NYC hidden gems?

[Imzadi]

Most of the recommended places are pretty much all day trips.

My little gems are if you are already in certain areas.

If you are down at the Highline, head over to Chelsea Market at 14th St & 9th Ave. It's a gourmet foodie's dream. Make sure you stop at Big Mozz for some of the best mozzarella sticks you will ever have. Most sticks I've had at other places have been pre-frozen (you can tell, ) and the emphasis was on the mozzarella, and they are rather small. THESE mozzarella sticks are HUGE, made with the finest, fresh mozzarella and have a seasoned breadcrumb coating and marinara dipping sauce that are to die for.

They are actually larger than they look in this photo. The sticks are about 6-inches long and 1-inch around.

Here is a quick Instagram vid of how lusciously stringing they can be:
https://scontent-lga3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t50.2886-16/246233492_416480226750395_6952317914985364436_n.mp4. . .

Also be on the lookout for Big Mozz food booths or food trucks at major events. They can be found at concerts, Yankee stadium, Bryant Park, Madison Sqare Garden. That's how I first found out about them, at a couple concerts.

 

[Imzadi]

However, we loved a little pie shop not far from the tenement museum,

Another hidden gem is a bakery simply called The Little Pie Company on W 43rd St, west of 9th Ave. They have the most spectacular sour cream, apple, walnut pie in the world. It was one of my favorite places for years, way before Oprah discovered it and named their pies as one of her "Favorite Things" one year.

Her publicity helped them to expand to other bakery locations around the city and mail order. Until then, with only one place open, one had to pre-order Thanksgiving pies months in advance. If you didn't get on the pre-order list by the end of August, forget it! The only other way to get a pie was to stand in line on Thanksgiving at 6am and HOPE they still have the pie you want by the time you get to the head of the line. Usually by 10 am, all the pies are gone. So one had to have a back up plan in place.

They have traditional size, 10-inch pies. And mini 5-inch pies, (about 2-3 slices size.) So one can just get a sampler size pie that hits the spot. And various people in your group can order different pies.

Here are the 5-inch minis:

Around the corner, on 9th Ave and 2 blocks up is Poseidon Bakery at 44th St. It is a little family owned, Greek bakery since 1923. I really worried if these little shops would survive the pandemic shutdown. So far, it's still there!

It has fantastic meat and cheese pies in puff pastry. Enough for quick lunch or snack, while walking thought the neighborhood (My favorites are the cheese pie and their rolled baklava. )

 

[Carol_]

Food tour of Greenwich village

 

[clh2]

While not a hidden gem, the NYC library is simply fascinating! If I recall, the library is right next to Bryant Park, and the Christmas shops should all be in full swing over Thanksgiving. It is also close by to Grand Central Station, which has a Christmas market in Vanderbilt Hall. The architectural details of that hall as well as the station are stunning…and free, unless you buy something!

 

[luvmyfam444]

It's not a hidden gem, but if you like Gideon's cookies, Levain has oversized chocolate chip cookies as well that I happen to think are even better than Gideon's. There are a few different locations throughout NYC that you can find from their website.

For restaurants, Tableside Italian Cook Shoppe is cozy spot on the Lower East Side with homemade pasta, as is Max in Tribecca.

If you're a Harry Potter fan, there's also the new Harry Potter store in the Flatiron District.

never heard of Gideon cookies - but we LOVE cookies

 

[luvmyfam444]

While not a hidden gem, the NYC library is simply fascinating! If I recall, the library is right next to Bryant Park, and the Christmas shops should all be in full swing over Thanksgiving. It is also close by to Grand Central Station, which has a Christmas market in Vanderbilt Hall. The architectural details of that hall as well as the station are stunning…and free, unless you buy something!

thanks been to GCS, but don't know that I've been in Vanderbilt hall -but a Christmas market would be fun

 

[luvmyfam444]

Food tour of Greenwich village

ohhh thanks - that's what I wanted to check out tours like this

 

[luvmyfam444]

Most of the recommended places are pretty much all day trips.

My little gems are if you are already in certain areas.

If you are down at the Highline, head over to Chelsea Market at 14th St & 9th Ave. It's a gourmet foodie's dream. Make sure you stop at Big Mozz for some of the best mozzarella sticks you will ever have. Most sticks I've had at other places have been pre-frozen (you can tell, ) and the emphasis was on the mozzarella, and they are rather small. THESE mozzarella sticks are HUGE, made with the finest, fresh mozzarella and have a seasoned breadcrumb coating and marinara dipping sauce that are to die for.

They are actually larger than they look in this photo. The sticks are about 6-inches long and 1-inch around.

Here is a quick Instagram vid of how lusciously stringing they can be:
https://scontent-lga3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t50.2886-16/246233492_416480226750395_6952317914985364436_n.mp4. . .

Also be on the lookout for Big Mozz food booths or food trucks at major events. They can be found at concerts, Yankee stadium, Bryant Park, Madison Sqare Garden. That's how I first found out about them, at a couple concerts.

thanks - I know we'll be nearish Times Square - actually can't remember which hotel we booked

 

[lisaviolet]

Memorial to the Irish Famine.

I just happened upon it one trip, simply out for a walk.

Absolutely haunting and I will never forget it.

The fact is most of the time I have had the best times in NYC by simply having no plans and going off on foot.

I have started a thread just like this, after I had been many times and wanted some new hidden gems. But spontaneity and being off on foot has always provided the best memories there. I know, not for everyone. And I understand some things are easier with planning.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I just happened upon it one trip, simply out for a walk.

Absolutely haunting and I will never forget it.

The fact is most of the time I have had the best times in NYC by simply having no plans and going off on foot.

I have started a thread just like this, after I had been many times and wanted some new hidden gems. But spontaneity and being off on foot has always provided the best memories there. I know, not for everyone. And I understand some things are easier with planning.

yes, I like this too.

 

[AppleDumpling]

thanks been to GCS, but don't know that I've been in Vanderbilt hall -but a Christmas market would be fun

Besides Bryant Park (next to the ice rink) and the indoor one at Grand Central, there are also Christmas markets at Columbus Circle and Union Square. Not sure if they are/will be running this year due to Covid, but there’s a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall and also a behind the scenes Disney on Broadway tour. I second the train show at the NY Botanical Gardens (Bronx), it’s really beautiful. Also (assuming they’re doing it this year), if you’re in the vicinity of Madison Square Park, check out the life-size gingerbread house.

 

[Skippy918]

Ellis island/ Statue of Liberty is good to visit. We went over the summer. Buy your tickets ahead of time. They weren’t checking time stamps on the tickets when we went so you could show up whenever you arrived.
If you have family that immigrated via Ellis Island, you can search for their names on the wall via the app.
The transit museum is really neat as well. It was still closed over the summer, so you may want to call and check.

If you aren’t vaccinated yet, you’ll need to get that done before you arrive. They are checking vaccine status for over 12. A friend of mine just visited and that’s what he told me.

 

[Skippy918]

Another option is to take the train to Coney Island and ride the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, then go eat at Nathan’s hot dogs. The aquarium is also out that way too.

 

[AppleDumpling]

If you aren’t vaccinated yet, you’ll need to get that done before you arrive. They are checking vaccine status for over 12. A friend of mine just visited and that’s what he told me.

Yes, the city is now enforcing vaccine mandates in restaurants, entertainment venues and many other indoor places.

 

[Donald13]

Hill county BBQ or hill county fried chicken. Both are amazing.

 

[Skippy918]

Hill county BBQ or hill county fried chicken. Both are amazing.

I wanted to try this bbq place when I visited but didn’t get the chance. I’m curious how it compares to Texas bbq.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Ellis island/ Statue of Liberty is good to visit. We went over the summer. Buy your tickets ahead of time. They weren’t checking time stamps on the tickets when we went so you could show up whenever you arrived.
If you have family that immigrated via Ellis Island, you can search for their names on the wall via the app.
The transit museum is really neat as well. It was still closed over the summer, so you may want to call and check.

If you aren’t vaccinated yet, you’ll need to get that done before you arrive. They are checking vaccine status for over 12. A friend of mine just visited and that’s what he told me.

In fact the city regulations require showing your vaccination status for entry into most any indoor venue including restaurants.

Just a heads up. There is no need to get the Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty combined ticket unless you want to visit the second island. The Staten Island Ferry is free and affords a great view of the Statue.

 

[Wayland10]

I just ate at Ivan Ramen- omg, I will dream about their cauliflower app and yuzu cheesecake…

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Agree that Bronx zoo is fantastic. Not sure how easy ti is to get to without car.
I also think Library usually is a great visit often has interesting exhibit. Also I use to recomend seeing if Christies had an auction going on that was worth seeing as it pretty easy to view . Only I have no idea what's easy with covid now. Also would always suggest viewing the different concert venues as there are so many there might be someone you might get chance to see. But again that was pre covid

 

[SirDuff]

If you are down at the Highline, head over to Chelsea Market at 14th St & 9th Ave. It's a gourmet foodie's dream. Make sure you stop at Big Mozz for some of the best mozzarella sticks you will ever have. Most sticks I've had at other places have been pre-frozen (you can tell, ) and the emphasis was on the mozzarella, and they are rather small. THESE mozzarella sticks are HUGE, made with the finest, fresh mozzarella and have a seasoned breadcrumb coating and marinara dipping sauce that are to die for.

I love the Chelsea Market. Dickson's Farmstand meats is also amazing (and run by a friend's family)