Other must-see sites include:
- The MTA’s sign-making shop in Maspeth, Queens, where the city’s iconic subway signs come to life.
- The New York Sign Museum, which preserves defunct business signage from a bygone era.
- A Bronx soundstage with a life-sized city street replica.
- A canoe tour along Brooklyn’s historic and sludge-filled Gowanus Canal.
Exploring the city’s secret gardens, art, and forgotten landmarks
Visitors can also escape to a trio of secluded Midtown rooftop gardens, located near Rockefeller Plaza and Fifth Avenue. The verdant terraces feature reflective pools and sculptural plantings overlooking St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
“From this elevated vantage point, visitors can take in one of the city’s most iconic urban juxtapositions,” reads the festival description of Rockefeller Center’s 610 Loft & Garden.
A Legacy of Connection and Curiosity
Founded two decades ago and inspired by a London festival, Open House New York began as a way to reconnect communities following the September 11 attacks. Last year, it attracted over 50,000 visitors citywide.