NYC: Hidden Gems of the 5 Boroughs #travel #familytravel

New York City, The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps… We love New York and we love the major tourist attractions in NYC such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, but there is so much more to see and do when visiting.There are a few places in NYC that I really love and must see every time we are visiting. I like to call them the hidden gems of the 5 boroughs because they are not as well known as the big tourist attractions and they are surely treasures! There is truly something for everyone to explore. I’d like to introduce you now to 5 of my very favourite hidden gems in the 5 boroughs of New York.

Brooklyn

Canarsie Pier is located in Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn. It has been a hot spot for fishing for decades. It’s also a great place to just sit and relax, enjoy nature and meet people from the surrounding community. During the spring you will see kids flying kites or riding their bicycles with their parents. Whenever the weather permits, you’ll see people having chess or checkers tournaments or just people watching. There are local youth groups that hold events at the pier and during the summer months there is a series of free outdoor concerts.

Queens

One of the nicest parks I have been to, Forest Park, sits on 538 acres of land. There are biking trails and hiking trails. It’s a beautiful park with so much to offer. During the summer months there are lots of free concerts in the park. There are areas in Forest Park to play softball, baseball, tennis, bocce, handball, and golf. Events are held to teach about  geology, forestry, or animals. If you are looking for a nice place to relax and have lunch, grab a blanket and have a picnic in the park.

The Bronx

The Bronx is home to the New York Botanical Gardens. Not only does the Botanical Gardens offer beautiful exhibits and over a million living plants, there is also shopping, dining and a tram tour. It’s a wonderful way to spend a day in New York City. Be sure to check out the waterfall in The Rock Garden; it’s a lovely area to take pictures. The Pine Tree Cafe is family friendly and features a world renowned collection of pine trees from across the globe.

Manhattan

Mystery Room NYC is a fun and exciting experience for the whole family. It’s located on 7th Avenue diagonal to Madison Square Garden. The basic idea is that you get locked in a room and work as a team to figure out clues that will help you to escape. What’s special about Mystery Room NYC is that you are made to feel like you are the  main character in a movie. Unlike other “escape rooms” there is a story line to the game. You will be surprised at how challenging and fun it is to work as a group and decipher the clues. This is a must do while you are visiting Manhattan!

Staten Island

Located on Clarke Avenue, Historic Richmond Town is a town trapped in time. It was once the center of commerce in Staten Island, but in 1958 everything changed; except for the town itself. Visiting Historic Richmond Town is like going back in time. There are over 30 original, historic structures and over a hundred thousand historic photographs and artifacts to see. It’s a quaint little town and I can never see enough when I visit. It’s a wonderful, family friendly way to spend the day. You will enjoy it while learning so much about the past.

New York City has so many hidden gems to explore. There’s so much more than what most people see online or on TV. I think the lesser known treasures are more precious than the ones that the whole world already knows about. Have you ever visited NYC? Do you have any hidden gems from the 5 boroughs to share? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.