Cruises to New York are a great way to see some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Whether embarking on North America or a transatlantic cruises calling in America’s most famous port, there are certain sights everyone has to see. Top of the list is the Statue of Liberty, which is hard to miss upon arrival to the city by ship. Elsewhere, the imposing Chrysler Building and Empire State Building are also favourites amongst the millions of tourists who pass through the city each year. These majestic, towering structures and skyscrapers can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, creating the New York City’s world-famous skyline. Although many people identify with New York through images of this impressive outline of the concrete jungle, the city has so much more to offer. That is why we have picked out some of the best New York attractions that can’t be seen in the skyline of the city, to give you a better insight into the wide range of fascinating and quirky attractions that may not be as popular or famous, but are certainly just as intriguing.
The Panorama of the City of New York
Located within New York’s Queens Museum, the Panorama of the City of New York is an incredibly
detailed miniature model of New York City, encompassing 5 boroughs and an impressive total of 895,000 individual buildings. The model was commissioned by Robert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair, held in New York that year, and took 100 professional model makers 3 years to complete. The model was one of the fair’s most popular exhibits and is now on permanent display at the Queens Museum, which is situated in the middle of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island is a lesser known and often underappreciated part of New York, home to an array of attractions, perfect for families and couples to enjoy. Just a tram ride away from Manhattan, the island has over 200 years of fascinating history and a number of interesting local landmarks, including the 19th century Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the Smallpox Hospital from 1856 and a 50 foot lighthouse. Other notable structures are a 16th century farmhouse named Blackwell House and Strecker Laboratory, built in 1892 as an addition to the Smallpox Hospital. The island also contains a series of parks and recreational areas where walking and fishing are very popular.
Superhero Supply Store
One of New York’s quirkier attractions, the Superhero Supply Store is located in Brooklyn, selling a wide range of essential superhero tools and attire, including capes, utility belts, grappling hooks and secret identity kits. The store even has its own wind tunnel so customers can test out their capes before they purchase them. The shop is full of witty, tongue-in-cheek signs and posters, guaranteed to brighten up the day of any superhero fan. Also, all profits from the shop go to fund the 826NYC project, found in a ‘secret lair’ behind the store, a non-profit organisation set up to help young people develop their creative writing and storytelling skills.
Whispering Gallery
The Whispering Gallery in New York’s Grand Central Station is one of the city’s most unique and
unheard of attractions. Found in a random and unmarked archway (in front of the Oyster Bar & Restaurant), this section of the station has incredible and magical acoustic properties. A strange phenomenon, due to the design of the archways, means that when two people stand at the diagonal arches and whisper softly, there voice will project to the other person, making them completely audible. This odd occurrence is definitely one of New York’s lesser known but most intriguing features.
Strand Bookstore
Lovers of literature will be in awe of New York’s tremendous Strand Bookstore, whose company slogan claims that they have 18 miles of books for sale. Founded in 1927 by Benjamin Bass, the Strand is a favourite amongst New York book enthusiasts due to the vast amount of literature available here. The store has also gained fame through popular culture, featuring in films such as Julie & Julia and Remember Me. Although the Strand’s main location is on Fourth Street, smaller book-selling kiosks associated with the store can be also be found in Central Park and East 60th Street when the weather permits.
Image Credits : Fcb981 – wikipedia.org
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