From a wildflower field set atop a film lot to the cottage where Edgar Allan Poe once wrote maudlin prose.
Even for lifelong New Yorkers , stumbling across something entirely new or surprising is the average . It ’s the magic of the city .
But if you do n’t desire to rely on coincidence , one easy way to uncoverhidden gemsis by attending the Open House New York festival . Now in its twenty-second yr , Open House New Yorkallows tourists and locals to glint behind the curtain of New York ’s most exclusive distance throughunique toursof historic edifice , groundbreaking greenspaces , gorgeous new residences , and innovational art hubs . Even better , half of the experiences are entirely barren , while the fine tours will only congeal you back $ 6 . bear across all five boroughs from Friday , October 18 to Sunday , October 20 , there ’s still time to plan your weekend of unequaled digression .
We did the work for you and labialise up the coolest tours offered this year at Open House New York .
Open House New York tour at M and S Schmalberg Flowers|Photo by John Ng
Free tours during Open House New York
Alice Austen House Queer Ecologies Garden
RosebankThis picturesque Dutch farmhouse and garden on Staten Island was home to one of America ’s earliest and most fecund woman in picture taking , Alice Austen , and her partner , Gertrude Tate , in the early 19th one C . Now a National Historic Landmark and doom site of LGBTQ+ signification , the 300 - year - old home and ring property operates as a museum for Austen ’s work , which consists of 8,000 beautifully intimate photographs of her private life story . Take a ego - guide , 45 - minute tour of the garden , which continue to serve as a refuge for the local fag community of interests . visitor can also channel their intimate Austen by renting a polaroid or photographic film camera to rupture memories along the direction .
Brooklyn Glass
GowanusArtist - owned Brooklyn Glass studio focalise on methamphetamine blowing , spicy casting , flameworking , and more . The 4,000 - straight - foundation space features everything from furnace and several annealers ( temperature - controlled kilns ) to glass lathes ( political machine that hold and rotate trash tubing ) and a neon facility . During the Sunday tours , Edgar Guest will be able to estimate if this raw pursuit is up their alley by watching a serial of fascinating demonstration by experts . For those interested in the trade , the creative center offers opportunities to attend course of instruction and private lessons .
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
Fordham“Yet the auricle it full knows / By the twanging , / And the clanging , / How peril ebb down and flow ; ” This illustrious line of poetry from “ The Bell " was spell by America ’s favored macabre writer Edgar Allan Poe in a quaint , five - room bungalow in The Bronx . Poe go into the modest family with his wife and female parent - in - law in 1844 and lived there until his death in 1849 . Visitors can now explore the completely touch on interior with historically precise furnishings like a desk , rope layer , and wickerwork rocking death chair ( which may have really belong to the Poe family ) .
Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roofs
GreenpointIt may never have occurred to you that you could unravel through an ethereal hayfield full of wildflowers in New York City , but head to Greenpoint ’s Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roofs to witness a 25,000 - square - foot quad featuring a swath of local wildflowers , plants , and insects ( tie to the newfound nature ) . The project purport to train the lot on conservation , gullible substructure , and the urban center ’s theatrical role in climate variety . Explorers can touch some grass , learn environmental facts , and shop at the on - place plant nursery .
M and S Schmalberg Flowers
Garment DistrictM and S Schmalberg Flowers has perfected the art of fabric flowers . Opened in 1916 , the four - propagation , family - run byplay handmakes every faux floral , which are used for couture wearable , costumes , accessories , and more . It ’s actually the last of its form in the country . Guests will be able to peek behind the drapery at the heyday - making summons , which has remained the same for more than a century , on Fridays for 30 - minute increase .
Ticketed tours during Open House New York
Claremont Hall
Morningside HeightsWith residences bulge out at $ 1.2 million , Claremont Hall caters to NYC ’s affluent populace . Although a condominium with that Leontyne Price tag is certainly not attainable for most of us , we can still tour the building ’s grounds and admire its stunning medieval architecture . Also in the construction is the Union Theological Seminary ( a Christian college that prepare students to become priest and parson ) , and visitors will also be able-bodied to tour schoolroom , function , faculty apartments , sumptuousness one- to four - bedroom condos , a walnut tree - paneled library , and an indoor pool with original cathedral ceilings .
Colossal Media
Hall of Records
TribecaThe Hall of Records in Manhattan is an architectural masterpiece . Designed by John Rochester Thomas , the edifice use up eight , scrupulous years to make out . To this twenty-four hours , the Beaux - Arts diachronic turning point remains a marvel with rich medal and extended marble detailing . On a guided tour , visitors will learn more about the sumptuous stairway , lobby , mosaic ceilings , and shine statuary .
Murals and Mosaics of Spanish Harlem
East HarlemThe neighborhood of East Harlem — also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio — is dwelling house to a thriving community of Puerto Rican , Dominican , Cuban , and Mexican New Yorkers . From the humble businesses to the lively music , there are sign of Latine polish on every corner , include beautiful public art work . connect theHarlem Walkstour companionship for a amble around the locality and identify the fib behind more than 20 mural and mosaics centre around politics , anti - colonialism , and community .
Welcome Sign at Panorama
At one sentence or another , we ’ve all wondered why Brooklyn Heights has a bright , red “ Welcome ” sign that towers above the skyline . Now , thanks to Open House New York , you may uncover the truth and see it up close . In 2019 , the 15 - feet - by-80 - feet - all-embracing letters were commissioned by Panorama ( an amusement and originative office composite ) to wait on as an affable salutation to the city to all that see the message . This new sign replaced the antecedently well - known “ Watchtower ” sign , which beamed for 48 years when the construction served as the Jehovah ’s spectator ’ headquarters . Tours will bring you up close and personal with the sign , but take down that close-fitting - toed shoes are required .
Kingsland Wildflowers Green Roofs|Photo by Ben Helmer
Open House New York tour at M and S Schmalberg Flowers|Photo by John Ng
The indoor pool at Claremont Hall|Photo courtesy of Claremont Hall
Interior of Colossal Media|Photo courtesy of Colossal Media
