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living room in a brownstone house

Patrick McGrath Remixed This West Village Townhouse for a Creative Couple

A West Village townhouse gets a warm-up without losing an ounce of cool factor.

The townhouse had been more of a pied-à-terre for its previous owners, so McGrath's task was to make it feel more like a proper home base. An early-aughts renovation had left the kitchen in the back of the house, with a formal layout he wanted to change. The clients, who had just had their first child, wanted to integrate the kitchen into the main living space and reconfigure the central stair. Working closely with architect Bob Khan, McGrath embarked on a full-scale renovation, infusing the space with a sense of casual elegance while preserving its innate cool factor. "It was a full gut renovation and decoration," says McGrath. "The works."

"They didn't want it to feel like a ultra-modern apartment," says McGrath. "We did a lot of vintage rugs, velvets, and wovens." It was also important to the designer and the couple that the space felt warm and had room to grow. "It was sort of collected over time, but we also tried to leave some wall space so that as they travel and start collecting art and stuff, it doesn't feel like it's necessarily a finished interior design project."

entryway

McGrath's clients had the hand-painted made in a custom colorway to match the trim—and while they were at it, they had their dog painted into the scene.

Wallpaper: Voutsa . Bench cushion: Rose Tarlow . Paint (trim): Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball .

entryway

A chunk of the project's budget went to finding cool vintage furniture in Europe, McGrath says.

Stool: Charlotte Perriand. Sofa: Cassina .

house

McGrath reconfigured the central stairwell to suit the more casual layout the clients wanted. The walls are finished in Venetian plaster.

Stair runner: Radici from Crosby Street Studios .

Living Room

Pictured on main.

living room

McGrath integrated the kitchen, which had previously been set at the back of the house, into the space where the young family spends most of their time.

Wall hanging: Taher Asad-Bakhtiari . Rugs: vintage, from Double Knot . Ceiling fixture: Serge Mouille . Sconces: Pierre Chareau. Floor lamp: Atelier Vime . Daybed: vintage Dick Cordemeijer for Auping.

Dining Area

dining area

The formal dining room was converted into an eat-in kitchen that opens off the central stair.

Table and chairs: Miguel Saco . Pendant light: Ruemmler .

patrick mcgrath home

The framed Sterling Ruby exhibition poster is from Gagosian .

Ceramic bowl (on shelf): Jordan McDonald Studio .

bedroom

The custom platform bed is upholstered in Loro Piana wool.

Paint: Strong White, Farrow & Ball . Lamps: Vaughan . Bedding: Frette .

sitting area in bedroom

The Loro Piana cashmere curtains were purchased from the previous owner.

Floor lamp: Ruemmler . Table: vintage Jacques Adnet. Armchairs: vintage Friso Kramer.

study

The vintage leather-top desk is in the style of pieces by Jacques Adnet.

Paint: Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball . Chair: Miguel Saco . Lamp: The Future Perfect .

House Beautiful: Did you encounter any memorable hiccups, challenges, or surprises during the project? How did you pivot?

Patrick McGrath: Yes! The clients wanted to clean the curtains in their bedroom, which had been protected during the renovation but on-site. We had them picked up by a fancy dry cleaner, and when they returned, they had shrunk about 12 inches! They didn't touch the floor anymore and looked horrible. We didn't want to remake them completely because they were 100 percent wool and cashmere, so we color matched and did a border on the bottom. Nobody would ever know it wasn't intentional. I thought that was pretty crazy. But word to the wise: Always clean curtains on-site.

HB: Where did the majority of the budget go?

PM: New millwork is always a big-ticket item.

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Musings and Adventures

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

Brownstoner image

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 .

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

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

new york city house tours

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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Step Inside 6 Truly Stunning New York City Homes

new york city 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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By Katherine McLaughlin

Guide to Spring Neighborhood House Tours in New York City

new york city house tours

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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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. No large bags, backpacks, or strollers allowed in the mansion.

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.

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

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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

What can I bring in the mansion with me?

No large bags, backpacks, or strollers are allowed in the mansion.

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.

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Explore Lyndhurst’s 67-acre Estate

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

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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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2024 Founders Award Celebration

Join us at the HHT 2024 gala, History Springs Forward, on Thursday, May 30th at 6pm at Gracie Mansion.

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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

Save the merchant’s house, in december, the landmarks preservation commission approved a development next to the merchant’s house that will destroy one of new york’s first landmarks, a family home built in 1832 that remains intact, inside and out., it is critical that the adams administration and its buildings department step in to protect this vital and irreplaceable part of new york’s history before it is gone … forever., please take 30 seconds to email the adams administration urging them to save the merchant’s house., thank you for your support, learn more & donate..

At left, the ornate 1832 plaster medallion in the front parlor. At left, a bold graphic reading "save the landmark Merchant's House!"

At particular risk is our original – and landmarked – 1832 ornate ornamental plasterwork (considered the finest surviving from the period) as well as the plaster walls and ceilings. Vibrations from construction next door could cause it literally to come crumbling down.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 11, 6 p.m. “Ask an …” Embalmer: Monica Torres Virtual Program

Sunday, April 14 & April 28, 1:30 p.m. The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho Walking Tour

Saturday, April 20, 1:30 p.m. Reinventing the Bond Street Neighborhood, 1865-1900 Walking Tour, created and led by MHM docent Michelle Barshay

See the full Calendar of Events.

Visit the Merchant’s House

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Take a Guided Tour, 12 p.m. Visit five floors of period rooms, as well as the rear garden, with one of our knowledgeable guides. 60-75 minutes. $20, FREE for MHM Members.

Visit at Your Own Pace, 1 to 5 p.m., last entry 4:30. Our self-guided tour booklet will lead you through five floors of period rooms, as well as the rear garden. Docents are available to answer questions. $15, FREE for MHM Members.

Masks are recommended but not required. Tickets & Information

Merchant's House Museum

212 777 1089 | [email protected]

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new york ghost tours

The top 7 ghost tours in NYC

These NYC ghost tours will show you real-life horrors that took place in our own backyard

Halloween enthusiasts start prepping for the holiday even before the first leaves start to turn. There’s so much to plan, from picking a pumpkin to finding the perfect costume and decorations . To really get in the mood for Halloween, these NYC ghost tours should be on the checklist, too. The city is full of legit spooky spots and haunted places , from cemeteries and haunted mansions to a crumbling hospital and tragedy-prone island.

These NYC ghost tours will take you through all the nooks and crannies where real-life horrors and paranormal sightings happened right in our own backyard. Be warned, however: you may never look the same way at certain neighborhoods ever again. After uncovering local frights on an NYC ghost tour, you can opt for a more interactive screamfest at a haunted house , or just stay safely indoors with some popcorn and one of the best horror movies .

RECOMMENDED: Cheap things to do in NYC The best outdoor art in NYC The best NYC night markets

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

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The best ghost tours in NYC for a spooky walk

Candlelight ghost tours of Manhattan’s most haunted house

1.  Candlelight ghost tours of Manhattan’s most haunted house

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Once upon a time, the Tredwell family lived in a building now called the Merchant’s House Museum in Noho. And it's been speculated that after their deaths, their spirits may not have moved on. This 50-minute tour reveals the dark, haunted past of this old structure—as well as its spooky present. Try the Candlelight Ghost Tour where doors slam, floorboards creak, and voices call out into the dead of night. Has all that construction nearby awoken the ghosts from their slumber? During this tour, you may just find out. 

Time Out tip: If you want to get really invested in the story behind this haunted house, listen to the 'In the Spirit of Science' podcast before you visit. 

Learn the haunted secrets of Broadway

2.  Learn the haunted secrets of Broadway

  • Walks and tours

During this two-hour stroll through New York’s busiest part of town, you’ll learn about Broadway and Vaudeville Stars from the great beyond, dance the Time Warp, sing songs from Phantom of the Opera and visit legendary haunted theaters.

Time Out tip: If psychic readings are your jam, there's the option to combine your tour with a tarot card and palm reading session. 

Paranormal investigations at the Morris-Jumel Mansion

3.  Paranormal investigations at the Morris-Jumel Mansion

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Learn the basics of ghost hunting with a resident paranormal investigator at Manhattan’s oldest house, located in Washington Heights. The two-hour investigation includes an overview of paranormal theory, a history of ghost hunting and a hands-on, house-wide investigation of period rooms made famous for their otherworldly inhabitants. Just don’t be alarmed if you wind up communicating with one of MJM’s notorious former residents.

Time Out tip: These sell out super quickly, so keep an eye on their website to book early.

Delve into history with Boroughs of the Dead

4.  Delve into history with Boroughs of the Dead

These ghost tours aren’t the cheesy kind who only have cheap jump scares up their sleeves; instead, they explore the true, oft-hidden history and spirits lurking around New York City.  " Boroughs of the Dead: Macabre New York City Walking Tours " offers a bevy of tours, including options in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Roosevelt Island. Plus, look for fan favorites "Edgar Allan Poe in Greenwich Village" and "Ghostly Women of Greenwich Village". The tours promise a "dose of dark history, women’s history, hauntings, ghosts, the occult" and more.

Time Out tip:  Witches more your thing? There's a tour for that too – and it features tales of fortune tellers, clairvoyants and mystics. 

Greet the ghosts of Greenwich Village

5.  Greet the ghosts of Greenwich Village

Join this after-dark tour and uncover Greenwich Village's most haunted historic places; you'll be taken to the Hanging Tree, the infamous Murder House – the most haunted house in Manhattan – and learn all about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire at the Brown Building. 

Time Out tip:  Don't get too distracted by the potential for paranormal activity – your local guide will be telling spine-chilling stories along the way that you'll definitely want to hear. 

Behind-the-scenes tour of the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

6.  Behind-the-scenes tour of the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

Although it’s not officially a ghost tour, Untapped Cities' abandoned Ellis Island Hospital expedition is sure to give you the creeps.  Once the standard for the U.S. medical care, the hospital has sat abandoned since 1954.  Don your hard hat and go behind-the-scenes for an unparalleled exploration of the institution’s contagious disease wards, autopsy rooms and other areas that are usually off limits. Each ticket includes your ferry ride to and from Ellis Island.

Time Out tip:  You'll need to be at the ferry terminal at least 2 hours before the tour's start time. 

Unveil the dark side of Greenwich Village

7.  Unveil the dark side of Greenwich Village

Team up with top-rated NYC Ghosts for an in-depth exploration of Greenwich Village's haunted past Plus, you'll get to hear the true stories figures like Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Aaron Burr, and spirits of the city’s notorious ghosts. Stand on burial grounds with thousands of graves, see old speakeasies and learn about historic events like the The Triangle Factory Fire on this hourlong tour. If you're looking for even more creepy history, extend the fun with a 30-minute bonus trip after the tour ends. 

Time Out tip: NYC Ghosts also offers a Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl, during which you can enjoy some liquid courage while hearing about the city's historic haunts and drinking hotspots.

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The Open City Benefit is a celebration of the power of place and new possibilities for our city.

On April 18, join hundreds of fellow Open House New Yorkers at the  Open City Benefit , a celebration of North Javits: Rooftop Pavilion and Farm, part of the $1.5 billion expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

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Open House New York is a nonprofit organization that promotes unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future.

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Open House New York appoints Kristin LaBuz as Executive Director

New york, april 4, 2024—the board of directors of open house new york (ohny) announced today that it has promoted kristin labuz to the role of executive director. part of the ohny team since 2018, labuz brings a decade of nonprofit leadership experience to this position. labuz is an urban planner by training and has worked to enrich the shared public life of cities, improve the built environment, and promote the power of design. previously serving as interim director, she assumed this permanent role on march 19, 2024., upcoming events, 2024 ohny weekend, love new york so do we., general membership, open house new yorker.

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Take part in a community of curious New Yorkers while enjoying members-only perks, like special events, discounts, and a preview of the OHNY Weekend lineup.

General Membership starts at $60/year (Individual) or $110 (Dual)

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Connect with emerging professionals for city adventures and community building. Plus, enjoy the full range of General Membership perks.

Metropolitan Membership starts at $10/month or $120/year

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Join city leaders to explore the critical issues shaping New York while enjoying the kind of inside access that only Open House New York can provide.

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Merchants House Museum ghost tours in NYC

7 Best Ghost Tours in New York City

Home | Travel | North America | United States | New York | NYC | 7 Best Ghost Tours in New York City

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If you want to see a different side of New York City and hear some spooky stories about the Big Apple, consider taking an NYC ghost tour . This type of activity stands out from other tours because you’ll get to see some of Manhattan’s top attractions and landmarks in a creepier light. If you happen to be in NYC during Halloween , it’s a must-do!

While you’ll see the dark side of NYC, you’ll also have a few laughs along the way, and most New York City ghost tours are family-friendly. Of course, this type of tour is one of the best things to do in NYC at night , so I recommend waiting until after dark to do it.

During these tours, you’ll visit some of the most haunted places in New York City , like old mansions and theaters, hidden catacombs and cemeteries, and old mafia hideouts and crime scenes. So, if you’re ready to walk in the footsteps of the ghosts of Manhattan , keep reading to see the 7 best ghost tours in NYC !

1. Greenwich Village Ghost Tour, the best ghost tour in NYC

First, this Greenwich Village tour  is a spooky walk through some of the neighborhood’s most haunted places. It’s one of the top tours in NYC and is reserved for small groups to allow for a more intimate experience.

A local guide will take you to some of the creepiest parts of Greenwich Village and share ghost stories and urban legends that will make your hairs stand on end. Among the sites you’ll visit are Washington Square Park and the Hanging Tree , also known as Hangman’s Elm. This 135-foot-tall tree is over 300 years old, and it’s said that hangings took place here in the 1800s. While the only recorded hanging was of Rose Butler in 1820, it’s still a spooky place to visit.

Greenwich Village, haunted places in new york city

You’ll also go to the most haunted house in Manhattan , the Murder House at 14 West 10 th Street, which is said to house 22 spirits. Other NYC haunts in this tour include the Church of the Ascension on 5 th Avenue, which is supposedly haunted by artist John Lafarge; 12 Gay Street, the former home of Mayor Jimmy Walker; and the Emma Lazarus House , which is also a beautiful library.

Finally, visit the Brown Building , the site of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. They say the spirits of those who died are still walking through the site today!

  • Price : $35+
  • Duration : 2 hours
  • Highlights : Small-group tour with a local guide past several haunted homes and attractions

2. East Village Haunted Tour, the best way to see ghosts in Manhattan

Another great option is this tour through Manhattan’s East Village. You’ll explore the spookiest spots in the area while listening to ghost stories about the former residents and their ghosts.

Your guide will be a New York bartender, who will lead your group through 13 haunted sites, from the old Public Theater to the Merchant’s House Museum , deemed one of the most haunted houses in Manhattan . Then, pass by McSorley’s Old Ale House , Manhattan’s oldest continually-running bar, said to be inhabited by drunken ghosts!

East Village, new york city ghost tours

Daytime and evening slots are available, but I think you should book this New York ghost adventure at night to get the full experience. For example, the ghost train subway stop at the abandoned City Hall station is a lot creepier if you visit after dark.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is a fun tour that you’ll enjoy. Along with some of the best haunted attractions in New York City , you’ll get a little history lesson about the East Village.

  • Price : $28+
  • Duration : 1.5 hours
  • Highlights : Small-group tour to 13 haunted sites in Manhattan’s East Village

3. Gangsters & Ghosts Tour, another must-do NYC ghost tour

If you want to learn more about the ghosts of Manhattan , then check out this two-hour tour . You’ll follow a local guide, who will tell you the dark side of NYC’s most famous neighborhoods while taking you to creepy hideaways.

Learn more about the city’s mafia and gangster history, then visit some old hangout spots and headquarters for prominent crime families. You’ll go to the restaurants where several mafia murders took place, then visit “ Five Points ,” a 19 th -century neighborhood that became notorious for its high levels of disease and crime. The Five-Point Gang emerged from this area and was the starting point for mobsters like Lucky Luciano and Al Capone.

West Village, new york city ghost tours

Then, make your way to Chinatown ’s Bloody Angle, also known as Murder Alley . This 200-foot-long stretch of Doyers Street was the site of several hatchet murders by the Tong Gangs of the 1920s and 30s. Several tenement houses on Doyers Street also suffered from fires, adding to the dark history of this alley.

As you make your way past the creepy, haunted houses in Manhattan ’s West Village, you’ll go through the old “vice district,” then visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral . Throughout the entire tour, your guide will share ghost stories about the spirits that still haunt these famous sites.

  • Highlights : Historical tour through NYC’s most notorious crime spots, haunted houses, and mafia hangouts

4. Ghosts on Broadway Tour, one of the spookiest NYC ghost tours

For theater lovers and fans of Broadway, this guided tour is a must-do. This particular NYC ghost tour has a more lighthearted feel, so it’s a good option for families. You’ll join a local theater guide, who will lead you on a tour past Broadway’s oldest theaters .

Over the course of two hours, you’ll hear lore and legends about Broadway’s most haunted buildings, which are said to have vaudeville spirits lingering about. As you explore NYC’s iconic Theater District, you’ll learn about several famous Broadway ghosts.

Broadway, ghost tours in new york city

Also, during this haunted Broadway tour , you’ll sing along to well-known songs from Broadway’s darkest musicals and shows, and at the end, you’ll have the option to book a tarot and palm reading session.

  • Price : $40+
  • Highlights : Guided tour to some of Broadway’s most haunted theaters

5. Old St. Patrick’s Basilica Catacombs by Candlelight, the best NYC catacombs tour

One of the best candlelight ghost tours in NYC is this 1.5-hour tour to old St. Patrick’s Basilica . Inside, you’ll want to hold onto your tea lights as you walk through the hidden vaults and crypts.

The catacombs of St. Patrick’s Basilica hold over 200 years of history and are typically closed off to the public. Through this NYC catacombs tour , you’ll get to see secret parts of the church, and while it’s an informative tour, it can be pretty creepy!

Old St. Patrick's Basilica Catacombs, most haunted places in new york

These vaults and tombs are the final resting place for many significant public figures, including the Catholic Delmonico family and New York’s first resident bishop, John Connolly. The remains of Civil War-era general Thomas Eckert are here, as well as dozens of merchants, captains, lawyers, bankers, and politicians.

After the catacombs, you’ll visit the two walled cemeteries on the church’s grounds and learn more about the history of Manhattan’s Irish Catholic and Italian population.

  • Price : $37+
  • Highlights : Candlelight tour through the catacombs and cemeteries of old St. Patrick’s Basilica

6. Take the Merchant’s House Museum ghost tour in a haunted NYC mansion

This tour through the Merchant’s House Museum is another candlelight ghost tour in NYC where you can learn some history while visiting a famous New York landmark.

The Merchant’s House was the home of the Tredwell family for nearly 100 years. During those decades, seven members of the family died there, including Gertrude Tredwell, the youngest of the eight children. She lived in the home as a spinster until her death in 1933 and she’s often considered the most prolific ghost in the house.

Merchants House Museum, ghost tours in NYC

A few years after Gertrude’s death, the house opened as a museum and immediately became the talk of the town for its strange occurrences. Today, the Merchant’s House Museum is considered the most haunted mansion in NYC , as visitors often report doors slamming and floorboards creaking on their own. Others have said that they’ve heard voices screaming or crying at night.

Not only is the Merchant’s House one of the most haunted attractions in New York City , but it’s also meticulously preserved, so walking through it is like stepping back in time. Yes, touring through the museum is creepy, but it’s also quite informative, so it’s one of the top tours to take!

  • Price : $30
  • Duration : 50 minutes
  • Highlights : Guided tour by candlelight through Manhattan’s most haunted house

7. Morris-Jumel Mansion Ghost Tour, another top haunted attraction in New York City

Last but not least, this tour is an after-dark adventure through Manhattan’s oldest surviving house, the Morris-Jumel Mansion . This Federal-style mansion was built back in 1765 and served as the headquarters for both sides in the American Revolutionary War. A place with so much wartime history is bound to be haunted, right?

Morris-Jumel Mansion, ghost tour in nyc

You’ll find out for yourself as you walk through this haunted NYC mansion and its grounds, led by a knowledgeable tour guide. Listen to ghost stories about the spirits that are said to still inhabit the house, and access the third-floor attic, which still has much of its original structure. Your guide will tell you about the mansion’s “shadow figures,” creepy phenomena, and old ghost stories, some of which date back to the early 1800s.

This candlelight ghost tour in NYC is a great choice for haunted house enthusiasts, but it’s only for ages 14 and up. Also, the mansion is a hotspot for ghost hunters, and you can even book a private paranormal investigation tour.

  • Duration : 1 hour, 15 minutes
  • Highlights : After-dark tour of the historic Morris-Jumel Mansion and grounds

Now you have seven New York City ghost tours to check out for your next trip to the Big Apple! If you have any questions or you’d like to share your spooky NYC experience , leave me a comment below. I’d be delighted to hear from you! Until then, happy haunting!

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Review: The Big Bus Tour in New York City

I absolutely loved the Big Bus Tour in New York City. It’s the best way to go sightseeing in an open-top, hop-on hop-off, top-rated tour and explore the best New York attractions !

If this is your first-time visiting New York and you want to see all the top landmarks, this double-decker tour bus will take you there.

The Big Bus Tour in New York

You may be wondering if a hop-on hop-off bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!

If you consider the time and money spent on transportation costs, waiting for buses, navigating the subway (which can be confusing for visitors), and getting from one point of interest to another, it is worth every dollar!

I had a great visit to New York City on Big Bus Tour. My goal was to show the city to some friends from Italy who were visiting the US for the first time.

Since we only had about two days to spend together, the hop-on hop-off was undoubtedly the best decision.

From our experience, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus while visiting New York City.

Google Reviews

Why take the big bus tour in new york.

While seeing New York from the open-top deck of the double-decker bus, the city unfolded block by block with panoramic views from every angle.

As we traveled through the streets, the sights were unobstructed and new visual backdrops were revealed.

The towering skyscrapers and colorful billboards filled the air with excitement and as the cityscape continued to change, it gave a grand feeling to the experience.

I especially enjoyed being able to relax from the upper deck of the bus while taking in the energy of city scenes.

Because I also live in a large city, the rhythm felt familiar from the elevated vantage point .

Car horns were honking, crowds traversed through the streets and there was an endless hum of activity.

Best of all, the tour gave me the chance to interact with other travelers who were seeing New York while waiting for the tour to began.

We struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations during our stay in New York.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The regular price of an adult and child ticket is $60.00 and $50.00, respectively. However, you can use the link below for discounted fares.

Get discounts for the Big Bus Tour NYC  here .

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The round-trip New York City Big Bus Tour takes about two hours from start to finish.

The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because they offer pre-recorded audio narratives and translations in five languages — French, German, Spanish, Italian, and English.

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

No. Unlike charter buses, you won’t travel long between stops. So the best thing to do is exit at a stop, find a public restroom, see an attraction, if desired, and then catch the next bus.

If you are not sure where to find one, ask a Big Bus guide on the street. The driver may also have some suggestions.

Charter buses come equipped with a bathroom because travel is expected to be for a much longer period.

How Does the Big Bus Tour Work in New York City

The tour offers three options for purchase — 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day.

When you decide the number of days of your tour and purchase your ticket, the clock starts when your ticket is scanned while boarding the bus for the first time.

The ticket is good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. So, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, it can still be used until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

We found a ton of touring options for sightseeing in New York.

Aside from the extended period, the 2 and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run every 20 minutes on average. However, the first stop at the M&M store can be a long wait during peak season.

You can exit or board at any of the designated stops as much as you want.

The only exclusion is the one-loop tour Night Tour which is a panoramic non-stop tour.

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in New York City

During the tour, the buses only stop at designated stops.

Your ticket is good for as long as the buses operate during the day and it may be used on both the red and blue routes.

When you board, make sure you get a hop-on hop-off New York bus route map!

Big Bus NYC Red Route

The red route sightseeing tour covers lower Manhattan and you’ll see many landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and General Grant’s Tomb.

You can catch a tour at any one of the following bus stops and you can get your tickets in advance of boarding.

1 – M&M’s World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)

2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)

3 – Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)

4 – Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)

5 – SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)

6 – Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)

7 – Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)

8 – Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)

9 – Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)

10 – Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)

11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Big Bus NYC Blue Route

The blue route covers upper Manhattan, and half of the ride is mostly views of Central Park. You can switch to the blue route at red stop #2.

We recommend changing routes at stop #11 (the Majestic Deli) where you can take a break and have a nice lunch.

12 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)

13 – Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)

14 – Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go

The bus has two levels, the upper level offers panoramic views of the city but be careful of overhanging traffic lights and trees. Don’t stand while the bus is in motion.

  • After you find a seat, check the audio to confirm it is working.
  • Snacks are allowed. Bring a frozen bottle of water and protein bites to keep you energized.
  • When on the upper deck, cover up with sunscreen to protect your skin on hot sunny days.
  • If you are a family of 3 or more, take seats across from one another so you’ll have views and photos from both sides of the bus.

Tourists were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before departure and the line extended the entire block and rounded the corner.

We decided to see other points of interest and returned around 11:00 AM.

The wait to board the bus was about 20 minutes. It was a relaxing ride and there we saw so much!

By the time we reached stop #9, we were pumped and ready to exit the bus so that we could explore the city! And you probably will be too.

Here’s the secret sauce that really made the experience memorable. Exit at stop #9 and take a FREE ferry to Staten Island.

To see the Statue of Liberty, stand on the left side of the boat. When returning, stand on the right side.

Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel !

Final Thoughts About the Big Bus Tour in New York City

Overall, the tour was a pleasant way to see New York city and when you are on the upper deck, you hardly notice the traffic.

Some other advantages of seeing the city by bus include:

  • Avoiding parking hassles. I mean, who actually drives in New York?!
  • Photo opportunities. With the open-top or large windows, you have excellent photo opportunities as you pass by iconic landmarks and cityscapes.
  • Comprehensive sightseeing of major landmarks and attractions within two hours.
  • You can get local recommendations from the guides who operate the bus.

I usually opt for a hop-on hop-off bus when I am short on time or to get my bearings in the city before deciding what to do.

Either way, when you take the tour bus, it doesn’t appear impossible to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Happy Travels!

view of new york from tour bus

After 2 years of applying for the NYC housing lottery, she finally won her bid. Now she pays $1,000 in rent for her Manhattan apartment.

  • A millennial woman won the New York City affordable-housing lottery after applying for two years.
  • Nkenge Brown, 30, now pays about $1,000 in monthly rent for her one-bedroom Manhattan apartment.
  • It's been almost a year since she moved in, and she's turned her place into a cozy, eclectic home.

Insider Today

Nkenge Brown first heard about the New York City housing lottery system four years ago while she was at work.

"Someone told me that they won a lottery apartment, and I was like, 'What's that?'" Brown, 30, told Business Insider. Back then, Brown was working in the tech industry and lived at home with her mother in Upper Manhattan .

"Once they told me about it, I ended up going online to search the website, but I didn't really pay too much attention to it at the beginning," Brown said.

Fast-forward two years, and Brown was ready to move out and live on her own.

"That's when I started to apply. But, of course, with these things, I know they take time, so I was hoping for the best," Brown said.

It would take her another two years and more than 130 applications before she finally succeeded in her bid for an apartment, she said.

It couldn't have come at a better time. Brown had just quit her job to become a freelance photographer and content creator . She was also living in a different apartment after moving out of her mom's house, and her rent was getting too expensive .

Rent was about $1,940, and if she had stayed for another year, it would have been more than $2,000, she said.

"This place literally came just in time, like a few months before my second-year lease ended," Brown said.

A long, drawn-out process

The affordable-housing lotteries are run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, or HPD, and the Housing Development Corporation.

Both rental units and homeownership units are available, and application is free.

To qualify for a lottery apartment, each household must meet specific income and size requirements, and these vary across the developments depending on unit size and location.

The New York Times reported in 2020 that since 2013, there had been more than 25 million applications submitted for about 40,000 units. In 2018, the odds of winning the housing lottery were 1 in 592, the Times reported. The HPD didn't respond to a request for comment from BI.

Applying for the housing lottery was a long process that required a lot of patience and paperwork, and Brown ran into a few hiccups along the way.

"It took me maybe over a year before I started hearing back from different properties that I applied to," Brown said. "Some of them I ended up not qualifying for, some of them I didn't provide enough documentation for."

Some of the paperwork included pay stubs, tax returns, as well as receipts for rent and recent gas or electric bills from where she'd been living before.

Even after getting the news that she qualified for an apartment, it took another three months before she was able to move in at the start of May last year.

"I started submitting documents at the beginning of February and getting things rolling in terms of being accepted by the place," Brown said.

Brown's one-bedroom apartment is in Chelsea, a neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan , and her rent is stabilized . It's a two-year lease with an option for renewal.

Related stories

Her apartment costs $1,081 a month, but since she gets a utility allowance of $85, she ends up paying $996 for rent, as well as an additional $54 monthly for amenity fees.

The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Chelsea is $5,232, according to the latest April data from RentHop.com.

"The day I moved in, I was super excited. I felt blessed," Brown said. "It was like things were coming together, with the opportunity for me to take my business to the next level in a way where I don't feel stressed out about bills and all the things that adulting has to offer."

Her apartment came with some standard appliances , including a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator, although she says that's not always the case.

"There are a wide range of apartments that offer different things, so it's just up to you as the applicant to apply for the ones that you want or that you're open to," Brown said.

Although the housing-lottery website has a list of amenities displayed for each apartment block, it doesn't specify which appliances each apartment within the block has, she says.

"For example, in this building that I'm in, there are quite a few apartments available," Brown said. "So one of them may not have a washer and dryer, whereas another one. But they don't tell you in detail which of these apartments they are."

Additionally, potential tenants have to submit all their documents even before they can view the apartment in person, she says.

"So there is a chance that you may not even want the place, but you still have to submit your documents first," she said.

A space of one's own

Brown's home is a reflection of her personality and all the things she loves, with bright colors, eclectic furniture, and more than 40 houseplants .

"Plants have a way of really transforming your space," Brown said. "I mean not only in terms of health benefits, with oxygen and everything, but also in nurturing your plant and taking care of them."

She brought most of her furniture and decor over from her old apartment and succeeded in turning her new space into the cozy, airy home she had always envisioned .

Aesthetics aside, most of her furniture pieces double as storage space, she says.

"I have a lot of things, so I always try to find ways to hide them away but, at the same time, make the space look comfortable," Brown said. "For example, I have a couple of Ottomans that have storage — you just open up the top. The ottomans themselves look very cute, and you can sit on them. They don't take up too much space."

It's hard to pick a favorite spot in the home, but if she had to choose, it'd be the corner by her southeast-facing window.

The pink and yellow curtains, together with her plants and a little seated area by the window, remind her of a café.

"I'm really inspired by cafés, especially the ones in Paris. And I know a lot of those would have the chairs facing outward, and I really liked that. So if anything, I was just bringing that into my home as well," Brown said.

"This is my little corner where I can drink some tea or read a book and just enjoy the sun coming in, because the sun does rise in this area," Brown added.

Brown has one suggestion for those who are interested in applying for the housing lottery.

"I actually encourage people to apply to as many as they want because I would say you have a higher chance of succeeding," Brown said.

She added that she also signed up for email alerts, so she'd be notified whenever new properties get listed on the portal.

Being able to have an affordable apartment in the heart of the city is like a dream come true, Brown says.

"I mean to call this space my own. I've also felt inspired. There's always so much going on in the city and it's nice to be able to have access to all of these areas while living here," she added. "I'm just very, very grateful."

Correction: April 11, 2024 — An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the website that collates rental data for apartments in Chelsea. It is RentHop.com, not RentCafe.com.

Watch: Millions of homes could flood the US housing market thanks to boomers

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SUNY Broome looking forward to spring open house

PORT DICKINSON (WBNG) -- SUNY Broome Community College will be hosting its spring open house on April 27 from 9 a.m. until noon.

The college will provide campus tours, discussions and more for prospective students. Registration before the event is available but not required.

Copyright 2024 WBNG. All rights reserved.

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An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth

A new technology is attempting to brighten clouds and bounce some of the sun’s rays back into space..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Katrin Bennhold. This is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

After failing for decades to cut carbon emissions enough to stop the planet from dangerously overheating, scientists are increasingly looking at backup measures, some that would fight the warming by intervening in the climate itself. Today, my colleague Christopher Flavelle on the efforts to engineer our way out of the climate crisis.

It’s Friday, April 5.

So, Chris, you’ve been covering climate change for a while, but recently you’ve been focused on a very special project. Tell us about this.

Yeah, two things have been happening in climate change recently that are really important. Number one, records have been falling at alarming rates. Last year was, again, the hottest year on record. Much the world surpassed the important threshold of 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. So the world is getting warmer at an alarming rate.

At the same time, emissions aren’t falling. The message of the last generation has been, we need to cut emissions really to almost zero by the end of this century. And in fact, the reverse is happening. Emissions are continuing to rise.

At the same time, the number and characteristics of weather disasters have become really alarming. So the effects of that warming have become really clear. And it’s clear that the world is struggling to adapt to those effects.

So the other thing that’s happening at a high level is there’s more research and more consideration of OK, what if we can’t cut emissions fast enough? What if we’re going to have this really severe degree of warming? Can we do something else, maybe temporarily, to buffer those effects? And that’s led to this question of, what kinds of changes can we make deliberately to the atmosphere, to the environment that will maybe produce some sort of artificial cooling in the meantime?

So earlier this week I was able to watch, as scientists did, the first outdoor tests in the US on a technology that will aim to do just that. It’s called marine cloud brightening.

So what is this idea of brightening the clouds? Where did it originally come from?

So everyone I talked to pointed back to one really important moment in 1990 when a British physicist named John Latham was taking a hike in Wales with his young son. And they were looking out at the clouds over the Irish Sea.

And as Dr. Latham later told it, his son asked him, “Hey, why are clouds bright?” And Dr. Latham said, “Well, because they reflect sun right back in the sky.” And his son said, “So they’re like soggy mirrors.”

And Dr. Latham went on to write a letter in 1990 that was published in the Journal Nature, saying, you know what, if we can deliberately manipulate these clouds, maybe we can make them more reflective and actually counteract the effects of global warming. That was the inception point for this idea, and it led to decades of research culminating in this week’s test.

So the idea is if you can make clouds more reflective, you can reflect more of the sun’s heat back into space. So it won’t get trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere in the first place.

Exactly. That’s what they’re trying to do.

That’s a very simple, and at the same time, a very powerful idea. I love actually that they were hiking in Wales. That’s where I am right now, and we sure have a lot of clouds here, rain clouds. But tell me more about what you saw at the testing site.

So this Tuesday, a little after 7:00 in the morning, I pulled up in a parking lot on a dock at the edge of Alameda.

I’m standing at the gangplank to the USS Hornet, a decommissioned aircraft carrier in San Francisco Bay here for the first test in the US of a machine that was designed to try to brighten clouds, a way of maybe temporarily cooling the Earth.

And I made my way up one of the massive gangplanks and came in to find a cluster of some of the top atmospheric scientists in the world.

Have you met Sarah?

How do you do?

Hi, Rob. How are you?

Looking really excited. And they accompanied me out to the flight deck —

Here we are.

— of this aircraft carrier.

Pretty epic.

It’s pretty great.

Which was a bit like a party. They’d set up a little table on the side with some coffee and some sandwiches, and people were chatting and saying hi to each other. And I asked them why they were excited.

So I know a thousand of what you know, and I still find this exciting. You guys, walk me through. Is this like a big day for you or just like one more test?

No, this is a big day for me.

And they said this was actually a huge day in their research.

Just looking at it, going, yeah, this is the culmination of years of work, right?

Wow, and tell me about what exactly they were so excited about and what they were doing on the ship.

Yeah, the thing everyone was excited about was this machine set up at the far end of the flight deck of this aircraft carrier. It’s blue. It’s shiny. It looks a bit like a snow maker or maybe like a spotlight.

This machine is a sprayer. What it does is it sprays really, really, really small aerosol particles, in this case, smashed up sea salts, a long distance at just the right size and just the right volume. Because in theory, at some point, you could use this machine to change the size and number of the droplets in the clouds. You can make them brighter conceptually it’s possible. The question is, technologically, can we do it?

Yeah, the particles are coming out in a super concentrated there. So whatever’s coming out of that circle there is basically going to be huge by the time it gets to the cloud.

And so the goal with this test was they spent years building this sprayer that can use really high pressured air to smash salt particles into super small bits, about 1,700th the size of a human hair.

What they didn’t know, until this week, and they’re trying to find out right now, once you spray it, do those aerosols that are so finely tuned stay that size? In theory, they should.

What they don’t know is, things like wind and humidity and temperature could potentially cause them to coagulate, to regroup, which would throw the whole thing off. If the aerosols you’re shooting into clouds are too big, you can backfire the whole purpose. You can wreck what you’re trying to do because you make clouds less reflective, not more reflective.

So the whole goal of the experiment is, OK, can they make the spray just so, so that even in outdoor conditions, the aerosols that are so finely sized remain the size you want them to be. And that’s what they’re trying to find out.

And you watched the actual test of this. What did you see? What happened?

Those instruments are emitting a slight hum.

So operating the sprayer is not straightforward.

And they’re filling the tanks with the salt water that’ll be used to produce the mist.

There was somebody crouched on the control deck, the panel of instruments at the side of the sprayer. So I went over and tried to sit next to him and watch him as he turned a series of knobs and careful sequence.

OK. Yeah, everybody, we’re going to run some air. So the — ... We need two minutes here just to have power on this.

And after a series of tests to make sure the valves were clear —

OK, ear protection, please.

— finally the moment came, and he got an all clear over his walkie-talkie. And he turned on the water —

Water on, copy, over.

— and the air.

[COMPRESSOR ACTIVATING]

Since the sound of the compressor pushes pressurized air through the sprayer, it’s making a dull, throbbing sensation. You can feel it a little bit through the deck of the ship.

We all had ear protectors. And even with the ear protectors, it was really loud. And then you can almost feel the spray bursting out of this machine and watch it travel really hundreds of feet down the deck of the aircraft carrier.

OK, water off, fan off. Good job.

Awesome, guys, you’re done. Thank you. Excellent.

First test is done.

My first signal that things have gone well was I looked up when the spraying machine was turned off and saw some scientists high-fiving down the deck.

What’d you think?

It’s beautiful.

Is it what you thought it would be?

It’s better. And I’m optimistic that it will tell us a lot about what these things do. This made me really optimistic.

And the idea is to do several short bursts like that through the day?

And everyone seemed really excited that this thing they’d worked on for years was finally happening in this really important outdoor test.

OK, so it sounds like this test was a success.

Yeah, they stressed that they need a lot of time to really go over the results. They’ll be doing this test again and again in different weather conditions. But the initial reaction seemed positive. They seemed to think that the numbers they were getting were what they were hoping to see.

And so now the goal is, can they maintain the right size aerosols even in different conditions down the deck of this aircraft carrier? That’ll give them some confidence that if they decided one day to try and do this on the open ocean to actually brighten clouds, they’d have the ability to do it.

So, Chris, if all of this works, how and when do these researchers anticipate that this would actually be used?

Well, here’s a great example. In the month of February, a version of this testing was also happening in Australia, off the Coast of Australia, where researchers were testing whether marine cloud brightening could be used to cool the ocean just a little bit around the Great Barrier Reef.

Really high ocean temperatures are causing bleaching of that coral reef. The idea was, could they use marine cloud brightening to save some of those reefs from dying? And that’s probably a good idea of the fairly localized situation, where you could, in theory if you do it right, have a fairly quick degree of cooling that could maybe try to avert or mitigate something pretty acute like a heat wave or a stretch of warm weather that would kill coral. But the science is probably too new at this point to talk about the right situations to use it. Those conversations are all down the road as researchers look at these and other ideas for what they could do if things get really bad.

We’ll be right back.

So, Chris, when I think about solutions to climate change, it usually involves these very hard things we need to do, like, change the way we live, the way we drive, what we eat. We need these international treaties. We need carbon taxes regulation. There’s lots of hard stuff, and we haven’t gotten that far.

But here you’ve just told me about this technology that, if it ends up working, could actually help cool the planet without anyone needing to do any of these hard things. It sounds great.

It does sound great. Now, we’ve got to say, first of all that whenever anybody working on this stuff talks about it, the first thing they say is this is not an alternative to reducing emissions. This is looking for ways to buy time as we try to cut emissions. There’s no way to really deal with climate change that doesn’t entail burning less fossil fuel and quickly.

But yes, in addition to brightening clouds, there’s other ways to try to bounce more sunlight back into space and other ideas. My colleague David Gelles wrote the first piece in our series looking the idea of removing carbon dioxide directly from the air, reversing our past emissions.

Other ideas include finding ways to suck up more of the CO2 in the oceans. There’s even ideas that my colleague Cara Buckley covered of could we build a sort of a giant parasol way out in space that would reflect or scatter more of the sunlight and prevent some of that sunlight from even reaching the Earth in the first place?

So there’s a huge number of ideas that until very recently seemed just so bizarre and/or so expensive and/or so dangerous that they were hardly worth pursuing seriously. And what’s changed really quickly in the last really year or two is all of a sudden those ideas have switched from being too wild to spend much time on to being so important because the situation is so dire that we can’t not look at them. And that’s the pivot that my team has been trying to cover.

And what characterizes all these initiatives is that rather than reducing our own emissions, we’re now trying to intervene in the climate in a proactive way, engineering the climate in a way.

Yes, and you hear the phrase geoengineering to describe these ideas collectively. And what people who research this will stress is, we’re already geoengineering. For more than a century, we’ve been geoengineering in the sense of putting climate changing pollution into the atmosphere that’s caused the planet to change by trapping more heat in the atmosphere. So the question is, do we want to deliberately geoengineer in a way that will ease that pressure rather than just making it worse?

Of course, there some controversy attached to this. And there are some pretty valid concerns about what the consequences might be if we keep on pursuing these ideas.

And why are they controversial?

Well, the first concern that you hear is this idea of moral hazard, that if people come to think that there are ways of addressing climate change that don’t require them to change their lifestyle or sacrifice conveniences or change the kinds of cars they drive or how their power is generated that they will lose interest in those tough changes. And the momentum, such as it is, towards cutting emissions will fade even more. But we don’t know yet whether politicians or governments or companies or just people will misuse these ideas to try to shirk the harder work of reducing the amount of greenhouse gases we emit.

Another really important argument you hear is, OK, side effects. Do we really know what would happen if we tried these things? Marine cloud brightening is one of those situations where there are known unknowns and unknown unknowns, as they say.

The known unknowns are, well, what would happen to things like ocean circulation? What would happen to precipitation? What would happen to the effect on the amount of energy reaching the ocean? What would happen to the fisheries industry? We don’t really know, and researchers are trying to find out, what those effects might be.

Then there are the unknown unknowns. If you start deliberately changing the cloud system, well, what else might happen that we haven’t anticipated? Do you move the location of where rainfall happens? Do you perhaps upset the monsoon cycle in India? Do you change the ability to grow food in parts of the world?

So if you do this at a bigger scale, the consequences of those potential side effects get more and more severe. And I talked to environmentalists who said that’s a real concern. You just can’t model those risks. And you, to a degree, by pursuing this, have to accept that risk is real and almost roll the dice.

And I guess much like climate change, where you have a group of countries that is most responsible for CO2 emissions that have caused the global warming and then a whole other group of countries that are probably suffering the worst consequences, even though they haven’t contributed to those emissions nearly as much, you might see a situation where this kind of interference with the climate at the initiative of some countries, presumably the wealthy countries that have that technology, would then have unintended consequences in countries that have no control over this. So that’s tricky.

That’s right. And that takes us to a third category of concerns, which is, OK, let’s assume that things are bad enough, that collectively societies want to take those risks of those side effects. Well, then who chooses, who decides when we get to that point? Is there even a mechanism that would allow you to get informed consent from everybody who’d be affected?

And if these would affect everybody, it’s hard to imagine how you would build a governance mechanism that would allow you to say, before we push the button, are we sure everybody is OK with this? The only counter to all of these concerns is compared to what? And this is the point that researchers make.

OK, this is dangerous. OK, it presents challenges, but compared to what? Their point is, don’t compare it to a situation where everything’s fine. Compare it to a situation we’re actually in, where the trajectory of global warming is so serious and isn’t looking like it’ll get better any time soon. Well, compared to those risks, how do these risks compare?

And the question is, would you rather have a world of basically uncontrolled warming? And we have an idea of what that brings, wildfires and drought and sea level rise and storms and diseases. Is that better than some of these more perhaps controlled risks associated with deliberately tinkering with the environment?

So it’s almost like pick your poison. What sort of threats do you want to embrace? And that’s the overwhelming dilemma that we face with this technology.

In a way, what it makes me think, is that these crazy initiatives that we’ve been hearing about from you are yes, they’re testament to our failure in a way to combat climate change so far, because they’re such a last resort, really, such as an act of desperation. But at the same time, it seems like this urgency has actually unleashed a lot of energy and money to tackle the problem.

Yeah, and there’s good news in this. The good news is, the research we’re talking about demonstrates the really amazing capacity of scientists to come up with new ideas, develop new technologies, test them quickly, and at least build some options.

So if there’s any rays of hope around climate change, it’s that humanity’s capacity to innovate and find new ideas is almost endless. So the question is not, are we pursuing the wrong research ideas? The question is, can we find good ideas fast enough to avert the really serious consequences of climate change that we’re already facing?

Chris, I just remember that scientist we heard in the tape from your visit. And she was so excited. And she said that she was really optimistic. I wonder, how are you feeling?

I think the frustration that you’ll hear among climate reporters, and I’m in this group, is that most people seem not to appreciate the severity of the situation that we’re in. There seems to be a view that we’re dealing with this. People are buying electric cars, and we’re getting more solar power and wind power. And things are going the right way, and this will be OK.

Things are not going the right way. Not only are we on the wrong trajectory in terms of emissions, we are so far away from being on the right trajectory for emissions that it’s hard to imagine us cutting emissions globally at a rate anywhere near fast enough to avoid almost unbearable consequences of global warming. So that’s the downside.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Here’s the good news, though. I do think, and this again I think is a view among other climate reporters, the capacity of scientists and of companies to change track and to find new products and apply new ideas is really impressive. It just doesn’t feel like there’s a connection yet between the urgency of the situation and the way people and companies and governments are responding.

And so I guess if the question is, how I feel about this? I am constantly amazed at the ingenuity of the researchers I come across in my job every day. What I don’t yet know about is whether or not society will move fast enough to adopt and apply those ideas before the conditions that we face from climate change become almost unbearable.

Well, Chris, on this cautiously optimistic note, thank you very much.

Here’s what else you need to know today. In a tense phone call with Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, President Biden called the airstrikes that killed seven aid workers this week unacceptable and threatened to condition future support for Israel on how it addresses concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It was the first time that Biden explicitly sought to leverage American aid to influence Israel’s conduct of the war against Hamas. But the White House stopped short of saying directly that the president would halt arms supplies or impose conditions on their use as some fellow Democrats have urged him to do.

And a centrist group called No Labels has abandoned its plans to run a presidential ticket in this year’s election after failing to recruit a candidate. The group, which last year said it raised $60 million, had planned to put forward what it called a bipartisan unity ticket in the event of a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump but in recent months suffered a string of rejections from prominent Republicans and Democrats who declined to run on its ticket.

Today’s episode was produced by Michael Simon Johnson, Eric Krupke, Luke Vander Ploeg and Rachelle Bonja. It was edited by Patricia Willens, contains original music by Rowan Niemisto, Elisheba Ittoop, and Marion Lozano, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

“The Daily” is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Yang, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, MJ Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Michael Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schroeppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez, and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Special thanks to Lisa Tobin, Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, and Nina Lassam.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Katrin Bennhold. See you Monday.

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Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Featuring Christopher Flavelle

Produced by Michael Simon Johnson ,  Eric Krupke ,  Luke Vander Ploeg and Rachelle Bonja

Edited by Patricia Willens

Original music by Rowan Niemisto ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Marion Lozano

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Decades of efforts to cut carbon emissions have failed to significantly slow the rate of global warming, so scientists are now turning to bolder approaches.

Christopher Flavelle, who writes about climate change for The Times, discusses efforts to engineer our way out of the climate crisis.

On today’s episode

new york city house tours

Christopher Flavelle , who covers how the United States tries to adapt to the effects of climate change for The New York Times.

A blue water cannon is spraying water over the deck of an aircraft carrier.

Background reading

Warming is getting worse. So they just tested a way to deflect the sun .

Can we engineer our way out of the climate crisis ?

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Christopher Flavelle is a Times reporter who writes about how the United States is trying to adapt to the effects of climate change. More about Christopher Flavelle

Luke Vander Ploeg is a senior producer on “The Daily” and a reporter for the National Desk covering the Midwest. More about Luke Vander Ploeg

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  24. Millennial Woman Won NYC Affordable-Housing Lottery and Pays $1K Rent

    A millennial woman won the New York City affordable housing lottery after applying for two years. Nkenge Brown, 30, now pays around $1,000 in monthly rent for her one-bedroom Manhattan apartment ...

  25. SUNY Broome looking forward to spring open house

    The college will provide campus tours, discussions and more for prospective students. ... New York News. National. Politics. Get Involved. You Ask, We Answer. ... Johnson City, NY 13790 (607) 729 ...

  26. An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth

    A new technology is attempting to brighten clouds and bounce some of the sun's rays back into space. Hosted by Katrin Bennhold. Featuring Christopher Flavelle. Produced by Michael Simon Johnson ...

  27. 69-year-old man charged in death of beloved 'Star Trek' tour ...

    Police in New York reported Krider missing on April 6. The 40-year-old victim, also known as T.J. Green, was an employee and tour guide at the "Star Trek" set tour in Ticonderoga.