Five Overlooked New York Attractions

Climbing to the top of Empire State Building, watching a musical on Broadway and riding a horse drawn carriages through Central Park. These are all the traditional and stereotypical New York vacation ideas most think up when visiting the Big Apple.

But there is so much more to this great area for travelers to explore. So for anyone that wants a more native experience, this is a perfect reason to book a flight to New York and visit the Empire State’s five boroughs and its often times ignored locales.

 

Opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is definitely a "must visit" for locals and visitors alike. Standout exhibits include the Congo Gorilla Forest, where guests come face-to-face with the magnificent creatures; Tiger Mountain, which recreates the Russian Far East habitat of these elusive and endangered animals and an interactive butterfly garden. The zoo is a memorable experience for kids, adults and everyone in between.

 

 

The Bohemian is a perfect place if you are looking to get taste of Europe without breaking your budget. The last remaining of the various Beer Gardens that sprung up in the late 19th centure around New York, this particular drinking spot is open year round and in addition to serving up suds, it also offers excellent live music. Take a trip to this iconic site and view this precious piece of history with a pint in your hand.

 

 

Brooklyn Museum is often times overshadowed by other nearby Kings County attractions like Prospect Park and Coney Island. Did you know that the museum hosts one of the finest collections of Egyptian art and artifacts in the world?! It also offers a diverse collection of works ranging from ancient masterpieces to modern art. Housed in a 560,000-square-foot, Beaux-Arts building,  it is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country.

 

 

The museum was created by Jacques Marchais, an American woman, to serve as a bridge between the West and the rich ancient and cultural traditions of Tibet and the Himalayan region. Sculptures, thangka paintings, ritual artifacts, musical instruments and historic photographs of Tibet in the museum give a feeling of being transported to a different continent and time.

 

 

Although it is one of the most beautiful parks in New York, Fory Byron often times has to deal with people skipping over it for the more tourist friendly Central Park. But do not make the same mistake and be sure to check out what is considered the highest elevation point in all of Manhattan. Gaze upon the scenic views of dramatic cliffs, old leafy trees and meandering paths. No visit to Fort Byron is complete without a stop at the Cloisters, which is the medieval branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This area was a strategic lookout point during the war for independence. Visitors can still find remnants of military posts throughout the park.

 

These sites represent the true character that is New York. So after you visit the usual spots like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, save time to visit one or all of these truly overlooked attractions.

 

Be sure to check out CheapOair for great flight deals to New York and other top destinations for under $199!

 

Flickr: ajagendorf25, jasonlam, Howard N2GOT, onelitk and Damek