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Category: Free

  • African Burial Ground National Monument

    African Burial Grounds Memorial. Photo by Reinhard Dietrich (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
    The African Burial Ground National Monument marks the Lower Manhattan location of a burial ground where enslaved and free Africans were buried during a time period from the 1690s to 1794. The burial ground was located outside the boundaries of the early settlement of New Amsterdam, which later became New York.

    The long-forgotten burial ground was found in 1991 when an archaeological survey prior to the construction of the Ted Weiss Federal Building discovered intact burials. Community activists worked to ensure that the area was preserved and protected.

    A monument stands on the site today. The monument, designed by Rodney Leon, was designated as a national monument in 2006.

    A visitor center on the ground floor of the Ted Weiss Building contains exhibits about the burial grounds and about the role Africans played in the building of early New York City.

    An article by Edward Rothstein in the February 25, 2010 edition of the New York Times, provides good background about the monument and the discoveries at the site: A Burial Ground and Its Dead Are Given Life.

     

    Location & Hours of Operation

    The African Burial Ground National Monument is in Lower Manhattan, behind the Ted Weiss Federal Building, which is at the intersection of Broadway and Reade Street. The location is a block north of City Hall.

    The street address for the Ted Weiss Federal Building is 290 Broadway. The monument is behind the building, at the intersection of Duane Street and Elk Street. The visitor center is in the Ted Weiss Building, on the ground floor.

    Admission to both the memorial and visitor center is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The monument and visitor center are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..

    The memorial closes for the winter (closing November 1 and reopening April 1). The visitor center remains open year around.

    Because the visitor center is located in a Federal building, airport-type security screening is in place at the entrance.

    Note: The memorial and visitor center and operated by the National Park Service. Hours of operation are established by the Federal Government and subject to change. Please visit the memorial’s website for updates.

    Admission to the memorial and visitor center is free.

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  • El Museo del Barrio – Free Admission on Third Saturday

    El Museo del Barrio. Photo by The Fixers (Wikis Take Manhattan 2009 participant) (Uploaded from Wikis Take Manhattan 2009) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

    Free Admission to El Museo del Barrio

    Admission to El Museo is free every third Saturday of the month. Saturday hours are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Admission is also free for seniors on Wednesdays.

    Regular admission is a suggested donation of $9 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

     

    El Museo del Barrio

    El Museo del Barrio features works by Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latino, and Latin American artists.

    The museum’s permanent collection includes a large collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, a graphic prints collection, a collection of modern and contemporary art, and a ‘Popular Traditions’ collection of folk art items.

    In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also hosts special exhibitions. Visit the museum’s website to find out what’s currently on display.

     

    Location

    El Museo del Barrio is located on 5th Avenue and 104th Street, at the north end of the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile.

    The street address is 1230 Fifth Avenue.

    The museum is in the El Barrio or Spanish Harlem neighborhood, characterized by a rich cultural history of diverse immigrant residents.

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  • The Red Cube

    The Red Cube is an iconic public sculpture piece located in Lower Manhattan at Broadway and Liberty Street.

    Although the sculpture is titled “Red Cube” and appears to be a cube, it’s actually not a quite a cube. The shape is stretched out along one axis, adding to the somewhat precarious feeling of the piece’s balance on one point. The bright red color stands out in stark contrast to the blacks and grays of the surrounding skyscrapers. It makes a nice photo op.

    The Red Cube is the work of Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. Additional Naguchi pieces can be found at the Noguchi Museum on Long Island.

     

    Location

    The Red Cube sculpture is in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. It’s on Broadway, between Liberty and Cedar Streets, and across from Zuccotti Park.

    Nearby sights include The World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial, Trinity Church, and the Federal Reserve Bank.

     

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  • Macy’s Flower Show

    Macy’s Annual Spring Flower Show

    Macy’s features a two week display of elaborate floral arrangements each spring at their big Herald Square store in Manhattan.

    The 2017 Macy’s Flower Show dates are March 26 – April 9.

    There’s a “carnival” theme for the 2017 show, and displays will be reminiscent of 20th century carnivals and fairs.

    Special events are scheduled throughout the show.

    The Macy’s Flower Show is open to the public and free to attend during the store’s regular open hours. Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m..

     

    Location

    The Macy’s Flower Show is at Macy’s Herald Square. The street address is 151 West 34th Street, New York, NY.

     

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  • Audience Tickets for The Chew

    Get Tickets for The Chew

    The Chew is ABC’s food-centered talk show.

    You can get free tickets to be in the audience for The Chew by applying online.

    The shows is taped Tuesday – Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.. The tapings usually last about 90 minutes.

    You need to be at least 14 years old to attend.

    See the show’s ticket FAQ for details.

    Read blog accounts from audience participants a tTavola for two and Shared Appetite.

     

    Advance Tickets

    Ticket requests are handled by 1iota (they also handle ticket distribution for many other shows). To request tickets, visit the 1iota website and fill out a ticket request form.

    You’ll receive notification via email if you’re selected for tickets.

    Getting an email notification for tickets does not necessarily mean that you’ll get into the show. In order to ensure a full audience, more tickets are distributed than there are seats in the studio. Entrance tickets are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis on the day of the taping.

    You’ll be instructed when to arrive at the studio, usually 60 to 90 minutes before show time. You may have no problem getting in if you get there just before the required time, but it might be safer to get there early. It all depends on how many people who got the email ticket notifications actually show up.

     

    Standby Tickets

    Standby tickets are available about 90 minutes before showtime. You’ll only get in on standby if the studio doesn’t fill up with advance ticket holders.

     

    Apply to be on the Show

    The Chew is always looking for people to participate on the show for things like meal makeovers and recipe sharing. You’ll find links available participation opportunities on the 1iota site.

     

    Location

    The Chew tapes at ABC Television Studios, 30 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023 (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West).

     

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  • Free Events at the NY Public Library Schwarzman Building

    Free Events at the Schwarzman Building

    Stone lion at New York Public Library entrance

    The New York Public Library hosts a full schedule of events at the library’s Main Branch Schwarzman Building in Midtown Manhattan. Events include book discussion, author events, film screenings, lectures, and workshops – and they’re mostly free.

    See a list of upcoming events at the NYPL Main Branch Schwarzman Building.

     

    The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

    The NYPL’s flagship building is a beautiful structure, inside and out. The steps approaching the columned entrance are guarded by the library’s iconic stone lions, Patience and Fortitude. Inside, you’ll find the famous Rose Reading Room and other examples of grand architecture and design.

    Free guided tours of the library are offered twice daily, Monday through Saturday.

     

    Location

    The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan.  It’s next to Bryant Park and two long blocks from Times Square.

    The street address is 476 5th Avenue, New York, NY.

     

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  • Free Friday Evenings at the Japan Society Gallery

    Japan Society Gallery – Free Friday Evening Admission

    The Japan Society building. Photo by Jim.henderson (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
    Admission to the Japan Society Gallery is free of charge from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Fridays.

    A docent tour of the gallery is available Fridays at 7:00 p.m. A Japanese language tour is available Fridays at 6:00 p.m.. Tours last about an hour.

     

    The Japan Society Gallery

    The Japan Society seeks to bring the people of Japan and the United States closer together through the presentation of innovative programs in arts and culture, public policy, business, language, and education.

    The Japan Society’s gallery is one of the top U.S. exhibitors of Japanese art. Exhibitions are displayed in the modestly-sized gallery on a changing basis, representing a wide variety of art forms from the ancient to the contemporary. Visit the Japan Society website for information on the current exhibition.

    The gallery is housed in a building designed by Japanese architect Junzo Yoshimura. In addition to the gallery space, the building contains a small indoor garden, reflecting pool and waterfall, furnishings by George Nakashima, a theater, library, language center, conference facilities, and administrative offices. Films, performances, and talks are regularly scheduled in the theater.

    See reviews and comments of visitors to the Japan Society Gallery.[spacer height=”20px”]

    Admission and Hours

    Regular admission to the Japan Society Gallery is $12. There’s a reduced $10 admission for students and seniors.

    Hours of operation are Tuesdays – Thursdays from noon to 7:00 p.m.; Fridays from noon to 9:00 p.m.; and Saturdays & Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The gallery is closed on Mondays and on major holidays.

    Admission is free on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m..

    Note: Information is correct to the best of our knowledge at time of publication. Please check the Japan Society Gallery website to confirm details.[spacer height=”20px”]

    Location

    The Japan Society building is located near the United Nations, at 47th Street and 1st Avenue.

    The street address is 333 East 47th Street, New York, NY.

     

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  • Jazz Wednesdays at the American Folk Art Museum

    By The original uploader was David Shankbone at English Wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.) [CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

    Jazz Wednesdays

    Enjoy free live jazz at the American Folk Art Museum Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m..

    The museum is always free to visit. Stop by on a Wednesday afternoon and you’ll get the extra benefit of some free live music.

    The American Craft Museum

    The American Folk Art Museum is a free NYC museum dedicated to the appreciation of folk art and the creations of self-taught artists and includes a collection of works from the 1700s to present day.

    This small museum does not display a permanent collection, but rather features changing exhibits. Their website lists current and upcoming exhibitions.

    See reviews from museum visitors.

    Location

    The American Folk Art Museum is located at Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

    The address is 2 Lincoln Square.

    The museum is across from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

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  • Free “Music in Motion” Bargemusic Family Concerts

    Free Saturday Bargemusic Concerts

    Bargemusic presents free family-friendly “Music in Motion” chamber music performances on Saturday afternoons.

    Bargemusic performs on a barge located at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The performance space on the barge is enclosed and has heating and air conditioning.

    The free Saturday afternoon concerts take place at 4:00 p.m.. Doors open 15 minutes before the concert.

    The “Music in Motion” concerts last an hour and there’s a question & answer session with the musicians following the performance.

     

    Location

    The Bargemusic barge is located at Brooklyn Bridge Park, near the foot of the Bridge, at Pier 1.

     

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  • Free Historic Flatiron District Walking Tours

    Free Flatiron District Tours

    The Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership sponsors free walking tours every Sunday.

    The tours start at 11:00 a.m and depart from the southwest corner of Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Broadway. No advance registration is required.

    Professional guides will walk you through the Flatiron neighborhood (wear comfortable shoes) and you’ll learn about the area’s history and architecture. Well-known landmarks in the Flatiron District include the New York Life Insurance Building, the MetLife Clock Tower, the Appellate Courthouse, and the Flatiron Building.

    The tour lasts 90 minutes.

    Visit the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership website for details.

     

    Location

    The meeting place for the tours is the southwest corner of Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Broadway.

     

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