New York City is one of the most exciting and eclectic vacation spots in the U.S. This vibrant city is home to many iconic attractions including the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim; however, to truly get the full NYC experience, try wandering off the beaten path to visit some of these hidden backstreet gems.
The City Reliquary
Image via Flickr by Tom Wisdom
NYC is home to many diverse cultures, but simply walk the streets for a few hours and you will find the city has a unique culture all its own. The City Reliquary is full of artifacts meant to capture the essence of New York, displaying items such as retired street signs, old subway tokens, globes, and other strange trinkets that have given New York its “local character.”
Museum
One of the smallest museums in the world, Museum makes its home in an old freight elevator. Located in Tribeca, Museum features strange and intriguing artifacts from former NY residents. Though these objects seem to be common everyday items at first glance, they are actually mini works of art. The display includes bullet proof Disney backpacks, funerary paper effigies, and toothpaste from around the world.
Conjuring Arts Research Center
This off-beat museum contains books on magic, metalism, and hypnosis and artifacts belonging to some of the most famous magicians and conjurers. For easier book browsing, the museum provides visitors access to an electronic card catalog database. Once you find the perfect read, head over to the Conjuring Arts Research Center reading room and enjoy some quiet research time.
The New York Transit Museum
Image via Flickr by Marques Stuart
Located in a former subway station, this massive museum houses exhibits with hundreds of artifacts including old train cars, ticket turnstiles, and ancient metal slugs and tools used to build NYC original rail system. The fully intact car exhibits include old railway maps, seats, and the original ads and playbills of the correlating time period.
Natural Museum of Mathematics
This museum is centered around one thing: Math. It includes both artful and educational exhibits which provide insight into the mathematics used to create the most iconic structures in NYC. The museum also features interactive galleries and programs such as 3D printing workshops, origami, and laser technology.
Museum of the American Gangster
During the prohibition era of the 1920s, NYC was the central east coast hub for gangsters and bootleggers alike. Located in a former speakeasy, this unique museum offers visitors an inside look at NYC most famous underground crime syndicates. In addition, the museum houses artifacts that date back to the 1700s, when slave traders and smugglers used the port city to transport people and contraband into the U.S.
The Big Apple is famous for its iconic skyscrapers and rich history. Winner of Gogobot’s 2014 Traveler’s Top Pick Award, the city proves it has plenty to offer its visitors, from the finest restaurants to the most interesting places to visit.
When booking your next trip to the city that never sleeps, be sure to check out a few of these local NYC favorites.
