Hidden NYC: How to Visit Like a Local

Image via Complex Original

Location: 99 Margaret Corbin Dr.

Part of visiting New York like a local is realizing that locals don’t predominantly live in Midtown. So much of the island can easily be overlooked—The Cloisters, in Fort Tryon Park, is a prime example of a beautiful daytime excursion that is off the beaten path. Located at the top of Manhattan, The Cloisters is an offshoot museum run by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The buildings and the collections housed inside are modeled after the architectural and artistic styles of the 12th-through-15th centuries and feature cloistered gardens that adorn the landscape, hence the name. It’s a piece of Medieval Europe brought to life in a modern city.

Location: 80 St. Marks Pl.

New York’s museums have a lot to offer, catering to any interest area from history, fine art, human expression, or the natural sciences. But there is more to the experience than your typical class trip itinerary. The Museum of the American Gangster, a two-roomed exhibit located over an old speakeasy, is a tribute to the world of organized crime, which has its roots in the East Village. It was not uncommon to see the likes of John Gotti, Lucky Luciano, and Al Capone walking the area in their day. So, if you are interested in seeing such memorabilia as John Dillinger’s death masks, bullets from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, and a preserved history of the Prohibition Era, definitely take in this unique educational experience.

Location: 500 25th St., Brooklyn

Another important aspect of visiting New York is recognizing that the city extends beyond the island of Manhattan. Sprawling across 478 acres on 25th Street in Brooklyn is Green-Wood Cemetery, one of the first rural graveyards in America and the last resting place for over 560,000 souls. Green-Wood was established in 1838 and is the site of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Long Island in 1776. Throughout the 19th century, Green-Wood was second only to Niagara Falls as the most popular tourist attraction. Its legacy is now cemented as an historical site for both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It's considered a precursor for the rise of public parks in the five boroughs, and remains a graceful beauty to visit.

Location: Various

Public transit is a staple in any New Yorker’s lifestyle and NYC has recently added more options that have become exciting destination activities in their own right, like Citi Bike and rickshaws. But the underrepresented gem of the city’s transit industry has to be the NY Waterway. Anyone who has ever had to traverse urban traffic appreciates the convenience of the Hudson, East River, and Bedford Ferries, which offer transit throughout Manhattan’s coast, Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey. They have the added benefit of providing scenic backdrops of the New York skyline and the harbor, perfect for memorable pictures of your visit.

Location: 856 East 136th St., Bronx​

While there are plenty of mainstream beers coming out of New York, a microbrewery in the Bronx is starting to make the most noise. Bronx Brewery has been taking the city by storm with its flavorful line of pale ales. The quality of the Bronx Pale Ale, among other regular and seasonal blends, is quickly attracting attention, allowing the company an opportunity to expand into a new 8,500-square-foot facility. You should make it a priority to visit the brewery’s tasting room to see for yourself.

Location: 131 Chrystie St.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Fig. 19 has made it a policy to keep its trendy just-left-the-art-gala atmosphere as low-key as possible. Its Chrystie Street location helps, and inside you will be greeted with an environment that blends the classy elegance of a speakeasy with the trendiness of the contemporary art scene. Fig. 19 is conveniently situated near Arlene’s Grocery, which features some tremendously good local music, the Bowery Poetry Club, and the Envoy Enterprises Art Gallery. There is certainly an air of exclusivity that makes it tricky to get in at times, but once you do, Fig. 19 is the perfect way to cap off an artsy evening or the aforementioned trip to the Bronx Brewery, even.

Location: 85 E 4th St.

Some of the best comics on the planet cut their teeth in one of the various comedy cellars of New York, so it’s hard to pick a bad club to visit. But the EastVille Comedy Club sets itself apart. EastVille is known for being a testing ground for new material and the club does a great job of pairing top talent with up-and-coming local comedians. This all-ages venue has featured Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari, to name a few, and it boasts cover-free open mic nights on weekdays. If you want an experience to remember, write five minutes worth of jokes and take the same stage as the greats. Your family and friends will love it and who knows who might be watching!

Location: 456 Hudson St.

Anyone who has ever attended college, lived on a shoestring budget, or has simply opted for quick and easy fare is familiar with ramen noodles. They’re cheap to buy, simple to make, and are a totally satisfying meal. Takashi Ramen is a different kind of noodle altogether. At his dinner-only establishment, Chef Takashi demonstrates generations of Korean cooking tradition in his recipes. A standard bowl of ramen comes with a strip of braised beef belly, fried “kasu” (beef intestines), and a soft-boiled egg, and is served with custom-made noodles in a beef broth. For those after something more substantial than soup, there is a full menu of sushi, grill items, and specials to choose from.

Location: 74 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn

If you’re looking for a night that focuses on music and dancing instead of glow sticks and bottle service, Output is the place to be. The Funktion One sound system is one of the best in the city, rivaling its Manhattan counterparts. While the main room features more up-tempo beats, the adjoining Panther Room keeps things a little mellower. There is also rooftop access for when you need a minute to catch some air. Output has proven that substance wins over flash every time.

Location: 1000 Dean St., Brooklyn (indoor address)

From high-end retailers to the smallest corner shops, New York is world-renowned for its shopping. But before spending yourself into oblivion at Saks 5th Avenue or the M&M Store, check out the vendors at the Brooklyn Flea, a giant, recurring flea market conglomeration. Between November and March, the Brooklyn Flea operates indoors, housing nearly 100 antique, vintage, and homemade good vendors along with upwards of 25 food shops. The market runs every weekend from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. through April, when the Fort Greene (176 Lafayette Ave, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Williamsburg (50 Kent Ave, Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) flea markets re-open. Brooklyn Flea is a great way to get goods for New Yorkers made by New Yorkers, and it also serves to entertain you for a full day.

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