Discover 27 Queens hidden gems during Open House New York weekend

Over the course of three days this month, over 270 notable sites across the five boroughs will open for the public to take a behind-the-scenes look as part of the Open House New York Weekend.

The annual festival is organized by Open House New York, a nonprofit organization that gives New Yorkers special access to typically off-limits sites like skyscrapers, landmarked buildings and power plants.

“The act of opening doors to share the experience of the city is a radically simple yet deeply democratic act—one rooted in learning, connecting, and joy,” said Kristin LaBuz, executive director of Open House New York. “Nothing reflects the dynamism and diversity of New York quite like OHNY Weekend. And nothing rivals the experience of exploring and discovering the city alongside thousands of New Yorkers and visitors worldwide.”

The 22nd annual OHNY Weekend festival will run from Oct. 18-20 this year. This year’s lineup features just over 270 locations, with only 27 in Queens.

The Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City joined the OHNY lineup for the first time this year. Photo courtesy of OHNY

Returning favorites in Queens include the Lewis Latimer in Flushing, which has new gallery spaces and interactive displays. While many of the locations on the list are regularly open to the public, the festival allows visitors to join an exclusive tour with someone equipped with insider knowledge.

Just over half of the sites are marked as open access, meaning that visiting the site does not require a ticket or advance registration. Ticketed visits cost $6 and require a time slot booking for space or security reasons.

Tickets to Long Island City’s Ravenswood Generating Station, a first-timer on the list, have already sold out. Those who booked one will receive a tour of the city’s largest power plant by Rise Light & Power and explain how it’s currently being redeveloped into a renewable energy hub.

The visits are designed to inform and inspire, from storytelling-rich tours of open streets to architectural tours of airport sects. The full Queens list is below.