Discover our locals' 301 hidden gems in New York
Let's uncover New York's hidden treasures with Spotted by Locals! From underground jazz clubs in Brooklyn to hidden art in lower Manhattan, our Spotters bring you the city's best-kept secrets. Discover New York through the eyes of true locals.
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Things to do in New York
Hudson River Greenway
Hudson River bike route
The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
New Plaza Cinema
Art house cinema
"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manny's Bistro
French bistro, UWS
"Manny's Bistro" is a French bistro in my neighborhood in New York. Susan & I prefer to sit at the bar, which makes us belong & contribute to the scene...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
John's Pizza / Times Square
Pizza Tabernacle
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
'Fearless Girl'
Wall Street History
On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace
Comedy / Deli
The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manhattan Community Boathouse
Free kayaking
It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Cage in West Village
Hoops & handball
The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
TAP - NYC
Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'
"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Seasoned Vegan
Food you love, veganized
"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
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301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!
Go off the Beaten Path Gems
We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.
Responsible Travel
Hi! Nice to meet you.
We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.
Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.
With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.
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