{"id":1205,"date":"2013-11-13T16:04:36","date_gmt":"2013-11-13T20:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.renthop.com\/news\/?p=1205"},"modified":"2013-11-13T16:05:18","modified_gmt":"2013-11-13T21:05:18","slug":"new-yorks-hidden-public-spaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/new-yorks-hidden-public-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"New York\u2019s Hidden Public Spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"
One of the challenges of life in New York City<\/a>, whether you\u2019re apartment hunting or you already live here, is finding a place to escape. Whether you\u2019re looking for an indoor refuge from the cold or an outdoor garden that isn\u2019t packed with tourists<\/a>, even many insiders don\u2019t realize that the city is filled with hidden public plazas, courtyards, and atriums designated by the city government, and open to the public. You don\u2019t always have to duck into the nearest coffee shop- many of these spaces even have WiFi! Here are a few of our favorite hidden gems:<\/p>\n Location: Downtown Manhattan<\/a> — nearest subway stops: R (Whitehall), 1 (South Ferry), 4\/5 (Bowling Green)<\/p>\n Also known as the \u201cElevated Acre,\u201d this hidden space requires you to take an escalator off the street. You end up in a manicured park looking out on the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. A bench with an electrical outlet even lets you grab a quick cell phone charge while you take in the views. The park hosts summer movie screenings, and features an Astroturf lawn — not quite Central Park<\/a>, but a secret oasis that doesn\u2019t appear on the tourist maps. To get there, look for the escalators next to 55 Water Street, take them all the way up, and walk to the back of the building. According to one of the architects, \u201c[it] has the magic of the beach, when you run up a dune and see the ocean.\u201d The space connects to the Vietnam Veterans Plaza, containing a memorial.<\/p>\n1. 55 Water Street, Manhattan<\/h2>\n