You’re probably tired of hearing about the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building in lists of things to do in New York. Sometimes, you just want the peculiar, less trodden paths when you travel. So, unless you are going to venture outside of the city to locations like Oheka Castle, here are 5 of the most unusual attractions you can find in the Big Apple:
The Burns Archive, a million disquieting photographs
This museum is by far the largest private collection of photographs built by surgeon and historian Stanley Burns in 1977. The archive is a unique photograph documentation of the historical events that shaped the country and its medical industry. Known for distressing and disquieting images, the collection ranges from crime scenes, violent struggles in the Civil Rights Movement to genetic abnormalities.
The Jane Hotel, a quirky stay near the Hudson
With its carpeted hallways and taxidermied animals overlooking the Hudson, the Jane Hotel is a 14-story brick building in the West Village which used to house sailors during the 1900s. As it has maintained its quirky aesthetic, the hotel feels like a Wes Anderson inspired luxury ship. While the hotel hasn’t changed much, the area around it certainly has, and is now one of New York’s most exclusive and sought-after neighborhoods. In an article on how expensive real estate is in New York by Yoreevo, they note how apartments in the West Village can go for as much as $2,600 per square foot. So not only will you get to experience the quirky hotel on the river front, you also get a taste of what it would be like to stay in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.
The House of Yes, home of bizarre parties
A dance club with strange themes? Check. Circus performers? Maybe. Burlesque dancers? Probably. Located at the Jefferson L Train stop in Bushwick, the House of Yes is a versatile theatrical dance club which hosts over-the-top events. On any given day, you can expect marching bands, aerialists, and trance DJs in the club. Admission is free but you’re more likely to get in if you adhere to a theme or reserve a table on their website. New York artists Kae Burke and Anya Sapozhnikova, the brains behind the nightclub, post mood and inspiration boards online so guests can keep updated about their upcoming themes.
Roxy’s Suite, secret apartment in Radio Music Hall
Radio Music Hall isn’t odd, sure. Over 300 million tourists have been to the marvelous entertainment venue in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. But did you know there’s a hidden apartment inside the building designed for and given to theatre impresario Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel in 1936? With a 20-foot-high apartment adorned with ceiling to floor plush drapes, the decadent apartment was said to reflect Roxy’s brand of opulence, glamour, and extravagance. You can see this hidden room on a tour of Radio Music Hall.
Treasures in the Trash Collection, a garbage museum
They say one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. Well this museum takes that to a whole new level. Hidden on the second floor on East Harlem Garage, the Treasures in the Trash Collection is a repository of treasures NYC sanitation employee Nelson Molina found in trash bins over the last 30 years. The New York Post notes in an interview that Molina started tucking away valuables from the city’s trash in 1981. While it’s illegal to keep anything from garbage disposals in NYC, the city’s Department of Sanitation granted a reprieve as it was mainly for viewing purposes. It isn’t for the public though, so you have to reach out to the Sanitation Department to have a peep.
Courtesy photos
