This week in New York City, explore where film and science collide, uncover underground secrets of the subway system, watch costumed dogs on parade and find more ways to immerse yourself in the goings-on of the city with our Untapped picks of things to do. From our own behind-the-scenes tours to annual events and one-time activities, discover something new to do this week:

Friday, October 18th

Celebrate Global Champagne Day at Irvington with a one-night only three-course dinner pair with Moët. Hosted by Moët & Chandon, the delicious meal will include smoked potato croquette, and end of Summer tomato salad,
seared scallops and roasted tile fish. Seatings are available from 6:30-9:30 and can be booked here!

The Imagine Science Film Festival comes to New York City this weekend for eight days. The festival aims to promote a high-level dialogue between scientists and filmmakers. It has taken place all over the world and serves as a major venue for the release of new and experimental works bridging the worlds of science and film. Screenings will take place in locations all over New York City including the New York Hall of Science, the American Museum of Natural History, Caveat and more.

Saturday, October 19th

Uncover the Secrets of Governors Island, from the days of the Dutch to the modern day. Find out how the Island evolved, and physically grew in size, from the days of the colonists and how the Island will change in the future. Learn about its history as a military base and explore the beautiful native plant gardens, man-made hills and historical buildings.

The Secrets of Governors Island Walking Tour

Soak in the beautiful foliage of New York City on a Secrets of Prospect Park walking tour. While you wander the picturesque scenery of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s “masterpiece,” learn about its design, hear stories of mysterious happenings, pass by a hidden cemetery, discover the innovative initiatives to combat storm damage and erosion, and more!

Secrets of Prospect Park

Watch giant puppets dance through the streets of Little Italy and Chinatown as part of the Marco Polo Festival. You can celebrate the historic connection between these two neighborhoods by taking part in a digital scavenger hunt with Urban Archive.

Head up to the historic Yonkers Raceway at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts for the Legislators Pace, a harness horse race where members of the State Legislature race with professional drivers. The event will feature a free, family-friendly celebration, trackside beer garden. The event, which kicks off at 4:00PM, is free to attend!

It’s Open House New York Weekend! More than 300 sites around New York City will open their doors for the public to come in and explore the architecture all around us. If you need some help picking which places to see, check out our guides for the must-visit reservation only and open access sites.

Sunday, October 20th

Hear tales of pirates and sunken ships on a Maritime History Tour of New York City! On this expert led tour through Lower Manhattan, guests will stop at the ornate buildings, historic slips and monuments that tie the modern city to its past golden age of seafaring. You will even get to go inside the hull of a cargo ship at the South Street Seaport!

Tour of NYC’s Maritime History

From noon until 3:00pm, bring your costumed canine to the 29th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade! This public event is free and anyone can participate with out pre-registration. Just arrive between 11:30am and 1:00 pm to join the celebration. See who will win best in show!

Monday, October 21st

Learn about the most important structures in New York City at the Museum of the City of New York’s author talk, New York in 27 Buildings with Sam Roberts & Alexandra Lange. Presented as part of Archtober, New York City’s month long elebration of architecture and design, this event celebrates the launch of Roberts’ latest book, A History of New York in 27 Buildings: The 400-Year Untold Story of an American Metropolis. The former New York Times urban affairs correspondent talk with Curbed architecture critic Alexandra Lange about the stories behind our city’s most transformative structures from architectural icons like the Empire State Building to lesser-known sites such as the city’s oldest continuously operating theater and the building where the Founding Fathers added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Tuesday, October 22nd

Discover the treasures of Grand Central on Untapped Cities’

. Did you know that Grand Central is home to the world’s largest Tiffany clock? Ot that there are hidden tennis courts within the station? Uncover more secrets of the iconic train terminal with our expert guide!

Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

Splinter Creek, Courtesy of Lang Architecture

Meet the founding and principal architect of Lang Architect, Drew Lang, on a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Lang Architecture studios. On this tour, guests will learn about the process behind the firm’s sleek and holistic designs. Guests will get to asks questions of Lang and learn about the firm’s most exciting current projects. You can join this tour for free if you are an Untapped Cities Insider! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year long.

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Already a member? Book here!

Wednesday, October 23rd

Uncover the Secrets of the Subway on Untapped Cities’ underground tour. Guests will use the 6 train as a personal time machine to travel through over 100 years of transit history by stopping at multiple stations and riding through some abandoned ones too. Even New Yorkers who navigate the system everyday will learn something new or discover something they never noticed before.

Underground Tour of the NYC Subway

See how cities have changed in the decades since World War II with an expert led panel discussion at the Brooklyn Historical Society, Urban Renewal in the Suburban Age: The Struggle to Redefine the American City. The talk will feature Harvard professor Lizabeth Cohen, author of Saving America’s Cities,along with Columbia University’s Kenneth Jackson. The pair will discuss the complicated history of efforts to reimagine cities in the face of an increasingly suburban landscape through the lens of the life of famed urban planner Edward Logue. If you are an Untapped Cities Insider, you can attend this talk for free!

Already a member? Book here!

Ryan Muir for the Hudson Square BID, © 2019

Explore the ideas of public art and place-making on a guided walk through Hudson Square Canvas, a public art installation of four colorful murals and a sculpture. As you stroll along Varick Street, learn about each unique art piece as well as the unique challenges and purpose of creating art in the public realm, and how public art lends itself to a neighborhood wide place-making initiative. This tour is free!

Hudson Square Canvas Walking Tour: Public Art and Placemaking on Varick Street

Thursday, October 24th

Take a haunted candlelit tour of the Merchant’s House Museum. On this sixty minute tour, brave guests will explore the former home of the Tredwell Family. Many say the ghost of Gertrude Tredwell, the last member of the family to live in the house, still lingers in the home where the family lived for nearly 100 years. Since the 1930s, when the house opened to the public as a museum, strange and inexplicable happenings have been reported – sounds, sightings, smells – by staff, volunteers, visitors, neighbors, even passersby.

See all of our upcoming public tours and Insider events!