While New York City is famous for its iconic winter attractions, like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and Central Park, there’s a treasure trove of lesser-known activities that many visitors (and even locals) often overlook. These underrated experiences provide a unique and often more intimate perspective of the city during the colder months. Whether you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures, secret cozy spots, or winter traditions that fly under the radar, here’s a curated list of hidden gems to explore in

New York City this Winter.

1. Cozy Speakeasies and Hidden Bars

Underground Speakeasies and Craft Cocktails

New York’s cocktail culture thrives during the winter, and what better way to warm up than by ducking into a hidden speakeasy? Many of these spots are tucked away behind unmarked doors or disguised within other businesses, offering an air of mystery and exclusivity. These intimate, low-lit spaces are perfect for escaping the cold and enjoying a carefully crafted cocktail.

Please Don’t Tell (PDT): Located in the East Village, this speakeasy can only be accessed through a phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a hot dog shop. Once inside, you’ll find an intimate setting with unique cocktails and a cozy ambiance.

Attaboy: Found in an unmarked building on the Lower East Side, Attaboy offers a tailored experience where bartenders create cocktails based on your preferences—no menu required.

Bathtub Gin: This Chelsea speakeasy is hidden behind a coffee shop and features live jazz music, vintage decor, and a bathtub centerpiece—perfect for a warm, old-school vibe during the winter months.

Secret Tea Rooms and Cafes

If you’re more of a tea or coffee person, New York has plenty of hidden cafes and tea rooms where you can enjoy a hot drink and unwind from the winter chill. Bosie Tea Parlor in the West Village offers an old-world charm, serving up afternoon tea in a quiet, intimate setting. Meanwhile, Frisson Espresso, a tiny Midtown cafe, flies under the radar, but it serves some of the city’s best coffee with a minimalistic, cozy vibe that makes it the perfect winter hideaway.

2. Offbeat Winter Art Installations and Immersive Exhibits

Indoor Art Installations at Brooklyn’s Industry City

Located in Sunset Park, Industry City is an underrated winter destination that combines art, culture, and food in a vibrant setting. The sprawling complex features massive warehouses converted into creative spaces, with numerous indoor art installations and pop-up exhibits. During winter, Industry City’s indoor offerings expand, making it an excellent option for cold days when you still want to explore something unique. Stop by The Makers Guild for hands-on workshops, visit the local artist galleries, or explore immersive exhibits hosted in its wide industrial spaces.

For a foodie twist, don’t miss the Japan Village, an indoor market filled with authentic Japanese cuisine, perfect for warming up with ramen, sushi, and other comforting dishes.

The Winter Solstice Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park

While Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City is often associated with summer, it also hosts one of New York's most underrated winter events—the Winter Solstice Festival. This annual celebration marks the longest night of the year with a gathering around a large bonfire, drumming circles, and performances. It’s a community-driven event that combines art, spirituality, and tradition, offering a peaceful and unique way to embrace the season.

The New York Earth Room

For a completely offbeat art experience, visit the New York Earth Room, a permanent installation by artist Walter De Maria in SoHo. This unusual exhibit consists of a room filled with 280,000 pounds of dirt, creating a sensory contrast to the city’s cold, hard winter streets. The earthy scent and quiet ambiance offer a surprisingly calming atmosphere, providing an unexpected form of winter retreat.

3. Unique Winter Sports and Outdoor Adventures

Snowshoeing in Van Cortlandt Park

While Central Park is the go-to spot for most winter activities, fewer people venture to the expansive Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx for outdoor adventures. When the city receives a significant snowfall, this park transforms into a perfect destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The park's wide trails, dense woodlands, and peaceful scenery offer an experience that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

Snowshoeing is an underrated winter activity that allows you to explore more remote areas of the park while enjoying a low-impact workout. It’s a great way to embrace the season and breathe in the crisp winter air without the crowds.

Curling at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park

For something truly different, try your hand at curling, a lesser-known winter sport that’s growing in popularity. At the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, you can rent a lane and try this quirky sport with friends. Curling involves sliding stones across the ice toward a target and is surprisingly fun and competitive. It’s a rare winter activity in the city, and the LeFrak Center’s outdoor setting—surrounded by trees and snow-covered paths—makes it a unique spot to spend a winter afternoon.

The High Line’s Winter Strolls

The High Line is typically thought of as a warm-weather destination, but it’s also an underrated winter walk that offers stunning views of the city with far fewer visitors. The elevated park, built on a former railway track, provides a quiet, almost meditative experience in the winter months. Bundle up and enjoy the peacefulness of the snow-dusted plants and empty pathways. Plus, you’ll get to experience the city’s architecture from a unique vantage point, with crisp winter skies and unobstructed views.

4. Hidden Historical Spots and Secret Museums

The Merchant’s House Museum

Tucked away in the East Village, the Merchant’s House Museum is a well-preserved 19th-century townhouse that offers a fascinating glimpse into life during New York’s Gilded Age. Winter is the perfect time to visit, as the museum decorates the house in period-appropriate holiday decorations and hosts candlelit tours. With its antique furniture, creaky floors, and personal stories of the Tredwell family who once lived there, the museum feels like a step back in time.

If you’re intrigued by New York’s hidden history, the Merchant’s House also offers special winter events like Victorian-era ghost tours and talks on 19th-century holiday traditions, making it one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

The Elevated Acre

For an offbeat, hidden green space in the middle of the Financial District, seek out the Elevated Acre. This tucked-away garden, perched above the busy streets, is a serene spot to visit in winter, with beautiful views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. Though it’s popular during the warmer months, the Elevated Acre is often overlooked in winter, making it an ideal spot for a quiet moment amid the city's hectic pace.

5. Winter Cultural Experiences Off the Beaten Path

The Irish Hunger Memorial

While the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City isn’t exclusive to winter, it’s an underrated outdoor space that takes on a haunting beauty during the colder months. This memorial, built to commemorate the Irish Famine, feels especially poignant in the winter’s stillness. The landscape is designed to mimic a rural Irish countryside, with stone walls, wild grasses, and a solitary cottage. Blanketed in snow, the space offers a unique sense of peace and reflection.

Little Red Lighthouse Winter Walks

For an adventurous and lesser-known winter walk, head to the Little Red Lighthouse, located under the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park. This charming, historic lighthouse feels miles away from the urban landscape, even though it sits right along the Hudson River. Walking along the riverbank in the winter gives you breathtaking views of the bridge, the river, and the Palisades cliffs on the New Jersey side. It’s a tranquil spot for those seeking solitude and a hidden pocket of history in the city.