OUTDOORS Tours & Hikes ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING Tours of Manhattan vary ...
ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING
Tours of Manhattan vary thematically. This week "Marvelous Manhattan Bridge Walk," Sat. at 11; "Greenwich Village Ghosts Galore," Sat. at 1:30; "Attractive Astoria," Sat. at 4:30; "South Street Seaport Safari," Sun. at 10:30; "Academic Acropolis," Sun. at 1:45; 212-265-2663 for meeting place & more tours; $5.
BERNIE'S NEW YORK
Weekly "adventures" w/Bernie Cohen. This week "Wall Street to Battery 'Where It All Began'"; 718-655-1883 for meeting place & price; Sun. at 2.
BIG ONION WALKING TOURS
Tours of NY conducted by guides w/advanced degrees in history. This week, "Immigrant New York at Twilight," Thurs. at 6:30; "Historic Harlem," Fri. at 1; "Historic Lower Manhattan," Sat. at 1; "Soho & Nolita at Twilight," Sat. at 5; "Jewish LES," Sun. at 1; 212-439-1090 meeting place & info; all tours $10-$15.
BOTANICAL GARDEN TOURS
Tours lead by curators & experts "offer visitors in-depth perspective on new exhibitions, what's in bloom & aspects of home gardening." This week: "The Sprit of the Butterflies: Myth, Magic & Art," Sat.; "Photographers Sundays: Making the Best of the Wrong Time," Sun.; 718-817-8700 or www.nybg.org for meeting place; all tours at 2, free w/grounds adm.
BROOKLYN CENTER FOR THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
Outdoor tours paint Brooklyn in a whole new light. This week, "Bats! A Night Tour into Prospect Park," Fri. at 7; "Cruising the Gowanus Canal," Sat. at 9:30; RSVP 718-788-8500 ext.401 for meeting place & price.
DR. PHIL'S NY TALKS & WALKS
Licensed guide Philip Schoenberg leads tours of Brooklyn & Manhattan. This week, "The Jack Finney Time & Again Tours" Sat. at 1; "Brooklyn Bridge," Sat. at 1; "Soho: Imagination, Innovation & Fashion," Sat. at 1; "Edgar Allan Poe & His Ghostly Friends," Sat at 8; "Literary Garrets of the West Village & Elsewhere," Sun. at 1; 1-888-377-4455 for meeting place, price & more tours.
GREENWICH VILLAGE LITERARY PUB CRAWL
Local actors lead tour of four pubs giving literary histories & performances. Stops may incl. Chumley's, the Cornelia St. Cafe, McBell's, the Cedar Tavern & the White Horse Tavern; meets at the White Horse Tavern, 567 Hudson St. (11th St.), 212-613-5796; Sat. at 2, $12, $9 st./s.c.
GREENWICH VILLAGE AT NIGHT
Guided tours of NY music clubs. "Blues, Jazz & more Blues," Weds.; "Rock & Blues," Sat.; "Dixieland Jazz, Modern Jazz & 12 horn Jazz Orchestra," Mon.; 212-875-7019 for meeting place, res. & times; $10 incl. live music & $4-$6 on drinks.
I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN
Walking tours w/Anthony Grifa focus on history, landmarks & famous residents. This week: "Soho: The Artist's Vision," Sat. at 1; 732-270-5277 for meeting place & res.; $10.
JOYCE GOLD WALKING TOURS
History professor Joyce Gold leads tours of NY. This week "Essential Greenwich Village" covers history, theater, culture, tragedy & more, Sat. at 1; RSVP 212-242-5762 or www.nyctours.com for meeting place; $12.
LES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Organization offers free weekly "Shopping on the LES: Pushcarts to Present Day" walking tour; meets in front of tourist trap Katz's Deli, 205 E. Houston St. (Ludlow St.), 212-226-9010; Sun. at 11, free [through 12/30].
LINCOLN SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Sponsors "Sidewalk Surprises in Lincoln Square," tour which explores interiors of historic buildings & specialty shops; meets at Columbus Circle fountain, 59th St. (B'way), 212-581-3774; Tues. at 11, free [through 9/4].
MAKOR'S RECREATION
"Appalachian Trail," a moderate hike feat. deer, streambeds & hills, bring bathing suit, towels & all the day-trip musts; 212-601-1000 for meeting place & res.; Sun. at 11, $35.
MICHELLE NEVIUS TOURS
NYC-themed tours incl. "The Upper East Side," Thurs. at 1; "The East Village," Sat. at 3; "The Best of Lower Manhattan," Mon. at 10; 877-572-9719 or www.walknyc.com for meeting place; $10, $8 st./s.c.
MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
This week: "Multi-Ethnic East Harlem" & "From the Ground Up: Two Centuries of Architecture & Development; 212-534-1672 for meeting place, res. & info.; both tours Sat. at 1, $10-$18.
MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY
Architectural & historical walking tours emphasize New York's diversity. This week: "The Flatiron District: Madison Square Park & Environs," Fri. at 11; "East River Vistas: Cherokee Pl. & East End Ave.," Sat. at 11; "Preserved & Perfected: Greenwich Village," Sun. at 11; "Art Deco Midtown," Mon. at 11:30; 212-935-3960 for res., locations & more tours, $12-$15.
NEW YORK LIKE A NATIVE
Norman Oder leads two tours of Brownstone Brooklyn on alternating Sats. w/"From Park Slope to Brooklyn Heights" & "Brooklyn 101"; 718-393-7537 or nylikeanative.com for sched., meeting places & time; $30 & $12, respectively.
92ND ST. Y TOURS
Extensive program of tours & trips in, outside & around New York City. This week, "The Splendors of Caramoor, High Tea & Concert," Thurs. at 10-8; "West Side Magic," Sun. 1-4; "Pristine Hike in the Shawangunks of New Paltz," Sun. 8-7; 212-415-5500 for meeting place & price.
NEW YORK CITY CULTURAL WALKING TOURS
Historical tours w/NYC licensed guide Alfred Pommer. "Gargoyles in Manhattan" is actually not a tour of bars, Fri. at 10; "The Murray Hill Walking Tour," Sun. at 2; 212-979-2388 or www.nycwalk.com for res. & meeting place; $10-$15.
NYC DISCOVERY
An array of NYC tours. This week, "The Central Park You Never Knew," Sat. at 2:30, Sun at 12:30; "The Chelsea & Flatiron You Never Knew," Sat. at 5 & Sun. at 3; RSVP 212-465-3331 for meeting place & more tours; $12.
SHOREWALKERS
Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving wetlands of NYC & surrounding areas offers a variety of ecologically-oriented tours. This week: "Fort Tyron to Mount St. Vincent," visits Indian settlements, castles & great estates, Sat. at 11; 212-330-7686 or www.shorewalkers.org for meeting place & price.
SOPRANOS TOUR
Tour the sites used on "The Sopranos" set & get a glimpse of Italian New Jersey, but don't get your hopes up becuase it's impossible to visit all the places where Robert Iler has smoked pot!; 212-935-0168 for meeting place & times; Sun., $30.
STREET SMARTS NY
Historic tours of Downtown Manhattan. This week: "Dandies, Dudes & Shady Ladies," Sat. at 2; "Ghostly Greenwich Village," Sat. at 6; "The East Village," Sun. at 2; 212-969-8262 for meeting place; all tours $10.
TAKE A WALK, NEW YORK
Nine-month series of free, guided walks sponsored by NYC Heath Dept. to prevent cardiovascular disease in women. This week: "Fort Wadsworth," Sat. at 9:30 a.m.; call 212-379-8339 for meeting place; free.
TOUR OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Retired NYC police officer Gary leads tour based on his experiences in the force; 212-334-2211, ext.101 or www.imar.com for meeting place, tickets & res.; Weds. & Fri. at 5, Sat. & Sun. at 10, $27.50.
URBAN TRAIL CLUB
Sometimes they blaze their own trails, other times they meander. This week, "West Greenwich Village," Fri. at 5:45; "Delaware & Raritan Canal," Sat. at 9; "Thendara Swim Hike," Sun. at 10:45; "Roosevelt Island," Mon. at 4; 718-274-0407 for meeting place, time & price.
URBAN PARK RANGERS
City of New York pres. events somehow tied to nature, proving they do care about things other than criminals, tickets & construction. This week, "A Day at the Beach: SCUBA Observation," Sat. at 10; "Van Courtlandt House Tour," Sat. at 2; "Morris-Jumal Mansion," Sun. at 1; 212-360-2791 for meeting place & info; free.
WILD FOOD
Join "Wildman" Steve Brill for a nature & ecology during which he literally eats various locations, this week, "Alley Pond Park's Woodlands," Sat.; "Huntington State Park," Sun.; 718-291-6825 for meeting place; 11:45-3:45, $10, $5 kids.
Parades, Fairs & Around Town
FESTIVAL OF THE AMERICAS
North, South & Central Americas represent at this international street fair feat. food, crafts, antiques & multi-cultural entertainment; 6th Ave. (betw. 42nd & 57th Sts.); Sun. at 11-6, free.
GREATER HARLEM HISTORIC BIKE TOUR
Twelve-mile bike tour begins at 135th St., travels through Central Harlem, Washington Heights, East & West Harlem & culminates w/live entertainment to honor Annual Harlem week; RSVP 212-862-8477 for meeting place; Sun. at 10, $5-$25.
HAIR OASIS
To truly enjoy National Hair Loss Awareness Month, get a scalp massage & tips from dermatologists & stylists; South St. Seaport (South St.), 212-642-7757; Weds. at 11-3, free.
HARLEM WEEK
Pres. Rucker basketball tournaments feat. Rucker Pro League versus Philadelphia All-Stars; Rucker Park, 155th St. (F. Douglas Blvd.), www.DiscoverHarlem.com for info.; Weds. at 12-6, free.
MTA LIRR WATER GETAWAYS
One day getaways on the water incl. "Peconic Luncheon Cruise," Weds.; "Lighthouse Luncheon," Thurs.; "Skyline Cruise," Fri.; 718-217-LIRR for meeting place, time & info; $47-$57.
SANDY HOOK CRUISE
One-hour cruise to Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ to swim, sun, picnic, bird watch, fish, or hike: convenient, relaxing & enjoyable, leave your cell phone home; 800-533-3779 for times, meeting place & res.; $25, $12.50 child [through 9/3].
TIME'S UP
Environmentalist/bicycle-advocacy group sponsors monthly skates & rides throughout New York City. This week, "Central Park Moonlight Ride" is not as scary as it sounds, Fri. at 10; "Prospect Park Moonlight Ride," bring lights if you have them, Sat. at 9; 212-802-8222 for meeting place; free.
WASHINGTON SQUARE SUMMERFEST
Expecting a quarter of a million people, this fair boasts entertainment, food, jewelry, food, crafts, food, art, food & more food; W. 4th (betw. LaGuardia Pl. & 6th Ave.) 212-809-4900; Sat. at 11-6, free.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SKATE
Weekly night skate around Manhattan. Route varies, should be comfortable skating in traffic & no matter how comfortable, participants must wear protective gear; meet on corner of 17th St. (betw. Union Sq. W. & B'way), 212-696-7247 for info; Weds. at 8, free.
WHEELS, RAMPS & RAILS INLINE SKATING
Beg. to adv. skaters: learn, practice & hone your skating skills! "Ramps" teaches ramps, rails & grinds, Fri. at 3:30-5:30; "Quick Tips" teaches stopping, turning & backward skating, Sat. & Sun. at 12-1; "Beg. & Aggressive Skating, offers every level of training, Sat & Sun at 2:30-5:30; 212-267-9700 for meeting place & info. [through 10/31].