During Open House New York Weekend, October 18th-20th, hundreds of sites across the five boroughs will open their doors for tours, activities, and behind-the-scenes access! Over the course of three days, you can explore sites typically off-limits to the public, newly built projects, and historic locations.
Most of the 270+ participating sites are Open Access, which means you don’t need a ticket or reservation—you can just show up (though there may be a line at popular destinations). For expedited entry to Open Access sites, you can purchase a Weekend Passport. Untapped New York has one Weekend Passport to give away to one lucky Untapped New York Insider! Enter the raffle here by Friday, October 4th at 12pm ET. Entrants must have a valid Insiders membership to win.
Courtesy of Colossal Media
Due to capacity or security reasons, some OHNY sites do require tickets for entry. Most tickets are $6 and go on sale October 8th at 11 am ET, via Eventbrite. Tickets sell out quickly, so be prepared!
Here, we highlight 12 of the can’t miss Open Access sites you can visit this year including new sites and returning favorites:
1. Powerhouse Arts
Photo courtesy of Powerhouse Arts by Albert Vecerka ESTO
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 12:00pm — 6:00pm
Sun, October 20th, 2024 12:00pm — 6:00pm
Powerhouse Arts, a returning OHNY location, is a not-for-profit arts organization housed inside the former Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power Station in Gowanus. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron in collaboration with PBDW Architects, the historic power plant now serves as a multidisciplinary art center with multi-use facilities and fabrication workshops for ceramics, large metals, print, public art, and textiles. This year during OHNY Weekend, visitors can explore the Loft, Small Hall, and the expansive Grand Hall—formerly the power plant’s turbine room—as well as artist workspaces.
2. EverGreene Architectural Arts
Photo by Alex Barreto for Industry City
Open: Fri, October 18th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
EverGreene Architectural Arts is the largest specialty contractor in the nation specializing in historic restoration and conservation and the highest quality decorative interior finishes. You can see their work at New York City landmarks such as the New York Public Library, Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the Empire State Building, among others. For OHNY, you can explore EverGreene’s Brooklyn Studio in Industry City with conservators, designers, craftspeople, and artists who will lead tours workshops, provide demonstrations, and answer questions.
3. Bronx Music Hall
Rendering courtesy of WXY
Open: Sun, October 20th, 2024 2:00pm — 6:00pm
Bronx Music Hall is a performance venue and community cultural center dedicated to honoring, showcasing and cultivating music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary arts in the Bronx. Developed by The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) and designed by WXY, the Hall welcomes visitor for two performances during OHNY Weekend. At 3pm, watch a performance by Wuza Wuza and at 5pm, catch Grupo Marabuana.
4. Mount Morris Fire Tower
Photo Courtesy of AYON Studio Architecture Preservation
Open: Sun, October 20th, 2024 1:00pm — 2:30pm
Mount Morris Fire Tower is the last of its kind. This rare, standalone cast-iron structure dates to 1857 and has been a New York City Landmark since 1967. Fire towers fell out of use by the 1900s, but this one in Marcus Garvey Park found a new purpose as a timekeeper which kept it in service for a few more years. Efforts from architect and preservationist Angel Ayón, Principal of AYON Studio, the Mt. Morris Park Community Improvement Association, and the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, led to the tower’s recent rehabilitation. This October, you can climb the tower and ring the 5,000-pound bell at the top!
5. Bronx Topographical Maps: Mapping the Borough’s History
Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
Maps from over 100 years ago will be on display inside Fordham University’s newly built McShane Center as the Office of the Bronx Borough President Borough illustrates the Bronx’s historical evolution through maps. Borough Presidents are responsible for maintaining the official maps of their respective boroughs!
6. Queer Ecologies Garden
Photo Courtesy of Credit Alice Austen House Museum
Open: Sun, October 20th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
The Alice Austen House is a nationally designated site of LGBTQ+ significance once inhabited by photographer Alice Austen and her loving partner, Gertrude Tate. The Queer Ecologies Garden at this historic house museum creates a vafe space where students can learn about careers in horticulture, parks, and museums. On Sunday during OHNY weekend, visitors are invited to take a self-guided photowalk along Alice Austen’s historic waterfront home and grounds. Polaroid cameras and film will be available for rent and purchase, personal cameras are also encouraged!
7. Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
A thousand tons of residential recycling arrive at the Selldorf Architects-designed Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront everyday! These materials are transported by barge and truck from all over New York City. During OHNY, get a behind-the-scenes look at how the facility’s giant machines sort materials as you observe their work from high above the cavernous tip floor. You can learn more about recycling in the interactive recycling museum, and see further sustainability efforts such as the city’s first commercial-scale wind turbine, an impressive solar array, and marine habitats on the campus. Tours will run on Saturday at 1pm and 3pm along with a 30-minute question and answer session led by a recycling educator.
8. Westbeth Artists Housing
Photo by Bella Muccari
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 1:00pm — 5:00pm
Sun, October 20th, 2024 1:00pm — 5:00pm
Groundbreaking technological achievements were made at Bell Laboratories in Manhattan, now the site of Westbeth Artists Housing. In 1970, the compound was transformed into affordable housing for artists. Today, this revolutionary adaptive reuse project fosters the creation of literary, visual, and performing arts by residents and artists in the New York community. During your visit on OHNY Weekend, check out the ART&CRAFT&VINTAGE MARKET, showcasing wares from neighborhood artists, food, and music from some of Westbeth’s most notable artists.
9. Highbridge Water Tower
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 1:00pm — 2:30pm
Get a rare glimpse inside the Highbridge Water Tower on a tour with Urban Park Rangers! As you climb to the top of this 200-foot tower, you will learn about the history of New York City’s water supply and enjoy the panoramic views of the city. Visits last around 30-40 minutes.
10. NYC Health + Hospital/Harlem WPA Murals
WPA Murals, Photo by Nicholas Knight
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
A New York City hospital might be the last place you would expect to find a collection of art, but NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to preserving more than 7,000 works of art and making them accessible to the public through their Arts in Medicine department. NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem: WPA Murals tour during OHNY Weekend led by licensed NYC sightseeing guide Leigh Hallingby will highlight a selection of historic WPA Murals within the hospital, the first WPA commission granted to African American artists.
11. Brooklyn Army Terminal
Photo by Albert Vecerka
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
Sun, October 20th, 2024 12:00pm — 4:00pm
The stunning atrium of Building B at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) will welcome OHNY Weekend visitors this year. Designed by Cass Gilbert, this immense compound served as a military supply base for nearly fifty years. After World War II, the BAT found new use as an industrial park. Today the site is occupied by over 100 diverse companies, from precision manufacturers to artists, online retailers and food manufacturers.
12. Brooklyn Navy Yard
Photo by Justin Paul
Open: Sat, October 19th, 2024 12:00pm — 5:00pm
The Brooklyn Navy Yard‘s history dates all the way back to 1801 when it was first established as a naval shipbuilding facility. Over the course of the next 220+ years the facility create some of the largest ships ever made. Dive into this history of industry and innovation by exploring more than 30 open studios and factories during OHNY Weekend. As you explore the 300+ acre campus, you can visit film locations, meet local business owners for live interactive demonstrations, and enjoy delicious food and beverages at the Market @77 launch. There are more than 500 businesses, 70+ historic and modern buildings, and three miles of waterfront to explore!
