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New York is one of the top cultural centers of the planet. When Americans think of a major urban city, they imagine New York's skyline of spires and water towers and the striking borders between green spaces and high-rises. Millions of people visit New York each year, and there is no shortage of fun New York City attractions to keep them busy.

Classic New York City attractions like the Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway Theaters, and the Museum Mile are well known around the world and most visitors to the city make a stop at a few of those. But what about the lesser known attractions? New York's most famous attractions are often crowded and expensive, and while they are usually worth the wait, there are many other places and organizations that can offer similar experiences. Here's a look at some alternative attractions in New York City.

Top of the Rock

Located on top of Rockefeller Center, the home of NBC Studios, the Top of the Rock observation deck is an alternative to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. Located 70 stories above Manhattan, this less crowded attraction will offer breathtaking views of the skyscrapers of New York City, far above the hustle and bustle of the streets. One benefit of traveling to Rockefeller Center's Top of the Rock is that your photos of the view will include the Empire State Building. Appreciating the beauty of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings side-by-side is an opportunity you can't get from the top of Empire State.

Tickets are available from $13 for kids under 12 to $18 for adults. An additional ticket opportunity, called the "Sunrise Sunset" ticket, will allow you to visit twice in one day, so you could watch both the dawn and the dusk from the top of the buildings. Sunrise Sunset tickets are $15 for kids and $30 for adults.

Inwood Hill Park

Everyone knows about the great lawns and reservoirs of Central Park, but few tourists make it to the beautiful Inwood Hill Park in the far northern part of Manhattan. This park is like a primordial forest in the middle of the nation's largest city. In the 1800s, archaeologists discovered caves at this site that showed evidence of Manhattan's prehistoric residents. The last salt marsh habitat of New York and some great old growth forests are found at this 200-acre site.

Birdwatchers will love spotting bald eagles at Inwood Hill. In 2002 the species was released into the park. Rangers hope that bald eagles will return to New York and make the whole city their new habitat. In addition to all the nature trails and settings, Inwood Hill Park features playgrounds, athletic facilities, and barbecue or picnic areas that make the park a great place for family recreation.

Big Apple Greeters

Double-decker sightseeing buses are a common sight rolling through Times Square and the Financial District, but these tours can be extremely costly and impersonal. For a much more grounded and down to earth experience, try the Big Apple Greeters organization. Started in 1992, the organization now has 300 volunteer greeters who agree to be matched with visitors who request guides. Instead of driving by the most well-known places in the city, your Big Apple Greeter might take you to their favorite neighborhood pub.

By getting in touch with the local community, you'll be able to see the true spirit of New York, a tightly woven network of intimate communities. This part of New York just isn't often understood by outsiders. You will have a chance to ask questions, get recommendations, and maybe receive private lessons on how to use the subway system. The best part is that Big Apple Greeters are completely free and have a no-tipping policy.

New York Transit Museum

Step aside, Museum Mile. This 1936 Brooklyn subway station is now home to a museum dedicated to the history of New York's transit systems. Exhibits include a detailed narrative of how the original subways were created in the early 20th Century, a fare collection timeline showing all the ways in the last century that tickets have been taken, and a surface transportation exhibit covering two centuries of bus and trolley transit. Kids will love all the interactive exhibits in the museum with hands on vintage subway cars and trolleys.

The museum is open 10AM-4PM Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5PM. Tickets are only $3 for children under 18 and seniors, and just $5 for adults. The museum is easily accessible, since it is located in a still-functioning subway station servicing the A, C, G, and F trains.

The Historic House Trust

A unique way to experience New York City is through the historic homes that have been shaped by the growth of the city through the centuries. In 1989, the Historic House Trust of New York City was founded to preserve beautiful old homes in the city. Today, 23 sites are preserved by the trust, with some dating back as far as 350 years. The homes are located in parks and are all detailed with accurate period furnishings and decor.

Many of the houses hold museums and special collections. The Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan was built in 1832 is like a time capsule of 19th Century life, with a huge collection of clothing and furniture original to the home. Guided tours are also available. Perhaps the most famous of the trust's sites is Gracie Mansion, which is the residence of the New York City Mayor.

The oldest structure in the city of New York, a 1652 farmhouse in Brooklyn, is also part of the Historic House Trust. Today farming exhibits and educational activities are held there. Up north in the Bronx, poetry lovers flock to the Edgar Allen Poe Cottage, where the dark poet lived and wrote some of his most famous works, including "Annabel Lee" and "The Bells."

Hours and admission vary at each of the historic homes, but most of them are easily accessible by public transportation. To find information on a specific home or museum, visit the website.

Foods of New York Tours

There may be no better way to experience New York than by food tour. Guides will take your group around a neighborhood to all the best and most unique restaurants, eateries, and specialty food shops around. Tours are available in Chinatown, SoHo, Greenwich Village, and the Meatpacking District. Cheese, Gelato, Pizza, Peking Duck, and Syrian cuisine are just a few of the wonderfully prepared samples you'll be able to taste.

Each tour has seven stops and a personal guide. Tour groups have a maximum size of sixteen people, keeping it small and intimate. Private tours are available by request. Tickets must be purchased well in advance through the website.

Staten Island Ferry

Every visitor should be required to take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry before they leave New York. Every year, 20 million people ride the ferry, which is the only non-vehicular commuter link between Manhattan and Staten Island. The 5-mile, 25-minute boat ride is completely free, and it provides some of the best sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Even at twenty dollars a person, this New York City attraction would be worth the money, but it is offered for free. Avoid the ferry during rush hour commutes if you don't want to be too crowded, but don't expect the boat to yourself.

Make sure that on your trip to New York you see all the famous sights that you have dreamed of seeing. By all means, go to the Museum Mile and marvel at the Empire State Building. But don't overlook these fun New York City attractions that are a little off the beaten path. You will get a unique vantage point and a deeper understanding of the daily life in this great American city. Have a great time.

Learn more about this author, Shane Hampton.
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