New York City, off the beaten path.

I am looking for places to see, and areas to visit in or around NYC. My criteria is pretty specific to the following. If you would like to vouch for something, please do so here (but only if you have visited the destination).

-landscape/architectural photography
-memorable scenary
-viewpoints, panoramas, sunsets
-nature
-the outdoors, (i.e. hikes with a view)
-specialty/unique local cuisine
-and anything else unique, mysterious or original to the local area.

What are your personal recommendations (that you've experienced & can vouch for)? Please exclude the obvious, or any tourist traps, ripoffs, and overrated attractions.

--If it helps, below is a list of things to do/places to see in NY that I've already added myself. Please edit, or even add to it-- Thx!

MY LIST:

view of Manhattan atop Sunset Park, Brooklynn
Near to sunset, Go to Brooklynn Heights Promenade, eat Pizza at Grimaldi's Pizzeria, 19 Old Fulton Stand, walk down to Fulton landing, then walk back over the Brooklynn bridge (looking back at Manhattan), end at City Hall
Viewpoint opportunities around Manhattan (other ferries leave Pier 11 on the Eastside, sweep around Lower Manhattan and up the Hudson OR NJ commuter ferry)
Staten Island ferry at Sunset (leaves Battery park)
Sunset at Riverside park
Flatiron, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Citicorp, Chrysler buildings, 42nd @ Lexington
Lincoln centre fountain (at night)

Have you thought about a visit to The Cloisters? If you're looking to take interesting architectural photos then it might be up your alley

http://www.nyc-architecture.com/HAR/HAR015.htm

or

http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Ar...ment.asp?dep=7

While I agree with your Brooklyn Heights recs, one could easily spend an entire day in the Heights surveying its historic architecture. But I agree that a visit to the Promenade and walking the bridge back to Manhattan are musts for every visitor to the city.

And although certainly no secret, I wonder how many tourists really take advantage of Central Park. When I was a kid, Central Park was thought to be a scary place for tourists. (Movies like Death Wish didn't help!) But it truly is a magnificent place that has lots to offer and that shouldn't be missed.

Rent a bike and do the Hudson River bike path. Goes from upper Manhattan all the way down to Battery Park. There are concessions and bathrooms along the way (for example at the Christopher Street Pier). Great exercise and amazing view along the Hudson River. Gets a little crowded around 42nd st Street but for the most part an easy ride.

I like the Cloisters idea. On the way, I recommend you walk up Broadway up to the 80s starting at Lincoln Center and marvel at the architecture of the apartmen buildings. Just fantastic. Then head over to Riverside Park and go for a nice walk. After the Cloisters, head to the northern most part of Central Park and walk around. Rock climbing, beautiful pond, walk around the area. Walk the entire circumference of the reservoir. Great views of the CPW skyline on the eastern part of the walk.

Do you play tennis? Call the National Tennis Center and reserve a court for an hour of play. How fun to play on the same surface as those in the Open. If you want to play at either Riverside Park (on clay) or in Central Park (mostly Har-Tru), purchase a single-play permit at either location and make a reservation for court time. These permits are for same-day play only. Arrive early.

If you walk up Broadway, shouldn't you stop walking around, say, 110th or so?

Not if you want to go to Riverside Park sooner.

That's Brooklyn, by the way. "Brooklynn" is a name that stupid celebrites like David Beckham have taken to naming their kids as of late.

I'm not sure if you mean the neighborhood Sunset Park or the City park by that name. I don't care much for either choice.

I suggest instead taking the New York Water Taxi http://www.nywatertaxi.com/nywt.aspx?s=sch from Manhattan to the Fairway Market in Red Hook, Brooklyn where you can have a cup of coffee at their outdoor cafe overlooking the Statue of Liberty.

Was going to suggest this myself.

If it's a nice day you can take the NY Waterway ferry from either midtown west or battery park area to Hoboken. Just north of the ferry terminal is a converted pier/park that has stunning views of the manhattan skyline as well. And the ride is nice. Consider taking the ferry from midtown to NJ, and then to battery park. Much more scenic than the subway if you want to see times square area and then ground zero and wall street. Takes a bit longer but it's cheap and pleasant.

Also - if you follow the above advice and go to the tennis center definitely don't miss the museum of the city of new york next door, which is worth a trip for the fully detailed scale model of the entire city, with every building and street replicated. It's stunning.

Outdoors - Central Park - North woods section. That's above 110 street, and you will be amazed at how rural it looks. I literally couldn't believe I was still in the city the first time I was there. You feel like you're in the jungle, quiet, all alone. Yet, you're couple blocks from the subway station. It's awesome.

Local cuisine - Chinatown, anywhere that will scare you. Just go and try it. Dumplings, Malay food, dim sum, taiwanese fried chicken legs. YOu can't go wrong. Do a search in Chowhound, and you can find specific listing.

Sports - Hit some golf balls in Chelsea Pier. They rent clubs and everything. And if you time it right, watch the sunset at the bar next door.

I also love the north end of Central Park, although you'll probably have better luck if you look below 110 St - just take the 2 or 3 train to 110 St or the B or C train to 103 St or 110 St. Before or after the park, you should take a stroll up Lenox Av aka Malcolm X Blvd which I think is the loveliest boulevard in Manhattan. You will find a lot of interesting architecture in Harlem especially on the side streets. Of particular interest are Strivers' Row and Aster Row (130 St between 5 Av and Lexnox Av). When you get hungry, you might head to Amy Ruth's for chicken and waffles.

If you do head to Sunset Park in Brooklyn, the city's third largest Chinatown stretches south along 8 Av (just east of the actual park). Also in that neighborhood, The Green-Wood Cemetery is certainly worth a look.

I've got a vaguely related question -- I always see a zillion busses on the streets labeled "NY Waterways." Are these free to get on and off to take to wherever the boats leave? And where is that?

No, they are not free. They are buses which go on various routes starting at the pier at W 39th Street. When you pay to take the ferry, a bus ride is included. There are various routes you can take from downtown to midtown and some times to the Lincoln Center area. If you want to go to the pier, you can get on them and they will take you there. For more info regarding ferry and bus routes, see http://www.nywaterway.com/ferry/schedules/ .

When the MTA was on strike in the cold 3 days of December 2005, I used this service to return home from my office in NJ. It was great!!

Another thought for nature/hiking is the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Take a Rockaway bound A train and get off at the Broad Channel station. It's an easy walk (10 minutes?) from the station. It's part of the National Parks system with no entry fee. There's a loop trail through the marshy area.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/gate/jbu/jbu_home.htm