18 Hidden Gems Around The World That You Need To Visit

    Don't waste your time visiting Times Square. There are tons of other incredible places that deserve your attention.

    Adam Davis
    by Adam Davis

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to share the best kept travel secret in their hometown. Here are some of their suggestions.

    1. Santa Maria presso San Satiro; Milan, Italy

    en.wikipedia.org
    Flickr: michele_mariani / Creative Commons

    The site where San Satiro is located has origins dating back to the 10th century, although the current church that stands there wasn't built until the 1400s. Although not as famous as Milan's Duomo, San Satiro provides countless examples of fine Renaissance art, including frescoes and sculptures.

    Submitted by vonUtz.

    2. Reservoir #3; Jersey City, New Jersey

    en.wikipedia.org

    Built in the late 1800s, Reservoir #3 provided water to residents of Jersey City until it was abandoned in the decades leading up to the 21st century, leaving the area to nature. The unique urban park includes Egyptian Revival and late-Victorian Romanesque architecture listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

    Submitted by therblig.

    3. Weatherspoon Art Museum; Greensboro, North Carolina

    en.wikipedia.org

    Part of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro campus, the Weatherspoon Art Museum is home to a collection of modern and contemporary art that includes such major artists as Willem de Kooning, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol. Plus, it's free, making it an easy way to access some of the most groundbreaking artworks of the 20th century.

    Submitted by Cates Holderness.

    4. Blessington Street Basin; Dublin, Ireland

    Flickr: infomatique / Creative Commons

    A former reservoir for the city's water supply, Blessington Street Basin is now a lush haven in the middle of Dublin. The "secret garden" is great for walking, viewing wildlife, or just getting away from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

    Submitted by Deenoo.

    5. Blackstone Boulevard and Swan Point Cemetery; Providence, Rhode Island

    blackstoneparksconservancy.org
    Flickr: cthulhuwho1 / Creative Commons

    Although it may just seem to be a 1.6 mile long median between two roadways, Blackstone Boulevard is one of Providence's major landmarks and is enshrined in the National Register of Historic Places. It's renowned amongst locals as one of the most beautiful places in the city to go for a walk or bike ride. Off the Boulevard is Swan Point Cemetery, itself on the National Register of Historic Places, the final resting place for Rhode Island notables ranging from numerous governors to author H.P. Lovecraft.

    Submitted by brettc11.

    6. The Wave Organ; San Francisco, California

    Flickr: koocheekoo / Creative Commons

    Created by Peter Richards and George Gonzales, the Wave Organ is an acoustic structure in San Francisco Bay. The Organ creates sounds when waves hit the ends of the structure's pipes and the movement of the water within the pipes. The Organ is best experienced at high tide.

    Submitted by SFMattyG.

    7. Brooklyn Heights Promenade; Brooklyn, New York

    Flickr: mikebny / Creative Commons
    Flickr: dumbo711 / Creative Commons

    Instead of sticking to the more touristy Manhattan, you can head over the East River to Brooklyn, where you'll find this promenade running along the edge of the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. The view of lower Manhattan is unbeatable.

    Submitted by mariaw4b7d2cb41.

    8. Casa Museo Boschi Di Stefano; Milan, Italy

    9. Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit, Michigan

    Flickr: quickfix / Creative Commons

    With over 650,000 square feet of space, the Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the premiere arts destinations in the entire city. Numerous legendary names in the art world are represented at the museum, including Diego Rivera and Vincent Van Gogh.

    Submitted by Eva Dedenbach.

    10. Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary; Midrand, South Africa

    Flickr: aquilaonline / Creative Commons

    Situated between the major metropolises of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Lory Park Zoo is a sanctuary for animals that have been abandoned or injured as well as a learning center for children. Visitors are given the opportunity to interact with some of the animals, like leopard cubs, during one of two time slots daily.

    Submitted by Abbigayle Van Der Westhuizen.

    11. Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising; London, England

    Flickr: cyesuta / Creative Commons

    As one of the world's preeminent shopping destinations, London has a long and deep history of branding and advertising. This museum contains artifacts from as early as the 19th century, making it a treasure trove of trinkets and images for lovers of all things retro.

    Submitted by lh2686.

    12. Belle Isle; Detroit, Michigan

    RiverNorthPhotography / thinkstockphotos.com

    At almost 1,000 acres, Belle Isle is a large swatch of paradise in the midst Detroit. The master plan for the park was created in 1883 by Frederick Law Olmstead, who is perhaps best known for designing Central Park in New York. The island park includes everything from a conservatory to an aquarium, along with plenty of open space for enjoying nature.

    Submitted by Eva Dedenbach.

    13. Micanopy, Florida

    Flickr: visitflorida / Creative Commons

    Founded in 1821 (but first encountered by Hernando de Soto in the 1500s), Micanopy is known as the oldest inland town in the whole state. The town's main drag has been put on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for its collection of antique shops. With only about 600 residents, Micanopy is a small town hidden in the middle of Florida.

    Submitted by Sydney Kruljac.

    14. London Transport Museum; London, England

    Flickr: asierra_re / Creative Commons

    Everyone loves London's double-decker buses, but only at the Transport Museum can you learn about their history and view early versions of the bus that we all know today. Just be careful to mind the gap (lol some tube humor for you all).

    Submitted by lh2686.

    15. Rusty's TV and Movie Car Museum; Jackson, Tennessee

    16. Meridian Hill Park; Washington, DC

    Flickr: aliciagriffin / Creative Commons

    Meridian Hill Park is known for having the largest cascading fountain in North America as well as for its weekly drum circles, where you can enjoy music, dancing, and food.

    Submitted by Kayla Surrey.

    17. The Maritime Museum; San Diego, California

    Flickr: smwalton73 / Creative Commons

    Amongst the attractions at San Diego's Maritime Museum is a real Soviet-era submarine that visitors are welcome to walk through. Plus, the museum is located right along San Diego's harbor, providing beautiful views of the water.

    Submitted by Ryan Cox.

    18. The Underground; Seattle, Washington

    Flickr: kneoh / Creative Commons

    Underneath the present street level is a whole other city, the Underground remnants of what used to be Seattle. Visitors can take a tour and wander the Underground, seeing what used to be old shops, squares, and more, while learning about Seattle's history and the transition from the Underground to the city we see today.

    Submitted by Jaran Reid.