47 free things to do in New York City (NYC) on Wednesday, May 17, 2017
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Join The Rise NYC, a community-driven pop-up fitness group, for a Boot Camp in the park. Rotations through ...
more >> exercises like crunches, planks, push-ups, burpees, and mountain climbers ensure a mixture of cardio and strength training that will keep you coming back--and seeing results. No equipment necessary; smiles and high-fives encouraged. Rain or shine. Every Wednesday.
This is a 3-hour tour that begins with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, an icon of New York City for ...
more >> over 125 years, with spectacular views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The tour then moves on to a stroll of Brooklyn Heights, America’s and New York City’s first suburb. The tour then explores the neighborhood DUMBO before ending at the Fulton Ferry landing.
The 3-hour walking and subway tour covers the Financial District including Wall Street and the World ...
more >> Trade Center, SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown. These are neighborhoods that simply can’t be fully appreciated from a bus. There will be one or two opportunities to sample tasty treats.
Once described as the lungs of the city, Central Park brings a breath of fresh air to New York's crowded ...
more >> urban terrain. What started out as the rocky and desolate northern fringes of a rapidly expanding city is today among the world's most famous and beloved public parks. With over 843 acres of meadows, hills, ball fields and bodies of water, it's impossible not to find something to enjoy in Central Park.
Greenwich Village is among Manhattan's most desirable and expensive residential neighborhoods. It's history, ...
more >> however, betrays it's monied status. The Village, with it's quiet, shaded streets, lined with lovely brick and brownstone townhouses, was once the incubating ground of artistic, social and political movements that have helped shape US history. From the Beats to the Folk Movement, from workers rights to gay rights, the Village has often been the center of it all.
Learn the basic features of Microsoft Word 2010, a word processing program you can use to create documents. ...
more >> Topics include entering and editing text, saving files, and formatting.
Get inspired by the beautiful expanse of the Hudson River and New York Harbor and by the verdant park, ...
more >> with its very special Hot and Cool gardens; each flower-filled and colorful throughout the season. All art materials are provided.
11:00 am
free, no reservation required
On this east-west walk you will see some of the Park's most well-known landmarks, including Conservatory ...
more >> Water, Bethesda Terrace, the Lake, and Strawberry Fields. Route involves a few stairs. 90 minutes.
11:00 am
free, no reservation required
Join an enjoyable walking tour of the park, and discover how they successfully transformed "Needle Park" ...
more >> of the 1970s into Manhattan's Town Square of today. The guides are loaded with expertise on the park's rich history, award-winning design, distinct amenities, and ongoing maintenance efforts. Every Wednesday.
Test your coordination and dexterity with free juggling lessons in the park. All skill levels are welcome ...
more >> to join in the fun. Equipment is provided.
12:00 pm
free, no reservation required
The keyboard works of Bach offered in 30-minute meditations by Patrick Allen, organist and master of ...
more >> choristers, and Mary Pan, organ scholar. Bach at Noon concerts takes place Tuesdays through Fridays, from September 13, 2016 to May 25, 2017.
12:20 pm
free, no reservation required
This memoir of a decade-long friendship reveals the very private DiMaggio as he really was—sometimes ...
more >> demanding, sometimes big-hearted, always impeccable, loyal, and a true stand-up guy—while serving up illuminating stories and rare insights about the people in his life, including his teammates, Muhammad Ali, Sandy Koufax, Woody Allen, and more.
12:30 pm
free, no reservation required
An in-depth look at the unique architecture and exquisite beauty of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom ...
more >> House. Designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1907, the Custom House is a National Historic Landmark. The building’s interior splendor includes an elliptical rotunda with a 140-ton dome skylight designed by Valencia-born engineer Raphael Gustavino and murals by New York painter Reginald Marsh, as well as monumental marble arches and columns. Tours include a visit to the Collectors Office, not normally accessible to the public. Takes place daily.
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Directed by Church Street School for Music and Art, the BPC Chorus is open to all adults who love to ...
more >> sing. Learn a mix of contemporary and classic songs, and perform at community events throughout the year.
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Learn about central banking functions that Federal Reserve System performs and see Bank's vault of international ...
more >> monetary gold on bedrock of Manhattan Island, five stories below street level. Learn why Federal Reserve has "Federal" in its name, while it's a private bank, not Federal at all. Tour times: 1:00pm, 2:00pm. This tour takes place Mondays through Fridays, except bank holidays.
Bringing to vivid life the emotions of the people of ancient Greece, and prompting questions about how ...
more >> we express, control, manipulate, or simulate feelings in our own society, A World of Emotions: Ancient Greece, 700 BC–200 AD is a path-breaking exhibition.
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Juilliard students share their talent with the community in this hour-long, lunchtime concert on Wednesday ...
more >> afternoons throughout the season.
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Take a mid-day pause to refresh your mind and re-establish your center in the midst of bustling city ...
more >> life. Meditation is a powerful tool to eliminate stress, to heal the body, mind, and brain, and to enhance your personal well-being and positive relationship with the world.
1:00 pm
$10 suggested donation
1:00 pm
free, no reservation required
This is the first feature documentary about the incomparable Dr. Maya Angelou (1928–2014), best known ...
more >> for her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Dr. Angelou lived a prolific life as a singer, dancer, activist, poet, and writer, and inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries. This unprecedented film weaves her words with rare and intimate archival photographs and videos, which paint hidden moments of her exuberant life during some of America’s most defining moments.
This class will demonstrate the first steps and highlight the basic resources in genealogical research, ...
more >> and serve as an introduction to using genealogy and local history collections at NYPL.
2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Editor's Pick
During the run of the exhibitions Eugen Gabritschevsky: Theater of the Imperceptible and Carlo Zinelli ...
more >> (1916–1974), the Bill Wurtzel trio will perform music that celebrates the creativity and expressiveness of the human mind.
2:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Arguably the world's most valuable, busiest and most crowded pieces of real estate, Midtown Manhattan ...
more >> is what most visitors think of when they think of New York City. Home to some of the city's most iconic architecture, from Gothic to Post-Modern and from Beaux-Arts to Art Deco (lots of Art Deco). it's not difficult to understand why. But just behind the massive facades, lie facinating histories just waiting to be unveiled.
Many people are challenged when trying to draw the human figure. This workshop offers everyone a chance ...
more >> to improve their skills through a wonderful outdoor figure drawing class. Meets each Wednesday afternoon from May 6 through October 28, 2017.
2:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Play the popular strategy game while getting pointers and advice from an expert. Chess improves concentration, ...
more >> problem-solving, and strategic planning – plus it’s fun. For ages 5 and up (adults welcome).
3:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Once described as the lungs of the city, Central Park brings a breath of fresh air to New York's crowded ...
more >> urban terrain. What started out as the rocky and desolate northern fringes of a rapidly expanding city is today among the world's most famous and beloved public parks. With over 843 acres of meadows, hills, ball fields and bodies of water, it's impossible not to find something to enjoy in Central Park.
5:30 pm
free, no reservation required
In today’s constantly connected world, bringing some calm to a crowded mind can be difficult. Meditating ...
more >> for just a few minutes a day can make you happier, healthier, and reduce the stress of daily life. Our simple, convenient approach is rooted in history, based in science and comes with some serious benefits. Join us and experience the many benefits of meditation firsthand. In this class, you will: Be taught the basics of meditation and how to start a daily practice Learn more about the effects of meditation on the mind and body Understand how meditation can reduce stress at work and beyond
Editor's Pick
Polka with The Polka Brothers and instructors Aleksandra Ola Kozlowska + Piotr Kiszka. Dance Party, ...
more >> hosted and produced by Talia Castro-Pozo, includes superb bands and expert dance instruction for extraordinary dancing experiences each Wednesday evening. Learn the steps from 6pm - 7pm and then test out your new moves to live music from 7pm to 8:30pm. The Polka Brothers are a four-man band of young polka lovers, out to spread the joy of polka, one wild party at a time. They're a well-oiled polka machine, boasting a fearless repertoire that includes classic polka favorites, pop and rock gone polka, and unforgettable originals.
6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Build your empire and trade your way to 10 victory points, all while practicing for two special Settlers ...
more >> of Catan tournaments. Participants who win a game can enter a raffle to win a valuable Park Prize pack at the end of the Game Social season.
6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Open space, fresh sea air, and the floral scent of the gardens will help you stretch away the stress ...
more >> of the workday and allow you to let go of the hectic buzz of city life. Whether you’re still learning Child’s Pose or have mastered the Twisted Half Moon, our expert yoga instructor will guide you through a routine that works for you. Please bring your own mat.
6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Have you ever walked out of an interview thinking it went well, but then you didn’t get the job? Or ...
more >> felt a great conversation come to a halt as soon as you answered their salary question? Perhaps in one interview you felt a bit too nervous, or you simply want to polish up your interviewing skills. If any of these are true for you, then you’ll want to attend this seminar. Robert Hellmann shares field-tested strategies and techniques (and dispels myths) to boost your likelihood of acing the interview.
6:00 pm
free, no reservation required
In September 2012, John Ku founded Manor Road Capital. Today, the company is a $750 million long/short ...
more >> equity hedge fund that employs a concentrated value investing approach. Ku discusses his personal experiences in the investment industry.
Editor's Pick
Celebrating the publication of the new book, the critically acclaimed photographer Beth Moon and photographer ...
more >> Renate Aller discuss Moon's encounters with the world’s most ancient collection of great arboreal specimens.
This illustrated lecture features photographs and history of abandoned sites where resorts, hotels and ...
more >> bungalow colonies once boomed in the Catskill Mountain region of upstate New York.
6:30 pm
free, no reservation required
Please join the 2016 Fellows and hear what they’ve been working on before they graduate the program. ...
more >> Reading will be Daniel DiStefano, Marie Holmes, Kay Iguh, Swati Khurana, Hafeez Lakhani, Danny Lorberbaum, Zulma Ortiz-Fuentes, Dan Sheehan, and Erin Somers.
As part of the interdisciplinary music program Ursula Block’s gelbe MUSIK – 33 Years in Review highlighting ...
more >> the history and archive of experimental music and the work of sound art curatorial pioneer Ursula Block, a film selection under the title Experimental Music on Film, curated by Block, is screened.
7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Join award-winning cartoonist Guy Delisle (Pyongyang, Jerusalem) for the launch of his highly anticipated, ...
more >> non-fiction page-turner. He’ll be interviewed by Simon Ostrovsky, investigative reporter at CNN. Set in the Caucasus region in 1997, Hostage tells the true story of Doctors Without Borders administrator Christophe Andre who was held captive for over three months. Recounting his day-to-day survival while conveying the psychological effects of solitary confinement, Delisle’s storytelling doesn’t just show André’s experiences, but brings you into the room alongside him. Hostage is a thoughtful, intense, and undeniably moving graphic novel that takes a profound look at what drives our will to survive in the darkest of moments.
Culled from 50 years’ worth of columns from one of the country’s most popular sportswriters, It Happens ...
more >> Every Spring stands as a remarkable and evocative anthology that is guaranteed to delight baseball fans of all ages.
Editor's Pick
Before he runs out of time, Irish bon vivant Malachy McCourt shares his hilarious, poignant views on ...
more >> death. He trains an eye on the tragedies that have shaped his life, including Angela's famous ashes. McCourt takes the Grim Reaper by the lapels and shakes the truth out of him. He shows us how to live life to its fullest, how to grow old without acting old and how to die without regret.
7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
While visiting Istanbul, the (somewhat awkward) King of Belgium receives word that Wallonia has seceded ...
more >> from his country, a national crisis that necessitates his immediate return. But when a sudden electrical storm makes flying impossible, he finds himself forced to make the journey by car. 94 min.
7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Globally acclaimed teacher Stephen Ritz shows how, in one of the nation's poorest communities, his students ...
more >> thrive in school and in life by growing, cooking, eating and sharing the bounty of their green classroom. Ritz has since seen near-perfect attendance and graduation rates, dramatically increased passing rates on state exams and behavioral incidents slashed in half.
7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
7:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Editor's Pick
Stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker. When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the ...
more >> world, linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of the apparent alien visitors. 116 min.
8:00 pm
free, no reservation required
Learn the basics features of Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac, a word processing program you can use to create ...
more >> documents. Topics include entering and editing text, saving files, and formatting. Class is conducted on Macintosh computers.
Stand-up comedy show (that has been featured on MTV, and that fills to standing-room only each week). ...
more >> The show is produced by Brendan Fitzgibbons (The Onion, McSweeney's) and Lance Weiss (Carolines on Broadway) with comedians from David Letterman, Vh1, MTV, The Onion, and Comedy Central. Free pizza!
9:00 pm
free, no reservation required