Climb to the top of one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals, explore abandoned sites of the Hudson Valley, and taste freshly made Italian dishes on an Untapped New York tour this week! See everything happening in the list below:
Thursday, August 31st – Taste Freshly Made Italian Dishes at a Family-Run Hotel on the Lower East Side
The 19th-century building which now houses the Historic Blue Moon Hotel and Sweet Dreams Cafe was once a tenement house. It was lovingly restored and converted into a hotel by artist Randy Settenbrino, who now runs the business with his family. On this tour open to Untapped New York Insiders, you’ll get to learn about the building’s history and renovation, and also taste house specialties prepared fresh for our group including handmade mozzarella, focaccia bread, and lemon tiramisu! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and use code JOINUS to get your first month free!
Friday, September 1st – Visit a Speakeasy in Grand Central Terminal
Hidden within Grand Central Terminal is a swanky cocktail lounge that used to be the office and reception hall of 1920s financier John W. Campbell. This hidden bar is just one stop on our Secrets of Grand Central Tour where you’ll also uncover remnants of a lost theater, hidden tennis courts, and more overlooked features that even daily commuters don’t know about. This tour runs every day of the week!
Saturday, September 2nd & 6th – See Part of St. John the Divine Cathedral That Doesn’t Appear on Any Other Tour
Climb to the top of one of the world’s tallest cathedrals on a member-exclusive tour that features a stop where you can admire the work of master engineer Rafael Guastavino! On this tour, Untapped New York Insiders will climb up 12 stories to see stained-glass windows up close and explore the engineering that holds up this masonry marvel. The experience will end with stunning views of the skyline of Manhattan!
Saturday, September 2nd – Tour the Abandoned Hospital Building on Ellis Island
Put on a hard hat and venture into the abandoned structures on the lesser-traveled south side of Ellis Island. These 29 buildings once operated as a hospital for those passing through the immigration station. In later years, it served as a Coast Guard base and FBI detention center. Led by a docent from Save Ellis Island, you’ll explore space usually oft-limits to the public, like the former autopsy room, laundry room, and contagious disease wards.
Sunday, September 3rd – Uncover Scandals of the Gilded Age
See the opulent homes of NYC’s Gilded Age elite and learn about fabulous and scandalous goings-on that took place inside, from costume balls to scandalous slights. As you stroll along New York City’s famous Fifth Ave, you’ll view images of the lost estates of families like the Vanderbilts, and see those mansions that still stand today.
Monday, September 4th- Celebrate Labor Day in the Subway
Use a subway car as your own personal time machine as you travel through abandoned stations and trace the evolution of the transit system from its earliest days to the present. Along the way, uncover hidden art installations. forgotten passageways, and quirky historical anecdotes.
Wednesday, September 6th – Explore Abandoned Ruins in the Hudson Valley
Join photographer John Lazzaro for a virtual journey through the ruins of New York’s Hudson Valley region! In this live, online talk, Lazzaro will show images of a 1920s estate left to be overtaken by nature, a defunct homeless shelter, a former correctional facility, and more abandoned sites! This talk is free for Untapped New York Insiders.
Do you have photos from an Untapped New York tour? Send them to us at [email protected] and you may be featured on our website or social media channels! You can also tag us @untappedny on Instagram. See the list below for all our upcoming experiences in June!
Check out all of our NYC walking tours here!