It’s Memorial Day, the official launch of summer which means one thing in New York City: a sudden flurry of things to do. Here’s our list of alternative activities we think you should check out over the next few days!
1. Navy Dive Tank in Times Square
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles Oki/Released
It’s Fleet Week! There will be a dive tank right in Times Square from the U.S. Navy – the public can’t take a dip but you’ll see U.S. Navy divers jumping in. You can check out their gear, make faces, even play tic-tac-toe with them, and draw on the glass tank. Thursday, Friday and Saturday May 24, 25 and 26 from 10 AM To 5 PM.
2. Screening of Bizarre Films at the Old American Can Factory
Photo by Irwin Seow courtesy of Rooftop Films
On Friday, May 25th, Check out a screening of Rooftop Films at the Old American Can Factory in Gowanus, Brooklyn, full of its “bizarre and disquieting short films.” These mindbending movies ask: Have you ever stepped on an anthill and not given it a second thought? If a foley artist falls in the forest, who will record it? Is it a nervous breakdown or the best set of your life?
3. Remnants of the World’s Fair Tour
Join our Remnants of the World’s Fair tour, which we launched in April on the anniversary of the 1964 fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Besides getting the secrets of the fair from playwright and tour guide Justin Rivers, who is literally obsessed with the fairs, you’ll get your hands on an original official guide and track down things from the World’s Fair all over the park.
Tour the Remnants of the World’s Fairs at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
4. Check out the New Exhibition Coney Island Creek and the Natural World
Abandoned yellow submarine in Coney Island Creek
A new exhibit at the Coney Island History Project opens on Saturday, May 26th, looking at the history of Coney Island Creek, arguably the first attraction in Coney Island. “Coney Island Creek and the Natural World” will have also some rare treasures on display, including Coney’s “first admission ticket,” the wooden 1823 sign from the Creek’s Shell Road toll house advertising rates for horse and rider and coaches, Coney Island’s only original Steeplechase horse, an original medallion from the Child’s Restaurant, and more!
5. Discover the Secrets of Central Park
Discover the Secrets of Central Park on one of our tours where you’ll see the secret bolt left behind from the creation of Manhattan’s street grid, uncover the hidden meaning in Bethesda Terrace’s sculptures and the forbidden love that inspired the park’s most famous statue, discover the secret navigational device that keeps pedestrians from getting lost on the park’s winding paths, and more!
Secrets of Central Park Walking Tour
Or join in our tour of the Secrets of Grand Central, Underground Tour of the NYC Subway, and our Hard Hat tour of the Abandoned Hospitals on Ellis Island.
6. Tour a Military Ship
Take a tour of a military ship during Fleet Week at Pier 90 in Manhattan; Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (in Red Hook) in Brooklyn, Homeport Pier in Staten Island and Pier 86, the Intrepid Air & Space Museum. These tours will continue all weekend.
7. Museum of Interesting Things Secret Speakeasy
On Sunday, May 27th, the Museum of Interesting Things will hold a Secret Speakeasy at 6 PM showcasing the history of photography and film in a Soho loft, where you can see 16mm short films, hear original vinyl records, enjoy antiques you can handle, drink and enjoy refreshments. Location will be released upon ticket purchase.
8. Mister Sunday Party Returns to Nowadays
Mister Sunday at Nowadays. Photo by Rob Malmberg courtesy Mister Sunday.
Mister Sunday is back at the fabulous Nowadays space in Ridgewood with a Memorial Day Weekend Special on Sunday, May 26th. Their description is pretty apt, based on our expeirence: Mister Sunday is a party for you, whether you’re a septuagenarian, a house head, a skater, a toddler, a bear, a witch, a New York lifer, an out-of-towner, a twenty-three-year-old club kid, or a medium-cute dog. As long as you’re nice, you like to be outside during the summer and you’re willing to put your phone down and dance, you’re welcome here.
9. Wave Hill
Head to the outer boroughs on Monday, May 28th! Wave Hill, a historic villa in the Bronx, is hosting an hour long tour of its garden highlighting seasonal flowers and plants. The tour is free with admissions to the grounds ($8 for adults, $4 seniors and students, $2 children age 6+, free for children younger).
10. Special Access Tour of the Woolworth Building
Join in on a special access tour of the Woolworth Building on Tuesday, May 29th with us where you can see the stunning lobby, normally off-limits to the public, the mezzanine level, and the lower level of the building.
Special Access Tour of the Woolworth Building
11. Bonus: Sumo Stew
Chef Andrew Gerson serving up bowls of chankonabe. Image by Clay Williams.
Sumo and New York City are not words that often go together, but the food and drink sumo wrestlers consume have inspired a series of events that celebrate Japanese cuisine with the backdrop of sumo wrestling, live streamed from Japan, in an event called Sumo Stew. The next event is on May 29th at Brooklyn Kura,
