New York City is packed with sites for tourists and locals to enjoy. Most — like the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty — are widely known.
But throughout the massive city, there are plenty of hidden attractions and secrets that might surprise even some locals. There's a 25-foot waterfall flowing in the middle of Manhattan, for example.
In the midst of this exciting city with so many famous attractions, don't be afraid to explore the hidden gems.
SEE ALSO: The most bizarre tourist attractions in America
There's a nearly invincible statue in Battery Park.
While the Twin Towers were completely destroyed during the 9/11 attacks, this metallic sphere sculpture, located in the middle of the towers, somehow remained standing. It was designed by German sculptor Fritz Koenig in 1971. Since 9/11, it has been moved to Battery Park, where it still remains standing to this day. The sphere has become a symbol of hope and strength.
You can still visit a subway stop has been closed since 1945.
Gaining access to the now-closed City Hall subway station is difficult. While the New York Transit Museum hosts tours through the facility, you still have to pass a background check just to get in, and the waiting list is already filled for 2016. MTA train conductors on the 6 subway line get to see it regularly, though — after the downtown 6 train makes its last stop at the Brooklyn Bridge station, it travels through the old City Hall subway to make its way back uptown.
There's a place in Staten Island where old boats go to die.
On the edge of Staten Island lie hundreds of old, rusty boats at the Arthur Kill Ship Graveyard. Some boats and their parts date back to before World War I. The site is popular with both photographers and historians. It cannot be viewed on foot, but is accessible by kayaks through tours by Kayak East. Be careful of trespassing — the boat graveyard has a residential neighbor.
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