If you’re hunting for the top 10 jaw experiences that most visitors miss, you’ve landed in the right place. London’s famous sights are amazing, but beneath the tourist‑packed streets lie secret rooms, forgotten chapels and private clubs that will make your jaw drop. Below we’ve compiled a fun, chatty guide to ten of the city’s most spectacular hidden spaces – each worth a detour from the usual itinerary.

10 The Foreign And Commonwealth Office

This stately building is a must‑see for anyone who appreciates grand interiors. Its sweeping Grand Staircase dazzles with marble columns, restrained gold‑leaf accents and neoclassical frescoes that whisper of a bygone elegance.

Back in 1856 an international design competition was launched for the office’s façade. Though his entry placed third, chief architect George Gilbert Scott was ultimately commissioned to lead the project, shaping the overall exterior. He was later joined by Matthew Digby Wyatt, who added his own flair.

Scott gave Wyatt the reins to design the India Office’s interior, where Wyatt crafted the spectacular Durbar Court – an open‑sky‑styled hall that later received a protective roof in 1868, preserving the illusion of an endless ceiling while shielding visitors from the elements.

You might consider swapping a quick photo stop at Buckingham Palace for an extra hour or two wandering this lesser‑known architectural marvel. While many London institutions exist to educate or entertain, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is a working hub bustling with real diplomats.

If the idea of a guided tour through a passport office sounds as thrilling as watching paint dry, you’re not alone. Yet we can’t help but imagine how fascinating a behind‑the‑scenes look‑around would be.

Nearest Tube Station: Embankment

Why This Is a Top 10 Jaw Must‑See

From its opulent stairwell to its diplomatic history, the FCO offers a rare glimpse into the grandeur that powers Britain’s foreign affairs.

9 The Clermont Club

Who doesn’t love a little flutter? Imagine stepping into a setting that feels ripped straight from a James Bond film – that’s the Clermont Club for you.

Don’t expect to stroll in and place a fiver on the table; it’s a members‑only casino. For over four decades, the elite of London gathered in this 18th‑century townhouse, originally crafted by William Kent, to try their luck at high‑stakes games.

Nestled in the swanky Mayfair district, the club epitomises opulence. Though it shuttered its doors in 2018 due to financial strains, plans were set for a 2020 reopening.

Even if you can’t get past the velvet rope, many guided tours of historic Berkeley Square include a glimpse of the club’s façade. Ghost‑hunters often swing by No. 50, reputedly the most haunted house in London, just a few doors down from the Clermont Club at No. 44.

So, before you hear the spine‑tingling tales of No. 50, steal a quick peek through the windows of No. 44 – a brief taste of heaven before descending into the underworld of hauntings.

Nearest Tube Station: Green Park

8 Middlesex Hospital Chapel

Middlesex Hospital shut its doors in 2005, and most of the complex was demolished in 2008. Yet the chapel survived, and with good reason – it’s a true marvel.

Designated a Grade II* listed building, the chapel cannot be altered or demolished without official consent, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Now surrounded by sleek 21st‑century office blocks and apartments, the chapel stands as a solitary island of beauty amid a sea of modernity. A £2 million restoration returned it to its former glory, preserving its intricate mosaics reminiscent of Eastern‑Orthodox churches, vibrant stained‑glass windows and restored lighting that together create a tranquil sanctuary.

Nearest Tube Station: Goodge Street

7 Sir John Soane’s Museum

Sir John Soane (1753‑1837) was a true luminary of the Regency era, celebrated as an architect before becoming a professor at the Royal Academy.

His museum, housed in Nos 12, 13 and 14 of historic Lincoln’s Inn Fields, showcases buildings he purchased and personally rebuilt. The result is a shrine to architectural brilliance, filled with his own collections and ingenious design tricks.

Walking through the museum feels like stepping into a living lesson on architecture – the space itself is as much an exhibit as the objects within. After the pandemic, the museum is once again open for visitors to explore at their leisure.

Nearest Tube Station: Holborn

6 The Royal Courts Of Justice

This imposing court building can inspire awe in a tourist and send shivers down the spine of anyone facing a serious legal battle.

Its interior feels almost ecclesiastical, yet it exudes a palatial grandeur. The vaulted Great Hall radiates authority, reminding you of the weight of decisions made within its walls.

Designed by Gothic‑Revival architect G.E. Street (1824‑1881), construction spanned eight years, culminating in an 1882 opening by Queen Victoria. Within the complex lies the “Bear Garden” – a series of small rooms and antechambers where pre‑hearing negotiations occur, despite the name suggesting a literal garden.

The term “Bear Garden” likely references the historic, brutal sport of bear‑baiting, adding a quirky historical footnote to the elegant surroundings.

Nearest Tube Stations: Temple, Chancery Lane, Holborn

5 Masonic Temple At The Andaz Hotel

The Andaz Hotel on Liverpool Street conceals a genuine Masonic Temple that was once hidden behind a thin, false wall – even the former owners didn’t know it existed.

Inspired by ancient Greek architecture, the temple boasts twelve varieties of marble imported from Italy, creating a luxurious, timeless ambience. Its location adjacent to East London’s busy transport hub makes it easily reachable, yet its splendor is so arresting you’ll want to linger.

Rumor has it that Jack the Ripper may have been a Freemason, suggesting this could have been his secret lodge. Regardless, the space now hosts a range of events – from product launches to weddings, private dinners and even burlesque shows. HBO even used it for a Game of Thrones pop‑up restaurant in 2015.

Nearest Tube Station: Liverpool Street

4 Drapers’ Hall

This magnificent building houses the ancient Drapers’ Company – formally known as “The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London” – one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies.

Founded in the Middle Ages, the Drapers’ Company originally represented wool and cloth merchants. Today it operates as a charitable organisation, using this splendid venue for weddings, dinner parties and fundraising events.

The hall dazzles with awe‑inspiring chandeliers, marble statues and ornate plaster ceilings. Its cinematic appeal has attracted film crews for James Bond’s GoldenEye, Agent Cody Banks 2 and the award‑winning The King’s Speech.

Nearest Tube Station: Bank

3 Crossness Pumping Station

Crossness Pumping Station feels more like a cathedral than a utilitarian water‑works facility – a true testament to Victorian ambition.

Built to combat the cholera outbreaks and the infamous “Great Stink” of 1858, the station’s massive pumps cleaned the polluted Thames, safeguarding countless lives.

Its stunning ironwork, painstakingly repainted, resembles an arts‑and‑crafts wallpaper, proving that even functional infrastructure can be breathtakingly beautiful.

Nearest Tube Station: None – the nearest rail link is Abbey Wood train station.

2 The Princess Louise

What could be more quintessentially English than a classic pub? The Princess Louise offers a genuine Victorian‑era drinking experience.

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a richly decorated interior, complete with marble urinals for the gentlemen – a quirky yet authentic touch that adds to the historic atmosphere.

It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a room‑temperature ale while chatting with a moustachioed artisan, perhaps a hipster T‑shirt printer, who’ll regale you with stories of the neighbourhood.

Nearest Tube Station: Holborn

1 Harrow School

Remember those cramped, chilly gymnasiums and teachers droning on about dull subjects? Harrow School offers a very different vibe.

Founded in 1572, Harrow has produced a remarkable roster of world leaders, Nobel laureates and royalty, cementing its place as one of the world’s most prestigious schools.

The campus could give Hogwarts a run for its money. Highlights include the awe‑inspiring Speech Room and the Fourth Form Room, where former pupils – including novelist Anthony Trollope, four prime ministers and photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot – left their names carved into the paneling.

Talbot’s experimental work was so destructive that the school’s insurers refused to cover any building he used, underscoring his fiery passion for invention.

Nearest Tube Station: Northwick Park

Paris is a city that dazzles the senses, but beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre lies a world of secret corners that only the most curious travelers stumble upon. In this top 10 jaw guide we unveil ten astonishing hidden spaces that prove the City of Light still has plenty of surprises left in its back‑streets, lofts and vaulted halls.

Why This Top 10 Jaw List Matters

While most visitors stick to the postcard‑perfect icons, each of these locations offers a unique slice of Parisian history, art or atmosphere that you won’t find on the typical tourist trail. From medieval chapels to avant‑garde art squats, the following spots will give you a fresh perspective on the capital’s layered personality.

10 Sainte‑Chappelle

There are countless venues that get tossed around as mandatory “must‑see” stops, yet the dazzling stained‑glass canopy of Sainte‑Chappelle truly earns that badge. Its kaleidoscopic windows flood the chapel with celestial light, creating a visual feast that rivals any cathedral in Europe.

Even though this masterpiece of Gothic architecture ranks among the world’s finest, it often slips past the crowds that flock to the Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dam­e and Versailles. Few travelers make a beeline for Sainte‑Chappelle, but they should – the space is as inspiring and breathtaking as any landmark the capital can boast.

Nearest Metro: Cité

9 59 Rivoli

Very few cities can claim a semi‑derelict building as a cultural hotspot, yet 59 Rue de Rivoli does exactly that. In 1999 the structure had been abandoned for fifteen years, until three artists—Kalex, Gaspard and Bruno, collectively known as “KGB”—took over the space as a makeshift studio.

City officials initially tried to evict the trio, but by 2005 the municipality relented, granting the squat permanent status as an artist‑run venue. The walls, splashed with vivid graffiti, and the haphazard layout make you feel as though you’ve entered an urban hovel rather than a conventional gallery.

The building’s raw, gritty vibe is constantly underscored by the vibrant artworks that sprout from every nook, cranny and even the occasional hidden alcove. Its spiral staircase, a marvel of design, winds alongside walls plastered with endless eyes, adding a surreal twist to the space.

Beyond the bohemian façade, the venue’s bones are solid. The edifice harks back to the era when Paris was the epicentre of artistic innovation at the turn of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Even if some pieces aren’t to everyone’s taste, the fact that creativity still thrives in such a daring environment is worth celebrating.

Nearest Metro: Châtelet

8 Beefbar

When you think of Parisian dining, you might picture tiny cafés or Michelin‑starred temples, but Beefbar shatters those expectations. Nestled within sight of the iconic Eiffel Tower, this restaurant blends haute cuisine, striking décor and a singular focus on meat that will leave you gloriously drenched in juices.

While the city teems with celebrated eateries—Le Fouquet’s, Café de Flore, Tour d’Argent—Beefbar remains a slightly under‑the‑radar gem. Housed in the former Lamgham Hotel in the 8th arrondissement, the space has been lovingly restored to showcase its original Art Nouveau splendor.

After lying dormant during World War II, the building was rediscovered, declared a historic monument, and later abandoned again in the 1980s. Restaurateurs Ricardo Giraudi, Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet revived it, opting for a celebration‑style ambience that contrasts with their usual “refined simplicity” elsewhere.

The menu centers on a superb steak, served with crisp frites—a simple yet unforgettable experience that cements Beefbar as a culinary temple of beauty and flavor.

Nearest Metro: Alma‑Marceau

7 La Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire Sorbonne

While the Annenberg Dining Hall at Harvard and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford impress, the Sorbonne’s inter‑university library eclipses them with its opulent interior. French porcelain can sometimes feel gaudy, yet the library’s lavish décor proves that scale and elegance can coexist beautifully.

Even though borrowing privileges are reserved for students and faculty—over 2.5 million volumes line 40 km of shelving—the sheer visual impact is worth the visit. Ivory mouldings draw the eye toward romantic paintings that grace the walls and ceilings, while pastel blue‑green panels adorned with scrolling floral motifs provide a dreamy backdrop.

The marriage of delicate pastel hues with grand, baroque opulence creates a reading room unlike any other in Paris. It’s a space where scholarly seriousness meets artistic splendor, offering a sanctuary for the mind and the eye alike.

Nearest Metro: Cluny‑La Sorbonne

6 Promenade Plantée

Paris turned an abandoned railway viaduct into a soaring garden walk, giving visitors the chance to stroll above the city’s hustle while feeling like they’re starring in their own French‑style “Stand By Me” adventure—minus the danger, of course.

Author’s Note: I once asked my hotel concierge if he knew any gun‑loving alcoholics who could lend me a 1911 for the walk. He stared, then walked away. French service can be… blunt.

When the city unveiled this elevated pathway in 1993, locals scoffed, calling it a waste of money. Today, the three‑mile promenade is celebrated as a peaceful oasis, offering a bird’s‑eye view of rooftops, tiny pools, and lush plantings.

The route stretches from the Bastille to the sprawling Bois de Vincennes, delivering unexpected perspectives of Paris that you simply can’t catch at street level.

Nearest Metro: Ledru‑Rollin

5 Musée Bourdelle

While the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay dominate the museum scene, Musée Bourdelle offers an intimate glimpse into the world of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Housed in his former studio, the museum feels more like a personal atelier than a grand institution.

Beyond the impressive sculptures on display, visitors can examine the very tools Bourdelle used—plaster casts of Beethoven’s bust, works by Rodin, Ingres and early Impressionist Adolphe Monticelli—all nestled within the shadow of the towering Tour Montparnasse.

Nearest Metro: Falguière

4 Le Collège des Bernardins

Amidst the mélange of neo‑gothic arches, Art Nouveau touches, and sleek modern metalwork, the 13th‑century Collège des Bernardins stands as a quiet reminder that Paris’s story began long before the Enlightenment.

Constructed in 1248, the edifice served as a college and monastery for the Cistercian order until the French Revolution. After a 2008 renovation, it now houses the Académie catholique de France, fostering intellectual dialogue and research.

The stone nave, bathed in soft light and flanked by soaring medieval columns, feels both austere and sublime. Today, the space can be rented for events, letting modern revelers throw a party as if it were 1399.

Nearest Metro: Cardinal Lemoine

3 The Grand Mosque

Often eclipsed by more famous religious sites, the Grand Mosque dazzles with Moorish motifs that whisk visitors back to an era when Islamic and European worlds barely intersected.

The interior courtyard features intricate Zellij tilework, graceful crenellations on a rectangular minaret, and an Andalusian garden brimming with fountains and meticulously pruned shrubs.

During the Nazi occupation, the mosque’s founder, Si Kaddour Benghabrit, issued Muslim identification papers to several Sephardic Jews, enabling them to evade persecution—a poignant chapter in the building’s history.

Nearest Metro: Place Monge

2 Sainte‑Geneviève Library

The grand reading room of Sainte‑Geneviève Library is a marvel of vaulted ceilings, exposed cast‑iron arches and 46 arched windows that bathe the space in natural light. Its uniform shelves stretch for miles, creating a cathedral‑like atmosphere for book lovers.

Constructed in 1847, the library pioneered the use of iron in architecture, with cast‑iron arches and an innovative iron‑mesh support for the plastered ceiling. Critics have likened its magical ambience to Hogwarts, but the awe‑inspiring design is entirely real.

Nearest Metro: Cardinal Lemoine

1 Musée du Parfum — Fragonard

Paris isn’t just the capital of fashion and cuisine; it also reigns supreme in the world of perfumery. Housed in a graceful Napoleon III‑era townhouse, the Musée du Parfum showcases the evolution of scent from antiquity to the modern era.

Exhibits are arranged chronologically, guiding visitors through centuries of fragrant innovation. For those who prefer a hands‑on approach, the museum offers an “olfaction room” where you can experience perfume trends from the early 20th century.

A perfumer’s workshop invites guests to learn the delicate art of crafting aromas, ensuring that all five senses are delighted—except perhaps touch, which you’ll happily reserve for a baguette on the way home.

Nearest Metro: Opéra

Top 10 Museums That Will Scare You Silly

About The Author: CJ Phillips is a storyteller, actor and writer living in rural West Wales. He is a little obsessed with lists.

The Big Apple has got some pretty big spaces. From the many theatres of Broadway to the stunning lobbies of the grand hotels, world-famous galleries and museums, and the green expanse of Central Park, New York City ranks among the most iconic cities the world has ever seen. But, as with the other great cities in this little series, there are a wealth of hidden spaces waiting for you to uncover.

And do it quickly because New York is not doing so well right now—don’t all move to Austin, Texas, just yet! As this list will show, there are plenty of places to see.

Related: Top 10 Jaw-Dropping Hidden Spaces In Paris or Top 10 Jaw-Dropping Hidden Spaces In London

10 The Metropolitan Club

New York, alongside the world’s other great cities, has a strong game when it comes to old-timey, elegant, exclusive members’ clubs. But this one seems a touch more opulent than the others. When you look at the founding members—financier JP Morgan, railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, steel magnate James M Waterbury, former Assistant Secretary of State John L Cadwalader, and James A Roosevelt—it is little wonder how this place became so fancy.

Founded in 1891, the place retains its Gilded Age splendor. The West Lounge, found on the club’s first floor (of six), is the stand-out space. The stunning Renaissance murals look down upon the ornately decorated marble fireplaces, rendering the impressive views over the iconic Central Park rather dull—why would you look out when this is what is inside? So if you fancy gathering your pals for a knees-up, imagining yourselves all captains of industry and masters of the new world, the spaces throughout are available for hire. I’m sure they’ll take your house as collateral against the down payment…yeah, maybe just blag your way in for a quick peek. ^[1]

Nearest Subway Station: 5th Avenue Station—Broadway Local Line.

9 Greenacre Park

Parks are a fascinating human invention. More so than any ancient druid pointing to the boughs of an oak tree (where he just hung up a bunch of entrails) to demand reverence for nature, the modern park is the ultimate reverential symbol we’ve made for nature. We, those shaved apes that send people into space and create intricate systems that govern all aspects of our life, carve out portions of cities and towns and recreate the natural world. We need this. But not all parks are created equally, and some smaller parks are relatively ignored, remaining in the shadow of their bigger, flashier, more historic brethren.

One such “hidden” gem is Greenacre Park. With its 7.6-meter (25-foot) granite-constructed waterfall at its heart, this park is comprised of three levels, allowing for a multi-tiered experience. And what a pleasant experience it is! The waterfall births a babbling brook that leads to the entrance of the park. Next to the waterfall is a seating area, the perfect place to sit back, read a book, and forget that New York is dying.^[2]

Nearest Subway Station: Lexington Avenue/53rd Street—E Line or the M Line.

8 The Ford Foundation Building

Many public spaces in Lower Manhattan’s skyscrapers have been off-limits to the general public in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. However, the Ford Foundation Building’s atrium has not closed. Since 1963, the tiered garden space has offered an awe-inspiring haven for people to escape the hustle and bustle of Gotham’s busiest area. If Greenacre Park provides an outdoor getaway for New Yorkers, the Ford Foundation Building’s atrium is the indoor equivalent.

The garden was designed by landscape architect Dan Kiley and, since a 2018 redesign, has retained the peaceful aura the original vision created. The mid-century buildings and spaces in America’s main city really are a departure from earlier designs. Gone were the days of the celebration of progress and glory, of industrial mastery and financial victories; here came a time of escape, a move toward a more socially-conscious and sustainable future—progress at a more neck-preserving pace than the break-neck past. The Ford Foundation Building makes a great argument for this form of beauty far better than the contemporaneous monstrosities elsewhere in the city.^[3]

Nearest Subway Station: Grand Central Station—Lines 6, 7, and the 42nd Street Shuttle.

7 Old City Hall Subway Station

There is something creepy about abandoned subway stations. Not this one, however. This one is cool as hell—it answers the age-old question of “why did people in the past wear such fancy clothes when out and about?” Beautiful, mirror-shine green and white glass tiles line the gorgeous Gustavino vaulted ceilings, allowing the gentle light from the many chandeliers to dance around this subterranean space. Given that this was a busy commuter hub at the beginning of the twentieth century, one wonders how many people stopped to appreciate this stunning space when it was in regular use as a station. Not many, probably.

The City Hall station is an absolute gem. That is probably why the New York Transit Museum charges $50 for a tour of the place (and you have to be a member of the museum to attend, which is an additional $60). But if you’re a “meh, I don’t mind a fleeting glimpse” sort of person, why not just hop on the 6 train? It’ll pass through the station on its loop, allowing passengers to take a quick (and deeply envious) look at the sort of environment people used to stand in and wait to get moved around the city.^[4]

Nearest Subway Station, c’mon… Okay, NEXT nearest Station: Chambers Street Station—A Line.

6 Gould Memorial Library

Some have claimed the USA is the modern equivalent of the Roman Empire. So, there should be no surprise that this 19th-century University library in the Bronx was a reinterpretation of Rome’s Parthenon—and a hell of a good one, at that! Now a part of Bronx Community College, this space is well worth a look. A long look.

Built between 1894 and 1895 by the city’s foremost architect, Stanford White, as part of the University of New York City’s (now NYU) expansion onto the recently acquired Mali Estate, the whole complex is a monument to academia. The main reading room is breathtaking. From the sixteen imported Connemara marble columns, one’s eye is drawn upwards to the 21-meter-wide (70-foot) stucco-covered dome gilded with Dutch metal. It is meant to help inspire students to lofty academic heights, driven home with a wonderful quote from Milton’s Paradise Lost adorning the large entablature: “And chiefly thou o spirit that dost prefer before all temples that upright heart and pure. Instruct me for thou knowest what in me is dark. Illumine what is low raise and support.” Indeed.^[5]

Nearest Subway Station: 183rd Street Station—4 Line.

5 AT&T Long Distance Building

Beyond the melty clocks and vaguely smiling ladies, the out-of-place anatomical features, and the formaldehyde-bathed sharks, the visual arts have often been explicitly celebratory of mankind’s achievements, not merely impressionistic, expressionistic, devotional, or outright weird. We tend not to see this heroic style as often today, save on a very localized scale in school murals or public art commissioned by small community groups. If you get to visit the AT&T Long Distance Building in Manhattan’s Tribeca district, you’ll certainly get a sense of this once powerful artistic trend.

The art deco stylings within and without the building are amazing. However, there are plenty of far more famous buildings in New York that can show off their exterior deco cred. It is the incredible murals that run through the building that elevate this space to a must-see for art lovers.^[6]

Nearest Subway Station: Canal Street Station—A Line.

4 Grove Court

Some of you may balk at the idea of a gated community—it smacks of elitism as well as producing more than a whiff of “stay the hell away from me.” But once you manage to take a sneaky peek of Grove Court (alongside the many other tourists found doing the same thing), you’ll begin to dream of living there yourself. A square of brick-red townhouses, all in a charming Federal-era design, is a far cry from the austere brownstone, stooped buildings found elsewhere in the West Village.

This hidden architectural gem was built in 1854 by a grocer named Samuel Cocks (oh, stop sniggering and grow up!) to house laborers and local traders. So, not a fancy hideaway for the wealthy at all. Well, that’s what it is now, of course. The last time a 2-bed, 2-bath townhouse went up for sale, it fetched a cool $3.5 million.^[7]

Nearest Subway Station: Christopher Street Station—3 Line.

3 The Tunnels Under Columbia University

One of the worst-kept “secrets” in New York is the network of tunnels found under Columbia University. Despite the wide-ranging knowledge of these fascinating subterranean passageways, they don’t draw in masses of urban explorers that you might expect.

We often forget that the world around us, all the boons we take for granted, are manufactured, maintained, and require spaces such as these. The tunnels are Columbia University’s circulatory system. But before their role in keeping the uni humming, the tunnels served a far more sinister institution—The Bloomingdale Insane Asylum. The tunnels also played host to scientists working on the Manhattan Project. So if you want to see the place where scientists, madmen, and some mad scientists used to scurry around, take a trip under Columbia—it’ll be more interesting than attending a lecture.^[8]

Nearest Subway Station: 116th Street Station, Columbia University—1 Line.

2 Beneath the Brooklyn Bridge…

Urban exploration has undergone a real image transformation in recent years. Much like action sports like skateboarding and BMXing, there is now a veneer of respectability and cool to this once derided, nuisance pursuit. Urban explorers are the Indiana Joneses of the cities, uncovering artifacts and spaces that our forebears once used. Perhaps this could be considered the crowning achievement of this subculture in New York; the uncovering of a disused nuclear bunker inside the Brooklyn Bridge!

Awesome…or it would have been were it not for the fact that it was actually uncovered by some construction workers doing some routine inspections on the bridge. Ah well, at least they can lay claim to the next entry.^[9]

Nearest Subway Station: Fulton Street Station—3 Line.

1 The Explorers Club

The feeling one gets on entering a particularly beautiful or interesting space is driven by the styling. A highly baroque interior evokes a sense of opulence and a gentile lifestyle. An austere brutalist building suggests humanity’s progress to a utilitarian utopia/dystopia. Often, however, the styling is overridden by other elements. A baroque interior dotted with Lalique vases, Romantic landscape oil paintings, and bronze busts of various French monarchs will transport your mind’s eye to a Paris salon.

What we find in New York’s Explorers Club is not so much a transportation to a time and place but rather a whistle-stop journey around the globe’s wilder localities, evoking a sense of adventure, scientific discovery, and mankind’s emergent role as custodians of the natural world. Stuffed animals from all over the world are found everywhere—taxidermized cheetahs, lion pelts, rhino heads on walls, and great Elephant tusks flanking a fireplace in the reading room. Pith helmets may be required. Vegans need not apply…^[10]

Nearest Subway Station: 68th Street, Hunter College—6 Line.