For all its public space, much of New York City is a walled garden \u2014 exclusive, inaccessible, authorized-access-only and otherwise off-limits to the general populace. But on one weekend each year, the nonprofit organization Open House New York briefly grants access to many of the city\u2019s private Edens.<\/p>\n
Open House New York, which was founded by a grassroots group of architects who were inspired to promote openness in our shared urban fabric after the 9\/11 attacks, has been holding its annual OHNY Weekend festival since 2003. More than 50,000 people participate annually.<\/p>\n
The full lineup for 2026\u2019s OHNY Weekend \u2014 Oct. 16, 17 and 18 \u2014 features 300 destinations across the five boroughs, ranging from Con Edison generating stations to artists\u2019 studios, literal walled gardens and a number of behind-the-scenes looks within many city institutions. Almost everything is free, although some limited capacity venues charge $7 to reserve tickets, which will go up for sale at noon on Friday, Oct. 2, and will likely sell out within minutes.<\/p>\n
The entire festival itinerary<\/a> is available to peruse on OHNY\u2019s website and features plenty of returning favorites, including Colossal Media\u2019s East Williamsburg paint shop<\/a>, a pair<\/a> of Rockefeller Center gardens<\/a> known for hosting swanky invite-only parties, and myriad bus<\/a> depots<\/a>, garages<\/a>, boats<\/a>, barges<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n Below, five highlights from this year\u2019s lineup.<\/p>\n Monumental Labs<\/a><\/p>\n Monumental Labs<\/p>\n Among OHNY\u2019s new offerings this year is a large robotic stone carving operation in Greenpoint, Monumental Labs. Visitors will tour the cutting-edge workshop\u2019s 40,000-square-foot fabrication facility, walking the production floor while it’s running and getting to see how artisans expertly create replacement stones and ornaments.<\/p>\n Unticketed. Sunday, Oct. 18 from noon to 4 p.m., Greenpoint.<\/p>\n Roy Lichtenstein\u2019s Studio<\/a><\/p>\n William Jess Laird<\/p>\n Also new to this year\u2019s OHNY offerings is the studio of legendary late pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, which was donated to the Whitney Museum in 2022. Visitors will get a guided tour of the space from a Whitney art historian that will focus on Lichtenstein\u2019s relationship to New York, the history of the studio and the Whitney\u2019s upcoming exhibition on Lichtenstein.<\/p>\n Ticketed. Multiple times on Friday, Oct. 16. The West Village.<\/p>\n Mount Morris Fire Watchtower<\/a><\/p>\n AYON Studio<\/p>\n For those who look up, you may have spotted an unexpected site amid the hustle and bustle of Uptown Manhattan: a stunningly restored, last-of-its-kind 1857 fire watchtower standing proud in Harlem\u2019s Marcus Garvey Park. Visitors will climb the landmarked structure\u2019s spiral staircase and get the opportunity to ring the 5,000-pound bell while enjoying the sweeping views afforded from the top. Expect to wait in line \u2014 access is limited to 12 people at a time.<\/p>\n Unticketed. Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Harlem.<\/p>\n