Bid April farewell and welcome in May with a host of outdoor activities taking place across New York City next week. On the calendar are food festivals, immersive poetry experiences and historical walking tours:

Friday, April 27th

Take a look back at New York City in the 1960s during film screenings of La Vie Elegante and A Fantasy of Forgotten Corners, presented by The New York Preservation Society and Carnegie Hill Neighbors. Taking place at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, the event will also include a tour of the site. After the screening of both documentaries, join producer Gordon Hyatt as he shares his experiences creating these films.

Four extraordinary artists are creating large-scale calligraphic paintings on the windows of Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden. The pieces, focused around the poetic theme of love, will be produced over the period of two weeks. Catch artist Rostarr (Romon K. Yang) on Friday as he finishes his installation.

Saturday, April 28th

We also have a few tickets left for our Underground Tour of the NYC Subway. Take a ride through the living history of the world’s largest rapid transit system (in area) by weaving in and out of the past and present transit hubs of lower Manhattan. This unique tour is designed to give a comprehensive history of the New York City Subway system, from its groundbreaking in 1901 up through the creation of the three different proprietary lines which were unified into the system we know today. See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten Chambers Street station and use the 6 train as your own time machine to ride through abandoned subway stations.

Underground Tour of the NYC Subway

The Museum of Sex will be presenting its walking tour of Satan’s Circus (aka the Tenderloin), led by Untapped Cities’ very own guide, Robert Brenner, who leads our tour of the Remnants of Gritty Times Square. This unique tour will be held every Saturday at noon through May 12th.

Pig out during The World’s Fare, a two-day celebration of international drink and food, curated by New York City’s “leading taste makers.” The daylong festival will focus on cultural diversity, and takes place at Citi Field (appropriately located in the most diverse borough of the city).

Did you know that Central Park was once the site of a former African-American village? Or that it was previously home to an infamous casino, where alcohol flowed throughout the Prohibition? For almost 160 years, Central Park has been the green heart of the city, serving as a pastoral haven for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Even so, it still holds many secrets that have yet to be discovered. On this walking tour of Central Park, we’ll explore the history behind some of its best-loved and hidden sites.

Secrets of Central Park Walking Tour

Sunday, April 29th

Enjoy a screening of the acclaimed film, On the Water Front, at the United Palace Theatre. The conclusion to the New York Preservation Archive Project’s 2nd Annual “People Preserving Palace” festival, the event includes a panel discussion on the history of preservation in New York City. Visitors will have the opportunity to hear from actor, Tom Hanley, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Fort Lee Film Commission, Tom Meyersm, in a Q&A session.

The abandoned Ellis Island Hospital complex — once the standard for United States medical care (and later transformed to the FBI headquarters when the island served as a detention center) — has been left to decay for nearly 60 years. Now, Untapped Cities is bringing you behind-the-scenes for a unique exploration of the abandoned facility; on this experience, you’ll visit its contagious disease wards, the autopsy rooms and have exclusive access to places usually closed to the public.

Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour of the Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

Monday, April 30th

Beer and Yoga come together every Monday at The Well in Bushwick. Come for a sweat session and then cool down afterward by the bar. This will be the first outdoor class, taking place in the backyard!

Tuesday, May 1st

Inspired by 19th-century bordellos of Paris and New Orleans, The Poetry Brothel is an immersive poetry experience that takes place in a speakeasy-style environment, complete with a bar and live music.
Startup Cities is bringing together entrepreneurs for a panel discussion about Agritecture and Urban Farming. The event will be followed by a networking session.

Wednesday, May 2nd

Join a book talk about Broadway, the street, with author Fran Ledon at the Brooklyn Historical Society, moderated by Untapped Cities founder Michelle Young.

Get some fresh air and exercise by heading to Bryant Park for its ping pong show down. Register to have a chance to participate or drop by to watch the fiery tournament unfold.

Thursday, May 3rd

Frieze New York at Randall’s Island Park kicks off today and runs until May 6th! Head there to shop for artwork from 190 galleries and participate in a curated program of talks, performances and more.

See all upcoming Untapped Cities Behind the Scenes Tours.