OUTDOORS Tours & Hikes   ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING The "Shoestring" doesn’t ...

 

ADVENTURE ON A SHOESTRING

The "Shoestring" doesn't have much to do w/tours of Manhattan that vary thematically. This week "The World of Edith Wharton," Sun. at 10:15; "Greenwich Village Ghosts Galore," Sun. at 11:45; "Little Odessa," Sun. at 2:45; "Mayhem Meander," Sun. at 6:30; 212-265-2663 for meeting place; all tours $5.

 

BIG ONION WALKING TOURS

Tours of NY conducted by guides w/advanced degrees in history. This week, "Historic Lower Manhattan at Twilight," Thurs. at 6:30; "Gramercy Park & Union Square," Fri. at 1; "The East Village," Sat. at 1; "Brooklyn Bridge & Heights at Twilight," Sat. at 5; "The Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour," Sun. at 1; 212-439-1090 meeting place & info; all tours $10-$15.

 

BOTANICAL GARDEN TOURS

Tours lead by curators & experts "offer visitors in-depth perspective on new exhibitions, what's in bloom & aspects of home gardening." This week: "Identifying & Controlling Non-native Invasive Plants, w/Mel Williams," Sat.; "Tour the Perennial Garden in Summer," Sun.; 718-817-8700 or www.nybg.org for meeting place; all tours at 2, free w/grounds adm.

 

BROOKLYN CENTER FOR THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Spons. lesson, not on movies, but on movie theaters, explore Flatbush's Great White Way; meet at Flatbush Ave. (Church Ave.), Bklyn., RSVP 718-788-8500 ext. 401, Sat. at 1-3, $8, $5 st./s.c.

 

DR. PHIL'S NY TALKS & WALKS

Licensed guide Philip Schoenberg leads tours of Brooklyn & Manhattan. This week, "Literary Garrets of Greenwich Village," Sat. at 1; "Soho: Imagination, Innovation & Fashion," Sat. at 1; "Twilight Brooklyn Bridge Talk & Walk," Sat. at 6; "Brooklyn Bridge Talk & Walk," Sun. at 1; "German-Jewish LES Talk & Walk plus free wine," Sun. at 1; 1-888-377-4455 for meeting place & price.

 

FRIENDS OF THE UPPER EAST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Pres. "Delano & Aldrich: Architects for the Upper West Side's Elite," walking tour that highlights fashionable architecture from first half of 20th century; meet at 5th Ave. (62nd St.), 212-535-2526; Tues. at 6, $12.

 

GREENWICH VILLAGE CLUB CRAWL

Guided tours of NY music clubs. "Blues, Jazz & more Blues," Weds. & Thurs.; "Jazz, Blues & Stand-Up Comedy or Rock," Fri.; "Rock & Blues," Sat.; 212-875-7019 for meeting place, res. & times; $20 incl. live music.

 

GREENWICH VILLAGE LITERARY PUB CRAWL

Local actors lead tour of four pubs giving literary histories & performances. Stops may incl. Chumley's, the Cornelia St. Cafe, McBell's, the Cedar Tavern & the White Horse Tavern; meets at the White Horse Tavern, 567 Hudson St. (11th St.), 212-613-5796; Sat. at 2, $12, $9 st./s.c.

 

I'LL TAKE MANHATTAN

Walking tours w/Anthony Grifa focus on history, landmarks & famous residents. This week: "The Nooks & Crannies of Greenwich Village," you'll see more than roaches in this part of Manhattan; 732-506-6248 for meeting place & res.; Sat. at 1, $10.

 

JOYCE GOLD WALKING TOURS

History professor Joyce Gold leads tours of NY. This week "Tribeca: the Creative Explosion," the ins & outs from soup to nuts & prints to frames, Sat. at 1; RSVP 212-242-5762 or www.nyctours.com for meeting place; $12.

 

LES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Organization offers free weekly "Shopping on the LES: Pushcarts to Present Day" walking tour; meets in front of Katz's Deli, 205 E. Houston St. (Ludlow St.), 212-226-9010; Sun. at 11, free [through 12/30].

 

LINCOLN CENTER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Sponsors "Sidewalk Surprises in Lincoln Square," tour which explores interiors of cultural & historic buildings; meets at Columbus Circle fountain, 59th St. (B'way), 212-581-3774; Tues. at 11, free.

 

MAKOR'S RECREATION

"Central Park Historical Walk/Lounge Night," feat. walk & snack, Weds. at 6:30; "Sleeping Giant Hike," bring lunch, water, sunscreen & insect repellent, Sun. at 9; 212-601-1000 for meeting place, res. & price.

 

MICHELLE NEVIUS TOURS

NYC-themed tours incl. "The Best of Lower Manhattan," Thurs. at 1; "Exploring Morningside Heights," Mon. at 10; "Upper West Side," Tues. at 3; 877-572-9719 or www.walknyc.com for meeting place; $10, $8 st./s.c.

 

NEW YORK CITY CULTURAL WALKING TOURS

Historical tours w/NYC licensed guide Alfred Pommer. "Gargoyles in Manhattan" examines function, legends, purpose & types of the urban ornaments, Fri. at 10; "Chelsea Walking Tour," explores landmarks, history & more, Sun. at 2; 212-979-2388 or www.nycwalk.com for res. & meeting place; $10-$15.

 

NEW YORK LIKE A NATIVE

Norman Oder leads two tours of Brownstone Brooklyn on alternating Sats. w/"From Park Slope to Brooklyn Heights" & "Brooklyn 101"; 718-393-7537 or nylikeanative.com for sched., meeting places & time; $30 & $12, respectively.

 

92ND ST. Y TOURS

Extensive program of tours & trips in & outside of New York City. This week, "Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue: History, Diversity & Ethnic Desserts," Sun. 1-4; "The Weir Farm & The Aldrich Museum," Sun. 9:30-6:30; "Chaim Gross Studio Museum & Yeshiva University Museum," Sun. 1-4; "Music Mountain: The Bard Music Festival," Sun. 8-7:30; 212-415-5500 for meeting place & price.

 

NYC DISCOVERY

An array of NYC tours. This week, "Little Italy History & Tasting Tour," Sat. at 2, Sun at 12:30; "Gotham City Ghost Tour," Sat. at 5:30, Sun. at 3; RSVP 212-465-3331 for meeting place & more tours; $12-$15.

 

OUTDOOR BOUND

Hikes for health & recreation in & around NYC area. This week: "Oswego River Canoe Trip," Sat.; 212-505-1020 for meeting place, time, price & difficulty.

 

ROCK JUNKET

Walking tour of east village rock, punk & glam sites since 1960s, hosted by two music industry veterans; meet at SW corner 9th St. (3rd Ave.), 212-696-6578; Fri. at 4, $20.

 

SHOREWALKERS

Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving wetlands of NYC & surrounding areas offers a variety of ecologically-oriented tours. This week: "World Trade Center to Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn Bridge Walk," Sun. at 10; 212-330-7686 or www.shorewalkers.org for meeting place & price.

 

STREET SMARTS NY

Historic tours of Downtown Manhattan. This week: "The East Village," Sat. at 2; "Stanford White: Splendor & Scandal," Sat. at 2; "Glorious Gramercy Park," Sat at 6; "Ghostly Greenwich Village," Sat. at 6; "Brooklyn Heights," Sun. at 2; 212-969-8262 for meeting place; all tours $10.

 

TOUR OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Retired NYC police officer Gary leads tour based on his experiences in the force; 212-334-2211, ext.101 or www.imar.com for meeting place, tickets & res.; Weds. & Fri. at 5, Sat. & Sun. at 10, $27.50.

 

URBAN TRAIL CLUB

Sometimes they blaze their own trails, other times they meander. This week, "Westbury Gardens," "Flushing Bay Park & Botanical Garden," & "Hiking & Opera in Forest Park;" 718-274-0407, call for meeting place, time & price.

 

URBAN PARK RANGERS

City of New York pres. events somehow tied to nature proving that they care about things other than criminals & construction. This week, "Open Mic," Sat. at 7; "Bats," Fri. at 7; 212-628-2345 for meeting place & info; free.

 

Parades, Fairs & Around Town

 

AIDSRIDES USA

Join more than 2000 cyclists on a four day, 350 mile, self-paced journey from Bear Mountain, NY to Boston, MA & simultaneously see beautiful scenery & help make Taqueray's Northeast AIDSride "one of the most successful AIDS fund-raisers in history"; 866-648-0747 or www.aidsride.org for meeting place, times & details; Thurs.-Sun., contrib.

 

BODY SMARTS CHALLENGE

Colby Donaldson, from Survivor II, hosts a series of games & trivia to test both your brains & brawn?prizes & treats available; Bryant Park fountain area, 6th Ave (betw. 40th & 42nd Sts.), Wed. 12-2, free.

 

CELEBRATION OF NATIONS FESTIVAL

Ever feel like you should have to carry around your passport to simply change neighborhoods in NY? This festival celebrates that feeling by showcasing NY's cultural diversity through food, art & merchandise; Madison Ave. (betw. 42nd & 57th Sts.), 212-809-4900; Sun. at 11, free.

 

HARLEM BOOK FAIR & UPTOWN ART FESTIVAL

Fun-filled & educational day feat. well?Harlem, books & art; 135th St. (betw. Malcolm X & Adam Clayton Powell Sts.), 212-749-3105; Sat. at 11-7, free.

 

PARK AVENUE SUMMERFEST

What do get when you combine Park Ave., Union Sq. & a festival? A classy, trendy fun time; Park Ave (betw. 14th & 23rd Sts.), 212-809-4900; Sat. at 11-6, free.

 

SANDY HOOK CRUISE

One-hour cruise to Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ to swim, sun, picnic, bird watch, fish, or hike: convenient, relaxing & enjoyable, leave your cell phone home; 800-533-3779 for times, meeting place & res.; $25, $12.50 child [through 9/3].

 

SHOCK WAVE CORE TOUR

Athletes of all levels converge w/their X-treme sporting equipment to jump, flip, glide & probably fall on 35 foot ramp, but at least there will be live music at South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton St. (South St.), 212-732-7678; Sat. & Sun. 11-9, free.

 

TIME'S UP

Environmentalist/bicycle-advocacy group sponsors monthly skates & rides throughout New York City. This week, "Cyclone Ride," to Coney Island, Fri. at 7; "Community Garden Clean Up," in Bed-Sty which will certainly be hard work, but the neighborhood can use all the help it can get!; Sat. at 11-3; 212-802-8222 for meeting place, free.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SKATE

Weekly night skate around Manhattan. Route varies & participants must be comfortable skating in traffic (wear helmet); meet on corner of 14th St. (Union Sq. W.), 212-696-7247 for info; Weds. at 8, free.