NYU Move-In Guide Part Four: Hidden Gems

For almost 30 years, LifeThyme Natural Market has been highlighting local farmers and produce. What’s more, they make eating healthy accessible to all. The video above shows how, in its nearly 30 years, this hidden gem has built community with its neighbors.

“I like to think that food is a critical part of community building,” says Jason Bender, LifeThyme’s second-generation owner. “Food brings people together, and that’s what we stand for.”

Living in New York City means having unparalleled access to an incredible array of parks, stores, museums, and more. While you may learn about a few of these spots through travel guides or curated lists (like this one!), most are found simply by getting out and exploring. Read on to discover some of NYU students’ favorite hidden gems around the city.

“I love SoHo’s Elizabeth Street Garden and Jefferson Market Garden on Greenwich Avenue. They are my absolute favorite places to sit with my morning or afternoon coffee and have a relaxing moment.” —Avery Appling, Social Work with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies, NYU Silver School of Social Work

“The Stonewall National Monument is located right on Waverly Place, not far from Lipton Hall. There are benches for you to sit on, and it is also enriched with the history of LGBTQIA+ icons! I discovered this place during my second semester of my first year in my expository writing class. We took a class trip there and I found myself returning to this park whenever the weather was nice.” —Jade Ramirez, Interactive Media Arts, NYU Tisch School of the Arts

“I love walking behind Bobst Library and heading down MacDougal Street. There are so many cuisines, sweet treats, and vegan spots to discover. Whether I’m going with friends or grabbing some falafel during study break, I just love that street!” —Agnese Salvatico, environmental studies and education concentration, NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study

“My favorite hidden gem is Bagel Bob’s on University Place. They have tiny, cheap bagels.” —Meruyet Tailanova, Finance and Computing and Data Science, NYU Stern School of Business

“I love L’Appartement 4F. It’s a small bakery that operates through a small window in Greenwich Village. It has twice-baked croissants that’ll make you want to try everything on their menu.” —Daniel Lee, International Relations and Public Policy, NYU College of Arts and Science

“Three Lives & Company bookstore and Casey Rubber Stamps are my favorites. Three Lives & Company once had fresh cookies out, baked by the owner, because they were celebrating a new book release. It is small, and it has a homey vibe. But it still has a huge selection of books by a variety of authors.” —Hannan Abraham, Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development