3 Out Of The Ordinary Things To Do On Your Trip To Manhattan
If you're planning an upcoming trip to Manhattan, and are looking to create your itinerary, then you're probably searching for things to see and places to go. If you've already been to Manhattan before, and have seen some of the more popular sights, and are not interested in seeing them again, then you should find some less "touristy" sights. The city is full of wonderful places, so it's fun to be able to get to see some of them. Here's a list of some places to consider.
Irish Hunger Memorial and Museum Of Jewish Heritage
These two locations are near one another, both in lower Manhattan, within walking distance of Battery Park. The Irish Hunger Memorial is an outdoor site that is a recreation of traditional stone cottage, typical of the type common in Ireland during the era of the Famine. The stones and soil used to build the site were all brought over from Ireland. There are plaques and illustrations on site that describe the famine.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is dedicated to presenting information about the Holocaust, as well as European Jewish immigration to The United States. There are video exhibitions, as well as photos.
The Cloisters
This is one of the more unique museums in Manhattan. It's a site that was created by importing the stones from several medieval abbey's from France and then reassembling them onsite in Fort Tryon Park (in the Inwood section of Manhattan.) The site has beautiful paintings, medieval tapestries, and medieval-era illuminated manuscripts. When you walk around the area you might think you've been transported back in time.
Chinatown and Little Italy
These two locations are right next to one another. They are located on the lower east side. Unlike midtown, where the streets are in grid formation and easy to navigate, the streets down on the lower east side are a bit trickier, so be sure to bring a map. The two streets in Chinatown you want to look at are Pell and Doyers. They have the most beautiful architecture and storefronts. Doyers in particular has an amazing history as a spot where early Tong gangs fought for turf control. However, now it's a safe area where photographers love to take amazing pictures.
In Little Italy, you'll want to look at Mulberry Street. This was the epicenter of Italian American life for a very long time, and it is still home to some old and authentic restaurants. This is also the location of the world famous Feast of San Gennaro.