About us
OVERVIEW
This is a group for people either new to New York City, or have called the city home for awhile and are interested in discovering new neighborhoods and learning more about the city's fascinating history, architecture and culture. Most of our activities are professionally-guided walks of 3 - 5 miles within a NYC neighborhood that has distinct and unique qualities. They usually last from 2 to 4 hours. We sometimes have an optional social hour afterwards for a meal and/or a beverage at a local restaurant.
During the summer months we usually combine a walk with a free outdoor concert, often in the evenings. During the winter we'll have shorter outdoor walks coupled with a museum visit.
I also organize theme tours to add some spice and variety to honor holidays or famous New Yorkers. Our events are usually free with a voluntary donation which I do appreciate as I do spend time preparing and making sure that we have a high quality and memorable experience. When we have museum visits there may be an admission charge.
I started this group because I am a native New Yorker and have a successful dual career as a professional tour guide and real estate agent and I am affiliated with the prestigious Corcoran Group, which was started by pioneering entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran. I had a 25-year career as a social worker, including work in the South Bronx and throughout Brooklyn, and served on the teaching faculty of Columbia University, Fordham University, New School University, Hunter College and NYC Technical College.
I have a B.A, in English and a Master's Degree in Social Work, and have also been an exhibited visual artist with a focus on experimental and landscape photography. I love to introduce people to new neighborhoods and explore their past, present and future and also welcome the opportunity to learn from others. With the fast-pace of life here it is easy to overlook the hidden treasures and iconic buildings that we pass by every day. While I have a repertoire of touring a good 80 neighborhoods, I especially love Harlem (where I spent my formative years) due its many different areas, amazing history and beautiful architecture. Other favorites include the West Village, Lower Manhattan (where the City's history began), Flatiron/Gramercy, Upper West Side, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Long Island City, the East Village and Washington Heights.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
Your participation in the activities of Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods acknowledges that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness and health to participate in that activity. You should also be physically fit and be able to walk several miles at a moderate pace.
There are always inherent risks that can cause or lead to injury, property damage, illness *including the coronavirus*, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others when participating in an activity. Some, but not all of these risks include: hazardous and unpredictable ground, water or weather conditions, traffic conditions, misjudgments made by the leader or a participant, the potential that a participant or others may act carelessly or recklessly, etc. etc.
Hank Orenstein and Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods cannot assure a participant’s safety or eliminate any of these risks. The participant is voluntarily participating in our activities with knowledge of these risks, and therefore the participant must accept full responsibility for the inherent and other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities, and for any injury, damage, death or other loss suffered by the participant.
By joining any event conducted by Hank Orenstein/Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods, the participant agrees to release and indemnify Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods and/or Hank Orenstein with regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees) for any injury, property damage, illness including the coronavirus, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others in any way connected with the participation in an activity.
Upcoming events
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Exploring Tribeca! Art, Architecture and History Tour
the drawing center, 35 Wooster st, new york, NY, USRSVP's begin Wednesday, January 14th and 9:00pm. Space is set aside for new members first and second timers and real estate clients who land on the waiting list. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.
This guided tour is free with a voluntary contribution to your leader at the end via cash, venmo or zelle.
Note that this tour begins north of Canal Street in SOHO outside The Drawing Center at 1:00pm which is a non-profit museum. Free admission and restrooms. it opens at 12 noon, Arrive early to check out the current unique exhibit, Voice of Space: UFOs and Paranormal Phenomena
Here's a link for more information: https://drawingcenter.org/visitTour Overview
Tribeca, now one of the wealthiest zip codes in America has also emerged as a prominent neighborhood for contemporary art with a growing number of galleries in recent years. We'll sample some of these as we explore the neighborhood.Tribeca (stands for Triangle Below Canal Street) perhaps NYC's most transformed neighborhood over the past 50 years. In the 1970's and 1980s it was largely a desolate backwater home to visual artists occupying commercial warehouse spaces and a popular nightclub district for live music and dancing. We'll explore how this transformation occurred while enjoying the wild assortment of old and new architectural styles, interesting buildings and fascinating history.
Tribeca is also one of NYC's oldest residential neighborhoods with a few houses still remaining that are 200 years old, and one of the few Manhattan neighborhoods with alleyways. As the city developed into a commercial and industrial hub in the mid-late 19th century, Tribeca became a a storage and distribution center for produce, textiles and dry goods such as tea, sugar and grain. There are several Underground Railroad sites and the neighborhood saw the construction of the first Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion church over 200 years ago (demolished, now uptown in Harlem).
In the modern era Tribeca has become a destination for dining out and fine art. Also a magnet for celebrities, from Robert DeNiro, who co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival to help revitilize the neighborhood after 9-11, to Meryl Streep, Beyonce and JayZ, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, Jake Gylenhaal and Meg Ryan.
Restrooms before the tour: The Drawing Center, which opens at 12 noon has restrooms. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants in the area along with SOHO Bloomingdale's on Broadway.
Cheers from Hank!
646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com26 attendees
Past events
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