The Open House concept is great fun: little known private spaces with a lot to say for themselves open their doors to accept visitors for one weekend only. This weekend, New York City folks will have their chance to go all access crazy as the Open House phenomenon hits the big apple for the 7^th year running.

We thought we’d make it easier for NYC residents and visitors to “get with the program” by offering our top 5 Open House must-see locations. Open House is a great way to see another side to the city – an opportunity not to be missed!

You can download the weekend event guide here. We’ve provided page numbers here to help you find the details you’ll need to visit.

Open House is a great way to see another side to the city – an opportunity not to be missed!

1) Exploring the George Washington Bridge (P8)

Set up in collaboration with the Salvadori Center this is a great chance to see the bridge through the eyes of an expert. Take your kids down too, as they’ll be shown how to use architecture theorist Mario Salvadori’s “rules of thumb” to create a scale drawing, and can also build a model of the bridge to take home (ages 4 – 10).

2)   Our Lady of the Scapular & St. Stephen’s Church (P20)

One of New York City’s most spectacular churches, Our Lady of the Scapular & St. Stephen’s Church hosts the United States’ largest and most spectacular mural of the crucifixion. The church is at its most spectacular in stain glass-filtered daylight so plan your visit accordingly!

3)   Writers & Religion in Old Brooklyn Heights (P12)

A great slice of spooky NY Gothic, old Brooklyn Heights has been the home of a wealth of renowned writers over the years: Walt Whitman; Arthur Miller; Henry Miller; Thomas Wolfe; W.E.B. Dubois; Marianne Moore; Norman Mailer; and weird, old Cthulu himself, H.P. Lovecraft.

4)   Lighthouse Tender LILAC (P19)

The Lilac is New York’s only historic steamship.  Now permanently docked on the West Side near the Holland Tunnel, the ship originally served as a lighthouse tender for the U.S. Lighthouse Service from 1933 until 1939. A rare slice of maritime history for all ye land lubbers! Sorry: got a little carried away there.

5)   Boehm House (P24)

This house dates from 1750, and is one of the few remaining examples of rural New York architecture from the time of the American Revolution. The house hosts an exhibit of early building and restoration techniques – a great way to see how this architectural treasure has been preserved over these years.

Please remember that some venues require reservations or other special arrangements – all the contact info you need is to be found in the individual listing!