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 "Salute to Bastille Day," Sat. at 11; "Charming, Changing Chelsea," Sat. at 1:30; "Greenwich Village Ghosts Galore," Sat. at 3:15; "Marilyn Monroe's Manhattan," Sat. at 5; "Great George!" Sun. at 3:30; 212-265-2663 for meeting place; all tours $5.

 

BERNIE'S NEW YORK

Weekly "adventures" w/Bernie Cohen. This week "Morningside Heights, Cultural Delights"; 718-655-1883 for meeting place & price; Sun. at 2.

 

BIG ONION WALKING TOURS

Tours of NY conducted by guides w/advanced degrees in history. This week, "Brooklyn Bridge & Heights at Twilight," Thurs. at 6:30; "Financial District," Fri. at 1; "Green-Wood Cemetery," Sat. at 1; "Central Park at Twilight," Sat. at 5; "Historic Harlem," 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: "Daylily Daze," Sat.; "The Exotic Courtyard Garden," Sun.; 718-817-8700 or www.nybg.org for meeting place; all tours at 2, free w/grounds adm.

 

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: "Chinatown," food, schmood! you'll get more than that in this part of Manhattan; 732-5066248 for meeting place & res.; Sat. at 1, $10.

 

JOYCE GOLD WALKING TOURS

History professor Joyce Gold leads tours of NY. This week "Hidden Charms of Chelsea: Seminary Solitude & Shocking Inhabitants," 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

"Rafting the Lehigh" feat. a guided rafting trip through the Lehigh River gorge, but you will get wet so bring lunch, sunscreen, towel & change of clothes; 212-601-1000 for meeting place & res.; Sun. at 10, $60.

 

MERCHANT'S HOUSE MUSEUM

Shock of shocks, a tour of New York! This week, "Bond Street Area," explores once wealthy merchant area; 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette St.), 212-777-1089; Sun. at 1, $12.

 

MICHELLE NEVIUS TOURS

NYC-themed tours incl. "The Best of Greenwich Village," Thurs. at 1; "The LES," Mon. at 10; "Upper East Side," Tues. at 1; 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, "A Day in the Hamptons: Artist Studios & Homes," Weds. 8:30-8:30; "PA's Incomparable Barnes Foundation," Weds. 8:30-7:30; "'Hometown' NYC: Sunnyside, Queens," Sun. 10-1; "American Museum of Natural History: A Work in Progress," Sun. 11-1; "Glass Weekend at Wheaton Village: International Art Show," Sun. 8-8; 212-415-5500 for meeting place & price.

 

NYC DISCOVERY

An array of NYC tours. This week, "Hoboken History & Tasting Tour," Sat. & Sun at 1:30; "Union Sq. Historic Tavern Tour," Sat. at 5:30; RSVP 212-465-3331 for meeting place & more tours; $12-$15.

 

OUTDOOR BOUND

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

 

RADICAL walking tours

Bruce Kayton's guided tours of New York have a political slant that is leftist to say the least. This week, "Greenwich Village III: Abbie Hoffman, 1910's & Progressive Churches"; 718-492-0069 for meeting place; Sun. at 1, $10.

 

SHOREWALKERS

Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving wetlands of NYC & surrounding areas offers a variety of ecologically-oriented tours. This week: "Great Pelham Bay Park & Beach," Sat. at 11; "Roosevelt Island Circular," Sun. at 1; 212-330-7686 or www.shorewalkers.org for meeting place & price.

 

STREET SMARTS NY

Historic tours of Downtown Manhattan. This week: "Ghosts on Broadway," Sat. at 2; "Pubs & Poltergeists," Sat at 6 "Soho Ghosts," 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.

 

WILD FOOD

Nature & ecology walk w/"Wildman" Steve Brill, join him as he literally eats various locations, this week, "The Palisades," Sat.; "Cunningham Park," Sun.; 718-291-6825 for meeting place; 11:45-3:45, $10, $5 kids.

 

Parades, Fairs & Around Town

 

ASTORIA HEALTH & SUSTAINABLE LIVING EXPO

Learn about bike repairs, Yoga, Copoeria, Green Party politics, organic produce, composting, urban health, local artists & other hippy-dippy things that make life worth living; Arrow Community Garden, 35th St. (betw. 35th & 36th Sts.) Queens, maztx2@earthlink.net for more info; Sun. at 12-4, free.

 

BASTILLE DAY FESTIVAL

Is it France or NY's LES? Confusion mounts at the second annual festival that recreates French tastes, music & fun for a night in Manhattan; Orchard St. (betw. Stanton & E. Houston St.), 888-825-8374; Sun. at 1-6, free.

 

BASTILLE DAY ON 60TH STREET

Sixtieth St. will also become a "Window on France" w/everything from Chef's Race to Swing Dancing to ethnic Restaurant Row to, of course, wine, bread & cheese; 60th St. (betw. 5th & Lexington Aves.) 212-355-6100; Sun. at 12-6, free.

 

COVE TO COVE SWIM

Jump in the Hudson & see w/your own eyes that you are not the only living thing among the water. Join the half-mile swim from Battery Park city's South Cove to North Cove Yacht Harbor; Battery Park City, West Thames St., 212-267-9700 or www.nycswim.org; Sun. at 1:20, free.

 

HUDSON SQUARE SUMMER FESTIVAL

Trinity Real Estate & Concerts sponsors third annual festival of "cutting-edge" performances, this week composer Joseph Diebes brings "Presence," a concert & conceptual installation piece; 304 Hudson St. (betw. Hudson & Varick Sts.), 212-602-0768; Weds. at 12, free.

 

OLD WORLD ITALIAN STREET FESTIVAL

114th annual Feast of Lady of Mount Caramel & Saint Paulinus of Nola feat. live entertainment, plus vendors w/Italian & international delicacies, parades, bazaar, games, rides, amusements & "dancing off the 80 foot tall, 4 & 1/2 ton Giglio Boat"; N. 8th St. (Havemeyer St.), Bklyn., 718-348-0223; all week, call for days & times, free [through 7/16].

 

RACE FOR THE RIVER

Two swims in one weekend? Yup, the third annual not very clean, but certainly healthy 2.4 mile swim from Pier 62 in Hudson River Park to North Cove Yacht Harbor is in Battery Park. Last year there were a heaping 26 contestants!; Hudson River Park, 23rd St. (West Thames St.), 212-267-9700 or www.nycswim.org; Sun. at 10:40, 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].

 

6TH AVENUE SUMMERFEST

Church of St. John the Baptist pres. a "NYC-Style Street Fair," w/food; 6th Ave. (betw. 23rd & 33rd Sts.), 212-809-4900; Sun. at 11-6, free.

 

TIME'S UP

Environmentalist/bicycle-advocacy group sponsors monthly skates & rides throughout New York City. This week, "People's Environmental Tour of the S. Bronx" for all those who secretly want to get hit by a car, Sat. at 3; 212-802-8222 for meeting place, free.

 

WALL STREET COMMUNITY DAY FESTIVAL SERIES

Does your job involve Wall St. & stress? Then this fair's for you! Feat. authentic & ethnic foods, arts & crafts, antique & new merchandise, plus for sure some guys will be getting high in alleys; Wall St. (betw. South 7 Water Sts.), 212-809-4900; Fri. at 11-6, 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.