Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Manhattan
When people are planning a trip to Manhattan, there are a few attractions that always make their list of places to visit: the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and many more.
We urge people who have never been to New York City, or at least Manhattan, to explore these sights because they're all worth the trip. But there are a lot of other fun things to do around Manhattan that many people don't find during their research — and some locals might not even know these underrated spots exist.
If you're a fan of the unusual, here's a list of some of the most interesting Manhattan attractions to add to your list of places to explore.
City Hall Station
City Hall Station is an abandoned subway station that was built in 1904. People flock to this attraction because of the subway station's incredible features, which include vaulted ceilings, large chandeliers, and beautiful glass tiles. The platform was closed in 1945, but people can still experience City Hall Station by staying on the downtown 6 train as it loops around the tracks before heading back north.
The Dream House
If you're in Tribeca, keep a look out for the Dream House. The building has a restaurant on the first floor, with a paper sign letting visitors know to walk up to the third floor to reach the Dream House. Married couple La Monte Young, a modern composer, and Marian Zazeela, a visual artist, created this space to wow visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience in sound and light. It's open for walk-ins from Wednesday through Saturday from 2pm to midnight, with a $10 admission fee.
The Elevated Acre
One of the last things you might expect to find in the busy neighborhoods of Manhattan is a hidden oasis. Above the busy streets of the Financial District, you can find the Elevated Acre, a meadow featuring stunning gardens, an amphitheater, a lawn, and a summer beer garden. You can access the Elevated Acre by taking an escalator at 55 Water Street.
Roosevelt Island Cat Sanctuary
Take a break from your busy day to watch the cats of Roosevelt Island hang out around the abandoned smallpox hospital and community gardens. You can even adopt one of these stray cats from the Wildlife Freedom Foundation, which has a shelter located at the southern end of the island.
Ghostbusters Firehouse
If you love the iconic Ghostbusters films, you'll definitely want to check out the firehouse that was part of the movies. While the firehouse doesn't don the famous Ghostbusters logo, it's a sight worth checking out. But please be respectful, as this is a fully functional firehouse.
Goldbar
In the mood for a little luxury? Check out the Goldbar. As its name suggests, the Goldbar is covered from floor to ceiling in gold, with its walls made up of golden skulls and pieces of huge framed artwork. Sometimes it's just nice to drink an upscale cocktail while surrounded by the glamorousness of all-gold scenery.
We hope you check out some of these attractions the next time you're in Manhattan! And to our Manhattan locals — we hope this gives you some new ideas of things to do when you're looking for an unusual adventure.