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Best Historic House Museums in New York City To Visit

The opulent mansions of Westchester and the Hudson Valley filled with refurbished period art, architecture, expansive grounds, and resident spectres, right? Well … you’re not wrong, because that is my mental image as well.

Alas, even though New York City does not boast of these grand old homes, she does have historic houses that pack a punch in colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War history, and yes, the occasional haunting as well. I mean, you don’t expect houses as old as four centuries to be free of spirits now, do you? These houses have since been turned into museums, some under the care of NYC Parks, and some on the National Register of Historic Places.

Let’s delve into some historic museums in New York City, some of which I’ve experienced, and some I hope to do soon.

Merchant’s House Museum: Historic House Museums in New York City

Article Contents

One solid piece of architectural history left in NYC as a throwback to a bygone era is Merchant’s House , built in 1831 and bought in 1835 by Seabury Tredwell, a wealthy merchant from Long Island. Seabury and his family lived and died here until his last child, Gertrude, died in the house at the age of 93 in 1933. Gertrude is said to still be wandering Merchant’s House… 👻

Merchant’s House is unique in that it still houses the 19th century art, furnishings, and possessions of the Tredwell family and those furnishings that have decayed over the decades have been refurbished to their original state. The parlour has Rococo Revival furniture, a pianoforte, gilt marble mirror, a detailed ceiling, and massive chandeliers, all of which were very opulent by NYC standards of the day. All these furnishings were indicative of family wealth in the era, and the Tredwell’s were rolling in it by all accounts.

This piece of NYC architectural history in NoHo is full of NYC stories and interesting family life of the 19th century era. For example, do you know that Victorian men did the food shopping? Yes. Men. Bucking gender roles in the 1800s. Furthermore, experience a wee bit of Victorian fashion by trying on a massive hoop skirt for giggles. I do so and wonder how women managed to sit in those things let alone pee!

Merchant’s House also mentions the female Irish immigrants, some as young as 14, that emigrated to the U.S. to be domestic servants in grand homes. There were so many of them in domestic service that it was seen as a stigma and as such, American women refused to do domestic work and saw it as beneath them. Ring a bell?

Take a socially distanced self-guided tour through Merchant’s House or stay cooped up with historic virtual tours from food of the day to life of an Irish servant girl .

29 E 4th St., New York, NY

Sat-Sun 12p-5p

Admission: $15

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I unknowingly twin with the drapery. Lol.

Lefferts Historic Home: Historic House Museums in New York City

This simple homestead bungalow is in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and is the home of the Lefferts family of the Netherlands. They were Dutch settlers that arrived in the 1630s to New Amsterdam – New York City’s first name – originally a Dutch colony before the Brits took over. The house was built in the 1780s and is currently owned by the NYC Parks Department.

Lefferts Home is an 18th century living museum exhibiting colonial Dutch life with a working garden, chopped wood, and historic remnants of colonial life. Tours are available – pandemic has scuttered that now – to show family life and the lives of the enslaved Africans that catered to their every desire and lived on the property with them.

The Lefferts family is one of the most popular Kings County (families) and descendants married into prominent colonial Dutch families of the day like Vanderbilts and Bergen, names of which are popular in NYC and on its landmarks.  There are many remnants of colonial Dutch history in Brooklyn and Lefferts Home is one of the few remaining historic house museums in New York City in which to experience this.

Lefferts Historic Home is currently closed for restoration.

452 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn

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Wikipedia image

Fraunces Tavern Museum: Historic Houses in New York City

Ever been to a tavern that doubles as a historic house museum? No? Then, hello Fraunces Tavern in downtown New York City!

Knock back a few as you learn about the history of 54 Pearl Street from its initial grant to Stephanus Van Cortlandt in 1686, its journey through the Revolutionary War – change of ownership, business designation, serving War generals – to its designation as a Historic District in 1977.

Little is known about the original tavern owner, Samuel Fraunces, and his portrait at the tavern is being disputed by a German historian who believes that the gentleman in the portrait was one of the intimate friends of Frederick the Great. Verily, the plot thickens!

Fraunces Tavern is famous for George Washington dining in and ordering take-out – like a regular human – after the British were routed out of New York City, the last U.S. city there were still in. In fact, November 23, 1783, is Evacuation Day in New York City where the Continental Army marched from the  Bowery to Wall St.

In its heyday, the tavern has been a boarding house, grocery, events place, dance hall, leased to the government’s War Office and Foreign Affairs Office… and of course, a political meeting place where Burr and Hamilton attended a Society of Cincinnati meeting before their duel.

*With NYC opening indoor dining at 25% occupancy, Fraunces Tavern is open for dining.

54 Pearl Street, New York, NY

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Historic Hunterfly Road Houses (Weeksville): Historic Houses in New York City

In 1838, James purchased a part of the Lefferts estate to create a landowning community, in conjunction with other African-American investors of the day. It is a historic site and cultural centre dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Weeksville in pre-Civil War U.S.

The historic Hunterfly houses are on an old Native American trail with houses from the 1860s through 1930s still standing. They are single to two-story, wood-framed houses with backyard fences, containing historic artifacts reflective of the period the families lived in them, and are one of the well preserved African-American historic house museums in New York City.

Weeksville holds exhibits on diaspora art and oral histories of the former inhabitants of the community and is a wonderful experience for anyone wanting to learn about African-American communities in NYC of that era. Not much is known or told about these Black communities in NYC so Weeksville/Hunterfly Houses are the ideal historic homes to learn of them.

*In-house events and exhibits are on pause due to the pandemic but walk-in tours still available.

158 Buffalo Ave., Brooklyn

Walk in tours: Tues-Thurs 3p; Sat- 12p, 2p & 3.30p

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Smallpox Hospital: Historic Houses in New York City

This is more a historic ruin than a historic house museum, but it was once a complete property until the 1900s.

The Smallpox Hospital – located on the narrow  strip of land that is Roosevelt Island – was once the primary healthcare facility in the 1800s to receive and quarantine smallpox patients in New York City.

Anyway, once a viable smallpox vaccine was created in late 1800s and inoculations began, affliction rates rapidly dropped, and the number of patients dwindled at the hospital, thus forcing its inevitable closure. The empty structure was pilfered and roof collapse came next thus leaving only the walls standing for nature to take over… which she has done very well.

Presently, it is overgrown with ivy and is a home to nestling birds, ducks, and other species, with a new park is under construction around it. Smallpox Hospital is one of the highly recommended free things to do on Roosevelt Island on a cheap day trip from NYC .

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Morris-Jumel Mansion: Historic Houses in New York City

The mansion is completed in 1765 as a Harlem summer home for British Colonel, Roger Morris and his wife, Mary Philipse – of the family for which Philipse Manor in Westchester is named for. I would’ve chosen anywhere with sun and sea as a summer retreat, but given the situation of the day – Revolutionary War – the mansion was built atop the highest point in Manhattan with surrounding views of the NY harbour, Jersey and Connecticut. It was also a working farm so you can be sure there were enslaved people here.

1776 rolls in and the Morris’ abandon the mansion, which Washington and his army quickly occupy for its vantage point and space. It changes hands several times until 1810 when Eliza and Stephen Jumel purchase the property and its farmlands. Eliza is much smarter than her husband and it is she who manages their real estate holdings even after her husband’s death. She passes in 1865 and the property is contested for over a decade!

The mansion goes through the Harlem Renaissance as the area draws in Black artists and writers of high calibre – Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and their peers. Paul Robeson even mentions Morris-Jumel as where an enslaved ancestor of his – he later buys his freedom –  offers his baking services to feed Washington and his troops.

Wander remotely through a virtual house tour of the mansion’s grand rooms and its furnishings and listen to the history behind them.

Thurs – Sun 11a – 5p

Self-guided tour $10

65 Jumel Terrace, New York

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Morris-Jumel image

Old Stone House: Historic Houses in New York City

Old Stone House is one of the oldest farmhouses in New York City erected in 1699 by Dutchman, Hendrick Vechte. The property changed ownership from the Vechtes to the Cortelyous and then to Edwin Litchfield, the latter two names Brooklynites recognize. In fact, Litchfield Villa in Prospect Park is the site of spectre sightings since 1864 till present, where gargoyles and spirits are said to roam from a seance that released them into this world. Interesting…

Old Stone House is the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War – the Battle of Brooklyn – where the “Maryland 400” were slaughtered by the British. 400 Maryland soldiers were sent against 2,000 British troops and even though they fought valiantly, it was a losing battle as many Maryland soldiers perished.

After this battle, a Maryland Major commented that, “ the killed, wounded, and missing amount to two hundred and fifty-nine .” Until this day, it is unknown where these bodies are, buuuttt …

… it is presumed that they were buried across the street in the area that is now Staples on 348 4th Ave . In fact, this area is known to be one of the spookiest spots in Brooklyn .

336 3rd Street, Brooklyn

Fri 3p – 6p

Sat – Sun 11a – 4p

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Historic Richmond Town: Historic Houses in New York City

This is one of my favourite historic house museums in New York City for its living museum qualities and historical re-enactments.

Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island is a community of buildings once inhabited by colonial Dutch families and their English in-laws from the 1700s to 1890s. In the 1930s, an opportunity was seen for historic preservation of the area by the Staten Island Historical Society after the community had been abandoned in the late 1890s.

There are a number of areas that make up the larger Richmond Town community, such as:

  • Main Village
  • Decker Farm
  • Billiou-Stillwell-Perrine House

Over the decades, the community of historic houses and their untold histories have been brought to life by re-enactments from expert historians and craftspeople who have spent decades learning historic trades of carpentry, hearth-cooking, tin smithing, forgery, just like colonial craftspeople of the community.

Other interesting historical sights to see at Richmond Town are:

  • A brightly coloured printing shop in Main Village with 1800s era circulars seen in windows;
  • 18th century menus visible in windows of what seems to be a community kitchen,
  • A homestead generational graveyard of the Rezeau-Van Pelt Family
  • Historical Museum – once the County Clerk’s and Surrogate’s Office

This is definitely one of the more underrated historic house museums in New York City and is part of beautiful and safe places to travel in New York State this pandemic period.

Historic Richmond Town is open and offers capped weekend guided tours as well as online and limited in-person workshops & exhibits .

441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island, NY

Black girl standing in front of a historic house in New York City

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When next you’re in NYC, don’t forget to pop by one of these historic house museums for a taste of history.

Remember that pandemic protocols apply so verify opening days and times before hand.

Share in comments which ones you’ve experienced and which stories you find interesting. Don’t forget to pin and share and see you on the social streets! xxx

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Sharing is caring! xx

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26 comments.

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lannie travels

I’ve been to New York City many times, but have never heard of these historic houses! I love touring historical places, so these are definitely going on my list for future NYC trips!

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Most definitely! :0)

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Fantastic post Kemi! I’ve never heard of any of these historic house museums, and want to see some the next time we’re back. You can definitely see the colonial influence in the white mansion!

Thanks Lisa! Definitely, the colonial architecture is evident in Morris-Jumel.

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As you know I adore historic houses! I would love to head over there and explore all of them 🙂

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Carina | bucketlist2life

I love historic houses. I can’t believe that the Morris-Jumel Mansion is the only one on your list that I have visited. Especially the smallpox hospital looks super interesting!

Lol you’ll love Roosevelt Island where the Smallpox Hospital is. There’s a lighthouse and a converted asylum there. lol

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Charles McCool

This is cool and fun. Most people think of crowded Manhattan and Times Square as what typifies NYC but these historic places need more visitation.

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I’ll have you know that I do the grocery shopping very regularly. A man of distinction like those 19th century gentlemen. I enjoy houses like this, but somehow I’m more enticed by ruins like the Smallpox museum. They are definitely more haunting.

“A man of distinction…” lol. I love that, John! I’m also enticed by ruins too and I’ll be looking out for more in NYS.

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Love this collection of historic house museums. They’re all so diverse! Wouldn’t like to meet Gertrude though haha.

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Wendy White

I haven’t been to NYC yet but will definitely try to visit some of these historic houses when I do. What a great list. I think Morris-Jumel Mansion would be top of my list and the smallpox hospital sounds intriguing.

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How interesting! I never saw these great places before. So informative about historical places to visit.

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Lori Bosworth

I would love to visit Richmond Town on Staten Island the next time I’m in NYC. The Old Stone House in Brooklyn also looks spectacular!

I love Richmond Town! You’d love Stone House as well.

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Indya | The Small Adventurer

These all sound like such fun places to visit! I love exploring the city I live in, and would definitely love to go to places like this if I was ever able to stay long term in NYC. I’ll have to see if there’s anything like this in the city I live in. There’s got to be, right!?!

I’m sure Australia has tons regardless of city lol

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I never knew NYC has ruins! Interesting to know! Hopefully I can visit again and see them! Been a long time since my last.

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Wow this seems like a such a great collection of historic places in New York City. As a fan of historic houses I’d definitely love to visit one day!

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There is something about history that fascinates me when I visit a location in real life. I always disliked sitting in a classroom to study history as it is just too boring but give me a fascinating story about the people and places in real life or in a video in small chunks and I am golden.

I agree, Alvern! I love experiencing people and culture in real time.

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what a list! totally makes me want to travel again. NYC is so wonderful, brings back very sweet memories

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Melanie williams

Very cool collection of museums that you have over in New york City. Always fun to learn about history for sure x

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Wow! I did not realize that there are a lot of historic house museums in NYC. Too bad we never had a chance to visit during our last trip. I have a huge fascination with stone houses and would love to visit the old stone house in the future.

You’d love our plethora of historic homes here!

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Stefan (Berkeley Square Barbarian)

Great post, Kemi. Can’t believe I haven’t even heard of any of these. In most cases when I look at the pictures I find it hard to believe that this is New York City. Will aim to check out some of these on my next visit to town.

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Mansion open for self-guided tours at 11am; Park open 10am–5pm

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The Morris-Jumel Mansion is one of the nation’s foremost historic house museums and Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence 

Museum tours are offered Thursday – Sunday and may be booked up to thirty days in advance. For more information on visiting the Mansion please see our Visit page .  

See our Programs & Events page to learn more about upcoming public programming, including concerts, talks, and crafts at the Mansion.  

Every second Saturday of the month is ConEd Family and Community Day ! Join us for free, family-friendly activities at the Mansion.  

Every third Wednesday of the month, Morris-Jumel Mansion hosts a Virtual Parlor Chat where we discuss topics relating to the history of the Mansion.  

If you missed our Virtual Parlor Chat about our upcoming exterior restoration, watch the recording on YouTube .  

Interested in booking a field trip for your students? Morris-Jumel Mansion offers school tours Monday through Wednesday. Learn more on our School Programs page.  

Want to learn more about what’s going on at the Morris-Jumel Mansion? Read the latest volume of the Mansion Minute !  

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Upcoming Events at Morris-Jumel Mansion

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Every Sunday in March, 11:00 AM

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Sat. March 9, 2024, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

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Wed. March 21, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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A Camera Obscura Installation by Gibson + Recoder

June 3, 2023 - February 25, 2024

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Artist Bruce Katz's exploration of Morris-Jumel Mansion

September 23, 2023 - May 5, 2024 (Extended)

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Morris-Jumel Mansion news and events in your inbox

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The museum is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with City Council and Borough President, Mark Levine, and Councilmembers Carmen De La Rosa and Shaun Abreu. Programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Support is also provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities, The New York Community Trust, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), City Parks Foundation, Humanities New York, ConEdison, and Columbia University Medical Center Neighborhood Fund. The Morris-Jumel Mansion is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

  • Alice Austen House
  • Lewis Latimer House Museum
  • Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
  • Little Red Lighthouse
  • Bowne House
  • Merchant's House Museum
  • Conference House
  • Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum
  • Dyckman Farmhouse Museum
  • Old Stone House
  • Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
  • Queens County Farm Museum
  • Gracie Mansion
  • Seguine Mansion
  • Hendrick I. Lott House
  • Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
  • Historic Richmond Town
  • Valentine-Varian House
  • King Manor Museum
  • Van Cortlandt House Museum
  • Kingsland Homestead
  • Wyckoff House Museum
  • Lefferts Historic House Museum
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New York’s Story LIVES HERE

Located on New York City parkland, HHT’s 23 partner historic sites are open to all and are instrumental in creating engaging programs for their surrounding communities. Ranging from modest farms to grand mansions, these landmark sites provide essential windows into the lives of all New Yorkers, past and present.

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Our Mission

In partnership with NYC Parks, the Historic House Trust advocates for, promotes, and provides expertise to preserve 23 publicly owned historic sites located throughout New York City’s five boroughs. 

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The HHT team works closely with NYC Parks and our 23 partner sites on collaborative projects that address both immediate preservation needs and long-term collective vision. Check out a few of the projects we’re currently working on!

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Merchant's House Museum

  • Hours & Admission

The Merchant’s House was built in 1832 and purchased by Seabury Tredwell, a prosperous New York City hardware merchant, in 1835. The Tredwell family continued to live in the landmark late-Federal and Greek revival style row house for nearly 100 years.

Visit five floors of period rooms furnished with the family’s original possessions – furniture, decorative objects, household goods, books, even their clothing. The secret 19th century rear garden is also open. You’ll see how a wealthy family and their four Irish servants lived in mid-19th century New York.

The Merchant’s House offers Self-Guided House Tours , Guided House Tours , and Neighborhood Walking Tours.

Self-Guided House Tour

Wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.).

Closed major holidays.

  • Tour the house with our printed self-guided tour booklet, or our digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app .
  • Visitors should plan to spend 45-60 minutes on their self-guided tour.
  • The museum comprises five floors accessed by stairs.
  • Docents are available to answer questions.

(No reservations; purchase tickets at the door)

  • General Admission: $15.50
  • Seniors (over 65) & Students (with ID): $10.50
  • Children under 12: FREE
  • MHM Members FREE. Become a member.
  • The Museum accepts cash or credit cards. (Pay with cash for a 50¢ discount per ticket.)
  • Groups larger than 10 people MUST schedule a private visit. Read more about Group Tours.

Guided House Tour

Wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday & sunday, 12 p.m..

On this 75-minute tour, led by an experienced guide, you’ll visit five floors of period rooms, as well as the rear garden.

(Reservations required)

  • General Admission: $20.50
  • MHM Members FREE. Enter code MEMBER at checkout for free admission for yourself and one guest.
  • Walk-ins permitted if space allows. The Museum accepts cash or credit cards. (Pay with cash for a 50¢ discount per ticket.)

Guided house tour tickets.

(Note: if you can only add one ticket to your cart, only one ticket is available for the selected tour.)

Neighborhood Walking Tour

Second & fourth Sunday of the month, 1:30 p.m.  Third Saturday of the month, 1:30 p.m. (March through November). $20, Members FREE. Walking tour tickets.

Period room in 19th century house museum

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Guide to Spring Neighborhood House Tours in New York City

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How many times have you walked past a beautiful brownstone and wanted to peek inside? OK, all the time. Your curiosity will be satisfied soon enough as an abundance of house tours are coming up, which will feed your voyeuristic need. Here we offer a roundup of the best neighborhood house tours and included our picks for the most beautiful homes on the market in these neighborhoods, too.

Greenwich Village House Tour

Arguably the most coveted neighborhood in Manhattan, Greenwich Village is renowned for its picturesque townhouses, quiet tree-lined streets, and robust dining scene. Take a peek inside some of the most enviable homes on the Spring House Tour Benefit , hosted by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Presentation.

  • Date:  Sunday, May 7
  • Time:  Tour from 1-5:30 p.m.; reception 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Cost:  Tickets start at $175

See Greenwich Village Homes on the Market

One-Bedroom Condo on Bowery

image of greenwich village condo

Listed for $2.095M

Live on one of the most iconic streets in the village in this 1.5-bedroom condo. The unit’s exposed brick, large outdoor space, and clawfoot tub don’t hurt either. Who says you can’t have it all?

Two-Bedroom on Sullivan Street

Image of Greenwich Village condo house tour

Listed for $4.25M

This gorgeous two-bedroom is housed in a historic, Calvert Vaux-designed building that was recently redeveloped into a boutique condominium. Featuring floor-to-ceiling, east-facing windows in the living room and a gorgeous kitchen, this home in Greenwich Village is seriously enviable.

Park Slope House Tour 

The epitome of Brownstone Brooklyn, Park Slope is filled with historic townhouses and gorgeous prewar buildings paired with bustling avenues lined with to independent shops, cafes and bars. The Park Slope Civic Council’s house tour invites participants to peek inside meticulously maintained single-family brownstones, neoclassical co-ops, and townhomes that have been renovated by renowned architects.

  • Date:  Sunday, May 21
  • Time:  Noon-5 p.m.
  • Cost:  $25 in advance, $30 day of tour

See Park Slope Homes on the Market

Fourth Street Townhouse

image of park slope brownstone house tour

Listed for $4.495M

Located in the heart of Park Slope, this 5-bedroom townhouse has terra-cotta detailing, a master bedroom with its own terrace, a wine cellar, a large backyard, and a garden apartment that can be used for additional income or as an in-law suite.

Ninth Street Condo

image of park slope apartment house tour

Listed for $2.999M

Located on the second floor of a double-wide townhome, this 3-bedroom condo is all about clean lines and open space. It includes its own a private roof deck and an amazing all-marble master bath.

Prospect Lefferts Gardens House Tour 

Bordering Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, PLG residents enjoy a neighborhood filled with townhouses, brownstones, and freestanding manor homes. PLG’s annual neighborhood house tour, nearing its 50 th anniversary, features a recently gut renovated brownstone brought back from the brink of demolition, an apartment located in a former church parsonage, and the oldest continually operated, a black-owned art gallery in the city.

See PLG Homes on the Market

Townhouse With a Pool

Image of Prospect Lefferts Gardens Townhouse house tour

Listed for $1.795M

A unique prewar townhouse originally built by a sea captain, this large home features a refurbished basement, large bedrooms, and a backyard that houses an above-ground pool – nearly unheard of in this town!

Brick Townhome

image of prospect lefferts garden townhouse house tour

Listed for $2.399M

Featuring lush parquet flooring, an off-street garage, and a large backyard, this four-story home is less than a block from Prospect Park. The coolest part? A south-facing, wood-paneled sunroom.

New York Junior League Spring House Tour

If you’d rather not limit your home voyeurism to just one neighborhood, tickets to the New York Junior League’s spring house tour gives you access to coveted homes throughout Manhattan. Tickets include access to a kick-off party, complimentary breakfast, champagne stops along the tour route, and a post-tour reception. Sneak a peek at some of the most beautiful homes in Manhattan in style!

  • Date:  Saturday, May 13
  • Time:  Tour starts at noon
  • Cost:  $90-$250

See Manhattan Homes on the Market

Rare Sutton Place Townhouse With East River Views

Image of sutton place town house

Listed for $7.995M

This townhouse has old-school New York City pedigree in its bones. Originally home by heirs to the Morgan and Vanderbilt fortunes, Sutton Place is an exclusive cul-de-sac on the far east side of Midtown. This home was built in 1875 and offers picture-perfect period details including four marble fireplaces and numerous patios and Juliet balconies with wrought-iron railings.

Turn of the Century Upper West Side Home

image of UWS townhouse house tour

Listed for $7M

Steps from Central Park, this gorgeous home boasts a solarium-inspired bathroom with heated floors, three functioning, wood-burning fireplaces and a backyard garden.

  • Apartment Envy: Best Gardens in NYC
  • Apartment Envy: Best Kitchens for Entertaining
  • Apartment Envy: Amazing Master Bedrooms

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The High Line

The 19 best tours and walks in NYC

Take one of the best NYC tours and let an expert show you the city like never before

With so many must-see attractions in NYC , a visit to the city can be overwhelming. The best NYC tours — whether by land, sea or air — can help you make the most of your visit. Even locals will enjoy these tours and maybe learn something new (or discover a few secret NYC destinations) by taking an off-the-beaten-path tour . Choose your own adventure: walking tours, boat tours, bike tours and helicopter tours are all great ways to see the city, and the expert guides will leave you with a satisfying taste of the city. Looking for something more specific? There are food tours, movie tours, art tours, architecture tours and more. Whatever part of NYC you want to explore, there’s a tour for you, and you’ll have fun while learning everything you need to know about the Big Apple.

Recommended:  the best lesser-known attractions in NYC   Recommended: the best non-touristy things to do in NYC Recommended: the best parks in NYC Recommended: the best food tours in NYC  

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Best NYC tours

Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

1.  Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

The quintessential city tour of all tours, hop-on hop-off's get some major props for ease, accessibility, and price. Map-reading and subway-taking not your strong suit? No worries — even the most directionally-challenged traveler can enjoy Big Bus Tours, condensing a sightseeing fest including thirty landmarks into one trip. Be sure to watch out for famous points of interest as you go with the aid of a live tour guide (and go-to know-it-all about New York attractions). And if something catches your eye? Just hop off wherever you fancy — simple. Choose from routes running in downtown, uptown, Harlem, and Brooklyn and get from Wall Street’s Charging Bull statue to the green meadows of Central Park with ease. Basically, it's an easy option for seeing as much or as little as you want of the city in one day – and not stress out about maps or super expensive Uber fairs.

Small Group Central Park Bike Tour

2.  Small Group Central Park Bike Tour

You’ll cover much more of Central Park’s 843 acres of meadows, woods, and ponds on a bike than you ever could on foot. Meet up with the guide from Central Park Tours Inc. to pick out your wheels for the day, then set off from the south end of the park. You’ll spy iconic landmarks, plus a few lesser-known gems. And since the tour is always capped at just eight people, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions along the way and maybe even make a new friend or two. Oh, and you know, we could think of worse ways to stay fit and save the planet. 

Circle Line: New York Landmarks Cruise

3.  Circle Line: New York Landmarks Cruise

As far as skylines go, Manhattan's is a hard one to beat. There's the Statue of Liberty leading the way from Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge showing off its architectural beauty, and the Empire State standing tall – all of which make for a stunning view from the water. Sail around New York harbor on the Circle Line cruise, which heads up the Hudson, as well as rounding the Brooklyn bay areas. You'll also hear the history and stories behind all of the sights, so fill up on the facts and don't hesitate to ask a question or two. 

9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour

4.  9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Walking Tour

Remember the lives lost during the tragedy that was 9/11 by visiting the site where the World Trade Center once stood. Now known as Ground Zero, your guide will share facts, figures, and real-life stories with you – making for a trip that is insightful, informative, and moving all at once. Starting at City Tales Sightseeing, you'll also stop at the  Fireman’s Memorial,  twin reflecting pools, One World Observatory, and  St Paul’s Chapel .

Central Park TV and Movie Sites Tour

5.  Central Park TV and Movie Sites Tour

With 843 acres of meadows, woods, and streams, Central Park offers a gorgeous green backdrop for filmmakers. So perhaps it’s no surprise that countless movies have been set here, from When Harry Met Sally to Ghostbusters . Movie buffs will recognize the skating rink featured in Serendipity , the people-watching scene from Annie Hall, and the path that Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin biked along in On the Town . This two-hour walking tour takes you to 30 film locations within the park, though hundreds more exist.

Champagne Brunch Sail

6.  Champagne Brunch Sail

Fresh air, ocean waves, unlimited prosecco, and a massive brunch spread of bagels, lox, cream cheese, quiche, fresh fruit, and more—it’s fair to say that this midday cruise on the Shearwater really does have it all. Sit back and relax and the crew guides the restored 1929 sailboat out into the harbor. If you’re lucky, the captain will even let you take a turn at the helm.

Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour

7.  Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour

Boasting some of the most jaw-droppingly spectacular views in the city, the Brooklyn Bridge is a beacon for snap-happy tourists. But don't let your only experience of this stunning structure and its incredible views be through the viewfinder of your camera. Put the gadgets down and take a bike ride across the bridge to really soak up the scenery. This 'Bike and Roll' tour takes about three hours, running at a  leisurely pace with  plenty of time for photo stops. Make sure you make the most of your guide, who is sure to have bags of knowledge about the bridge's history and architectural details. 

Sugar Hill and Washington Heights Tour

8.  Sugar Hill and Washington Heights Tour

Sugar Hill got its name during the Harlem Renaissance, as “life was sweet” for the wealthy African Americans who lived in the district. Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, and Duke Ellington all spent time in the row houses here. Peep the stunning Queen Anne–style architecture and immerse yourself in the vibrant community on this walking tour of the area.

Lower East Side Bagel Tour

9.  Lower East Side Bagel Tour

Come hungry: You start this walking tour of the Lower East Side with a piping hot bagel smeared with cream cheese. The eats only get better as you visit venerable New York institutions like Katz’s Delicatessen, Russ and Daughters, The Pickle Guy, and Economy Candy. It’s not all about the food either: Your guide will explain how immigrants shaped both this neighborhood and its cuisine as you walk.

Roosevelt Island Tour

10.  Roosevelt Island Tour

Few visitors know anything about Roosevelt Island, a secluded residential community that feels worlds apart from the rest of the city. Once used for insane asylums and hospitals, Roosevelt Island is now home to a thriving population of about 14,000 residents. But, if you have the stomach for it, revisit the island's troubled past on the 'Island of Lost Souls' tour. Pass eerie sites, like the neo-Gothic ruins of the smallpox hospital, the first pathological and bacteriological research lab, and the NYC Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1841. After you learn about the island’s history, board the aerial tram for a sky-high trip over the East River into Manhattan.

Best of Brooklyn Half-Day Food and Culture Tour

11.  Best of Brooklyn Half-Day Food and Culture Tour

Despite Manhattan's abundance of white-clothed, Michelin-starred dining rooms, some are now touting Brooklyn as the epicenter of food culture in NYC. Either way, it's impossible to deny that Brooklyn's dining scene is incredible, from pierogis in Greenpoint's Polish stronghold to tacos and pupusas in Sunset Park and trendy farm-to-table newcomers in Williamsburg. To provide a thorough understanding of the borough's eats, this half-day tour will take you through all those neighborhoods, as well as Dumbo, the waterfront neighborhood where you'll enjoy sweets from the renowned Jacques Torres chocolate factory.

Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

12.  Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

What Sex and the City fan hasn’t daydreamed about switching lives with Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, or Charlotte for the day? The over-the-top outfits, glamorous parties, and outrageous dates might be too good to be true, but at least the scenery is true to life. Visit Carrie’s brownstone, some of the girls’ favorite bars, and an X-rated store featured on the show on this epic bus tour. There might even be time to stop for a Cosmo.

Statue of Liberty Express Cruise

13.  Statue of Liberty Express Cruise

Perfect for the sightseer who knows exactly what he or she wants, this Circle Line express tour goes right to the Statue of Liberty – no pit stops this time. Listen to an expert guide point out some lower Manhattan landmarks before pausing for photos right next to Lady Liberty. And since this cruise only takes an hour, it’s easy to fit into even the busiest itinerary.

High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour

14.  High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour

What started life as an unremarkable elevated railway is now famous across the world and one of New York's most photogenic landmarks. The High Line is a public park, rotating art gallery and perennial tourist attraction stretched, as the name suggests, high over the bustling city streets below. Take a two-hour walking tour hosted by New York Tour 1 to explore the full span of this green oasis and take in the architecture and unique history of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. Make sure you save some time to shop in Chelsea Market afterward and don't forget to snap a pic of the lush greenery. 

Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour

15.  Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour

This is one for the foodies. The Lower East Side’s culinary scene is as vibrant as its culture. It's impossible to separate the two: as different immigrant communities moved in over the decades, each brought the foods of their homelands with them. These days, you can find everything from knishes to stroopwafels to fresh mozzarella within a few blocks. This three-hour walking and eating expedition around the neighborhood lets you t aste all the foods it has to offer – and learn about their origins. 

Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village

16.  Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village

You’d never know it from the looks of Washington Square Park, but Greenwich Village has a sinister past. At the northwest corner of the park is the Hangman’s Elm, one of the oldest trees in the city and the site of at least one public execution. Master of horror Edgar Allan Poe once lived in the neighborhood and rumor has it that artist John La Farge still haunts the nearby Church of the Ascension. Delve into the neighborhood’s gruesome past on this two-hour ghost tour, and discover all of its haunting secrets. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

The Sopranos Sites Tour

17.  The Sopranos Sites Tour

Technically speaking, this tour takes you outside the five boroughs, but The Sopranos is such an iconic New York show that we couldn’t leave it out. After you board the bus in Midtown, you’ll go through the Lincoln Tunnel – the site of the show’s unforgettable opening sequence – on your way to the New Jersey suburbs. There, you’ll check out the Bada Bing! strip club, Big Pussy’s auto body shop, and the restaurant featured in the final scene of the series.

Alternative New York Street Art Tour

18.  Alternative New York Street Art Tour

There's much more to art in New York than just the paintings, photography, and sculptures exhibited in its many prestigious museums. Graffiti started life in the Big Apple and NYC remains at the very forefront of the street art world to this day. Discover some of the city's very best outdoor artworks and murals on an Inside Out Tour of either the Lower East Side or Bushwick and Williamsburg. You won’t find these artists hanging in any gallery. Yet.

New York City Lights Sail

19.  New York City Lights Sail

There's only one thing more spectacular than New York's skyscrapers glimmering in the sun – the famous skyline dramatically lit up against the night sky. Board the Shearwater for a cruise around the harbor after dark. The 105-minute trip is a great way to get awe-inspiring views of the city and a much-needed moment of calm out on the water.

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Step Inside 6 Truly Stunning New York City Homes

nyc house tours

By Madeleine Luckel

Image may contain Furniture Flooring Wood Living Room Room Indoors Hardwood Table Floor Rug and Couch

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Is there any classic New York type of design? Perhaps not, as the city itself can’t help but thrum with a diversity of styles layered through boroughs, space, and time. And that’s the beauty of it—a classic uptown residence can feel just as quintessentially New York as a minimalist SoHo pad. Below, we roundup up six of our favorite web exclusive home tours that are set in the Big Apple. So sit back, relax, and get ready to feast your eyes.

dining room

Photo: Matthew Williams

One Prospect Park South house with a dining room ping pong table

“Prospect Park South is that unique neighborhood where all of a sudden you have these large whimsical houses, considerable pieces of property, and grassy medians in the middle of the street,” designer Ryan Mahoney , a partner at Workstead , describes the historic neighborhood. “It’s another world.”

Five years ago, Mahoney and his Workstead team were invited to explore it after a repeat client purchased the 6,500-square-foot 1901-built residence. Time had taken its toll on the original clapboard structure, which had at some point been covered over in asphalt shingles, and its rooms revealed more than just gentle wear and tear. Nonetheless, Mahoney was in awe. “You’re greeted by these huge yew trees that frame the symmetrical entrance,” he says. He adds that beyond the picturesque portico he discovered stained glass windows, fireplaces in seemingly every room, and a bright twisting staircase crowned by a laylight. In other words, character—and plenty of it.

– Samuel Cochran

Furniture Living Room Indoors Room Interior Design Chair and Couch

Photo: Christian Harder

A fashionable Park Slope home with plenty of light pink

Sometimes it’s the mood that matters most. A few steps into a first-level Brooklyn apartment in the historic Park Slope neighborhood, and any thoughts of being inside a 19th-century brownstone dissipate. From the soft pink walls to the sculptural sofa reminiscent of a reclining odalisque and the evocative painting by French artist Philippine de Richemont, one is instantly transported to a chic, glamorous reverie. The home is fit for a style-conscious couple moving in together for the first time.

The element of theater is intentional, says Darren Jett , a New York–based interior architect. He was more than happy to oblige the homeowners’ request for a dramatic reimagining of the former rental unit. Having worked on hotels, high-end residences, and retail concept stores in his previous jobs, Jett has a finely tuned intuition for defining a space’s narrative arc. For this project, it was about “seduction, romance, and glamour,” he explains.

– Anne Quito

living room

Photo: Sean Litchfield

A modernist apartment that’s all about Brazilian design

When Bonobos founder Andy Dunn and his wife Manuela Zoninsein purchased their three-bedroom New York City apartment on the historic Great Jones Street, they knew that creating an open floor plan—designed by BKSK Architects—was paramount. After all, they both have big families (hers Brazilian and his American, Indian, and Scandinavian) and love to play host. Plus, after welcoming their first child, Izzo, in October of 2020, moving into a bigger home with fewer walls made sense. The couple gave their trusted friend Becky Shea —a New York interior designer—a call and, suffice to say, she delivered. “I created the layout with the sole purpose of entertaining in mind,” Shea explains. She also outfitted the pair’s previous apartment in Greenwich Village. “What was fun about working with Becky on our last home and again on this one is that she has a good sense of our aesthetic,” Zoninsein says. That aesthetic includes a deep appreciation for Brazilian modernism , which is undoubtedly evident in this second abode.

– Jessica Cherner

Furniture Living Room Room Indoors Table Interior Design Animal Wildlife Mammal and Antelope

The Brooklyn town house of designer Fawn Galli

Although interior designer Fawn Galli typically designs for others, she found that the process of creating her family’s Brooklyn town house was an exercise in self-discovery. What is more, for Galli , decorating the house brought her closer to her “ultimate conquest of life,” which is “to live [my] life as closely to who [I am] as possible.” The resulting space is a melange of her varied aesthetic interests.

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Inside the home, Galli juxtaposes glamorous and bohemian elements to create an interior that intentionally incorporates clashes. It was informed by her design philosophy, which she explains is based on five core elements: Nature, eclecticism, a no-rules attitude, and a resounding love of both surrealism and disco. More specifically, she drew inspiration from architect Eileen Gray , Salvador Dalí, and “odd assemblages of items that make you question where you are.”

— Christiane Lemieux  

A Rift contemporary dining table by Andy Kerstens and vintage dining chairs settle nicely in the center of the expansive...

Photo: Nina Poon

Steve Gold’s sun-drenched SoHo loft

After touring a potential client’s penthouse loft in SoHo to discuss bringing it on the market in late 2019, Steve Gold—celebrity real estate agent and star of Bravo’s *Million Dollar Listing New York—*eventually cut to the chase. “As I left, I ended up saying, ‘I’m happy to sell it for you, but I’ll also buy it from you,’” he recalls.

The would-be client, as it turned out, was New York City gallerist Sean Kelly , who’d lived in the top-floor property for over two decades. “My girlfriend Luiza and I were pregnant with our daughter, Rose, and I was living in a really cool development in Chelsea, but had been thinking about getting a bigger space,” Gold says. “I see a lot of places—all the time—and this had incredible bones and proportions, and I saw the potential.” As penthouse lofts stack up, this particular property clocking in at around 3,400 square feet has three exposures instead of the usual two, including a nearly 50-foot wall with south-facing windows overlooking the quaint cobblestones below.

– David Nash

Upper East Side

Photo: Douglas Friedman; Styled by Mieke ten Have

A sophisticated Upper East Side town house

Mexican architect Carlos Garciavelez and New York designer David Lawrence share a Lhasa Apso named Lolo, a background in luxury fashion, and a knack for creating unexpected and opulent spaces. And although they soft-launched their New York–based design firm Carlos David three years ago, the couple managed to keep most of their projects under wraps—that is until now.

They gut-renovated their client Nancy McCormick’s fifth-floor primary suite down to the studs, moving the bedroom to the south side of the 18-foot-wide home, cloaking the bathroom in blue-quartzite panels inspired by the garden court of the Frick Collection , and devising a show-stopping dressing room—complete with a gleaming silver leaf ceiling. The stairways and corridors of the 8,500-square-foot home were changed from a “margarine yellow” to a glamorously lacquered black-and-pearl white, a nod to Coco Chanel’s original Parisian store. Garciavelez and Lawrence reimagined the dining room as a gilded forest, papering the walls with de Gournay’s handmade chinoiserie blossoms and nesting treelike candelabra atop two 1950s Maison Jansen writing desks cleverly repurposed as dining tables. “They just fit the bill in the most magical way,” Lawrence says. He explains that the desks can be separated for intimate supping or pressed together for grand entertaining—a moveable feast.

– Carrie Seim

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Plan Your Visit

Tours & tickets, frequently asked questions, directions & parking, accessibility.

Explore Lyndhurst, a majestic estate on the banks of the magnificent Hudson River, where every visitor can experience firsthand an American icon of architecture and landscape. Located in the Lower Hudson Valley, Lyndhurst’s proximity to New York City makes it an easily accessible day trip by train or car. Whether you are a first-time visitor or returning guest there is always something new to discover.

Lyndhurst Mansion can be experienced through multiple guided tour options.  Perfect for first-time guests, our one-hour Classic Mansion tour explores Lyndhurst’s sumptuously decorated first and second floors and includes entry to occasional special exhibitions. The Upstairs/Downstairs tour visits unique mansion spaces such as the observation tower, kitchen, laundry building, and servant spaces.  Landscape tour options highlight our restored lower landscape ,  with fountains, views of the Hudson River, and entry to the c.1894 Bowling Alley. Occasionally specialty tours visit the Rose Garden, Greenhouse Frame, and the c. 1911 Swimming Pool building.

If you prefer to spend the day outdoors and stroll through the beautiful grounds, a Daily Grounds Pass will allow you to explore the Lyndhurst property on your own.

nyc house tours

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nyc house tours

Read our Visitor Guidelines for COVID Explore our Tour Options

Explore the Grounds

Spend a day outdoors exploring the 67-acres of magnificent grounds at Lyndhurst. Discover the restored Civil War-era pathways, sit on one of three viewing platforms perched on rock outcroppings, and enjoy unparalleled views of the widest point of the Hudson River. There are also fountains, specialty gardens, and numerous outbuildings.

Lyndhurst’s grounds are open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry at 3:30 PM) April through December. A Daily Grounds Pass is required for entry by vehicle. We require purchasing a Daily Grounds Pass in advance as quantities are limited each day, and there are no on-site sales. Walkers may enter Lyndhurst via the Old Croton Aqueduct State Park trail or the Westchester RiverWalk. Restrooms are available seven days a week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Bowling Alley (seasonally May through November. Restrooms are also available at the Welcome Center on days that we are open for tours. At the Welcome Center, you will also find the museum gift shop. Please use this PDF map provided for site orientation .

Download Site Map

Lyndhurst visitors assume their own risk while on property. Please note our posted guidelines and restrictions, which are designed to keep our visitors and property safe.

  • Dogs are welcome on leashes only. Please clean up after them!
  • Lyndhurst is a smoke/vape-free property .
  • Please park in designated areas only.
  • Drones are prohibited on the property.
  • Special Event Photography (engagement, graduation, wedding, baby, family, etc.) is not allowed anywhere on the grounds.
  • Carry-in/carry-out picnicking is allowed. No BBQ grills or open flames are allowed on the grounds.
  • Please no alcohol.
  • Skateboarding and rollerblading are prohibited.
  • Bicycles must stay on paved or gravel roads and should not ride across the lawns or on the restored pathways.
  • Please support Lyndhurst’s conservation efforts by refraining from climbing our historic trees, inside or on our fountains, or on any of our landscape structures.
  • The site may be closed during inclement weather or due to private events; please check the website before arriving to confirm daily admission information.

Purchase Your Grounds Pass

Museum Shop

The Museum Shop is located at the Welcome Center, in the former Carriage House building. Originally used as a tack room for saddles, harnesses, and other horse equipment, this space has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Open the same hours as guided tours, the Shop offers a variety of items unique to Lyndhurst, including seasonal items, local merchandise, decorative apparel, jewelry, and accessories, as well as a strong selection of local history books.

Photography

Personal, casual, non-flash photography is permitted inside the mansion during tours at your guide’s discretion. Due to capacity limitations, interior photography may not be allowed during October and December. Photography is not permitted inside the mansion during special events or theater performances. Video, filming, selfies, tripods, or other external equipment is not permitted in the mansion at any time. All special event photography, including wedding and engagement, is prohibited. The use of aerial vehicles or drones while on Lyndhurst property is prohibited.

Upon entering the property, you grant to Lyndhurst and its employees, agents and assigns the right to photograph you and your dependent(s) for use in Lyndhurst print, electronic, digital media, and publications.

Back to Top

Lyndhurst is open seasonally from April through December, seven days a week from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (last entry at 3:30 pm) for grounds visitation. For those not taking a tour, Daily Grounds Passes are available seven days per week and must be purchased, online in advance, to access the property by car.

Tours are offered seasonally from April through December, please check our events calendar for tour times and tickets. The mansion is closed for the first three weeks in November in order to prepare for seasonal tours and events. Lyndhurst is also closed on the following major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Lyndhurst is closed entirely, January through March, except for special theater events.

Always check our events calendar to see what is happening!

Tours & Tickets

Lyndhurst Mansion is accessible by ticketed entry only. Our Classic Mansion Tours are perfect for first-time visitors who cover the house’s history and visit the main two floors. If you’d like to see it all, you can take our Upstairs/Downstairs tour, which covers the main two floors, tower, and service spaces. If you’d like to explore the Mansion and the Bowling Alley, you can take our Inside/Outside Tour .

Our landscape tour for this season is the expanded Lyndhurst Ramble ! Usually only offered in October, it is now offered this spring and early summer to take advantage of the popularity of hearing about the evolution of our grounds and the auxiliary buildings.

Please visit our  EVENTS CALENDAR to help plan your visit!

Pre-arranged group and private tours are also offered throughout the season.

We offer tours in Spanish! Please reach out to us to set up a tour!

¡Hay visitas en español disponibles! Comuníquese con nosotros a [email protected] para preguntar sobre las opciones.

Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, tours do sell out. Guests without tickets may be accommodated depending on availability. To purchase tickets by phone, call 1(888)718-4253  and choose option 1.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

You can find our current tour and ticket offerings on our events page:

Current Tours and Ticketing

Please visit our EVENTS CALENDAR to help plan your visit!

When is Lyndhurst open?

Lyndhurst is open seasonally from April through December. The property is open seven days a week from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm for grounds visitation during our open season.

Are pets allowed? What about service animals?

Yes, leashed pets are welcome on Lyndhurst’s grounds; please pick-up waste. Service animals are allowed inside public buildings as defined by ADA; dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Does Lyndhurst offer Tours in other languages?

At this time Lyndhurst has tour options in Spanish. Please reach out to us to set up a tour!

Is picnicking allowed? Can I bring outside food and drink?

Yes, and yes! Please carry out what you carry in. Please do not use any open flame or barbeque while visiting. Alcohol is not permitted on the property.

Can I take photos?

Casual outdoor photography is allowed. Drones are strictly prohibited. Indoor non-professional photography is allowed at your tour guide’s discretion. Special Event photography (engagement, wedding, graduation, family, etc.) is not allowed.

Is Lyndhurst an appropriate place for children?

Lyndhurst is absolutely enjoyable for all ages! Those visiting the grounds will find plenty of space for outdoor family time. If you are interested in attending our events or taking a tour, please read the individual event pages for recommended ages. Please contact us in advance if you have any questions about programs suitable for children.

Are vehicles allowed on the property? Where can I park?

Those arriving by vehicle must pre-purchase either a Daily Grounds Pass or one of our guided tour tickets. On-site parking is available in designated parking areas only. Please do not park along our driveways, on the lawns, under our historic trees, and in non-designated parking areas. Please do not park on the street adjacent to the property. Please do not park on the Old Croton Aqueduct State Park trail. ADA accessible parking is available at our Welcome Center Parking lot and next to our ADA accessible path to the rockeries.

Download a site map here to familiarize yourself with our various parking areas:

Where are the local accommodations and dining?

There are many accommodations and restaurants located in Tarrytown and Irvington, please check out the Visit Sleepy Hollow website below for a comprehensive list of local businesses.

Visit Sleepy Hollow

Does Lyndhurst host private events/weddings?

Yes, please visit our wedding page to contact Great Performances!

Weddings at Lyndhurst

Parking is available in designated parking areas on the property. Please do not park along the driveways, pull off onto lawns, or park in front of the mansion. There is NO additional charge for parking to pre-paid tour or event ticket holders. Ticket holders will be required to show their tickets at the Lyndhurst entry booth to avoid making any additional payment upon entry.

For those who only wish to explore our 67-acre estate and not take a tour, please purchase a Daily Grounds Pass. The Daily Grounds Pass fee can be credited towards guided tour tickets, when available, which can be purchased at the Lyndhurst Welcome Center.

Please note, that there is no available off-site parking in the residential neighborhoods near Lyndhurst. Please do not park on side streets and walk into the grounds.

Lyndhurst is located at 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, one-half mile south of the Mario Cuomo Bridge on Route 9. Lyndhurst is approximately 24 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. All tours begin at the Welcome Center.

Get Directions from Google Maps

Step-By-Step Directions

Taxi and other ride services Please notify your Taxi, Lyft, or Uber driver to drop you off at the Welcome Center within the Lyndhurst property. The Welcome Center is located a half-mile from the main entrance. Please note taxi service during busy summer and fall seasons may be limited. If you are relying on a car service for drop-off and pick-up, consider scheduling in advance, as availability may be limited.

From Westbound 287 (from Eastern Westchester/Connecticut) : Take 287 west/87 North to the last exit before the Tappan Zee Bridge, exit 9 off of the NY State Thruway, marked Route 9 Tarrytown. Take a left onto 119 at the first stoplight and a left (south) onto Route 9 at the second stoplight. The Lyndhurst gates are ½ mile on the right-hand (river) side of the road.

From Eastbound 287 (from Rockland/New Jersey): Take 287 east across the Tappan Zee Bridge. Immediately after the toll booth, take the first exit, Exit 9. Turn left (south) onto Route 9 and proceed ½ mile to the Lyndhurst gates on the right-hand (river) side of the road.

From New York City’s East Side: Drive north on the East River Drive, across the Willis Avenue Bridge onto the Major Deegan Expressway North. Follow the Deegan to the NY State Thruway (I-87) to Westbound 287 (Tappan Zee Bridge). Follow westbound 287 directions above.

From New York City’s West Side: Drive North on the West Side Highway to the Henry Hudson north to the Saw Mill Parkway north to the NY State Thruway (I-87) North to 287 West (Tappan Zee Bridge). Follow westbound 287 directions above.

From Connecticut: Take either I-95, I-684, or the Merritt Parkway south to 287 West (to the Tappan Zee Bridge). Follow westbound 287 directions above.

From Long Island: Take either: The Whitestone or Throgs Neck Bridge to the New England Thruway (I-95). Take Exit 21 onto 287 west (to the Tappan Zee Bridge). Follow westbound 287 directions above. –OR– The Triboro Bridge to the Major Deegan north and the NY State Thruway (I-87) to 287 West (to the Tappan Zee Bridge). Follow westbound 287 directions above.

From Grand Central Terminal in New York City: Take the Metro-North – Hudson Line north to Tarrytown. Taxis are available at the train station. Please notify your Taxi, Lyft, or Uber driver to drop you off at the Welcome Center within the Lyndhurst property. The Welcome Center is a half-mile from the main entrance.

Lyndhurst offers some accessible options for visitors, particularly in its landscape. An ADA-accessible pathway with an adjacent parking area can be visited in our lower landscape, offering majestic views of the Hudson River. Our Classic Mansion tour visits two floors of the mansion. The mansion’s ground floor is fully accessible, with an alternative experience to view rooms on the second floor of the mansion. ADA bathrooms are available at our Welcome Center and in the Bowling Alley.

Certain tours and programs are not recommended for all audiences, particularly those that require climbing multiple flights of stairs or traversing uneven terrain. The Upstairs/Downstairs and Landscape Tours are physically demanding and are not recommended for individuals with limited mobility or small children.

nyc house tours

Explore Lyndhurst’s 67-acre Estate

Purchase a Daily Grounds Pass to explore Lyndhurst’s majestic Hudson River setting at your own pace.

Protect Your Trip »

The 19 best new york city tours of 2024.

Explore the best parts of NYC with a local expert.

The Best New York City Tours

yellow cabs going across NYC bridge

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Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, you're guaranteed to learn something new on these guided tours of New York City. Tour options range from sightseeing outings to the city's famous attractions to leisurely dinner cruises on the Hudson River.

Bike Rent NYC – Central Park Bike Tour

Price: From $49 Duration: 2 hours

Led by Bike Rent NYC, the Central Park Bike Tour covers roughly 5 miles of Central Park in two hours, and stops along the way include the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields and the Reservoir. Reviewers generally praise the guides' knowledge of and enthusiasm for the park, and they note that the tours are not paricularly strenuous.

Tours are available multiple times daily, with the first departing at 9 a.m. Tickets cover the use of bicycles as well as helmets, which are mandatory for riders 14 and younger. Bikers can purchase insurance for an additional fee.

Prefer to explore on your own? The company also rents bikes for self-guided tours.

Ahoy NY Tours & Tasting – Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest Walking Food Tour

Price: From $105 Duration: 3 hours

Eat your way through Chinatown and Little Italy on this three-hour walking tour of New York City. As you explore iconic neighborhoods with an expert guide, you'll stop for seven samples of traditional dishes. Tastings may include Chinese dumplings, cannolis and homemade mozzarella, among other delicacies. Participants praise guides for their historical knowledge of the area and the amount of food served; many warn that you'll want to arrive hungry to fully enjoy all of the tour's offerings.

Tickets cover all food, and participants 21 and older have the option to add a glass of wine or beer at the seated tasting. If you're still hungry, Ahoy NY Tours & Tasting also offers tours of Mulberry Street.

On Location Tours – "Sex and the City" Hotspots Tour

Price: From $66 Duration: 3.5 hours

New York City offers something for just about everyone, including fans of a certain television show starring four fashionable women. On Location Tours' "Sex and the City" Hotspots Tour takes travelers via bus to more than 40 locations where Sarah Jessica Parker and her costars were filmed wining, dining and shopping. Travelers visit famed neighborhoods, such as midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, SoHo and the Meatpacking District, stopping for photo-ops along the way. Tourgoers rave about the experienced and amusing guides and assure you don't have to be a fan to enjoy the tour.

The adults-only (18 and older) outings are generally offered Thursday through Sunday at 2 p.m., but the tour runs daily during the summer months. Availability may be more limited in the winter. The company also offers a variety of other TV- and movie-themed bus tours, including those that visit locations featured in "Gossip Girl." If you'd rather walk, consider the company's Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour.

nyc house tours

Courtesy of ExperienceFirst

ExperienceFirst – Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour

Price: Adults from $79; kids from $75 Duration: 5 hours

For an in-depth look at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, sign up for this excursion with ExperienceFirst. The five-hour tour includes access to the grounds of Liberty and Ellis islands, the Immigration Museum and the Statue of Liberty Museum, as well as round-trip ferry tickets. What's more, you'll enjoy priority line access to board the ferry. Guides win praise from reviewers for their expertise and engaging delivery, as well as their ability to navigate the crowds.

Tours depart daily at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The 3.5-hour guided portion of the five-hour tour begins at Castle Clinton in Battery Park and ends at Ellis Island. From there, you can continue to explore on your own for as long as you wish or hop back on the ferry to return to Battery Park. ExperienceFirst also conducts three-hour "express" Statue of Liberty tours , in addition to walking tours of various New York City neighborhoods, including Little Italy and Chinatown.

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours – Broadway's Beginnings

Price: Adults from $41; kids from $36 Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Theater fans can't miss the chance to tag along on the Broadway's Beginnings tour. During the nearly two-hour, half-mile walking tour, you'll pass by the theaters at the southern end of the Broadway theater district, from 41st Street to 44th Street. Along the way, your expert guide will share tales of Broadway's early years and detail how Broadway shows evolve from the first rehearsal to opening night. Plus, guides regale you with stories of the ghosts that reportedly haunt the district's theaters. Reviewers rave about the guides' passion for theater and the behind-the-scenes scoop they share.

Tours are generally available Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. A maximum of 15 participants are allowed to tour. Can't get enough of Broadway? The company offers a variety of other themed tours, including one that focuses on "Hamilton: An American Musical" and another one all about the Shubert brothers (best known for their theater empire in the 1900s).

Top Dog Tours New York City – Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour

Price: From $35 Duration: 2 hours

Hear all about the ghosts that purportedly haunt Greenwich Village on this two-hour stroll. Among the sites you'll pass by are the Anne Charlotte Lynch House, where Edgar Allan Poe debuted some of his most famous works, the Hangman's Elm, a more than 300-year-old tree in Washington Square Park that is believed to be the site of many hangings during the American Revolution, and the Jefferson Market Library, a former courthouse. Travelers recommend this tour if you're a fan of the paranormal and are interested in the history of Greenwich Village. Reviewers give kudos to the guides, who they describe as friendly and captivating.

Tours operate nightly at 8 p.m. and are offered in English and Spanish. Note that Top Dog Tours says this experience is not suitable for kids younger than 12.

9/11 Memorial Plaza

You'll visit the 9/11 Memorial, a plaza at the former site of the twin towers, during the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour.

9/11 Ground Zero Tour

Price: Adults from $39; kids from $35 Duration: 1.5 hours

Go beyond the 9/11 Memorial with this 90-minute walking tour, led by New Yorkers with personal connections to 9/11. Tours begin at St. Paul's Chapel, which served as an impromptu rescue center during the attacks, and then move to the 9/11 Memorial, a plaza at the former site of the twin towers. From there, your tour may also stop at the FDNY Memorial Wall, the "Survivor Tree" or the Oculus at the World Trade Center transit hub, depending on your tour guide. Tour-takers find the guides to be insightful, respectful and passionate.

Tours take place daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Packages that combine the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour with a visit to the 9/11 Museum or to the One World Observatory are also available.

New York Media Boat – Adventure Sightseeing Tour

Price: Adults from $99; kids from $75 Duration: 1 hour

If you're looking for a unique (and thrilling) tour of NYC's top sights, consider this 60-minute speed boat ride aboard a vessel originally reserved for photographers and news crews. After departing from North Cove Marina in lower Manhattan, you'll zip across the Hudson River for views of downtown, midtown and the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. You'll also sail under the Brooklyn Bridge, along the Brooklyn waterfront and around Governors Island. Plus, the tour offers up-close views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Reviewers say this is a fun and memorable way to see the sights and applaud the captain for their interesting commentary and handling of the boat.

Boats depart several times daily, but availability is limited in the winter months. New York Media Boat also operates private tours.

nyc house tours

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Nice Guy Tours – Lower East Side Tour

Price: From $89 Duration: 3 hours

You'll want to come hungry for this New York City food tour, which visits a minimum of seven eateries for samples of pickles, pastrami and doughnuts, among other dishes. During the three-hour walking tour, you'll stop at famous restaurants like Katz's Deli and Russ & Daughters as your guide regales you with stories about the Lower East Side's history and culture. Reviewers are particularly fond of the guides, who they describe as friendly, informative and entertaining. Travelers are also complimentary of the generous amount of food offered.

Tours are available Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. A maximum of 12 people are allowed on each tour. The company also offers food tours of Greenwich Village.

nyc house tours

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Landmarks Cruise

Price: Prices vary Duration: 1.5 hours

The Landmarks Cruise offered by Circle Line allows you to soak in dramatic views of the New York City skyline from the water surrounding Manhattan. The 90-minute boat ride sails beneath New York's famous bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge, cruises past the Statue of Liberty and glides by other famous structures. English-speaking guides, who are characterized by reviewers as informed and entertaining, provide a running commentary about the various sights. Food and drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, are available for purchase.

Prices may vary based on the time and date of the cruise. Passengers also have the option of purchasing premier seating. Cruises depart at multiple times daily between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Pier 83 at Hudson River Park. Specialized cruises to the Statue of Liberty and evening cruises are also available.

Foods of NY Tours – Heart and Soul of Greenwich Village

Price: Adults from $75; kids from $50 Duration: 3 hours

The Heart and Soul of Greenwich Village tour highlights the diverse culinary offerings of one of the city's most eclectic neighborhoods. Reviewers enthusiastically praise the varied array of food sampled during the three-hour walking tour, which stops at various cafes and specialty shops for seven tastings – two seated, the rest on the go. Specific tastings vary by day and time, but may include artichoke pizza, fresh pasta, empanadas or kati rolls.

Tours are offered Thursday through Monday year-round. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, tours depart at noon (with a possible additional tour at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday); on Thursday and Monday, tours start at 2 p.m. The tickets cover the food and one bottle of water. Excursions are limited to 16 people. Foods of NY Tours also conducts tours of other neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and Little Italy, as well as Brooklyn.

Tommy's New York – The Catacombs by Candlelight

Price: Adults from $36; kids from $30 Duration: 1.5 hours

Explore the crypts beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with Tommy's New York. On the 90-minute tour, participants will learn the history of the catacombs, which date back to 1815, and the histories of the people buried here, including bishops, priests and families. Unlike the catacombs in Paris and Rome, there are no visible bones. Tourgoers will also walk through the cathedral and see its Erben pipe organ. Reviewers applaud guides for their engaging and educational delivery and vast knowledge of New York history.

Tours are available Thursday through Monday at multiple times between 10:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise

Learn all about Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo with Free Tours by Foot.

Free Tours by Foot – Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Tour

Price: Free Duration: 3 hours

For a local's perspective on Brooklyn history, consider this three-hour walking tour. You'll start your tour by walking a mile over the Brooklyn Bridge. Then, you'll explore America's first suburb, Brooklyn Heights, before stopping to admire the views of Manhattan and New York Harbor. You'll end the tour in Dumbo. Participants compliment guides for their expertise and friendly personalities, as well as their willingness to answer questions. Because it's a name-your-own-price tour, participants choose if they want to compensate the guide at the tour's conclusion.

Tours, which meet at City Hall Park, are offered daily at 9:30 a.m. Though the tour is free, reservations must be made on the company's website. The company offers a variety of other themed tours, including walks through Harlem, Chinatown and Little Italy.

Zip Aviation – Big City Helicopter Tour

Price: From $279 Duration: 20 minutes

Escape the crowds and enjoy panoramic vistas of the Big Apple on Zip Aviation's Big City Helicopter Tour. The route extends from Liberty Harbor up to the Bronx with views of landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Yankee Stadium and New York's various rivers and iconic bridges, along the way. Reviewers repeatedly laud the exceptional views, the one-of-a-kind flight experience and the professional staff. Plus, prerecorded commentary is provided in multiple languages.

Zip Aviation limits tours to six passengers, depending on the aircraft. The tour, which is available Monday to Saturday at a variety of times between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., lasts 20 minutes. The company also offers 15-minute flights concentrating on the Liberty Harbor area and nighttime skyline tours.

The Wall Street Experience – Wall Street Insider Tour

Price: Adults from $39; kids from $35 Duration: 75 minutes

The Wall Street Experience's Wall Street Insider Tour traverses some of the oldest streets of New York City. The 75-minute walking tour goes past (but not inside) the New York Stock Exchange, which is closed to the public, and the Federal Reserve. As you meander the streets of lower Manhattan, guides – many of whom are traders, investment bankers and stockbrokers – discuss the Financial District's history, architecture and related trivia. Travelers describe guides as funny and extremely well-versed in both finance and New York history.

Outings start at Broad Street, just around the corner from Wall Street, at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The company also offers tours that focus on the 2008 financial crisis.

Best New York City Tours

Courtesy of Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – Harbor Lights Sunset Cruise

Price: Prices vary Duration: 2 hours

The Big Apple shines at night, and a great way to take in the glistening skyline is from the water. The Harbor Lights Sunset Cruise allows you to do just that, admiring some of the city's most recognizable landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the High Line, during the two-hour evening sail. Cruisers relish the expansive views, photo-ops and engaging commentary, and describe the tour as relaxing.

The tours, which depart nightly at 7 p.m. from Pier 83, feature narration by guides. Prices vary based on time and date of cruise. Cruisers also have the option of purchasing premier seating. Circle Line offers daytime cruises, as well as specialized cruises to the Statue of Liberty.

USA Guided Tours – Discover NY Bus Tour

Price: Adults from $99; kids from $89 Duration: 6 hours

For an immersive exploration of New York City, hop on the Discover NY Bus Tour. The six-hour tour departs from Times Square at 9 and 10 a.m. daily and takes tourists to top spots like Madison Square Park, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. At each stop, guides will exit the vehicle with the group for short walks and provide detailed information regarding sights, such as the Dakota building (where John Lennon once lived), the Flatiron Building and the 9/11 Memorial. The informative and friendly guides routinely win praise from tourgoers. Reviewers also say the tour is well organized and a great option if you're hoping to see the top sights in one day.

All tickets include a boat ride on the Staten Island Ferry. If you're hoping to admire the city at night, consider the company's evening bus tour.

Intrepid Urban Adventures – New York Tenements, Tales, and Tastes Discovery

Price: From $79 Duration: 3 hours

This walking tour of the Lower East Side, Little Italy and Chinatown illustrates how immigration shaped New York's culture and culinary history. Throughout the three-hour tour, you'll sample four ethnic foods (such as knishes, prosciutto and dumplings) with a knowledgeable guide providing information about the cuisine and culture of the area. Stops include restaurants, bakeries, churches and historic sites. Reviewers heap praise on the attentive guides and recommend pairing this tour with a trip to Ellis Island to gain a better understanding of the early immigrant story.

Tours are generally offered daily at 10 a.m. Groups are limited to 14 people. Intrepid Urban Adventures also leads tours all about Alexander Hamilton, in addition to private outings.

HeliNY – The New Yorker Tour

Price: From $199 Duration: 12 to 15 minutes

Soar above the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chelsea Piers, Times Square and more on this approximately 15-minute helicopter flight. As you marvel at the sights below, your pilot will point out landmarks and answer any questions. Previous passengers describe the flight as magical and an amazing way to see NYC. Reviewers also praise the staff for their friendliness and professionalism.

Ticket prices start at approximately $199 per person and do not include the additional $40 facility and fuel fees. Prices may fluctuate depending on the time and date of your booking. There is a 275-pound weight limit per passenger. If you're looking for a longer flight, consider booking HeliNY's Deluxe Tour, which lasts up to 30 minutes.

You may also be interested in:

  • The Best NYC Walking Tours
  • The Best New York City Hotels
  • The Best Weekend Trips from New York City

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A House in Bed-Stuy (for When She Is Home)

Fashion editor gabriella karefa-johnson settles down — for now..

Portrait of Wendy Goodman

Everyone takes notice when Gabriella Karefa-Johnson enters a room; with her infectious exuberance, she brings the party with her wherever she goes. You feel the same energy walking into her four-story home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which is filled with an eclectic array of furniture and art mostly found online. “I became very obsessed with Live Auctioneers,” she says. “I didn’t ​really have the time, or the bandwidth, or the driver’s license, for going to estate sales and picking up furniture.” No need for her to hire an interior decorator — she knows what she is looking for and what she likes. Karefa-Johnson has no time to waste.

The way she has navigated her career in fashion has demonstrated this sense of purpose, and she’s worked hard to stay true to who she is. Most recently, this meant leaving her job at Vogue to throw herself into creating her own role in the industry.

Karefa-Johnson knew she wanted to work in fashion when she arrived in New York to attend Barnard College in 2009. She would have preferred Parsons, but “my mom was very much like, ‘You need to get a liberal-arts education,’ ” she says. But “I spent absolutely no time going to class. I spent all of my time interning and seeing and feeling New York; this is where I am supposed to be.”

She was born in Long Beach, California, one of five siblings. Her twin sister, Christianne (a.k.a. the rapper DoNormaal), now lives on one floor of the house. The death of their urban-planner father when they were infants marked a turning point for the family.

“Basically, from the time of his death, we kind of bounced around,” Karefa-Johnson says. “My childhood was very much about going with the flow, getting by, but it was a beautiful and amazing childhood where I got to experience so much of the world. It’s the reason I can kind of be in any room with any person.”

Her aunt Rosalee, she says, was her fashion inspiration. “She was a fashion model in the ’70s and ’80s, and I got to experience fashion through all the ephemera that she kept from those days.” During her early days in New York, Karefa-Johnson interned at Vogue before being hired on. She went on to become fashion director of Garage magazine. When that folded, she went back to Vogue , styling features with top celebrities and covers (the first Black woman to do so); a highlight was the cover story with Vice-President Kamala Harris.

“I just started getting a little bit more successful and a little bit more comfortable, and I needed a bigger space that would be a sanctuary to come back to from the road because I am always on the road, and I happened to find this bad boy,” she says. Renting “is a bit less of a commitment, and I can make sure that I am working toward this kind of permanent home for myself.”

She mentions how she got the black marble coffee table in the living room on Facebook Marketplace. “And when I wrote the seller, it turned out to be Yumi Nu, an amazing curve model who I found out lived right around the corner, as do Paloma Elsesser, Kimberly Drew, Nikki Ogunnaike, Tina Leung, and many others. Bed-Stuy has given me fabulous neighbors!”

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Peek behind the curtain of this famous New York City institution and explore backstage areas that are typically not accessible to the public! The iconic lobby alone is a stunning space, and the massive theater is breathtaking, but all of the magic is created behind the scenes. On this special access tour, guests will see firsthand how the opera’s extravagant productions come to life in buzzing backstage areas like the scenic and carpentry shops, the wig shop, costume shop, and see where the actors prepare in their dressing rooms.

These tours on April 7th and May 12th are just $10 for Untapped New York Insiders , a $35 value! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and use code JOINUS to get your first month free. Registration for tickets to the Met Opera tour will open on Monday, March 4th at 12 PM ET.

The Met Opera Backstage Tour

Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera has been in operation since 1883 when its home was on 39th Street and Broadway . In 1966 the Met Opera moved into its current Wallace Harrison-designed theater at Lincoln Center . The Met Opera House at Lincoln Center is the largest repertory opera house in the world, surpassing the Sydney Opera House seating capacity by thousands of occupants.

On this tour, you’ll see inside the spaces where the opera house’s stunning performances come to life!

Check out photos from The Met Opera Backstage Tour:

Wig room at the Met Opera

Please note that as The Met Opera is a working opera house, not all areas may be available on every tour.

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Nicole Saraniero

Nicole Saraniero

Painting of the Great Fire of 1835

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Biden gives away commander after dog drew blood with attacks on secret service at white house, vacation home: documents.

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WASHINGTON — President Biden has given first dog Commander to relatives, the White House said Wednesday following revelations of more brutal attacks on Secret Service employees — including a case in which White House tours were suspended to mop up blood from the floor of the East Wing and another attack in which an agent suffered a “severe deep open wound” at Biden’s Delaware vacation home.

Commander’s propensity for biting Secret Service members was first revealed by The Post in July 2023 , with internal documents showing at least seven agents were injured — but the president didn’t immediately part with the German shepherd after reportedly claiming that an agent lied about an attack by his prior dog, Major, who also was re-homed after also terrorizing protective agency staff and others.

On July 29, just five days after The Post’s exclusive report on the first dog surfaced allegations that the president was creating an unsafe workspace, Commander brutalized an agent at Biden’s Rehoboth Beach getaway, according to new records acquired by journalist John Greenewald through a Freedom of Information Act request.

President Joe Biden, sitting on steps with his dog, Commander.

“[The agent] heard the voice of what [he/she] believes to be FLOTUS Dr. Jill Biden yelling ‘[redacted quote].’ Commander ran towards the direction of post [redacted] booth and bit [the agent] in the left forearm, [c]ausing a severe deep open wound,” an incident report said.

“As [a] result of the attack [the agent] started to loose [sic] a significant amount of blood from [redacted pronoun] arm. [The agent] remained calm and walked away from the area looking for help. … [The agent] received six (6) stitches in the left hand forearm and antibiotics for the wound.”

Although documents say the agent served out their shift after receiving stitches on site, an email from July 29 also said they were “enroute [sic] to the hospital at this time.”

In another newly revealed attack, on June 15, 2023, Commander bit an agent “inside of the Kennedy Garden” adjacent to the East Wing, where the first lady’s office is located, as they were walking to the driveway to help move parked trucks.

“Video of the incident shows [the agent] enter the Kennedy Garden while Commander, who was off the leash and on the opposite side of the garden at the time, run at a high rate of speed towards [the agent and] jump towards [the agent] and take [them] to the ground,” a report says.

President Biden's dog, Commander, stands by him on the south lawn of the White House as he departs for the G7 summit in Europe.

The agent “sustained an injury to [their] left arm (‘deep bite’) that reportedly needed stitches.”

“East Wing Tours were stopped for approximately 20 minutes due to blood from the incident being on the floors in the area of the [lobby connecting the East Wing to the White House],” the document says.

President Biden was present for at least one of the newly documented instances — months before the bloodiest encounters — and said something that was removed from the records.

A Secret Service agent wrote in an email that on Oct. 2, 2022, “I was bit/grabbed on the left forearm” by Commander while holding open the door for the president as he entered the White House near the iconic West Wing Colonnade.

“Commander came in first circled back and grabbed my left arm. He then stood up and back down. He is literally my height standing. POTUS entered shortly after since he was trailin behind him. POTUS entered the Palm Room and said, ‘[redacted quote]’,” the agent wrote, adding that they were evaluated by White House medical staff and the bite didn’t break the skin.

“I was in shock that the incident occurred. After this I was concerned about [Commander] getting out of the residence or being out without a leash for others safety and mine.”

There are now 24 documented instances of dog attacks on the Secret Service during Biden’s tenure in office, in addition to reports of attacks on White House staffers.

Biden walking Commander at Rehoboth Beach on Dec. 28, 2021.

The attacks initially revealed by The Post this past July varied in severity, with three threatening incidents reported alongside the seven bites.

In the most severe of those incidents, a uniformed Secret Service officer was sent to a DC-area hospital for treatment after Commander clamped down on their arm and thigh on Nov. 3, 2022, while the officer was sitting at the base of a White House stairwell.

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Other incidents first reported by The Post included Commander breaking the skin of a different Secret Service member’s hand and arm weeks later after the president unleashed him outside the White House following a family movie night on Dec. 11, 2022, and Commander biting the back of a security technician at Biden’s Wilmington, Del., home on Jan. 2, 2023.

The White House said Wednesday that the first family has parted ways with Commander after similarly separating with first dog Major — also a German shepherd — in 2021 following a spate of attacks that included  biting Secret Service members every day for more than a week , according to records.

Commander getting walked by White House Chief Groundskeeper Dale Haney at the White House.

“The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day. Despite additional dog training, leashing, working with veterinarians, and consulting with animal behaviorists, the White House environment simply proved too much for Commander,” said Jill Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander.

“Since the fall, he has lived with other family members.”

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that the agency “takes the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously, and has been navigating how to best operate in an environment that includes family pets for many Presidential administrations.”

“The incidents involving Commander were treated as workplace injuries, with events documented in accordance with Secret Service and US Department of Homeland Security guidelines. While Secret Service personnel neither handle nor care for the first family’s pets, we work continuously with all applicable entities in order to minimize any adverse impacts from family pets,” Guglielmi said.

“We would refer you to the White House Press Office for any questions related to the status or location of the first family’s pets.”

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President Joe Biden, sitting on steps with his dog, Commander.

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Shane Gillis struggles in a 'Saturday Night Live' monologue that avoids the obvious

Eric Deggans

Eric Deggans

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Shane Gillis returned to host Saturday Night Live five years after he was fired from the show. Above, Gillis performs at the Stand Up For Heroes Benefit in November 2023 in New York City. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation hide caption

Shane Gillis returned to host Saturday Night Live five years after he was fired from the show. Above, Gillis performs at the Stand Up For Heroes Benefit in November 2023 in New York City.

Anyone who thought comic Shane Gillis would emerge confident and defiant, hosting Saturday Night Live nearly five years after he was fired from the cast amid a backlash over racist and transphobic jokes, had to be a little disappointed with his monologue last night.

Comedian Shane Gillis Fired From 'Saturday Night Live' For Racist Remarks

Comedian Shane Gillis Fired From 'Saturday Night Live' For Racist Remarks

Gillis didn't spend much time joking about the controversy or the rise in his comedy career that led him to return to the show. "Don't look that up," he cracked seconds after walking onstage to greet the audience. "If you don't know who I am, please don't Google that."

There wouldn't be any gloating or in-your-face jokes. Instead, Gillis moved on quickly, turning in an uneasy opening monologue punctuated with slight stabs at being naughty. He joked that "every little boy is just their mom's gay best friend" and offered a bit about how people with Down syndrome – including relatives — are some of the happiest people he knows.

As the monologue wore on, Gillis seemed increasingly uncomfortable – even for a comic whose onstage persona is a slightly awkward, sorta doofus. More than once, he quipped that he expected a joke to get a bigger laugh, noting at one point, "This place is extremely well-lit. I can see everyone not enjoying it." (laughter in the room where SNL broadcasts from sometimes sounds louder to viewers at home than to the performers onstage.)

An ingenious response

But in some ways, it was an ingenious response to the backlash Saturday Night Live faced in bringing him on as a host. Viewers who might be aware of the criticism but didn't spend time looking over the podcasts where he dropped racial slurs, antisemitic language and homophobic/transphobic quips likely watched his monologue and wondered what the fuss was about. Gillis may be attempting something that's increasingly tough to do in a media world where every podcast and standup gig is recorded and uploaded somewhere – talking to his core audience in a way that is more explicit and button-pushing than the comedy he offers for a more general audience, like his Netflix special or Saturday Night Live .

Unfortunately, I spent time listening to some of that podcast material before the SNL episode. So I felt more cynical watching him joke about how his sister adopted three Black children and married an Egyptian man, so visiting their house was "like getting in the craziest Uber pool you've ever been in." Or seeing him reference how he and his family established a coffee shop in their hometown where people with Down syndrome can work. Or the joke that got the biggest laugh, where he imagined his niece with Down syndrome being insulted by a white kid at school and then a group of "three Black kids come flying out of nowhere and just start whaling on that cracker." (Why exactly would they do that? And why does race matter here? I know – I'm overthinking. But it just felt like a lazy excuse to give the crowd a joke about a slur-slinging white person getting some comeuppance.)

In 'Baby J,' John Mulaney's jokes are all at the expense of one person: John Mulaney

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'baby j,' john mulaney's jokes are all at the expense of one person: john mulaney.

Much of it felt like Gillis' attempt to insulate himself from criticism and avoid any jokes that could revive the backlash. But since he also didn't really explain or explore the controversy swirling around his appearance, it all took on the feel of an opportunity missed. Or a subject ducked. My cynicism extended to the other sketches and bits in the show, which often felt like they could have been inspired by the rambling jokes on his podcasts. This stuff included a skit where Gillis is the patriarch of a white family visiting a Black church in Jamaica – allowing him to use a terrible Jamaican accent for a few jokes – to the game show where he played a white man who pretended not to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah because he was afraid to say the wrong name on TV. (One of his opponents was a Black woman who didn't recognize the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo's statue of David, which stung even worse.)

The fate of comedy rebels

Saturday Night Live made its reputation as a group of comedy rebels making fun of a stuffy political and media establishment, lampooning corrupt and inept politicians from Richard Nixon to Sarah Palin; in other words, punching up. But today's comedy rebels see the insistence that comics lay off insulting slurs about marginalized people as the new establishment — building successful podcasts, standup tours and more on the mistaken notion that avoiding racism, sexism and homophobia is somehow shackling their free speech. Here, punching down is fair game and fairly lucrative. I'd feel more tolerant about all of this stuff if I thought these comics were saying anything new about race, gender or society. If they were pushing boundaries to bring new ideas to the table — instead of complaining about how crude they're not allowed to be — at least we'd be talking about important comedic concepts.

But Gillis' turn on SNL last night felt more like an attempt to court a new demographic and poke a bit at liberal sensibilities, allowing longtime executive producer Lorne Michaels to still feel like a rebel rather than the Lord of Showbiz Comedy he has become. In the process, viewers got an OK episode that, more than anything, might leave them wondering why a middling talent like Gillis got tapped to host the show in the first place.

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