Get news about WITS, plus our free(!) and paid online events to help grow your blog, your business, and your partnerships.

14 May 2025, 10am-1pm entry
15 May 2025, 10am-1pm entry
18 May 2025, 4-8pm entry

Experience the awe-inspiring 360° views at One World Observatory, situated atop the iconic One World Trade. Since its opening in 2015, visitors have been able to take in the magnificent New York City skyline from a climate-controlled indoor space, located over 100 stories above the bustling streets. It's the highest point in the city, offering a truly unparalleled views.

Your ticket grants you access at any point during its time window. May be booked to overlap with timed tours.

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Entry Point: One World Observatory, 117 West St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 1-4pm entry
15 May 2025, 1-7pm entry

You’re invited to explore the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, a vital institution dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and legacy of the Jewish people, from ancient roots to modern resilience. Also enjoy a gift card to LOX at Cafe Bergson, the most perfect hidden gem in Lower Manhattan. The museum's in-house restaurant serves a modern twist on classic Jewish deli fare. Enjoy bagels with house-cured lox, schmear, and pickled vegetables, along with dishes like smoked fish platters, matzo ball soup, and latkes. The menu also features creative takes on favorites, such as pastrami sandwiches and rugelach.

Your ticket grants you access at any point during its time window. May be booked to overlap with timed tours.

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point: Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 9am-3:30pm entry
19 May 2025, 9am-3:30pm entry

Enjoy general admission to the Statue of Liberty (grounds only) and Ellis Island! While in Downtown NYC, visit the most Iconic lady of all: Lady Liberty. Head to Castle Clinton with your ticket on the Statue Cruises ferry, which includes access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Your ticket also gets you access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, where you can make a rubbing of an immigrant's name on a wall to commemorate someone in your family. The wall is located on the northeast corner of the island. Be sure to bring a piece of paper and a crayon to create your rubbing.

Your ticket grants you access at any point during its time window. May be booked to overlap with timed tours.

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Entry Point: Ferry terminal is at the Castle Clinton National Monument in the southernmost part of Battery Park (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 2-4pm entry

You’re invited to experience the South Street Seaport Museum, a pivotal institution that tells the story of New York’s rise as a global maritime power. The museum preserves the legacy of South Street, once the epicenter of international trade in the 19th century. Here, you’ll learn about the Port of New York’s role in shaping global commerce, immigration, and industry. You’ll also be one of the first to see Maritime City, a new exhibition that highlights how New York City as we know it today arose from the sea. Throughout the extensive three-floor exhibition, objects on view underscore how the city’s identity as a global capital of culture and finance is rooted in its origins as a seaport. A highlight of the Museum is the 1885 tall ship Wavertree, a fully restored 19th-century iron-hull cargo ship, which offers a tangible connection to the era when the Seaport was one of the busiest ports in the world. The museum’s historic buildings and collections bring to life the dramatic transformation of New York from a fledgling city to the heart of global trade.

Your ticket grants you access at any point during its time window. May be booked to overlap with timed tours.

Meeting Point: South Street Seaport Museum entrance, 12 Fulton St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 10:15am-12:15pm ET
15 May 2025, 12:45-2:45pm ET

Experience the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on an expert-led tour that offers a deeper understanding of 9/11 and those affected by the attacks through compelling stories and monumental historical artifacts. This tour explores the events of the day of September 11, 2001, the factors leading up to the attacks, and how that day continues to shape our world. This museum, located nearly 70 feet underground, consistently ranks as one of the top museums in America. When your tour is through, you will head up to the outdoor memorial area, which is home to the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, the Memorial Pools.

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point: 9/11 Memorial & Museum entrance, 180 Greenwich St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 11am-12:30pm

Step inside the renowned China Institute Gallery for an exclusive private tour, offering an intimate look at over 5,000 years of Chinese history and culture. As the first U.S. gallery dedicated solely to Chinese art, this is a rare opportunity to explore masterpieces, from ancient ritual bronzes to contemporary works. In May, you'll experience the "Eternal Offerings" exhibition, showcasing exquisite bronzes from the Shang to Qing dynasties. Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into China’s rich artistic legacy!

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point: China Institute of America entrance, 40 Rector St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 1-3:30pm

This fascinating original walk starts in the 1600s and ends in the present day. Step back in time to uncover the untold stories of Lower Manhattan and explore how the indigenous Lenape’s island of Manhatta became a refuge for dreamers, dissenters, the famine-struck, and the fortune-hunters, all striving for a better life. From the early Dutch settlers to Jewish refugees, Irish Catholics, to early African-American worship, we discover how the struggle for religious tolerance helped shape a thriving melting pot and ultimately today’s multicultural center of Art, Power & Money. Along the way, we’ll visit hidden landmarks, an underground museum, a lost neighborhoods and iconic sites.

Meeting Point: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine, 7 State Street, open space to the left of the church by the MIFFY sculpture (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 1-3pm
14 May 2025, 4-6pm

Tour an Italian market and get a custom cooking class in the heart of Downtown NYC. This exclusive culinary experience begins at Foodiversità, where you’ll enjoy your first tasting of fresh bread paired with three types of olive oil. The tour continues with stops at key stations like the Mozzarella Lab, where you’ll taste fresh mozzarella, and the Salumi & Formaggi counter for bites of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto Crudo. You’ll also explore Eataly’s butcher, fish, and fresh pasta counters before ending with a gelato tasting. This tour is followed by a hands-on cooking activity at Foodiversità, where you'll learn new culinary skills from Eataly’s expert chefs. Perfect for food lovers looking to dive into authentic Italian flavors and techniques!

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point: Eataly Downtown entrance, 101 Liberty St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 4-5:30pm

Step into the hidden history of the South Street Seaport and discover the women who shaped its legacy. This fun, educational tour highlights the stories of women who were integral to New York’s waterfront operations; shaped the visual landscape of the Seaport District; led movements for workers' rights and suffrage; and were local entrepreneurs, owning taverns, inns, and shops that fueled the Seaport’s economy. Explore how these women transformed the area into a cultural hub and played a pivotal role in preserving its historic character. You’ll earn points along the tour route by answering trivia questions and participating in interactive activities, with a prize going to the ultimate winner.

Meeting Point: Fresh Salt, 146 Beekman St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 4-5:30pm
15 May 2025, 4-5:30pm

Embark on a 90-minute walking tour through the South Street Seaport Historic District and Lower Manhattan, uncovering the darker side of New York's past. Your guide will share scandalous stories from the 1790s to the 1990s, offering a new perspective on the area’s role in shaping the city. Test your “Ear for Crime” in an interactive game with a prize for the winner. The tour begins at Ryan Maguire’s Bar & Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a drink and hear intriguing tales before the walk begins.

Meeting Point: Ryan Maguire’s Bar & Restaurant, 28 Cliff St (Google Maps Link)

14 May 2025, 4:30-6pm
18 May 2025, 4:30-6pm

Set sail with Manhattan By Sail aboard the mighty Clipper City, NYC’s largest and most iconic tall ship, for an unforgettable golden hour cruise just for WITS attendees. Departing from Pier 17 at the Seaport, this private sail offers unbeatable views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline — all from the calm and scenic waters of New York Harbor. Grab a drink from the full bar, soak in the skyline, and snap those perfect NYC photos as the sun begins to set. This is Downtown New York City at its most magical.

This activity is wheelchair accessible.

Meeting Point: Clipper City, Pier 17, 89 South St (click for directions or Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 9:30-11:30am ET

New York City 4 All is a NYC-based tour company led by Italian polyglot and tourism entrepreneur Kiara Di Paola. This tour will take you around Lower Manhattan, highlighting women business owners and important historical markers that showcase the power and impact of women throughout the history of the Financial District.

Meeting Point: Outside the Equitable Building, 120 Broadway (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 1-3pm

Join Jack McGarry, owner of the iconic Dead Rabbit Irish pub and cocktail bar (named Best Cocktail Bar in the World!) to learn how to create both classic cocktails and signature drinks from the Dead Rabbit’s legendary menu. Whether you're looking to elevate your at-home bar or simply master the art of mixology, you'll gain the skills to craft cocktails that will impress at any occasion.

Meeting Point: The Dead Rabbit, 30 Water St (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 1-3pm

Get exclusive access to a private, guided tour of the historic 1908 Lightship Ambrose. Step aboard this remarkable vessel, which served as a manned floating lighthouse, braving harsh weather conditions to safely guide ships into New York Harbor. For millions of immigrants and migrant workers, the Ambrose Lightship marked the "front door" to America. Over its years of service, approximately 6.5 million people passed by this iconic ship, making it not only a beacon of safety but a powerful symbol of hope and liberty for those arriving in the New World.

Meeting Point: South Street Seaport Museum entrance, 12 Fulton St (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 4-7pm

Join us for an exclusive 3-hour printing experience at Bowne & Co. Collaborate with Bowne’s designers to create a custom set of 35 notecards using a 19th-century printing press. Set type from the museum’s historic collection, mix ink, and print your stationery by hand. No experience needed—just creativity! Bowne & Co., New York’s oldest operating business, offers a rare opportunity to work with their vintage presses and learn the art of small-batch printing.

Meeting Point: Bowne & Co., 211 Water St (Google Maps Link)

15 May 2025, 5-7pm

Join BagelUp at Bagel Market’s newest location in Lower Manhattan for an Artisan Hands-on Bagel Baking class led by BagelUp's award-winning baker Reva Castillenti. In this one-of-a-kind NYC experience, you’ll roll, boil, and bake your own bagels while uncovering the secrets behind the city’s most iconic food—is it really the water? Enjoy your creations hot from the oven paired with classic spreads. Leave with a dozen bagels, new skills, and a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind New York's famous food.

Meeting Point: Bagel Market, 110 Wall Street (Google Maps Link)

18 May 2025, 4-5:30pm

Step into the untold history of New York, where the city's most enigmatic residents—its cats—shaped the streets with their silent paws. Our walking tours aren’t just a stroll; they’re a journey into the lives of the courageous and curious cats who left their mark on the 1800s and early 1900s. Led by Peggy Gavan, an acclaimed storyteller and cat historian, each tour uncovers the mysteries and charm of NYC’s feline past.

Meeting Point: Joie de Vivre sculpture, Zuccotti Park, 135 Broadway (Google Maps Link)