🎊 Untapped New York's Top Stories of 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look back at our top 10 stories that got the most attention this past year. Our most popular articles span the topics you care about most—from transit and art to historic preservation, film locations, and the hidden secrets of NYC. Enjoy our countdown and let us know what your favorite story was this year!

10. NYC Says Goodbye to the MetroCard

The deadline for purchasing a new MetroCard is almost here: December 31, 2025. When the announcement of the MetroCard's demise was made in March, it was big news. Revisit some of NYC's initial reactions:

9. Monumental Art Installation 'The Gates' Returns to NYC...Virtually

Twenty years after its 2005 debut, New Yorkers once again had the opportunity to experience the majesty of The Gates, a large-scale, participatory art installation by renowned artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Made of 7,503 saffron-colored gates, each adorned with a free-flowing, seven-foot-long piece of fabric, the installation wound along 23 miles of pathways in Central Park. Though The Gates stood for only sixteen days, this installation's impact on the art world and New York City lasted much longer.

8. What It’s Like to Live On a Private Street In Brooklyn

When Michael Zuvich and Jesse Spry moved to Parkside Court in Brooklyn, they didn't realize the street they lived on wasn’t actually a street at all. According to the city, at least, Parkside Court, their little dead end in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, wasn’t on the official street map of Brooklyn.

7. A Guide to NYC Congestion Pricing

The introduction of congestion pricing, its efficacy, and its near repeal all made headlines in 2025. So it's no wonder you needed a guide to keep everything straight!

6. A Piece of Billie Holiday’s Harlem is Disappearing

You hate to see pieces of old New York disappear. After a devastating fire, the NYC home of jazz legend Billie Holiday was demolished. We captured photos of its destruction.

5. How to Make a Subway Map

For the first time in over 40 years, New York City got a completely redesigned subway map. We talked with the man who led the design of the 1979 map about his reaction to the new design, his own work crafting the map that we used for decades, and an alternative design he made to convey crucial information in innovative ways.

4. These Stations Have the Most Rats in the New York Subway

Readers loved using our interactive map to see how often people have spotted rats at their New York City subway station! We used data from the Transit app to see where the most rat sightings were reported.

3. Mapping Private Streets in Manhattan

Most of New York City's streets are open to the public. But throughout Manhattan, the city’s oldest borough, you can find private streets that were drawn and erased from the city’s official maps throughout history. We talked with Manhattan's Topographic Associate to learn more about these thoroughfares that don't appear on official maps!

2. World's Fair Mosaics Removed from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens

Our readers are just as obsessed with New York City's World's Fair history as we are. As such, they were invested in the fate of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park's commemorative World's Fair mosaics. Since the article was such a hit, we talked about this topic on the Untapped New York Podcast.

Remnants of the World's Fairs Tour

Track down abandoned buildings, buried time capsules, and works of art that still remain from both the 193940 and 1964/65 World's Fairs in Queens.

⭐ FREE for Insider tier members and higher! Members book here.

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1. Gilded Age Filming Locations, Season 3

Season 3 of The Gilded Age, HBO's hit period drama set in late 1800s New York City, premiered this summer to the delight of audiences who revel in the show's opulent locations, extravagant costumes, and engrossing drama. With the show being such a success, everyone wanted to know where it was shot...making this article our most-read story of 2025!

Fifth Ave Gilded Age Mansions Tour

Every Wednesday - Sunday: See the real-life locations that inspired the show when you visit the extant mansions of Manhattan's Millionaires' Row!

⭐ FREE for Insider tier members and higher! Members book here.

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