Who IS buried in Grant's Tomb? You should go to find out.

In the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan lays Grant's Tomb also known as The General Grant National Memorial. A very cool mausoleum and museum run by the National Park Service that opened over 110 years ago. Rich in history, architecture and grandeur and all dedicated to that 18th President and Civil War General with the bad-ass first name: Ulysses S. Grant. In fact, the park service is celebrating his 189th Birthday on April 27th at the tomb.

Grant’s Tomb is also one of those NYC locations that seemingly no one has visited. Even among locals who have lived here for years and years. Even though the museum is completely free and complimentary tours are offered several times daily, it has a lower profile and is a touch off the beaten path. Another reason is that for much of the 20th Century the landmark fell into severe disrepair and there was even a movement to relocate the museum to Illinois. (wha?). But now, thanks to federal grants in the 90's, the place is in fantastic shape and is even opening a new exhibit and gift shop this very month!

Need an opportunity/excuse to change all that lack of visiting to this unsung NYC staple? That may be coming with the Spring Big Adventure on Saturday, April 30^th! The Big Adventure considers this site a must visit so join us and RSVP on our Faceboook page.

Either way, it is certainly a place worth checking out. And then you’ll finally be able to answer the question of WHO precisely is buried in Grant’s Tomb. 

General Grant National Memorial
West 122nd Street & Riverside Dr
New York, NY 10027
212-666-1640
http://www.nps.gov/gegr/

Saying Adios to The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Tours

The New York City Department of Transportation has squashed All Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Tours. Ah, so sad. The Big Adventure wanted to mark the occasion now that one of the most unique, homegrown NYC tours has been closed.

To catch you up to speed, the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel is officially the world's oldest subway tunnel. This passageway was built way back in 1844 beneath a busy street in Brooklyn. It runs a half-mile long and accommodated two standard gauge railroad tracks. In 1861, the tunnel was sealed, closed and completely forgotten about. 

Fast forward 120 years later to when an intrepid eighteen year old explorer named Bob Diamond rediscovered the long forgotten Atlantic Avenue Tunnel in 1981. Diamond offered Grade A tours to the public for years and years. The tour was incredibly well received and led by a lively guide who doubled as a great story teller. Plus it offered the chance to crawl to unexplored dark places by sneaking down a manhole in the middle a of a busy Brooklyn avenue. The now famous tunnel is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In December,  Diamond even planned to lead a film screening in the tunnel!

  Good times for all until mid-December 2010. Suddenly, the NYC DOT canceled their contract for use of the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel with apparently with little explanation. The NYFD stated that the tours can't continue due the risk of only a single entrance - a ladder through a manhole near Court St. However, that was never an issue for the last 30 years.  Lots of uproar. Lots of surprise. Oh, yes and the NYC government also deep-sixed the one hour National Geographic TV special on the tunnel

We know that The Big Adventure Blog is intended to let you know what you CAN do in NYC, rather than what you can't do, but we wanted to mark the passing (for now) of this fantastic NYC tour. Hope springs eternal as petitions and protests are in the works to get the tunnel reopened. 

Get the whole scoop at 

http://www.brooklynrail.net/no_more_tunnel_tours.html  

UPDATE: On 2/21, the New York Times posted a fascinating article called "Fighting to Return to a Subway Vault" detailing Bob Diamond's lawsuit to get the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Reopened. Amazing writing. Read it here