Final Itinerary –NYC Hidden Gems Big Adventure! – THIS Saturday, October 15th

Since we’re just a few days out from our NYC Hidden Gems Big Adventure which will be exploring the best of undiscovered locales and hidden hideouts this coming Saturday, October 15th, we wanted to send out the complete itinerary for our day. New York City has so many incredible hidden gems, many of which we tend to walk past every day.  This helped make planning this Big Adventure easy. Some of these hidden bars we've discovered are nothing short of sensational –they have no signs and no discernable way in; they require some savvy stealth to enter. We will go to places like St. John the Diving, Angel’s Share, Back Room and more. It’s a shame we can't visit them all in one day. NOTE: Due to the nature of the tour at St. John the Divine, we have (for the first time) limited space on the Cathedral Tour. If you want to join us, you must e-mail us. First come, first serve.

 

We encourage you to pass this information along to anyone who might enjoy New York City’s hidden gems. As per usual, feel free to join for only part of the day or from beginning to end for an event we promise will be unique, affordable, social, and distinctly NYC. Whether you might be attending your first or one thousandth Big Adventure, we think you’ll find this might be our most intriguing. You will find more info (and a chance to RSVP) at facebook.com/TheBigAdventure and The Big Adventure Website.

Cathedral of St. John The Divine – 11:00 AM -Within the Walls Tour: Spotlight on Hidden Spaces

112^th and Amsterdam Avenue, Morningside Heights

 www.stjohndivine.org  -(212) 932-7347 

As part of Open House New York, we’ve gained access to an exclusive tour that they offer only once a year. We’re going to explore some of the most hidden walkways, crypts (yikes), stairways and balconies in the already divine St. John The Divine. We have limited space on this tour so if you want to join, you MUST RSVP in advance via e-mail at Info@NYCBigAdventure.com .  We will confirm your space on the tour.

Sunswick 35/35 Bar - 1:30 PM

 35^th Street & 35^th Avenue,  Astoria, Queens

http://sunswick3535bar.com/ - (718) 752-0620 

Next, we’ll head over to Astoria for the perfect midday stop on a Big Adventure: Comfortable atmosphere, lots of space, solid menu and the friendliest bartenders that side of the East River. And of course, they have a constantly rotating selection of 25 craft and seasonable beers on tap, many of which start at a mouth watering $5 per pint. Bonus: Sunswick is in the middle of their Oktoberfest celebration with a custom food and beer menu.  

Museum of The Moving Image - Jim Henson's Fantastic World (The Muppet Exhibit!) – 3:00 PM

36^th Street and 35^th Avenue,  Astoria, Queens 

http://www.movingimage.us/  -(718) 784-0077

Conveniently located two blocks from Sunswick, The Museum of the Moving image recently underwent a giant multi-million dollar renovation that is dedicated to all things film and television. We’ve always thought this is a criminally underrated world-class museum. And now, the icing on the cake, an entire exhibit dedicated to Muppets. Guided Tour, Sound studio and more. Admission is $12, but many large companies offer discounts, so bring your IDs and love for Piggy, Gonzo, Animal and the gang.

Angel’s Share – 5:30 PM

Meet at Solas Pub-

232 E 9th St (between Stuyvesant St & 2nd Ave) , East Village.  

(917) 402-5217. 

Angel’s Share is such a unique, classy, hidden Gem that we have to meet at a separate bar just so we can guide everyone there. Swanky, but not elite. Classy, but not stuffy, Angel’s Share may be the best tucked away saloon in the city. No sign on the door but amazing cocktails and atmosphere inside.  We will meet at Solas Pub down the street before we go in.

Puck Fair and Big Adventure NYC Hidden Gem Trivia -8:00 PM

 298 Lafayette Street just south of Houston

 http://www.puckfairbar.com/ -(212) 431-1200

Time to rest our feet with a familiar joint. We get some dinner and down time at Puck Fair – The Best Irish Pub you’ve never been to.  We’ll get cozy, make some new friends and embark on a round or two of custom NYC Hidden Gem Big Adventure trivia.

The Back Room -11:00 PM

Or should we call it the Lower East Side Toy Company? This is the ultimate back room speakeasy complete with all the touches from beer in brown bags to dark, wood decor that make you think that you’re dodging Johnny Law in the 1920’s. How to get in? Well, ya gotta be with us. Text us at the number below or meet us at Puck Far to get the password to get inside.

We hope that you’ll join us this Saturday! If you get lost or want to track us down during the day, feel free to call or text us. If you do plan on coming, let us know via e-mail or the Facebook Event Page  so we can plan accordingly. See you on Saturday, October 15^th.

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Key Stop on The NYC Hidden Gems Big Adventure? Muppets at the Museum

 Over the next few days, we'll be announcing each and every stop on the Hidden Gems Big Adventure.  We’re delighted to reveal that one of marquee stops will be to the often forgotten yet amazing Museum of The Moving Image in Astoria where we’ll take a guided tour and enjoy the exhibition “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” or, as it’s being called, The Muppet Showcase!

 Oh, yes. The Big Adventure will be all over this exhibit on Saturday, October 15th. 

 

The Astoria museum that shares a rich history with Kaufman Astoria Studios recently re-opened with a completely renovated home and endless screenings, special exhibitions and tours. However, that talk of the town has been this Muppet exhibit which is getting incredible reviews. 

We've even been following the Mupper Twitter Feed, hilariously run by balcony grumps Statler and Waldorf, juts to get pumped up. 

Things to do in New York City on MLK Day 2011

So, here it is. January 17th. Situated nicely in the middle of a cold winter and wedged between carious snow storms. Just when everyone has finished recuperating from Holidays, along comes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

For many throughout New York, MLK Day usually means a nice break and an extra day off to complete the trifecta of a beloved three day weekend. However, if you're interested in doing a little more today to celebrate the life of one of America's best-known activist and civil leaders, The Big Adventure once again has you covered. Below are three events that caught our eye. All are happening today and all free. Some solid options if you want to step back and reflect on the day in some unique, Big Apple ways.

23rd Annual King Commemorative March- 10:00 AM - Strawberry Fields in Central Park (enter at 72nd and Central Park West) http://www.manhattancountryschool.org/news_events.html 

Join some ethics-minded high-quality eighth-graders from the Manhattan Country School as they take time from their day off to lead a tour throughout the park. Along the scenic walk, the group will stop in several places to give speeches on the theme, "We Have Another Dream: Civil Rights in the 21st Century." Bonus: it ends with hot chocolate being served by the school at the completion of the walk.

Screening & Live Event of "King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery To Memphis" - 3:00 PM -  35th Ave & 37th St. Astoria, Queens

http://www.movingimage.us/visit/calendar/2011/01/17/detail/king-a-filmed-record-montgomery-to-memphis

What a perfect reason to make the trip to the recent renovated and just re-opened Museum of the Moving Image! The Big Adventure loves this place in part because of their numerous screenings.  This tribute documentary uses archival footage of King's life, from the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott to his assassination in 1968, intercut with dramatic readings and interviews by friends. Good: A timely perspective as it was made in 1970. Not so Good: 185 minutes running time. 

Artists Celebrate Dr. King - 6:30 p.m., Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St.

http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6584-artists-celebrate-martin-luther-king-jr-

Renewing this annual tradition, everyone is invited to this presentation of powerful work by artists whose vision coincides with King's voice for justice, peace and civil rights. Enjoy tunes from acclaimed jazz musician Craig Harris and ensemble performs excerpts from God's Trombones, a musical which is centered around bringing to life the teachings of black preachers, but really, just sounds like a joyous thing to hear. 

Also part of the evening is dancing from Remembrance of Things Past,  sampling the text of King's Drum Major speech with dance and video.And some stellar vocalists along with members of the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir will mix up the sounds of Carlebach and African American spirituals.

Need more suggestions? Enjoy from the Big Adventure menu of three more sites below:
Click here to read The New York Daily News' detailed list of events in all five boroughs here 

Also, the usually disappointing About.com has a quality list and nice history here 
 
Last, but not least, our good friends at Hostel Blogger (really) have some events listed for all around town