One of the best annual events in New York is happening next weekend, and it’s 100% free! Only caveat: you’ve gotta sign up in advance, and I’d hurry – several programs booked up in less than two hours!
Open House New York is…well, an open house of New York City! Over 350 sites and programs are offered to the public on October 9th & 10th, all intended to give you a better understanding of NY. These include historical walking tours, behind-the-scenes looks at places normally off-limits to the public, canoe trips, and more!
AGAIN! You have to register for the events in advance! Registration officially opened today, and you can find a full program here on the OHNY website (avoid the PDF, as it’s already outdated by the online listings). I swear I always forget about this until it’s too late and everything is booked up – this year, no excuses! Maybe I’ll see you on a tour?
An example of the variety of events offered:
1) Digester Egg Experience: You know those enormous egg-shaped steel structures in Greenpoint? They’re part of the largest wastewater treatment plant in NYC, and you get to go right up to the top!
(Picture courtesy flickr user roboppy)
2) Tom Otterness Studio Tour: if you’ve ever been to the 8th Ave L-train stop, you’ve seen the work of Tom Otterness: whimsical and cute, wildly imaginative, and always slyly subversive. Tour his Brooklyn studio and meet the sculptor himself!
(Picture courtesy flickr user Nick Sherman)
3) Murray’s Cheese Cave Tour: In business since 1940, take a trip down into Murray’s cheese cave, in which centuries-old cheese aging techniques are still in use today on Bleecker Street.
(Picture courtesy flickr user Josh Bousel)
4) Grand Lodge of Masons: Wondering what conspiracies are being pulled off behind the facade of this 23rd Street building? Well, you probably won’t learn much about that, but you will get to tour the building’s many ornately detailed rooms.
(Picture courtesy flickr user HLIT)
5) James Farley / Moynihan Station tour: Get a behind the scenes look at the interior of the 8th Ave Farley Post Office building, which will soon expand to Penn Station. I’m told this one is particularly amazing:
(Picture courtesy flickr user Steve Minor)
You know what? I could pretty much keep listing events until I’d gone through all 350. Just check out the events page for yourself – and again, register soon! Several places I’ve written about in the past, including Fort Totten and Marble Cemetery, are included in the program.
And check back next week! If the stars align properly, I might be able to give you a sneak peek at some of these. More soon!
-SCOUT
FYI, not everything has to be booked in advance – just the sites with limited access or guided tours. It’s all up to the individual owners. But many sites are open to the public without having to sign up before.
Still, hours vary too, so it is best to look at the guide and do some planning (or RSVPing as needed)
Curious, I didn’t see a listing for a tour of the James Farley/future Moynihan Station building in the 2010 brochure. Did I overlook it??
It’s on the website under Manhattan / Moynihan Station tour. And fully booked, as is most of the other interesting stuff. Oh well.
Just wanted to leave a note to let you know that I love your blog + pictures! It has really made me appreciate the beauty in old buildings and stop to notice the little details. Before I would’ve wanted to demolish/modernize everything but now I see how they add to the character of the city. Thanks!
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