Art and culture activities in Brooklyn

Design your own cookies at Funny Face Bakery

Wine and dine in an intimate jazz club

From grain-to-glass with Niteglow’s founder

Financial District public art walk with a curator

Explore the Financial District’s iconic public art scene through a walking tour with a curator, visiting sculptures by renowned 20th-century artists and gaining insights into the evolving role of public art in urban spaces. • Visit Zuccotti Park and Louise Nevelson Plaza, where we’ll engage in lively conversation about the role of architecture and design in public art and the importance of location. • See pieces like Group of Four Trees by Jean Dubuffet and the Red Cube by Isamu Noguchi, and learn about the artists’ intentional decisions to interact with the surrounding environments in unique ways. • Learn about the history of public art in the Financial District, and the artists who lived and worked in the Coenties Slip area. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how public art transforms urban landscapes, enriches civic spaces, and shapes cultural identity.

Before Stonewall: A queer walking tour of Greenwich Village

Join a journalist on a walking tour of Greenwich Village, visiting the homes and haunts of LGBTQ+ writers who lived, worked or were incarcerated in the decades before the Stonewall riots. • We'll meet up near the site of Eve's Hangout, considered by some to be the first lesbian bar in New York City and whose proprietor holds a special place in queer literary history. As we walk to other historic sites we'll hear more about the nightlife scene of the early 20th century, and how luminaries like Audre Lorde and Lorraine Hansberry navigated queer life. • We'll visit the former site of the Women’s House of Detention, which housed many incarcerated queer people, and I'll share its relevance to early LGBTQ+ life in the Village. • After stops to honor and consider other queer women whose literary works left lasting impressions on both our culture and the literary canon, we'll conclude at Henrietta Hudson, a lesbian bar open since 1991, to talk about present-day LGBTQ+ life in New York and beyond. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the lives of LGBTQ+ people whose work, activism and bravery led to the modern queer rights movement, and I'll send you on your way with a list of further readings if you'd like to continue learning about this fascinating era! The tour has a bathroom break at the halfway mark, and we'll walk about 1.5 miles in total.

The History and Craft of Natural Incense

Take a deep breath and relax as you discover the therapeutic craft of incense making. • You’ll discover the origins of incense and its use in ancient timekeeping and ceremonial practices while savoring traditional Korean tea and snacks. • Learn how incense once served as a precursor to perfume and its diverse applications in rituals and medicine. • Immerse yourself in the art of natural incense making by mixing your own batch with organic woods, herbs, resins + oils. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and inspired, with your very own personalized scent packaged in a beautifully crafted pine wood box.

Explore niche perfumes in Brooklyn with a perfumer

Take a personalized scent journey through Williamsburg with a professional perfumer. The theme of our route is exploration through scent and its connection to memory, identity, and artistry. • After you book the tour, I’ll connect with you to get an idea of the scents you are looking for. Then I’ll create a personalized card of fragrances to look for at the perfumers we visit. • We’ll stop in at three brands—D.S. & Durga, Byredo, and Stele. At each stop, the team members will give you an overview of the brand’s fragrances, and I’ll offer my assistance as you shop. • I have a relationship with all of these brands, some of which will offer you exclusive discounts during the tour. On this one-of-a-kind shopping experience, you’ll get insider access to some of New York City’s most exciting niche perfumers as well as expert guidance in choosing the perfect fragrances for you.

Graffiti Workshop Brooklyn

This unique hands-on workshop allows participants to create their own graffiti art project with the help of an authentic NYC graffiti artist. Learn the tips and techniques of aerosol art from fill-ins to masterpieces as you immerse yourself in the graffiti art culture. The workshop takes place in our beautiful Brooklyn art studio in the heart of Bushwick Brooklyn. Cultivating creative thought and a welcoming environment, this experience is designed for all ages and talent levels. Leave this workshop with a greater understanding of this still misunderstood craft and of course your newly created work (canvas sold seperately). This experience is also great for team building and groups as well.

Manhattan Architecture & Urban Design Walk

Curious about how and why Manhattan is built up the way it is? Looking for a fun, alternative daytime activity to do during your visit? A departure from your average sightseeing tour, you'll be receiving the "locals-only treatment" that won't disappoint. Using curated sites on the streets as our canvas, this Experience explores the Big Apple’s built landscape through world-class architecture, fascinating urban planning, and fun facts about the city's early days along the way. You'll also learn about the history and details of structures that are overlooked in everyday life, and how buildings and public spaces have informed each other from the late 19th century until today. David currently alternates tour routes through Chelsea, Lower East Side/SoHo, or the Financial District. Each stop along the tour's route will discuss a different theme of planning and architecture that will build upon each other until the conclusion of the tour. The walking tour will last 2.5 hours and each route covers the same topics. Guests will have the opportunity to walk indoors to stop for a snack/beverage along the way, and there will be plenty of opportunities to use the restroom. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and please be sure to bring plenty of water during the summers. For inclement weather, please stay tuned the day before in case of cancellation or rescheduling.

Wall St and Financial District Tour

Wall Street is a renown symbol of economic might and ironically also the embodiment of corporate greed. This tour provides a deep insight into how consulting firm, investment banks, and financial markets work. Going forward it covers the 2008 Financial Collapse and the headline news of GameStop. Strolling through cobblestone streets, learn how Bernard Madoff executed the largest Ponzi Scheme in history. Then proceed to a detailed understanding of how cryptocurrencies work. No Wall Street tour will be complete without a full explanation of why in 2020, oil prices plummeted from $18 a barrel -$37. Yes, oil producers were paying people $37 a barrel to take it off their hands. This tour exposes financial charlatans and is the perfect primer for those interested in how finance and financial markets operate. We’ll visit the Wall Street District and the World Financial Center. All hosts are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are required to wear a face mask when conducting tours

Street art scene with insider

From the grand cast-iron maidens in SoHo to the tenements of the Lower East Side, from the bustling streets of Chinatown to the delicious tasty treats found in Little Italy, we’ll dive into the histories and personalities that make these some of the most important neighborhoods in the world. Along the way we will see murals created for LISA Project NYC by internationally-famous street artists and learn about the process and stories behind each piece. Who knows, we might get lucky and catch an artist at work! NYC has always been the world’s creative epicenter. We love exploring with travelers, and we invite LOCALS to be a tourist in your own city and see the artistic spirit of Lower Manhattan. By booking your tour, you’re also giving back by supporting LISA Project NYC – a city-based, public art charity creating beautiful murals and raising awareness for local issues via this artistic medium. Afterwards, stop in to one of the lovely small businesses or grab a delicious lunch when the tour ends in Little Italy. You won’t be disappointed, and you can take pride investing back in the community. Everyone loves this tour! Kids, dates, dogs, students, your Pandemic Pod… we’ll make sure you have a great time. Mask up, bring your friends, have some high-quality, socially-distanced fun! Rain and cold weather won't stop us! So check the forecast and dress comfortably

The Brooklyn Way

Discover two of NYC's most picturesque neighborhoods: Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO, in one epic tour! Appreciate the legacy of beautiful Brooklyn Heights in the fight for liberty, social justice and unity and enjoy the art, culture and views of DUMBO. This experience is great for singles, couples, families, and team building! Some of the highlights include: - Impressive architecture & history in America's 1st suburb - The role Brooklyn played in American Independence - The Brooklyn Heights Promenade with amazing, sweeping views of NY Harbor and Manhattan's skyline! - Plymouth Church, "Grand Central Terminal" of the Underground Railroad that helped runaway slaves escape - Learn about influential people who called Brooklyn Heights home, past and present. - Brooklyn Bridge Park, one of the most beautiful in NYC - DUMBO secrets and street art - Iconic view and photo spot of the Manhattan Bridge - The epic story of the Brooklyn Bridge and the extraordinary woman behind it. There will be many sweet photo opportunities on this tour and I am a skilled photographer, happy to capture some unforgettable pictures of you :) I want this experience to be one of the highlights of your NYC visit. Appreciate the beauty and history of the Heights, the sights of DUMBO, make new friends, and "Spread Love, It's the Brooklyn Way!

See 30+ Top New York Sights.Fun Guide!

30+ New York Sights in one tour! Fun local guide I will guide you on an exploration of New York’s major landmarks. This will give you a good idea of the history, culture & legends of one of the world best-loved cities We start on Wall St. Where we will see iconic buildings, Ground Zero & The NY stock exchange (Bull statue & Fearless girl statue) Walking to City Hall we glimpse the Brooklyn Bridge and the famous Court Houses that took down the Mafia We then go through the 5 Points, China Town & Little Italy districts. Lots of history in this area. Gangsters, amazing food & iconic buildings (The Woolworth Building : Fantastic Beasts Connection) The Iconic Flatiron building is our next stop. Once we have taken photos of this iconic landmark we continue up 5th. Great photo of Empire State Building & the Chrysler Building, Bryant Park and we go inside the famous Grande Central Train Station. Next on our list is Times Square / Rockefeller Centre Top of 5th Avenue is our next destination. Sights include : St Patrick's Cathedral, Trump Tower, The Plaza & many more! Last stop : The Plaza You will see everything! Other things to note This is a walking tour :wear comfortable shoes Plenty of opportunity to buy food & drinks along the way Slow paced and good fun! We do not go inside any of the main attractions Gratuities not included

New York Mafia Experience- Detective Guided Insider’s Story

Guided by retired NYPD officers. Get the insider's perspective on the infamous Mafia crime families of New York City on this walking experience guided by active & retired NYPD Detectives and Police Officers. Come hungry as food provided equals a 3 Course full dinner! The stories of the violent and elusive underworld of the Mafia have captivated each of us – with a whole genre of movies and novels dedicated to New York’s gangsters. On this experience you immerse yourself in that world and become familiar with the characters, their history, the places, and the unbelievable real-life events thanks to the insider information. Guided by retired NYPD officers that grew up in the shadow of the Mafia. You’ll hear about all the drama of this most sinister yet riveting world of gangsters, while also indulging in delicious Italian food. If you’re into criminal history, the Mafia, or gangsters, then this larger-than-life tour will more than deliver! Please note: * Vegetarian options are available, upon advanced request. * Please arrive no later than 5:15 PM * Make sure to dress appropriately (due to different weather conditions), and wear comfortable shoes to be able to walk 1.5 miles at a brisk pace. Food: Spaghetti & meatball, Eggplant Rollatini , Large Sicilian cannoli. drinks are not included but can be purchased on the day