An intrepid and gifted artist uncovers and illustrates more than 100 surprising, enchanting, and sometimes downright bizarre nooks and crannies that make New York such a compelling city.
It's no surprise that New York City is the most visited destination in the U.S., and has proved itself to be an endlessly fascinating exploration ground to visitors and natives alike. Unknown New York walks readers through the vibrant, hidden, and forgotten worlds churning beneath the surface of the city. From the oldest bridge -- a footbridge described as a "red sidewalk through the sky" -- to a quirky and little-known Superhero Supply Store in Brooklyn to the original and abandoned Hall of Fame in the Bronx, the author takes us on a magical mystery tour through the city many people think they know.
Each entry presents a brief and compelling description of a hidden park, historical site, niche shop, etc and is accompanied by a charming four-color illustration by the author.
Locations Include:
Hidden History
New-York Historical Society, Daily Planet, Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, Grant's Tomb, 23 Skidoo, Roosevelt Building, The Cable Building, The High Bridge, City Reliquary, The Fire Museum, The Shinran Statue, Ukrainian Museum, St. George's Church, Poster House, Winnie-the-Pooh, Morris - Jumel Mansion, Justice & Authority, Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument, Cutler Mail Chutes, 7B, Edgar Allen Poe & Batman, The First Hall of Fame, Fraunces Tavern
Central Park
Glen Span Arch, The Ravine, The Pilgrim, Hernshead, The Conservatory Garden, The Italianate Garden, The English-Style Garden, The French-Style Garden, 36 Arches, USS Maine Monument, Harlem Meer, The Last Bolt
Humble Parks
Wagner Park, Pier 62 Carousel, Father Demo Square, Greenacre Park, Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain, Domino Park, Stuyvesant Square, Sea Glass Carousel, Teardrop Park, Prospect Park Boathouse, The Real World, Glick Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, West Harlem Piers, Bella Abzug Park, Elizabeth Street Garden, Sutton Place Park, Stuyvesant Cove, Fort Tryon, Evangeline Blashfield Fountain, Peter Detmold Park, South Cove
On the Street
Waterfall Tunnel, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, New York Yacht Club, Stone Street, The Silk Clock, Water Towers, Joralemon Street, Harriet Tubman, Mosaic House, Green Tunnel, Block Beautiful, Haunted House, Freeman Alley, The Pink House, Delancey Station, 61/2 Avenue, Elevated Station, Bushwick Street Art, Bond Street, City Subway Grate, First Street Green Cultural Park
Shopping Spree
Albertine, Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., The Old Print Shop, Kalustyan's, The Drama Book Shop, Zoltar, Jeweled Gardens, Kinokuniya, Economy Candy, Chartwell, Bowne & Co. Stationers, Rice to Riches
Quiet Realms
Morgan Library, 2nd Avenue Subway, The Rubin, The Earth Room, Roerich Museum, Elevated Acre, Tudor City, Beekman Place, Japan Society, City College, Sutton Place, The Met's Astor Court, Waterside, Green-Wood Cemetery, 191st Street Tunnel, Ford Foundation, Noguchi Museum, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum
Excursions
Pier C, Louis Armstrong House, Governor's Island, Snug Harbor, The Unisphere, Wave Hill, Downtown River Walk, Neighborhood Parks Walk, Midtown Book-Lover's Walk, Hidden Central Park Walk, Midtown Book-Lover's Walk
An artist and explorer of the urban landscape, Jesse Richards has found varied and strange locations all over New York by leading one of the city's largest drawing groups for the past 15 years. Now more than 8,000 members, they sketch in parks and museums and concealed cul-de-sacs all over NYC. A designer by day, he also guides tourists around NYC neighborhoods with the non-profit Big Apple Greeter.
Hidden History – Includes the location of a little-known cottage that links Edgar Allen Poe to the creation of Batman.
Central Park – Spotlights bridges and tucked away green spots, as well as stories behind many of the myriad statues
Humble Parks – here are more than 1,000 parks across NYC’s boroughs, and this chapter showcases the smaller and more charming of those.
On the Street – Includes the location of a single short block that hosts a dozen weird styles of architecture as well as several notable pieces of art
Shopping Spree – Includes specialty stores with extraordinary wares, like the Superhero Supply Store; or ones with an attraction, like a bookstore with a gold and blue ceiling painted with stars, constellations, planets and the symbols of the zodiac.
Quiet Realms – Both visitors and inhabitants will find places of refuge in this chapter, including an art installation consisting of a huge space filled with dirt.
Excursions – Take a longer subway ride or car out to Louis Armstrong’s house, with its turquoise blue kitchen (including appliances!) or Wave Hill, with its Capri-like setting along the Hudson.
