13 Unique Downtown Spots You Can Explore at Open House NY This Month

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the same weekend routine. Open House New York will offer dozens of unique experiences later this month to shake things up. We’re talking guided tours of the tall ship “Wavertree,” where you’ll get to explore nooks and crannies not usually open to the public, as well as a rare chance to immerse yourself in the beautiful Hall of Records and a special tour at the Skyscraper Museum that architecture nerds won’t want to miss.

Open House New York, which happens Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20 this year, is designed to provide public access to and information about some of New York’s most interesting places, including new buildings, public works facilities, parks, performance spaces and more. We’ve highlighted some of the events around Lower Manhattan and Governors Island, but you’ll want to check out some of the cool offerings further north of Chambers Street as well.

Some events are ticketed while others are open access. Tickets go on sale October 8 at 11 a.m. and most will cost $6 (some sites are free). Up to two tickets can be purchased at once. 

Here are the events we’re marking our calendars for. 

Ticketed events

New York City Hall 
City Hall Park 
Friday, October 18, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Castle Williams
Governors Island 
Saturday, October 19, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m
Sunday, October 20, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m

Hall of Records
31 Chambers St. 
Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., 12 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.

Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
251 Fulton St. 
Saturday, October 19, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tall Ship “Wavertree”
89 South St. 
Sunday, October 20, 1 p.m. to 1:55 p.m, 2:30 p.m. to 3:25 p.m., 4 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.

Open access 

Federal Hall 
15 Pine St.
Friday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Billion Oyster Project: Meet the Oysters 
Governors Island, Nolan Park, Building 16
Friday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Sunday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Walking tours hosted by Billion Oyster Project also available Saturday and Sunday at various times)

Skyscraper Museum 
39 Battery Pl. 
Friday, October 18, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (tour at 3 p.m.)
Saturday, October 19, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Aesop Wall Street 
67 Wall St. 
Friday, October 18, 3 p.m to 5 p.m. 
Sunday, October 20, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

African Burial Ground National Monument
290 Broadway
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (tours at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.)

Castle Garden Emigrant Depot Tour
1 Whitehall St.
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Gotham Park 
Rose Street and Avenue of the Finest
Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Manhattan Borough President’s Office Map Display
1 Centre St.
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.