nyccheaptravel.com

Category: Free

  • Free Guided Walking Tours of The High Line

    Free Guided Tours of The High Line

    Take a free guided walking tour of The High Line, NYC’s public park constructed atop an abandoned elevated train platform.

    The tours are led by High Line docents and feature a variety of themes and special topics.

    The basic High Line tour is given twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Other specialty tours are scheduled once a month. Online RSPV is required for the specialty tours.

    Tours are available May through October.

    Note: Dates and times are accurate to the best of our knowledge at time of publication. Please confirm tour details at the High Line website.

     

    The Tours

    High Line Tour: From Freight to Flowers – Tuesdays 6:30 – 7:13 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 – 11:15 p.m. (May – October). Learn the story behind the High Line.

    Art Tour – Second Monday of the month, May – September, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.. An insider’s view of the High Line’s public art.

    Garden Tour – Second Thursday of the month, May – September, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. Learn about the design and maintenance of the High Line’s gardens.

    Design Tour – Third Wednesday of the month, May – September, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.. An insider’s look at the unique design elements of the High Line as well as notable architecture in the neighborhood.

    Wildlife Tour – Third Saturday of the month, May – September. 8:00 – 9:15 a.m.. Tour focuses on how pollinators, migratory birds, and other wildlife use the habitat and forage provided by the High Line.

     

    About The High Line

    The High Line is a public park constructed on an abandoned train platform elevated above the streets of Manhattan. The elevated and linear nature of the park provides a unique experience.

    The elevated platform provides interesting views of the surrounding city streets and architecture, and in some spots, views of the Hudson River.

    The park features gardens, natural plantings, art, and plenty of benches for sitting and enjoying the views.

     

    Location

    The High Line is located on the West Side of Manhattan. It starts at Gansevoort Street & Washington Street and continue north to West 34th Street (between 10th and 12th Avenues).

    Because the park is elevated, access is restricted to entrances where stairs or elevators are provided.

    High Line Access points are located at Gansevoort & Washington Street, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 28th, and 30th Streets, 30th St & 11th Avenue, and 34th St. & 12th Avenue. See full access information, including where elevators are available, at the High Line website.

     

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  • New York Philharmonic Free Summer Concert in Central Park

    The New York Philharmonic in Central Park

    The New York Philharmonic has been performing free summer concerts in Central Park since 1965.

    You”ll get to enjoy an evening of classical music performed by one of the world’s finest orchestras, plus a fireworks show after the concert.

    The date for the 2017 concert in Central Park is Wednesday, June 14th. The concert is held on the Great Lawn and the performance begins at 8:00 p.m.. Entrances are at East 79th or 85th Street on the eastside and West 81st or 86th Street on the westside.

    This event gets crowded (very crowded, like 50,000 – 70,000 people), so come early to get a good spot. The Great Lawn is open all day. Bring a blanket to sit on (no lawn chairs). Picnics are encouraged, but no alcohol is allowed in the park.

    The Central Park Conservancy has a web page dedicated to the concerts in the park, with tips on getting there, what to bring, and how to get around.

     

    Additional Concerts

    In addition to the concert in Central Park, the Philharmonic also does free concerts in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Cunningham Park in Queens, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and an indoor concert in Staten Island. There are fireworks after the concerts in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.

    Visit the Philharmonic’s Concerts in the Parks website for details about these performances.

     

    History of the Concerts in the Park

    The New York Philharmonic has made a nice video about the history of the concerts in the park.

     

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  • Stargazing at Lincoln Center

    No, we don’t mean looking for celebrities at this iconic theater site, but actually looking at the stars in the sky.

    The Amateur Astronomers Association sets up telescopes in the area by the Lincoln Center fountain on Friday and Saturday nights from the beginning of April to the middle of August. Stop by from sunset until 11:00 p.m. and take a look at the moon and planets. (Note that these star observation events get cancelled if they skies are cloudy. Check the association’s website for updates)

    The Lincoln Center plaza, with lights on the fountain and the illuminated facades of the theater, is a beautiful sight at night and worth an evening visit. Be sure to notice the risers of the steps, where the word “Welcome” appears in many different languages.

    Details.

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  • New York Philharmonic Free Fridays

    Free Tickets for Ages 13 to 26

    The New York Philharmonic has a special Free Fridays offer for those 13 to 26 years of age.

    100 free tickets are given out for each Friday evening subscription performance. The tickets are reserved online on a first-come-first-served basis. One ticket per person.

    If you’re lucky enough to get one of the 100 reservation spots, you’ll need to pick up your ticket between 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at the David Geffen Hall box office on the day of the performance.

    Visit the Philharmonic Free Fridays web page for details and a list of upcoming Friday performances.

     

    Location

    The New York Philharmonic performs at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

    The street address is 10 Lincoln Center Plaza.

     

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  • Old Stone House in Brooklyn

    The Old Stone House

    Old Stone House. Photo by Dmadeo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
    Brooklyn’s Old Stone House sits on the site of largest battle of the Revolutionary War, where 1,300 Americans were killed or captured.

    The Old Stone House is a reconstruction of the original home which was destroyed in the 1890s.

    Today, the house serves the dual purposes of marking the history of site and serving the neighborhood’s current population. The house contains exhibits about the Battle of Brooklyn (including a diorama model of the battle) and education programs are offered for school children. The house and grounds also serve as a center for various community activities, including art exhibits and music and theater performances. Visit their website for information on upcoming events.

    Visitor reviews.

    Read a January 2015 New York Times article about the Old Stone House and the Battle of Brooklyn: Where George Washington Lost a Battle in Brooklyn, a Museum Dedicated to Its History Sits.

     

    Location

    The house is located at Washington Park in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. It’s located on Third Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The J.J. Byrne Playground is also located in the park and provides a good place for youngsters to get some outdoor exercise.

     

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  • International Print Center

    Print Gallery

    The International Print Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to fine art prints.

    The center’s gallery space features New Print shows four times a year, plus special exhibitions.

    The gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m (In July, the hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

    The gallery is open to the public and admission is free.

    Note: Information is correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publication. Please visit the International Print Center website to confirm details and hours of operation.

     

    Location

    The International Print Center is located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan, on West 26th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

    The street address is 508 West 26th Street.

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  • Pop-Up Concerts at Columbia University

    Free Concerts with On-Stage Seating

    Columbia University’s Pop-Up Concerts allow the audience to get up close with on-stage seating.

    The Pop-Up Concerts are free events held at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre. Audience seating is on the stage with the performers. In keeping with the unusual setting, the music is often innovative or experimental.

    The concerts are held on select Tuesday evenings. The performances usually start at 6:00 p.m, but sometimes they start later. Be sure to check the schedule.

    Admission is free and on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors open a half hour before the scheduled concert time.

    Schedule and details: Pop-Up Concerts at Miller Theatre.

     

    Location

    The Pop-Up Concerts are held a Miller Theatre on the campus of Columbia University in Upper Manhattan.

    The street address is 2960 Broadway, New York, NY.

     

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  • Central Park Conservatory Garden

    Central Park’s Formal Garden

    The Untermyer Fountain at Central Park’s Conservatory Garden. Copyright: kirkikis / 123RF Stock Photo

    The Conservatory Garden in the northern portion of Central Park is the park’s most formal garden space. The Conservatory Garden is six acres of formal gardens planted in three styles – Italian, French, and English. Each style is represented in a different section of the garden.

    The space is filled with beautiful garden beds, water features, and statuary. Benches provide places to relax and enjoy the views.

    The Conservatory Garden is designated as a “Quiet Zone” and is a perfect place to escape the bustle of New York City streets.

    Public restrooms are available near the Conservatory Garden Center Fountain.

    The gardens are at their most colorful in the spring, when the crabapple trees are blooming and the beds are full of tulips.

     

    Location

    The Conservatory Garden is located on the eastern side of Central Park, between 104th and 106th Streets. The closest park entrances are the Fifth Avenue entrances at 105th Street and 106th Street.

    Nearby attractions include the Museum of the City of New York City and El Museo Del Barrio, both located on Fifth Avenue between 103rd and 105th Streets.

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  • Hamilton Grange – Alexander Hamilton’s Home

    Hamilton Grange. Photo by Jim.henderson (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
    Alexander Hamilton built a Federal Style “country home” on 32 acres of land he owned in Upper Manhattan. The home was completed in 1802, two years before he was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. He named his country home “The Grange” after his grandfather’s estate in Scotland. His family retained ownership of the house for 30 years after his death.

    The home has been restored and is now owned and operated by the National Park Service. It is now officially known as Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

    Visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour of the restored home, view an introductory film, and learn about Alexander Hamilton through informational exhibits.

    Admission is free.

    Hamilton Grange is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    See reviews and comments from Hamilton Grange visitors at TripAdvisor.

    Note: Information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Please visit the official Hamilton Grange website to confirm information and hours of operation.

     

    Moved Twice

    Although the house survives today, it is not in its original location. It has been moved twice, although it has stayed in the same neighborhood.

    The first move came in 1889, when a church acquired the structure, moved it several blocks from its initial location, and used it for services. The second move came much later when, in 2008, the house was moved by the National Park Service 500 feet to its current location in St. Nicholas Park. The move shifted the house from a street where it was crowded by other buildings to a setting more in keeping with the open lands on which Hamilton’s home was originally constructed.

    Following the relocation to St. Nicholas Park, the home was closed while it underwent extensive renovations. Hamilton Grange reopened to the public in 2011.

    The New York Times ran a good article about the 2011 reopening: A Founder’s at Home.

     

    Location

    Hamilton Grange is located in the Hamilton Heights Historic District of Upper Manhattan. It’s in St. Nicholas Park, at West 141st Street, between Convent Avenue and St. Nicholas Avenue.

    The street address is 414 West 141st Street, New York, NY.

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  • Franklin Park Reading Series

    Second Monday of Each Month

    The Franklin Park Reading Series is a free event featuring readings from both established and up-and-coming local writers at the Franklin Park bar in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The events take place on the evening of the second Monday of each month

    Admission is free and there’s a $5 draft drink special during the Reading Series events.

    Information on upcoming Reading Series events is available at the Franklin Park website.

     

    Location

    Franklin Park is located in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.

    The street address is 618 Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY

    The Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are nearby.

     

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