OUTDOORS Tours & Hikes ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING The "Shoestring" ...
ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING
The "Shoestring" doesn't have much to do w/tours of Manhattan that vary thematically. This week "Touristy Trek," Fri. at 6:30; "Greenwich Village Ghosts Galore," Sat. at 11; "Hell's Kitchen Hike," Sat. at 12:45; "Salute to Jackie Kennedy Onassis," Sat. at 2:30; "Idyllic Island," Sat. at 4:15; 212-265-2663 for meeting place; all tours $5.
BERNIE'S NEW YORK
Weekly "adventures" w/Bernie Cohen. This week "City Hall-Civic 'Beyond the City Gates'"; 718-655-1883 for meeting place & price; Sun. at 2.
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: "Tout the 'Victorian Ornamentals' Exhibition," Sat.; "Trees: Facts & Lore," 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 that paint Brooklyn in a whole new light. This week, "Floyd Bennet Field: A Treasure by Jamaica Bay," feat. a wetlands turned dump, then airport, then park?! Sat. at 11; "Gangsters of South Brooklyn," you knew they were there, now you can see where; RSVP 718-788-8500 ext. 401 for meeting place, $8, $5 st./s.c.
DR. PHIL'S NY TALKS & WALKS
Licensed guide Philip Schoenberg leads tours of Brooklyn & Manhattan. This week, "Law & Order," Sat. & Sun. at 1; "Hidden Treasures of Chinatown," Sat. at 1; "Edgar Allen Poe & His Ghostly Friends," Sat. at 8; "Abe Cahan's Yiddish NY," Sun. at 1; 1-888-377-4455 for meeting place & price.
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.
I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN
Walking tours w/Anthony Grifa focus on history, landmarks & famous residents. This week: "The Millionaires' Mile, the Fifth Avenue Gold Coast," Sat. at 1; "Metropolitan Museum of Art Historic District," Sun. at 1; 732-270-5277 for meeting place & res.; $10.
JOYCE GOLD WALKING TOURS
History professor Joyce Gold leads tours of NY. This week "East Village: Culture & Counter-Culture," all kinds of ethnic diversities that often divert rather than get along, 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 Katz's Deli, 205 E. Houston St. (Ludlow St.), 212-226-9010; Sun. at 11, free [through 12/30].
LINCOLN CENTER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Sponsors "Sidewalk Surprises in Lincoln Square," tour which explores interiors of cultural & historic buildings; meets at Columbus Circle fountain, 59th St. (B'way), 212-581-3774; Tues. at 11, free [through 9/4].
MERCHANT'S HOUSE MUSEUM
Shock of shocks, a tour of New York! This week, "Federalism to Modernism; Architectural Revolutions in the East Village," explores houses built betw. 1799-1899; 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette St.), 212-777-1089; Sun. at 1, $12.
MICHELLE NEVIUS TOURS
NYC-themed tours incl. "The Best of Central Park," Thurs. at 3; "The Best of Greenwich Village," Sat. at 3; "Immigration & the LES," Tues. at 1; 877-572-9719 or www.walknyc.com for meeting place; $10, $8 st./s.c.
MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY
Architectural & historical walking tours emphasize New York's diversity. This week: "Summer in the Heights," Fri. at 11; "On the Waterfront: The World Trade Center & Battery Park," Sun. at 11; "Private Lives" feat. stars' homes & residential "gems", Mon. at 11:30; 212-935-3960 for res., locations & more tours, $10-$15.
MUSEUM OF CHINESE IN AMERICAS
Pres. monthly tours lead by Chinese-Americans that highlight & explore the past & present of Manhattan's vibrant Chinatown area; meet at Museum of Chinese in America, 70 Mulberry St. (Canal St.), RSVP 212-619-4785 for res.; Sat. at 12, $10.
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 of New York City. This week, "Ocean Grove & Spring Lake, New Jersey," Thurs. at 8-7:30; "The Algonquin Round Table: Teas, Tales & Tour," Sun. 3-4:30; "The Golden Age of the Catskills," Sun. 9-6; "The Revitalized West Side Waterfront," Sun. 9-1; 212-415-5500 for meeting place & price.
NYC DISCOVERY
An array of NYC tours. This week, "Brooklyn Bridge & Literary Brooklyn Heights," Sat. at 2 & 5, Sun at 2; RSVP 212-465-3331 for meeting place & more tours; $12.
ROCK JUNKET
Walking tour of east village rock, punk & glam sites since 1960s, hosted by two music industry veterans; meet at SW corner 9th St. (3rd Ave.), 212-696-6578; Fri. at 4 & Sat. at 12 & 3, $20.
SHOREWALKERS
Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving wetlands of NYC & surrounding areas offers a variety of ecologically-oriented tours. This week: "Jamaica Bay Wildlife Waterbirds," Sat. at 11; 212-330-7686 or www.shorewalkers.org for meeting place & price.
STREET SMARTS NY
Historic tours of Downtown Manhattan. This week: "Walks in Old Chelsea," Sat. at 2; "Elegance & Ale: A Gaslight Era Pub Crawl," Sat. at 6; "Greenwich Village Past & Present," Sun. at 2; 212-969-8262 for meeting place; all tours $10.
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, "Hudson Shore," Weds. at 4; "Concert Hike," Sun. at 7-9; "Greenburg Nature Center," Sun. at 11; "Fort Tryon Park Gardens," Mon. at 4; 718-274-0407, call for meeting place, time & price.
URBAN PARK RANGERS
City of New York pres. events somehow tied to nature, proving they must care about things other than criminals & construction. This week, "Saturday Nights Live," feat. local music & beautiful salt marshes, Sat. at 7; "Nocturnal Animals," a nighttime forest tour, Sat. at 8; "City Hall Park," Sun. at 1; "Medicinal Plants," a lesson in outdoor first aid, Sun. at 2; 212-360-2791 for meeting place & info; free.
WILD FOOD
Nature & ecology walk w/"Wildman" Steve Brill, join him as he literally eats various locations, this week, "Central Park," Sat.; "Prospect Park," Sun.; 718-291-6825 for meeting place; 11:45-3:45, $10, $5 kids.
Parades, Fairs & Around Town
BARS ON BOARD
Local bars recreate their indoor atmospheres side-by-side aboard USS Intrepid Sea/Air/Space Museum in an effort to create a "casual, hip evening" to raise funds for NYC Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Pier 86, W. 46th St. (12th Ave.), 212-463-7787; Thurs. at 7-11, $65 adv., $80 after 5 p.m. on 7/23.
HUNT MADONNA TICKETS IN TIMES SQUARE
Cutlass pres. players opportunity to find four Madonna tickets hidden in Times Square, but only after they come out on top of massive scavenger hunt; 212-388-9121 or www.ctlss.com for meeting place & registration; Thurs. at 6, $15 per team.
NYC UNFOLDS STREET FAIR
Your one-a-year chance to view AIDS Memorial Quilt & fund over 200 food, craft, art & jewelry vendors, proceeds of which will go to benefit various AIDS causes; W. 3rd St. (betw. B'way & LaGuardia Pl.), 212-809-4900; Sat. at 11-6, free.
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].
THIRD AVENUE SUMMERFEST
East Side Re-Zoning Alliance spons. tradition NYC-style festival w/kabobs, zepolis, knickknacks, trinkets & all the familiar assortments on hand; 3rd Ave. (betw. 42nd & 57th Sts.), 212-809-4900; Sun. 11-6, free.
TIME'S UP
Environmentalist/bicycle-advocacy group sponsors monthly skates & rides throughout New York City. This week, "Critical Mass," join or watch cyclists take over Union Square Park, Fri. at 7; "Riverside Ride," feat. views of Central & Riverside Parks, Sat. at 10; 212-802-8222 for meeting place; 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.