Every week, Untapped New York offers a unique selection of behind-the-scenes tours and special events, all designed to help you rediscover your city! Whether you want to be transported back in time to learn about the golden age of rail travel, or peek into the future of a beloved Queens park, you can do it with Untapped New York and our expert guides. Check out all of the exciting tours and events happening this week:
Monday, December 9th
Restaurant Resurrection: Putting Gage & Tollner Back on the Map at The Brooklyn Historical Society
[Gaslamp Lighting at Gage & Tollner], 1956, Photographic print, 2016.034; Brooklyn Historical Society
Learn how a Downtown Brooklyn landmark is making its comeback at the Brooklyn Historical Society’s Restaurant Resurrection: Putting Gage & Tollner Back on the Map. Whet your appetite for the reimagined eatery with a multi-course banquet of the legendary establishment’s history. Start with archival materials from the Othmer Library, and finish with a panel discussion featuring co-owner St. John Frizell, head chef Sohui Kim, and Janet Pawlukiewicz, whose family ran the restaurant for 40 years. Cocktail columnist for the New York Times and author Robert Simonson leads this culinary conversation. If you are an Untapped New York Insider, you can attend this event for free! Find out how here!
Tuesday, December 10th
Discover the Holiday Sights of Staten Island at Empire Outlets and the St. George Theater
Explore the old and the new on Staten Island’s north shore in the historic town of St. George. Join Untapped New York for behind-the-scenes tours of the New Empire Outlets and the 90-year old St. George Theater! At Empire Outlets, a sprawling waterfront shopping center designed by SHoP Architects, guests will see splendid holiday decor and areas that are not yet open to the public. After a tour of the outlets, head down the road to the historic St. George Theater. Opened in 1929, the theater has since hosted performances by musicians such as Tony Bennet, Pat Benatar, and Ringo Starr, and comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Joan Rivers and Kevin James. The site celebrates its 90th anniversary this year! You can attend this tour if you are an Untapped New York Insider! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today today!
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
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 of the secrets of Grand Central Terminal, learn 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.
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Wednesday, December 11th
Underground Tour of the NYC Subway
Explore the New York City subway from the very first station to the present day on Untapped New York’s Underground Tour. As you use the 6 train as a personal time machine, learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” discover remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation, and more!
Underground Tour of the NYC Subway
Thursday, December 12th
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Discover the hidden treasures of Grand Central Terminal on an expert led tour of the landmarked transportation hub. Peek into upper level tennis courts, learn about the iconic central clock and what hides beneath it, peek into the massive glass walkways, and uncover many more secrets. Both daily commuters through the station and guests who have never visited before are sure to learn something surprising about this New York City gem.
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Saturday, December 14th
Secrets of Central Park Walking Tour
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 we’ll explore the history behind some of its best-loved and hidden sites. Learn about the genesis, design, and evolution of the immense green space, while uncovering its many outrageous happenings, scandals and more.
Secrets of Central Park Walking Tour
Ellis Island’s Abandoned Hospital Hard Hat Tour
Tour Highlights:
- Explore the over 100-year-old contagious disease hospital, which has been abandoned since 1954.
- See parts of the exhibition “Unframed” by the world-renowned artist JR, who has placed life-sized historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants on walls of the hospital buildings.
- Visit the Laundry Building, where 3000+ pieces of laundry were washed and sanitized daily.
- Discover the kitchen, autopsy room and other usually off-limits places.
- Get special access inside the original morgue and long-abandoned FBI offices.
Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour of the Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital
Underground Tour of the NYC Subway
Tour Highlights:
- Explore City Hall Park as the birthplace of the NYC subway system, including elements of the famed, decommissioned City Hall Station you can see right in the park.
- Learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System.
- See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten, and partially abandoned, Chambers Street station then nicknamed the “Grand Central of Downtown.”
- Use the 6 train as your own time machine as you ride through abandoned subway stations.
Discover the remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation thousands of riders walk by everyday.
Underground Tour of the NYC Subway
Thursday, December 12th
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Tour Highlights:
- Learn about the secrets of one of NYC’s most iconic buildings
- See Grand Central’s hidden tennis courts
- Peek into the entrance of the glass walkways
- Learn about the design flaw as large as Grand Central Terminal’s main atrium
- Discover a multi-million dollars jewel hidden in plain sight and more!
Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal
Sunday, December 15th
Tour the Remnants of the World’s Fairs
Tour Highlights:
- Discover the hidden-in-plain-sight remnants of the 1939/40 and 1964/65 World’s Fairs with playwright and Untapped Cities tour guide, Justin Rivers.
- Visit the monument to a 5000-year time capsule.
- View the original guidebooks from each of the World’s Fairs.
- Get a comprehensive history of the past, present, and future of Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, with Insider information from our partners involved with the preservation of the New York State Pavilion.
- Each guest will receive reproductions of World’s Fair Maps from both 1939 and 1964.
Tour the Remnants of the World’s Fairs at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
“Elf” Screening at United Palace
Photograph by Jon Ortner, Courtesy of United Palace
Get in the holiday spirit at United Palace, Manhattan’s 4th largest theater, with a giant fifty-foot screen. At this screening of the New York City set holiday film, Elf, starring Will Ferrell, James Caan and Zooey Deschanel, guests will also get to take part in a meet and greet with Santa Claus and other festive surprises! Viewers will get to watch the film inside one of the original Loews Wonder Theaters built in 1930. If you are an Untapped New York Insider, you can attend this event for free! Already a member? Book here!
See our full lists of upcoming public tours and Insider events!
