Open House New York Weekend runs Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, opening more than 300 destinations across the five boroughs for behind-the-scenes tours. More than 30 sites flag activities for kids, and almost all of them are drop-in: no tickets, free during open hours. These are the Brooklyn ones, plus the Navy Yard’s own open house.
Greenway Botanical Garden at the Naval Cemetery Landscape | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18 | 12–6pm | 61 Williamsburg Street West | Free, drop-in | All ages
A native plant meadow and pollinator habitat on the site of the former Naval Hospital Cemetery. Kids can take home a nature or science book (one per child) and try self-guided Plant Heroes nature-journaling activities. On Saturday, the Greenway Stomp Fall Festival brings vendors and live music, 12–3pm.
Morbid Anatomy Library | Sunset Park
Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18 | 12–4pm | 254 36th Street, Building 2, Floor 2, Suite C248 | Free, drop-in | All ages
Nearly 50 pieces of Victorian hair art from Leila’s Hair Museum, books on death and culture, and an eclectic array of global curiosities. For children, there are coloring pages drawn from items in the collection.
Wyckoff House | East Flatbush
Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18 | 11am–3pm | 5816 Clarendon Road | Free, drop-in | Ages 4 and up recommended
The first structure in New York to be designated a historic landmark. Family tours start at 11:30am both days, and Farmhouse Family Day adds drop-in activities.
Gowanus Dredgers Self-Guided Canoe Trips | Gowanus
Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18 | 10am–6pm | 2 19th Street, at the mouth of the Gowanus Canal | Free, drop-in | All ages; under-18s need permission from an adult on site
Paddle the canal from the Dredgers’ community-built dock in family-sized, three-seat canoes made for kids and adults to share. Audio tours are optional. Everyone signs a liability waiver and wears the life jacket provided; wear clothes that can get a bit damp.
Powerhouse Arts | Gowanus
Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18 | 12–5pm | 322 3rd Avenue | Free, drop-in | All ages; children with an adult
Self-guided tours of the fabrication shops and community studios inside a former power plant: ceramics, print, public art and the digital print lab. Saturday’s Crafternoons is a free drop-in art workshop for families, Designing Puppets of Earthly Delights.
1914 Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge | Red Hook
Saturday, October 17 | 1–5pm | 290 Conover Street | Free, drop-in | All ages
The last surviving covered wooden barge from New York’s Lighterage Era. Kids get the story of Barge #79’s rescue by a clown and juggler, the captain’s “Serious Foolishness,” and George Rhodes’ audio-kinetic ball machine, which loops, plays music boxes and rings a bell.
Historic Tanker Ship Mary A. Whalen | Red Hook
Saturday, October 17 | 12–5pm | 202 Clinton Wharf | Free, drop-in | All ages
Climb aboard a historic coastal oil tanker, the last of her kind in the country, with no plexiglass or ropes in the way. Kids find toys on the main deck, an art table with free coloring supplies, and a cabin set up for young children with books and toys.
Brooklyn Navy Yard Annual Open House | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Saturday, October 17 | 12–5pm | Enter at Building 77 | Free; RSVP encouraged
The Yard opens its 300-acre campus as part of Open House New York Weekend, with studios in fashion, design and technology offering behind-the-scenes access. Free; RSVP is encouraged.
The full lineup, including ticketed tours, is at ohny.org.
