Not many people know about it but there is an unused subway stop underneath New York's City Hall that has been closed since 1945. However, since November 2010, riders on the 6 Train going southbound can get a glimpse of it by staying on the train all the way to the last stop and staying on the train as it makes a U-turn through the City Hall station. Passengers get a view of a hidden masterpiece with grand archways, tiled ceilings and large skylights.
Subway Station beneath Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. This little-known station was built for the personal use of Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he visited New York City. The president needed a private place to transfer from his automobile to a wheelchair out of the glare of the public eye. The station, officially known as Track 61, still serves as a transfer station for high-profile visitors to the city.
A small public park, 55 Water Street Plaza is a refreshing oasis in downtown Manhattan sandwiched between several high rise buildings. It is also known as the "Elevated Acre." The park has a large square of lawn, a garden, an amphitheater and several park benches to read or have lunch with a view of the East River. The park's entrance is accessible from the street by an unmarked staircase which goes unnoticed by most passersby.
Inwood Hill Park is 196 acres of untamed forest overlooking the Harlem and Hudson Rivers. In this quiet sanctuary, the only sounds one hears are birds chirping and the crunch of leaves underfoot. To get to the park, take the IRT to the last Manhattan stop at 215th Street. From there, walk to Broadway, go up the steps and continue two more blocks until you see what looks like a forest.
Young Designers Market (themarketnyc.com), at 268 Mulberry Street, is held in the gymnasium of a church youth center, and is open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Merchandise includes apparel designed by undiscovered fashion designers, including many one-of-a-kind items. Shoppers occasionally rub elbows with the likes of Brooke Shields and Robert DeNiro.
The Garage (hellskitchenfleamarket.com) is a busy weekend flea market run by the owner of Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. Over 100 vendors on two floors sell a variety of antiques, paintings and prints, vintage jewelry, handbags and all kinds of fine silver pieces. Patrons can take a $1.00 shuttle to go from The Garage to Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and back.
As Above, So Below is the name given to 13 over-sized mosaic works of art on the walls of the northeast passage of Grand Central Station. Take the corridor that connects the main terminal with Park Avenue and 48th Street. The artwork, created by Ellen Driscoll in the 1990's, shows ancient stories and fables from around the world presented in a modern style. Other corridors within Grand Central Station have less spectacular but still striking embellishments.
