The Big Apple is a bustling city with a lot going on at all times. No matter the time of day, something is happening on every corner in New York City. It’s one of the most tourist-heavy cities in the world so it’s no secret that NYC is a special city. However, there are some things that make it special that aren’t necessarily obvious to the average tourist. We’ve rounded up a few of the reasons we think New York City is more than what it seems that you might not have thought of.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Best Coffee = Everywhere

New Yorkers run on caffeine. Don’t talk to any of them until both you and they have had at least their first cup. You won’t find the best cup of coffee just anywhere, you’ll find it everywhere. Every neighborhood has their own best coffee shop, sometimes more than one. St. Kilda Coffee in Midtown has strong brews, delicious pastries, and even a book exchange. Chillhouse on the Lower East Side will give you a tasty beverage (Iced beet latte, anyone?) and a massage and manicure at the same time. Where else can you find that? In Little Italy, Cha Cha Matcha is shelling out trendy iced green tea lattes and soft serve. Weird combination? Try it and see! Everywhere you turn, there’s an amazing place to get coffee in NYC.

The High Line

Even though it stopped seeing trains back in 1980, the High Line still sees quite a bit of traffic just of a different sort. The old train tracks were converted into a walkway and garden in the early 2000’s. Now, it’s a secret gem for locals and tourists alike. Grab a coffee and just stroll.

Around the World in 60 Seconds

New York City is a literal melting pot for people of all kinds. They bring with them their own unique cultures and lifestyles that blend together to make for one exciting city. It’s possible to travel the entire world without leaving your block. There are even whole neighborhoods that play home to entire countries’ ways of life. Korean food is at your fingertips at Momofuku’s Ss?m Bar. Jet off to France at Amelie with a glass of Bordeaux and a plate of escargot. India finds its American home at Pippali where they serve dishes to please both the meat eaters and vegetarians alike.

Free Performances

Sure, you’re not getting into Hamilton anytime soon. (None of us are. Give up now.) However, there are still a ton of other options on the stage that are spectacular too. AND some of them are free. One of the most popular, Shakespeare in the Park, is a yearly occurrence. Catch an opera performance outdoors or a kid-friendly Charlotte’s Web. The tourists come for the big names but the best-kept secrets are usually free.

Everyone knows that New York City is an extraordinary place to be but what makes it so amazing are the little things. These hidden gems are the secret sauce that makes it such a desirable place to call home.

Looking for your NYC pad? Check out the current Rent Jungle listings today to find your perfect place.

If you didn’t already know, Austin, Texas is a weird place. We mean that in the best way possible. The slogan “Keep Austin Weird” was adopted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance to promote small business and to fight the surge of big business flooding the city. While there are still a ton of big name businesses that call Austin home today (Apple, HP, Google, etc.), the city at its core is still weird.

1. Museum of the Weird

It doesn’t get any weirder than something called the Museum of the Weird. If you have an interest in the supernatural and the strange, you will adore this attraction. Home to “The Minnesota Iceman”, who may or may not be Bigfoot, the Museum of the Weird has all manner of weird and strangely wonderful exhibits to take in. Don’t miss the daily Weird Theatre Show!

2. Cathedral of Junk

Now, we know what this sounds like but hear us out first. Located in the backyard of a residential home in Austin, a cathedral crafted from well, junk. Vince Hannemann, the crafter of the Cathedral, started the project in 1988 and hasn’t stopped since. His neighbors have complained, inviting the city’s engineers to inspect the structure for safety and stability. The verdict: weird, but safe. Only one thing had to be removed from the assembly: a pyramid of TVs. One man’s trash is another man’s church. That’s the saying, right?

3. Weird Wednesdays @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Another one with the word “weird” in the name; we’re on a roll! Wednesdays at the Alamo get a little strange. These evenings are reserved for those movies that are a bit too much for regular theaters or as they like to put it, “Movies too outrageous for prime time.” Think apocalyptic barbarian queens, lesbian vampires, and pimp ghosts. On a regular day, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema plays your typical blockbuster movies and we recommend you stop by for those too.

4. Fa-la-la-Lala’s at Lala’s

It has been Christmas at Lala’s since the 70s and there are no signs of it ending anytime soon. While the dive bar recently received an update (mostly just a good scrub down), the ambiance and the festive feeling are still there. Stop by at any time to sip yuletide drinks from kitschy mugs and marvel at the ornaments and elves adorning the walls.

Was that all weird enough for you? If it was too much, you might be better suited for another city but if this sounds like your cup of weird, weird tea, check out Rent Jungle’s Austin listings to find the unusual pad of your bizarre dreams.