Uncovering Manhattan: 5 Hidden Gems off the Beaten Path

• The New York Earth Room (by Walter De Maria)

Located inside a SoHo loft, this permanent installation has been maintained by the Dia Art Foundation since 1977. The artwork consists of 250 cubic yards of earth covering 3,600 square feet of floor space at a depth of 22 inches. Stepping into the room takes you out of the city grid, into a quiet, humid, forest-like environment above the streets.

• The Ford Foundation Atrium Garden

In the landmarked Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, this indoor garden sits behind glass walls. Beneath a 12-story, 160-foot-tall glass atrium, the tiered indoor subtropical forest features nearly 40 species of trees, a sensory garden with braille signage, and a reflecting pool. It is an urban space designed to bring nature into an architectural frame.

• "Times Square" Sound Installation (by Max Neuhaus)

In Times Square, a permanent, invisible audio installation has been humming beneath the streets since 1977. Maintained by the Dia Art Foundation, this sonic installation envelops pedestrians standing on the triangular safety island in a resonance. The sound emanates directly from the subway ventilation grates beneath your feet, creating an architectural contrast against the surface noise.

• The Elevated Acre

Three stories above the street grid of the Financial District, this one-acre meadow is accessible via an escalator at 55 Water Street. The landscaped public plaza features an astroturf lawn, a seasonal beer garden, and an amphitheater. Walking along its paths treats you to views of the East River and the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge.

• Greenacre Park

On East 51st Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, this "pocket park" is a Midtown space. Designed by Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates, the 6,000-square-foot public space features a 25-foot-tall granite waterfall. The sound of the water drowns out the Midtown traffic, while a canopy of trees, brick paving, and outdoor seating create a courtyard.