The annual “Open House New York Weekend” will be held in New York from October 17th to 19th, featuring a record-breaking scale of 341 sites and a total of 1,600 hours of programs. This event allows the public to explore historical buildings, infrastructure, and hidden spaces that are typically inaccessible.
Kristin LaBuz, the Executive Director of the event, stated that this year’s activities will be the longest and largest in history, starting from the first event at midnight on Friday, October 17th, and concluding with a stargazing event by the Inwood Astronomy Association on Sunday, the 19th at 10 pm.
Some popular sites require advance ticket purchase (priced at $7 each, sales starting at noon on October 3rd) and reservation with a simple security check, while many locations are completely free for visitors to explore during open hours.
Here are some highlights of the “Open House New York Weekend”:
– Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch in Brooklyn: Explore the “Cupola Room” unknown to most visitors, and listen to forest rangers tell stories about the Civil War.
– ConEd East River Generating Station: A power and high-pressure steam supply center built in the 1920s.
– Yankee Ferry: The last Ellis Island immigration ferry, open to the public for the first time in five years.
– World Trade Center: Visit the 79th and 80th-floor artist residency and reconstruction exhibitions, explore the underground transportation network and central cooling system, and finally, ascend to the 64th-floor observation deck of Tower One, which has never been opened to the public.
– MTA Yards & Shops: Tour the Manhattan 207th Street yard flood wall, Brooklyn’s largest rail yard in Coney Island, and the brake and wheel maintenance processes at the Livonia repair shop.
Discover the “Hidden Aesthetics” of municipal infrastructure:
– Owls Head Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bay Ridge, overlooking the New York Harbor.
– Manhattan East 91st Street Garbage Transfer Station, showcasing efficient waste removal operations.
– Staten Island composting facility, producing 42 million pounds of fertilizer annually.
– SoHo’s “Spring Street Salt Shed,” demonstrating how the sanitation department handles 19,000 miles of winter roads.
Unveiling private clubs:
– Players Club and National Arts Club in Gramercy Park.
– Douglaston Club in Queens, a mansion dating back to 1819, where visitors can enjoy apple cider on the porch after the tour.
Hidden spaces in Rockefeller Center:
– Rooftop gardens of Buildings 610 and 620, offering a view of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
– Radio Park, a tenant-exclusive rooftop green space.
– The iconic Rainbow Room, where visitors can experience art deco and skyline views.
Recommendations and reminders:
– Tickets for popular sites often sell out quickly, so it’s advised to set up reminders in advance.
– Most tours require climbing stairs or navigating industrial environments, so wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.
Since its inception in 2003, “Open House New York Weekend” has been an annual “exploration journey” for New Yorkers to discover the city. With an unprecedented scale of activities this year, it is expected to attract tens of thousands of participants, allowing them to rediscover another side of this city. For more information, please visit: https://ohny.org/weekend/