Offbeat New York -- Free Attractions and Tours

Free Attractions and Tours

Manhattan

Think you can't get something for free in New York City? Here are some of the wonderful and free tours and attractions available in New York City

Brooklyn Brewery
Since we're going in alphabetical order, we're starting with Beer and Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours on Saturday (yes, there's a tasting included) starting at 1 PM. Hey, it's genuine New York City beer, who could resist?

Central Park
One of New York's gem parks everyone knows there are free performances, a skating rink, a boat basin, miles of trails and delightful suprises. But there are also Central Park Conservancy Tours that allow visitors to discover the park's history, ecology, and design on free, volunteer-led walking tours. There are garden tours, history of the park tours, Belvedere Castle tours and more. Something doing almost every day. But if you enjoy it, do consider supporting the excellent work of the Conservancy. Plus! The Dana Discovery Center (212-860-1370) in the northeast corner of Central Park will lend you a pole for an afternoon of catch-and-release fishing in the Harlem Meer, a beautiful lake also frequented by numerous species of wild birds. Take advantage of the center's educational workshops for children, or grab a pair of binoculars and sharpen your bird-watching eye. The center is free to all and is open daily, April to October, from 10am to 5pm (4pm in winter).

City Hall
It's the oldest City Hall in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, and considered one of the finest architectural achievements of the early 1800s designed in the Federal style, with clear French influences.

Featuring a formal staircase that sweeps up to the one-story portico fronting the building, the Governor’s Room has served as a museum and reception room celebrating the civic history of New York and the nation. It houses one of the most important collections of 19th century American portraiture as well as historic furnishings, including pieces by Charles Christian and Honoré Lannuier, and other notable artifacts, such as George Washington’s desk. Many distinguished guests have visited the Governor’s Room, including the Marquis de Lafayette and Albert Einstein. The Room hosted President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and then served as the backdrop for his coffin in 1865 as he lay in state. For more information call 212-NEW-YORK.

Fashion Institute of Technology
Phone: 212-217-5800
shows off thousands of designer costumes and accessories, fabrics from around the world and the work of renowned fashion photographers in the institute's free museum.

Federal Hall National Memorial
26 Wall Street
Ranger Desk (212) 825-6888
One of Downtown's most historic landmarks, has reopened to the public after a 16-month, $16 million restoration. The Birthplace of American Government -- It was here on the corner of Broad and Wall Street, that General George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Home to the first congress, supreme court, and executive offices, the original Federal Hall was trully the birthplace of the current government of the United States. The current structure, a Greek revivial style Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. The building still serves the Federal Government as a museum and memorial to the first president and the beginnings of the United States of America. For more information visit NPS.gov/FEHA.

Forbes Magazine Galleries
62 Fifth Avenue (at 12th Street)
Tuesday – Saturday (Thursdays - group tours only)
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 212 206-5548
Enjoy toy boats -- over 500 tin, cast iron and paper lithograph toy boats, and soldiers -- inch-high Aztecs and conquistadors, Indians encircled by a stagecoach, bands marching, knights jousting, and doughboys fighting mock battles. Of particular interest is the collection of Monopoly® games including Monopoly® game’s forerunner, the Landlord’s Game (1920); Charles Todd’s rendition introducing Atlantic City street names (1932); and Charles Darrow’s homemade set (1933). Guided tours of the collection are available free of charge, but reservations must be made one month in advance.

Gracie Mansion
89th Street & East End Avenue
New York, NY 10128
Museum Administered by: Gracie Mansion Conservancy
Open to the public:
End of March through mid-November:
Tours on Wednesdays, by reservation only.
For more information, call (212) 570-4751.
In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie decided to build a country house overlooking a bend in the East River. At the time, the location he selected was five miles north of the City that was clustered at the lower tip of Manhattan. However, two decades later, his finances took a turn for the worse and Gracie had to sell his house to Joseph Foulke. Eventually the City of New York appropriated the estate in 1896, incorporating its 11 acres of grounds into the newly-formed Carl Schurz Park.

The building itself didn't fare very well, ending up as a concession stand and restrooms for the park. Happily, Gracie Mansion was restored and became the first home of the Museum of the City of New York, then a historic house museum run by the Parks Department. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses convinced City authorities to designate it as the official residence of the Mayor, and in 1942, Fiorello H. La Guardia moved in. The house was enlarged in 1966 with the addition of the Susan E. Wagner Wing, which includes a grand ballroom and two intimate reception rooms.

Restoration in 2002 transformed it into the People's House with increased accessibility to the public and to City agencies. Today the Gracie Mansion Conservancy is a private not-for-profit corporation established to preserve, maintain and enhance Gracie Mansion - one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Manhattan and a member of The Historic House Trust. The main floor is open to the public and is a showcase for art and antiques created by New York designers, cabinetmakers, painters and sculptors. Several pieces belonged to the Gracie family. At the center of the faux-marble entryway floor, a painted compass recalls the ships that built the Gracie fortune.

Grand Central Terminal
The Municipal Art Society offers a free tour of the magnificent Beaux-Arts Grand Central Terminal Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Tours depart from Grand Central Terminal''s information booth. Although the tour is free, consider making a donation (they do pass a hat at the very end) to support their excellent work. Learn more about GST and the Municipal Art Society. Learn more about the tour and the history at Grand Central Terminal.

The Juilliard School
Yes, it's a New York icon for great performers in training, but it's also a great venue for free performances. And a great library for rare and special collections. The Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections Room are the following includes hundreds of individual manuscript scores and autograph letters including two songs by Johannes Brahms, almost 200 first and early editions of Franz Liszt’s original piano works, transcriptions, and arrangements. As for the free performances -- check the website for what's new and free.

More Free Tours New York City Free Attractions and Tours
New York City Festivals and Events -- Events Across Time (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

For more information on the three city-owned buildings vist the Official New York City website: www.nyc.gov/visitors.


	Free Attractions and Tours Manhattan Think you can't get something for free in New York City? Here are some of the wonderful and free tours and attractions available in New York City Brooklyn Brewery Since we're going in alphabetical order, we're starting with Beer and Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Brewery offers free tours on Saturday (yes, there's a tasting included) starting at 1 PM. Hey, it's genuine New York City beer, who could resist? Central Park One of New York's gem parks everyone knows there are free performances, a skating rink, a boat basin, miles of trails and delightful suprises. But there are also Central Park Conservancy Tours that allow visitors to discover the park's history, ecology, and design on free, volunteer-led walking tours. There are garden tours, history of the park tours, Belvedere Castle tours and more. Something doing almost every day. But if you enjoy it, do consider supporting the excellent work of the Conservancy. Plus! The Dana Discovery Center (212-860-1370) in the northeast corner of Central Park will lend you a pole for an afternoon of catch-and-release fishing in the Harlem Meer, a beautiful lake also frequented by numerous species of wild birds. Take advantage of the center's educational workshops for children, or grab a pair of binoculars and sharpen your bird-watching eye. The center is free to all and is open daily, April to October, from 10am to 5pm (4pm in winter). City Hall It's the oldest City Hall in the nation that still houses its original governmental functions, and considered one of the finest architectural achievements of the early 1800s designed in the Federal style, with clear French influences. Featuring a formal staircase that sweeps up to the one-story portico fronting the building, the Governor’s Room has served as a museum and reception room celebrating the civic history of New York and the nation. It houses one of the most important collections of 19th century American portraiture as well as historic furnishings, including pieces by Charles Christian and Honoré Lannuier, and other notable artifacts, such as George Washington’s desk. Many distinguished guests have visited the Governor’s Room, including the Marquis de Lafayette and Albert Einstein. The Room hosted President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and then served as the backdrop for his coffin in 1865 as he lay in state. For more information call 212-NEW-YORK. Fashion Institute of Technology Phone: 212-217-5800 shows off thousands of designer costumes and accessories, fabrics from around the world and the work of renowned fashion photographers in the institute's free museum. Federal Hall National Memorial 26 Wall Street Ranger Desk (212) 825-6888 One of Downtown's most historic landmarks, has reopened to the public after a 16-month, $16 million restoration. The Birthplace of American Government -- It was here on the corner of Broad and Wall Street, that General George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Home to the first congress, supreme court, and executive offices, the original Federal Hall was trully the birthplace of the current government of the United States. The current structure, a Greek revivial style Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. The building still serves the Federal Government as a museum and memorial to the first president and the beginnings of the United States of America. For more information visit NPS.gov/FEHA. Forbes Magazine Galleries 62 Fifth Avenue (at 12th Street) Tuesday – Saturday (Thursdays - group tours only) 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Phone: 212 206-5548 Enjoy toy boats -- over 500 tin, cast iron and paper lithograph toy boats, and soldiers -- inch-high Aztecs and conquistadors, Indians encircled by a stagecoach, bands marching, knights jousting, and doughboys fighting mock battles. Of particular interest is the collection of Monopoly® games including Monopoly® game’s forerunner, the Landlord’s Game (1920); Charles Todd’s rendition introducing Atlantic City street names (1932); and Charles Darrow’s homemade set (1933). Guided tours of the collection are available free of charge, but reservations must be made one month in advance. Gracie Mansion 89th Street & East End Avenue New York, NY 10128 Museum Administered by: Gracie Mansion Conservancy Open to the public: End of March through mid-November: Tours on Wednesdays, by reservation only. For more information, call (212) 570-4751. In 1799, a prosperous New York merchant named Archibald Gracie decided to build a country house overlooking a bend in the East River. At the time, the location he selected was five miles north of the City that was clustered at the lower tip of Manhattan. However, two decades later, his finances took a turn for the worse and Gracie had to sell his house to Joseph Foulke. Eventually the City of New York appropriated the estate in 1896, incorporating its 11 acres of grounds into the newly-formed Carl Schurz Park. The building itself didn't fare very well, ending up as a concession stand and restrooms for the park. Happily, Gracie Mansion was restored and became the first home of the Museum of the City of New York, then a historic house museum run by the Parks Department. Parks Commissioner Robert Moses convinced City authorities to designate it as the official residence of the Mayor, and in 1942, Fiorello H. La Guardia moved in. The house was enlarged in 1966 with the addition of the Susan E. Wagner Wing, which includes a grand ballroom and two intimate reception rooms. Restoration in 2002 transformed it into the People's House with increased accessibility to the public and to City agencies. Today the Gracie Mansion Conservancy is a private not-for-profit corporation established to preserve, maintain and enhance Gracie Mansion - one of the oldest surviving wood structures in Manhattan and a member of The Historic House Trust. The main floor is open to the public and is a showcase for art and antiques created by New York designers, cabinetmakers, painters and sculptors. Several pieces belonged to the Gracie family. At the center of the faux-marble entryway floor, a painted compass recalls the ships that built the Gracie fortune. Grand Central Terminal The Municipal Art Society offers a free tour of the magnificent Beaux-Arts Grand Central Terminal Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Tours depart from Grand Central Terminal''s information booth. Although the tour is free, consider making a donation (they do pass a hat at the very end) to support their excellent work. Learn more about GST and the Municipal Art Society. Learn more about the tour and the history at Grand Central Terminal. The Juilliard School Yes, it's a New York icon for great performers in training, but it's also a great venue for free performances. And a great library for rare and special collections. The Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections Room are the following includes hundreds of individual manuscript scores and autograph letters including two songs by Johannes Brahms, almost 200 first and early editions of Franz Liszt’s original piano works, transcriptions, and arrangements. As for the free performances -- check the website for what's new and free. More Free Tours New York City Free Attractions and Tours New York City Festivals and Events -- Events Across Time (scroll down to the bottom of the page) For more information on the three city-owned buildings vist the Official New York City website: www.nyc.gov/visitors.
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