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New York City welcomes visitors from all over the world to explore and see its iconic sites. But there are some icons that have hidden secrets that are mostly off limits to the general public.
This is my off limits NYC dream bucket list filled with things that even locals can’t do without special permission and a few things that things I probably could work around and do. These items aren’t in any particular order but there are some that are slightly more accessible than others.
I hope to be able to cross items off this list and share about the experience with you.
1. Take a Turn Around Gramercy Park
Gramercy Park is one of two private parks in New York City (the other is in Sunnyside Queens.) It’s a relatively small park just covering about a block in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan. I think it’s the fact that it’s fenced off and private that makes it appealing. Plus, every time I’ve walked by, I’ve seen how beautifully manicured the plants and flowers look and how enticing those benches look.
At the center of the park is a statue of Edwin Booth, a successful actor from the 1800s but also known as the elder brother of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. His statue is there because he founded the Players Club which is located just across the street from the park in 1888. Today, the club still has members who are part of the film, television, music and publishing fields. (The interior and rooms of this townhouse is also something I’d like to see!)
How to visit: Only residents of buildings and townhomes surrounding Gramercy Park can own a key for access to the park. So you could purchase real estate there to enter. Or you can become a temporary resident at Gramercy Park Hotel where guests are apparently allowed access.
2. Photograph Grand Central Terminal from the Catwalk
I’ve always been in awe of the ceiling at Grand Central Station’s Main Concourse painted in teal blue depicting constellations. But it’s not just the ceiling that I’m intrigued about when I look up at Grand Central Station. I’ve frequently looked towards the east side of the building at these glass walkways on about the fourth or fifth floors and wondered how I could get there for the perfect shot of the Main Concourse from above and also of Park Avenue, which I imagine would be visible from the opposite side up there.
How to visit: The area has been open to the public for one day to a very limited amount of people during Grand Central Station’s birthday. So hopefully they’ll continue to open the catwalk for tours on every birthday so I can snag a spot.
3. Tour City Hall Station
There’s a whole world under New York City. With the subway running through almost all parts of the city, there’s bound to be some hidden spots and secrets. That includes City Hall Station. It was the first subway station to open in the city in 1904 and closed in 1945. The 6 train still runs through the station as a turnaround but no one has gotten off at the station since 1945. I think it’d be interesting to feel the atmosphere there and see exactly what commuters from the mid 1900s saw.
How to visit: The Transit Museum offers tours for $50 per person and only releases tickets three times a year in January, April and August. However, there is a limited number of spots available. So the best way would be to get a membership with the museum because members get to purchase tickets before the general public.
Read More: 45 Unusual Things to Do in NYC
4. Access the 103rd Floor of the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is accessible to a lot of people. It’s an office building, which means many New Yorkers get to go inside and see the view from whatever floor they work on. It’s also open for visitors to its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. But did you know there’s also a 103rd floor observation deck? This is not open to the public and if you are able to access it, I’d imagine you wouldn’t have to deal with crowds to get a perfect view and photo of the city.
How to visit: When celebrities or other public figures visit the Empire State Building, this is the deck that they visit. Another way to get special permission, according to the Empire State Building’s website is to arrange a social media related visit.
Read More: Which is the Best View of NYC: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock or One World Observatory
5. See the Bowling Alley at The Frick Collection
The Frick Collection is one of my favorite museums in New York City. I like seeing the art, which is Henry Clay Frick’s personal collection. But it’s also really interesting because it’s housed in his former residence on Fifth Avenue. I’ve always wondered if there are some rooms that are closed off to the public that are still decorated like how Henry Frick would have seen it when he lived there. There is however one room that is known to the public, but not open to the public. That is his bowling alley. It’s in the basement and isn’t open to the public because of fire code reasons.
How to visit: According to The Frick’s website, the bowling alley can be accessed by select members of the Frick Collection. If you become a Committee Fellow for $6,500 a year, one of the highest membership levels, you’re able to schedule a private tour to see parts of the building that are closed off to the public, including the bowling alley. If you’re between the ages of 21 and 45 years, you can get this membership for $5,000, a large part of which is tax deductible.
Read More: NYC Museum Memberships to Have
6. Read a Book at The New York Society Library
This is probably one of the most accessible items on my dream bucket list. The New York Society Library is New York City’s oldest library founded in 1754 and today, is a member’s only library. It’s located on the Upper East Side and was once the home of John S. Rogers and his family. So the various rooms that you can read and study in were all bedrooms or were once a part of a family home.
How to visit: The New York Society Library offers day passes for $20 to access the building. Or you can also get a membership. Starting at $100, an e-membership allows you access to all electronic resources and you’re also allowed to visit the building 10 times per year. If you plan on visiting more often, for $270 per individual, you can borrow books from the collection, join events and discussions, and use the reading and study rooms for one year.
Read More: A Bibliophile’s Guide to the Best Bookstores in NYC
7. See Fifth Avenue from Rockefeller Center 620 Loft & Garden
Rockefeller Center, especially during the holiday season, is a very popular destination in Manhattan. It’s where an ice skating rink and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree sits during the holidays and throughout the year is home to several shops, restaurants and the Top of the Rock observation deck for views of New York City from above. But what most people don’t get to access when they visit is 620 Loft & Garden. This is a private event space on the rooftop of Rockefeller Center that offers views of Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral and is decorated with a manicured garden and pool.
How to visit: Get invited to an event that’s hosted at 620 Loft & Garden. Or host an event there, which is something like $15,000 for a wedding reception (not including catering, florists, etc.)
8. Play Tennis at Grand Central Terminal
Another Grand Central Terminal item to make my dream bucket list, and also one of the more accessible items… did you know you can play tennis at Grand Central Terminal? You can at the Vanderbilt Tennis Club on the fourth floor of the terminal. It’s one of the only items here actually open to the public. The space was formerly an art gallery, then a recording studio and now somewhere in the middle of a busy city where you can play tennis.
How to visit: Rent the facility for some court time or join a group clinic to learn tennis techniques, or have your own private lesson with a pro.
9. Browse the Top Shelves at the New York Public Library Rose Reading Room
I’ve been to the New York Public Library countless times and admired and also done some studying at the library’s Rose Main Reading Room. It’s a gorgeous room with 52 foot tall ceilings, murals painted with pink and bluish clouds, giant chandeliers and books lined up along each side of the room. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve wondered how I could take a small stairs or ladders up to the top shelves that are visible behind a short railing. I’m still wondering how I can get up there.
How to visit: Become a librarian. Or hope to somehow get an invite. But other than that, you can always visit The Rose Main Reading Room during normal New York Public Library hours.
10. Go Inside the Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building is one of my favorite buildings in NYC. I have fond memories as it’s close to where I had my first internship in the city. On lunch breaks, I’d walk around the area and see the building. But I’ve only ever seen it from outside. I can imagine the view from one of the top floors of the Flatiron Building is incredible since it’s positioned right at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue. I believe it’s now an office building but I’m not sure who the tenants are (I guess I could find a job at whichever company is a tenant there) and I’ve also heard that there were plans to turn the building into a hotel. At this point I can only imagine how it looks and wait for an invite or for the supposed hotel to open.
How to visit: Wait for the supposed hotel to open or if anyone has any insight into this, let me know!
Are any of these off limit items on your dream NYC bucket list too?
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