Name: Exploring Manhattan Valley and Bloomingdale: Manhattan's Unknown West Side!
Start: 2025-06-18T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Amity Hall Uptown

RSVP's begin Wednesday, April 16th at 9:00pm. Space is set aside for new members of the group, 1st and 2nd timers who land on the waiting list. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request your spot.

**Cost**: This tour is "pay what you wish" at the end via cash, Venmo or zelle.

**Meeting Location:** Down below Grand Central Terminal in front of the Oyster Bar Restaurant (which is as old as Grand Central itself, opening in 1913. There are public restrooms in the adjacent food hall.

**OVERVIEW/TOUR DESCRIPTION**
Turtle Bay and the Midtown East section of Manhattan is unique in its varied architecture which spans the art deco Chrysler Building, the modern and international styles of the United Nations Complex, the medieval Tudor City and a large number of distinctive buildings such as the Ford Foundation and Lever House, NYC's first all glass tower (1952).

We'll stroll by Turtle Bay Gardens, once home to Stephen Sondheim, Bob Dylan, Kurt Vonnegut and Katherine Hepburn (for nearly 50 years). The United Nations area also features some interesting features including the Isiaah Wall and outdoor sculpture such as St. George fighting the "dragon of nuclear war" (pictured above). There's also some American Revolutionary History and we'll uncover the many layers and textures of this overlooked area that includes the Beekman Place enclave, a secret garden and an awesome rooftop cocktail lounge.

**Ending point:** This tour is close to a circular route, so we'll end back in the Grand Central area.

Cheers from Hank
646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com

Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods

Hank Orenstein

Mary Sivak

Bill

Andy Levy

Carlos

Eileen

Ronnie

Marion Chalat

Paul

Janice

Rebecca

Liza

Kimberly Madison

Yuling Wu

Carole

Ilin 

Adriana Estrada

Lisa Bu

Priya kambhampati

Turtle Bay, Midtown East & the Emergence of Modern Architecture: Walking Tour

Grand Central Oyster Bar

RSVPs begin on Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:00pm. Space is set aside for new members, first and 2nd timers who land on the waiting list. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.

This tour is free with an optional donation to your guide/organizer.

**To Bring:** Water to drink, sun protection, snacks if you like. We will also stop at a local bakery early in our walk should you wish to try some local treats and breads.

Our tour begins outside the Greenpoint Public Library, one of the city's newest. Arrive early if you anticipate using the restroom which is up on the 2nd floor.

Note that this is a 3 hour tour, and our total walking distance will be 3.5-4 miles. We'll have at least one break.

**OVERVIEW**

Greenpoint is an often overlooked gem of a neighborhood that hugs the East River in the northwest corner of Brooklyn. Once a busy industrial area with shipyards and a home to for oil refining, glassmaking, printing, ceramics and ironworks, the area has distinctively quaint streets, varied housing, unique residential, industrial and church architecture, numerous restaurants and a nightlife scene in venues such as the Polish National Home (pictured above). There are also new luxury condos on the waterfront, along with the gritty and atmospheric Newtown Creek.

The neighborhood has also become known as a popular place for the the film and television industry's production facilities. In addition there are interesting and varied places for casual eating and dining and you'll come away with plenty of ideas for returning to the neighborhood.

We'll learn about the area's immigrant history which began with the Irish in the 1830's -- and Polish immigrants later in the 19th century. Even as the neighborhood has seen an influx of diverse communities, the area is an important hub for Polish immigrants still today.

We'll visit the waterfront and enjoy the views of Manhattan, the strange landscape around Newtown Creek, and visit a Polish bakery early in the tour for noshing. Optional after the walk: Enjoy authentic Polish food.

Your organizer and guide,

Hank Orenstein
hankorenstein@gmail.com
646-596-3005

Eileen B

David Cohen

suzanne

Kristie 

Susan J Krakenberg

Rise 

Maria

Alice Higgins

Alice

Mary

Michelle Lee

Karen

Barbara Goldstein

Exploring the History and Culture of Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 

Brooklyn Public Library - Greenpoint Branch

RSVPs begin Wednesday, April 30th at 6:30pm. Space is set aside for new members and timers and other members who have yet to attend one of our activities. If this is you and landed on the waiting list email me at hankorenstein@gmail to request a spot. **Note: Space has been set aside on this tour for members of the Broadway Mall Association which is why there are a limited number of spots.**

This is the first in a series of three tours (and an annual tradition) to raise awareness and money for a very special non-profit organization called the Broadway Mall Association (BMA), which helps keeps Broadway beautiful from 72nd Street to 168th Street with plantings, landscaping and art exhibits. Read more about BMA: here: http://broadwaymall.org/

**Cost: $10:00 payable in cash at the tour. All proceeds to the BMA.**

**TO BRING: Sun protection, water, lunch or snacks as we will have a break. Please be fit to walk a good 4-5 miles. There is some hilly terrain.**

**OVERVIEW**
Join us as we discover some of Manhattan's hidden treasures! This unique and diverse Manhattan neighborhood contains some of the city's most beautiful townhouses, several mansions, distinctive residential architecture, historic sites, beautiful community gardens, and the magnificent campus of City College. We'll start with a visit to Manhattan's only State Park, Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park which is situated on the Hudson River and features a wide range of recreational opportunities, along with its unique design and scenic vistas of the river. **This will serve as a restroom stop at the beginning of the tour (there will be at least one later).**

We'll stop at The Grange, the only home owned by founding father Alexander Hamilton and there is a planned visit to The Essie Greene Art Gallery featuring the works of Harlem artists and others of the African Diaspora. You'll also come away with lots of ideas for eating out and exploring on your own should you return to this special neighborhood.

We'll end our tour near where we began so this is a circular route. Optional group brunch or hang out at a local establishment after the walk.

Cheers!

Your organizer and guide,
Hank
646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com

Suellyn

Anna

April

Frank Bamberger

Marina

Candle

diane

Mary Gould

iris r

Alla Nidaieva

Ingrid

Walking Tour:  Harlem's Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill

679 Riverside Dr

**Note that the tour scheduled for Saturday, April 26th is rescheduled for Saturday, June 7th from 10:30am - 1:45pm**This tour is free with a voluntary donation to your guide/organizer at the end via cash, Venmo or Zelle.

Feel free to bring water to drink and snacks. Sun protection recommended. Optional lunch gathering in Central Park after the tour by the Boathouse Cafe or Le Pain Quotidien (food available for purchase). Bring your lunch if you like.

**Overview**
This tour we will indulge in the East 80's between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue and the residential architecture of the gilded age which consists of mansions and elegant townhouses. We'll cover the history of this area and how and why it developed as an enclave for NYC's wealthy elite.

Starting out at the garden of the Cooper Hewitt museum, which was originally the mansion home of Andrew and Louise Carnegie, we'll visit several local art galleries (TBD) during our journey, along with several other indoor locations with spectacular architecture.

**Restrooms before the tour: Tarulucci e Vino Cafe at the Cooper Hewitt Museum.** You can enter the cafe via the garden without having to pay admission to the museum. There is a quick bag inspection by a security guard. There are also public restrooms at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest across the street from the garden at 90th Street & 5th Avenue. Once inside the church veer immediately to your right (one stall).
**Other nearby options: The Jewish Museum up at 92nd Street & 5th Avenue has free admission on Saturday. Met Museum pay what you wish for NY residents. And of course any of the other local museums - Guggenheim, Neue Gallery (admission charge).**

We'll have a break and restrooms in Central Park or depending on time at the Met Museum's education entrance.

**Tour ends at 76th Street & Madison Avenue** or thereabouts.

Your organizer and guide,

Hank Orenstein
hankorenstein@gmail.com
646-596-3005

(photo: James B. Duke House, 1 East 78th Street, now NYU's Institute for the Fine Arts). Courtesy of bigoldhouses.blogspot.com

Carol A

Elena 

Leanne

Diane C

Tonya J.

Cayley

Tammy

Catia

Linus

Robin Mitnick

Cheryl

Cynthia

Rebecca Zhang

Laura

Abdul Haq

Peter Kulinich

Ted Freedman

Upper East Side History, Architecture and Art Tour: The Gilded Age Revisted 

Cooper Hewitt Arthur Ross Terrace & Gardens

RSVPs open up Sunday, June 1st at 8:00pm. Space is set aside for new group members, 1st and 2nd timers who land on the waiting list, subject to availability. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.

Bring water to sip and snacks if you haven't had a chance to grab a bite to eat. Make sure to take care of business before the tour!

Cost: $10:00 payable in cash at the tour. This is the 2nd in a series of three tours to raise awareness and money for a very special non-profit called the Broadway Mall Association (BMA), which helps keeps Broadway beautiful from 72nd Street to 168th Street with plantings, landscaping and art exhibits. Read more about BMA here: http://www.broadwaymall.org/home/

**OVERVIEW**
This guided walk covers West 96-109th Streets between Riverside Drive and Central Park West and explores two neighborhoods that perhaps don’t get the respect and attention they deserve. This diverse and dynamic community has been revitalized over the past two decades thanks to neighborhood residents and businesses. Discover some cool new places to eat, a great jazz club and a dizzying variety of architecture.

There’s some fascinating history as well! We’ll be sure to stop by the homes of George Gershwin and Humphrey Bogart, as well as the house where Duke Ellington composed songs. We’ll enjoy the solitude of Strauss Park which honors the former owners of Macy’s who once lived in the area, and other lesser known West Side landmarks and attractions, such as: the delightful Manhattan Avenue Historic District; a church with some of the loveliest Tiffany windows anywhere; Association Residence (today North America’s largest hostel); a rare free standing mansion on Riverside Drive; and a statue that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Cheers from Hank

646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com

Exploring Manhattan Valley and Bloomingdale: Manhattan's Unknown West Side!

Amity Hall Uptown

Hank Orenstein's Exploring NYC History and Neighborhood

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