This year has been a very exciting one for Untapped New York! In 2023, we launched a new limited-run tour series, Rediscover Your City, which brought groups of New Yorkers out to uncover the art of Grand Central Madison, the bridges of Gownaus, the untapped side of Central Park, and more! We also launched a special holiday decorations tour and a food tour of Lower Manhattan, revived our underground subway art adventure, and began offering tickets to behind-the-scenes tours of an indoor hydroponic farm where you can taste the fresh greens grown! Untapped New York Insiders got to step inside the secret piano vault at the Steinway Factory, gain access to the newly renovated former clubhouse of India House, take in views from the roof of the Belleclaire Hotel, and more. In virtual talks, Insiders heard from countless authors on interesting topics such as the Black nurses who helped cure tuberculosis on Staten Island, New York bars after-hours, and the quirky characters who run NYC’s mom-and-pop store. Finally, you read a lot! Untapped New York readers soaked up stories about New York City’s abandoned places, guides to various neighborhoods, and secrets of famous landmarks. We are excited to continue exploring with you in 2024! Here, we look back at our top stories of 2023, counting down to the most popular:
10. 10 Forgotten Theaters of Brookyln
During the golden age of cinema in the early 20th century, it wasn’t uncommon to find multiple theaters within walking distance of each other in Brooklyn. In these palaces of entertainment, Brooklynites could see motion picture shows with the accompaniment of an orchestra or a bellowing organ, as well as live vaudeville performances. As the century progressed, however, trips to the movies began to decline and these once-grand theaters struggled to survive. Here, we take a look at the architectural remnants of the forgotten theaters of Brooklyn, former houses of entertainment that now serve as grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms, and other purposes. In this list, we’re focusing on the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Sunset Park. READ THE FULL STORY!
9. 10 Secrets of Whitestone, Queens
Whitestone, Queens has been home to a Soviet spy and famous American authors, it boasts a spaceship-shaped church and has been the site of multiple shipwrecks. You might not have realized that all of this history is hidden within the quiet, residential neighborhood that sits east of College Point and west of Bayside. Inaccessible by subway, within Whitestone, you’ll find the smaller neighborhoods of Beechhurst and Malba, both of which were popular destinations for celebrities. From its famous residents to its fascinating sights, uncover the top 10 secrets of Whitestone. READ THE FULL STORY!
8. 15 Must-See Art Installations in November 2023
The holiday decorations and art installations start to appear in November and many stay up into the new year. Here is our list of the new art installations in NYC to look out for this November, from glittering lightscapes to restored murals! READ THE FULL STORY!
7. Lost Mansions of Brooklyn
We love a good lost building here at Untapped New York. In the past, we’ve covered lost department stores, lost amusement parks, and lost structures of the World’s Fair. After recently covering the lost mansions of New York’s Hudson Valley, we’re diving into the archives to recover the lost mansions of all five boroughs, starting with the lost mansions of Brooklyn. While many of these forgotten homes were demolished nearly a hundred years ago, some of these extravagant single-family homes lasted well into the 20th and 21st centuries. There are still gorgeous mansions that you can see throughout the borough today, but here, we explore those that have been lost to time, from a pre-Revolution party house to a controversial failed landmark: READ THE FULL STORY!
6. 10 Lost Mansions of the Hudson Valley
This story kicked off our lost mansions column! The Hudson Valley region of New York state is dotted with extravagant mansions of times gone by. Luckily, there are still many fine examples of this opulent architecture that still exist, but there are many luxurious estates that have been lost. Here, we revisit some of the most grand estates of the Hudson Valley and explore the stories of why these homes were forgotten. READ THE FULL STORY!
5. NYC Filming Locations for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Amazon Prime original series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel returned this year for its fifth and final season! The show began in New York City in 1958, but as we enter the fifth season we are into the sixties, and even see glimpses further into the future. The series is part Mad Men-esque in its mid-century setting, part La La Land in its theatricality – minus the singing, though it often feels—like song and dance might break out any minute. These elements combined may seem cringeworthy, even to us period drama-obsessed folks here, but the superb acting and comedic timing of the cast, led by Rachel Brosnahan of House of Cards, Tony Shalhoub of Monk fame, and Luke Kirby of Rectify, along with the spunky writing of Amy Sherman-Palladino, make this show a sleeper hit. READ THE FULL STORY!
4. Photographer Captures Life at the End of Every NYC Subway Line
Although born and raised in Texas, part-time photographer Taylor Chapman knows the NYC subway system better than any native New Yorker. Over the course of eleven years, Chapman has compiled more than 50,000 photographs taken at the end of the subway lines across New York City through his project aptly named “End of the Line.” READ THE FULL STORY!
3. Succession Film Locations in NYC
HBO’s hit show Succession ran its fourth and final season this year. We revealed the filming locations used in each episode and recapped all the fabulous Succession filming locations of the first three seasons. The drama is one of those shows that grows on you and suddenly hits you with a bang, making that binge session worth it. READ THE FULL STORY!
2. 9 Old-Fashioned Soda Fountains in NYC
The words “soda foundation” conjure up a nostalgic image of marble counters and swivel stools, egg creams and ice cream sundaes, soda jerks in paper hats, and 1950s first dates. Although the classic drugstore soda fountain reached its peak from the 1920s through the 1950s, some diners, ice cream parlors, and pharmacies in New York City have held onto their vintage decor and traditional menus. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many beloved mom-and-pop shops to close their doors, including the century-old East Village soda fountain Gem Spa, known for its legendary egg creams. However, traditional soda fountains continue to survive and provide sweet treats and sweet memories to New Yorkers. Visit these nine legendary soda fountains for an unforgettable taste of old New York. READ THE FULL STORY!
1. 6 Charming Catskill Towns to Visit
Everyone who has lived in New York City during the deep summer months knows this: Heat trapped between skyscrapers mixed with over eight million residents can make summertime more suffocating than enjoyable. Luckily, less than a two-hour drive away lies a number of quaint towns nestled in the Catskill Mountains where those looking for an escape can take refuge. Here are the six most noteworthy Catskill towns to check out on your next summer venture out of the city. READ THE FULL STORY!
