In need of plans this week? Untapped Cities’ tours include our ever-popular tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal and our wine tasting event at Rooftop Reds. Close out summer with a bang, and also check out our line up for the fall!

Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal: Saturday, August 19th at 2pm + 4pm

The story of Grand Central Terminal is that of New York City itself: the structure embodies the social, cultural, economic and technological evolution around it. It is one of great men, feuding architects, ingenuity, rejuvenation, secrets and surprises. On this tour, we will tell you these stories – about what once was, what could have been, and what can be; about the struggle to save and restore Grand Central as a preserved icon of the past, and of challenge to ensure that it serves New York’s future. We will show you what it was like in the booming age of the railroad, as a rundown embarrassment, and as a renovated jewel at the center of the city. Peek into the entrance of its glass walkways, locate lost armchairs, see its hidden tennis courts and learn about its backwards ceiling. Whether you pass through it every day on your morning commute or stroll through the Beaux Arts beauty for the first time, you are sure to leave having learned, seen, or experienced something new and extraordinary.

Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

Tour and Wine Tasting at Rooftop Reds: Sunday, August 20th at 12:30pm

Did you know the world’s first commercially viable rooftop vineyard is hidden within the Brooklyn Navy Yard? Untapped Cities will be bringing readers on a special wine tasting and tour at Rooftop Reds, led by one of its founders who will share their knowledge of winemaking.

Within the 14,800 square foot rooftop, you will see a unique urban planter system that is the first of its kind, developed with Cornell University and Finger Lakes industry leaders. As an added bonus: all guests will get 20% off purchases of Rooftop Reds wines. Get in on this experience early, as the first harvest will be taking place in October 2017. Take in an amazing view, lounge in a hammock, and sip on Rooftop Red wines in our tours. Please note that the wine served on the rooftop is from Rooftop Reds partners in the Finger Lakes until the first harvest off the Navy Yard rooftop are ready!

Wine Tasting & Tour of Rooftop Reds, the World’s First Rooftop Vineyard!

Also, enter our giveaways for our upcoming special access tours:

Tour the Javits Center Green Roof and Sustainability Features: Wednesday, August 30th at 4pm

Did you know that the Javits Center has a 6.75 acre green roof, hiding atop the building? The 760,000 square-feet Jacob K. Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the United States. Beyond its purpose as a venue, the center places a heavy focus on sustainability initiatives.

With the installation of more than 6,000 panels of bird-friendly glass and a 6.75-acre green roof – the second largest of its kind in the United States – the building has become a model of sustainability and now serves as a sanctuary to area wildlife. On the green roof, researchers have identified 26 bird species, five bat species, 11 orders of arthropods and 300,000 honeybees. On this unique tour you will get a behind the scenes look at the center, go on the green roof, meet in house staff and learn how management balances sustainability initiatives while maintaining a $2 billion economic impact operation.

This tour will take place on August 30th at 4 PM. Tickets are free and will be allocated based on lottery. Enter the giveaway below:

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Special Access Tour Inside the New York State Pavilion, September 24th at 11am

Public access to the New York State Pavilion, a relic of the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, has been a rare treat, despite a consistent flurry of interest in the landmark. We’re excited to announce that we will be offering a free, special access tour of the Philip Johnson-designed Pavilion through our giveaway. The one-hour tour will be offered in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, led by Mitch Silverstein, who helps head up the New York State Pavilion Paint Project, an all-volunteer group that has been lovingly caring for the Pavilion for several years now. Learn about the past and current challenges of developing potential uses for the Pavilion’s future, hear about the different groups involved with the Pavilion and access the inside of the Pavilion to learn about its little known facts & secrets.

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See our full list of Behind the Scenes tours.