In 1836, the great-great grandson of the famous Peter Stuyvesant sold four-acres of his family's land to the city of New York for five dollars. Along with Gramercy Park, it is surrounded by one of Manhattan's most elite, yet quaint neighborhoods. The park is bisected by 2nd Avenue and though it has been in existence since the mid-19th Century, the famed landscape architect Robert Moses redesigned the park we see today in the 1930's. A few of the highlights include the original cast-iron fence created in 1847 (the second oldest in the city, after the one at Bowling Green), two fountains from 1884 and a statue of the magnificent composer, Antonin Dvořák.
Located between Central Park and Amsterdam Avenue this district has many landmarks which are historical and are preserved by the state. Residential buildings, churches and museums which are in this area are historical in nature. The architecture depicted by these buildings is different in terms of style and structure as it is of a different era. There are more than 40 residential buildings in this area which are luxurious and depict a classic architectural style which are all protected by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The Grand Chapiteau is more of a pop-up venue that is housed in the Randall Island Park. It hosts a number of events, especially circus shows by the popular entertainment company called the Cirque Du Soleil. Catch some spectacular shows as well as acrobats performing their best at this venue if you are in town.
Central Park has many wonders and it takes quite some time to see them all if you are just visiting, however if you live here, one of the best, hidden secrets to escaping the bustle is the Ramble. This 36-acre trail space will definitely make you feel as if you left the concrete jungle and entered a nature wilderness. Along with the lake that surrounds it, the Ramble has many meandering trails that lead from the Loeb Boathouse to Belvedere Castle and through to Strawberry Fields on the other side of the lake. As with many attractions in Central Park, you could easily spend a day here and wonder where the time went.
Located in the trendy enclave of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Front Room promotes local artists that display their wares in photography, contemporary painting, abstract sculpture, mixed-media and other works of art. Most of the work is created by local artists, however on occasion visitors will see an internationally known one. Also of note, the gallery is only open on the weekends and only for a few hours.
Harlem Repertory Theatre is all about presenting theatrical plays that explore varied genres. If you love watching a combination political, class, societal and comedy shows, then this is your go to place. Additionally, a lot of regional artists perform classical music shows here. A great space to enjoy plays with experimental themes and different artists.