteen steps down, and you’re in a cozy, underground world of acoustics. And that red door? It’s been a symbol of this spot’s place in jazz culture.

New York’s Garden and Waterfall

The Botanical Garden in the Bronx has existed since the Europeans showed up. You’ve got 50 species of native plants here, some endangered.

There’s an old-growth forest spanning 50 acres, and the oldest tree? A 275-year-old red oak. The Garden’s also got a beautiful 230-foot-long water feature, with ponds cascading down.

The Catacombs by Candlelight Tour

The Catacombs by Candlelight Tour takes you below St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on a 90-minute walk.

The whole space is super mysterious with candles and underground passages. You’ll even get to see the same catacombs from that creepy baptism scene in The Godfather.

Hidden Jazz Bars in Harlem

Take a walk behind Apollo Theater. They’ve got secret jazz bars that still uphold Harlem’s legendary music legacy. The place is renowned for hosting iconic stars, including Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, and the Jackson 5.

The F.R.I.E.N.D.S Experience

It’s the TV show experience of all generations. You can’t miss iconic sets like Monica’s living room Joey and Chandler’s apartment. Grab a coffee at the Central Perk replica.

The whole thing kicks off with that famous fountain from the opening credits. And then there’s Village Cigars, the iconic store in Greenwich, that made a brief appearance in the series.

High Line’s Scavenger Hunt

High Line’s an old rail line turned park that’s packed with plants, cool art, and killer views of the Hudson River. Join the scavenger hunt and team up with your friends.

With every clue you solve, you’ll hit iconic spots like the Chelsea Market’s sky bridge (yep, where Oreo was born) and that place where Hamilton got shot.

A Wild Walk in the Bronx

The Bronx Zoo has an elevated path called the Wild Walk that lets you get up close to nature. You’ll cross wavy bridges, crawl through tunnels, and hang out in the treetops. There’s even a human-sized bird nest inside. It’s animal kingdom with a view.

The Oldest Bar in NYC

McSorley has been around since 1854. Heavy wooden doors, the faint scent of beer mingling with sawdust, and old wishbones hanging from a gas lamp. Word has it that McSorley’s was one of the few bars to serve women back in the Prohibition days.

A Hidden Speakeasy in Brooklyn

Clover Club feels like stepping into the 1800s. They’ve got old-school booze and bartenders with a lot of flair. It used to be a candy shop back in the day. There’s vintage decor, dim lighting, and a cool mahogany bar to enjoy their signature cocktails.

Chinatown’s Hidden Dumplings

The Dumpling House is where you go if you love spice and hot meats. Their dumplings are the real deal in New York. The kinds that’s made by hand through varying seasons. Though Chinatown has an evolving food scene, these guys have kept to their roots.

The East Village’s Polish Diner

Veselka reflects the Ukrainian immigrant history in New York. It’s one of the last of its kind and a popular late-night spot.

You’re greeted by bright blue and yellow walls, the aroma of freshly cooked pierogis in the air, and a cheerful sign that reads “Make Borscht, Not War.”

Brooklyn’s Oldest Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery is not your typical graveyard. It’s where you’ll find legends like Leonard Bernstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat resting.

Back in 1838, it was one of the first rural cemeteries in the U.S. Over 600,000 graves are spread across rolling hills and glacial ponds and you’ll spot mausoleums and monuments too.