https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog daily 0.75 2026-11-06 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/alicia-pierro monthly 0.5 2026-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/fafda401-3717-49cf-8f4f-22a9b1763c0e/Executive+Director+Alicia+Pierro+with+Founder+Lynn+Brooks.jpg Blog - Persistence and Continuity: An Interview with Alicia Pierro - When did you start at Big Apple Greeter, and what brought you to the organization? I came to Big Apple Greeter in the late 90s. I was working for three Business Improvement Districts [geographical areas where local stakeholders oversee and fund maintenance and improvement of their commercial districts], which had the same management under one umbrella. I was at a NYC Tourism networking event and struck up a conversation with Carolyn Stone, who at the time was the marketing and PR person here. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/september-news monthly 0.5 2026-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/065276b3-c8ad-4a95-bcee-bc3a62863272/Frank%2C+Rob%2C+Kerstin%2C+Jill%2C+and+Martina.jpg Blog - In the News - September 2026 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/5a14cdd5-0b97-4ba0-8a06-2f93f905f497/Kia+Ora+Cover.jpg Blog - In the News - September 2026 - As part of writer Sharon Stephenson’s exploration of Manhattan, Dan Morrison, a Big Apple Greeter volunteer who lives on the Upper West Side (UWS), led her on a walk up Broadway, beginning in the Theater District. Heading north, they admired the stunning variety of architecture along Broadway and stopped by iconic UWS spots, including Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, the American Museum of Natural History, and Central Park. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/fall-nyc monthly 0.5 2026-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/4f1f1315-6416-4b1c-97c9-9c044cc0838a/Central+Park+in+Autumn-Credit+JaysonPhotography.jpg Blog - Fall in NYC - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/a0a4d2db-cc04-4a74-9c2c-e252ef60baee/Blessing+of+the+Animals-Credit+Leonardo+Munoz.webp Blog - Fall in NYC - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/f317192c-b961-47fe-8931-89aa1b395c61/Inflating+Balloons+for+Macy%27s+Parade-Credit+Dean+Moses.webp Blog - Fall in NYC - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/21b193f8-8482-4070-b1ae-dabccf7405ed/Halloween+in+Brooklyn.jpg Blog - Fall in NYC - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/magical-nyc monthly 0.5 2026-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/cee1c1ae-775e-41cf-9eb7-7035435bc132/Magic+Posters+at+the+NYPL.jpeg Blog - Magical New York City - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/5ef9165d-ce46-43dc-b389-90303d88dc86/Houdini+Poster+at+the+NYPL+for+the+Performing+Arts.jpeg Blog - Magical New York City - Ellison’s magician friends included Harry Houdini, the master illusionist renowned for his ability to escape after being placed in everything from an oversized milk can to a straitjacket to a grave six feet underground. Houdini died at only 52, either from a ruptured appendix or as the result of being punched repeatedly in the abdomen 10 days before his death. His home at 278 West 113th Street in Harlem is a private residence, but you can visit his gravesite at the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/e9e8f1bd-cb6b-4067-a26a-e2bdee26fcd1/Greeters+Visit+Mystery+and+Wonder+at+the+NYPL.jpeg Blog - Magical New York City - Make it stand out Greeters visiting Mystery and Wonder at NYPL https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/founder-lynn-brooks monthly 0.5 2026-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/0fac2d57-45dc-41ec-950b-9010dd3f3978/Stan+and+Lynn+Brooks+in+black+and+white+young+photo.jpg Blog - It’s a Family Affair - When Lynn Brooks founded Big Apple Greeter in 1992, her three sons weren’t surprised. They knew their mother loved New York City. And they knew she was committed to making a better world because of her long career in social justice and human relations. Their father Stan was Lynn’s biggest fan and supporter, and he shared her belief in the power of personal connections to break down barriers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/b86da0de-d765-4f3d-83b6-721661bcd82f/Rick+George+Bennett+Stan+Lynn+Brooks+photo+from+Bennett.jpeg Blog - It’s a Family Affair - The programs honor her memory every year on September 10, International Greeter Day and Lynn’s birthday. At Big Apple Greeter, we work every day to turn Lynn’s vision into reality. We are proud that the Brooks family — including Bennett and his brothers George and Rick (left) — remains committed to our mission. Whether you are a visitor, a volunteer, or a friend, you are also part of the extended Big Apple Greeter family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/75d54419-1e65-4329-b2eb-27ae38ca9a60/Stan+and+Lynn+in+apartment.jpg Blog - It’s a Family Affair - That conversation continued over the Brooks dinner table as the boys were growing up. They were adults by the time Lynn was mulling the ideas that became Big Apple Greeter, and she called on them for help in developing strategies and solving problems in the early days. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/greet-in-malegno-italy monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/aa33610c-44a4-437b-ac0c-0c1cb6a8e94d/Nick%2C+Jerry%2C+Anita%2C+Giovanna%2C+and+Emanuele.jpeg Blog - Greeter To Greeter: My Greet in Malegno, Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/c93a4d93-915c-43bf-bf4b-ec2e27767273/Artichoke+Festival+in+Malegno.jpeg Blog - Greeter To Greeter: My Greet in Malegno, Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/green-wood-cemetery monthly 0.5 2026-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1782179028514-Z9GPZUT4FS83B3XRSVF9/Entrance+to+Green-Wood+Cemetary.jpeg Blog - Greet in the Green: An Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1782179028659-OZBWS38KURQQOPCFVGHH/Gate+at+Green-Wood+Cemetary.jpeg Blog - Greet in the Green: An Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1782179029685-GUIREH7QUMHXAHDQM7ST/Green-Wood+Cemetary.jpeg Blog - Greet in the Green: An Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/674709f3-c51c-4110-aeac-8ea17345e69e/Leonard+Bernstein+Grave.jpeg Blog - Greet in the Green: An Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/13dddb8a-b746-483b-a2bf-69888922bce4/Big+Apple+Greeter+Volunteers+at+Green-Wood+Cemetary.JPG Blog - Greet in the Green: An Afternoon at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/center-jewish-heritage monthly 0.5 2026-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/772a1996-e643-4f22-80f5-9608c0c25de0/Center+for+Jewish+History.webp Blog - Sharing Stories at the Center for Jewish History - The Center, located just off Union Square in Manhattan, is a collaborative home for the archives of five partner organizations: the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. With the largest archival collection of Jewish history outside Israel, the Center is both a hub for researchers and a destination for anyone interested in learning more about Jewish history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/4ebc25ea-3881-4e2f-8f10-7ad55fba69a8/Greeters+at+the+Center+for+Jewish+History.jpeg Blog - Sharing Stories at the Center for Jewish History - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/a-greet-through-astoria monthly 0.5 2026-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/68fe0dcc-94fd-4001-9754-9017cb63ad8d/Greeter+and+Guests+in+Astoria.jpg Blog - The Name That Stuck: A Greet Through Astoria’s Layers - On a perfect spring day, Greeter Rosalind Shane met Birgit and Lisa, a mother and daughter visiting from Germany, to explore the neighborhood's many stories. Rosalind’s deep knowledge of the area’s evolution provided a rich backdrop as they took the R train from Times Square to Steinway Street, one of Astoria’s main commercial and cultural stretches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/74060183-8acf-4933-9226-0d06c4562141/Kaufman+Studios+in+Astoria.jpeg Blog - The Name That Stuck: A Greet Through Astoria’s Layers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/meet-cara-ng monthly 0.5 2026-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/28e6619d-6c30-4fca-b4e6-f5e9eba2fbfa/Cara+at+Highbridge+Water+Tower+in+Washington+Heights.jpeg Blog - Fresh Eyes, Deep Roots: Meet Cara Ng - A seasoned nonprofit strategist with a background in advertising and a passion for the "only-in-New York" moments that define our mission, Cara is stepping in to help shape our next phase of growth. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/first-time-visit monthly 0.5 2026-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/c7b00b29-d2f6-4a9e-845b-8686c4f83363/Joan+and+Ayda+in+Grand+Central+Terminal.jpeg Blog - Layers, Landmarks, and New Friends: A First-time Visit to New York - A short walk from Ayda’s hotel took them to Grand Central Terminal, one of the city’s two main railroad stations with Metro-North trains serving areas north of NYC and the Long Island Railroad sending trains to the east. The current building opened in 1913 and features shopping and dining options. The information desk on the main concourse is topped by a four-sided brass clock, and “under the clock at Grand Central” has been a popular meeting place for more than a century. The concourse’s celestial ceiling shows numerous stars and planets in a beautiful, though not entirely accurate, depiction of the night sky. Joan took Ayda to the “whispering gallery,” a domed intersection of walkways on the station’s lower level. Stand in one corner of the archway, and even the faintest whisper will be heard by someone standing in the opposite corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/5cde490b-bf3e-41c6-aea9-bc963f4d1820/Joan+and+Ayda+on+Stone+Street.jpeg Blog - Layers, Landmarks, and New Friends: A First-time Visit to New York - A walk along Wall Street was next on the agenda with stops at two iconic pieces of public art: the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues. Joan led Ayda to Stone Street, a pedestrian-only cobblestone street in the Financial District that was home to NYC’s first breweries. Numerous bars and restaurants line the street and patrons enjoy eating and drinking at outdoor tables—weather permitting. Next stop: Fraunces Tavern at the corner of Pearl and Broad Streets, built in 1719 as a private home. It became a tavern after Samuel Fraunces purchased the building in 1762 and later was a frequent meeting place for American revolutionaries, including Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, who dined there together a week before their duel. The site now includes both a museum and a modern pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1ede67d9-2c4d-4f40-aa10-818f99aa6e7d/Joan+and+Ayda+in+the+Oculus.jpeg Blog - Layers, Landmarks, and New Friends: A First-time Visit to New York - Ready for a break and hoping to warm up a bit, Ayda and Joan stopped in Conwell Hall on Hanover Street. From there, it was on to the site of the original World Trade Center buildings. The National September 11 Museum is open every day but Tuesday. The outdoor Memorial Plaza is open every day and features reflecting pools in the footprints of the Twin Towers. The Oculus transportation hub across the street from the memorial was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Built of white metal-clad steel, the structure symbolizes a hand releasing a dove. In addition to dozens of retail shops, the Oculus serves 12 subway lines and the PATH trains to and from New Jersey. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/the-meta-greeter monthly 0.5 2026-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/f0bcbbd4-c320-4ac8-9813-289b0ea1a541/Gail.png Blog - The Meta-Greeter: Gail Morse’s 22 Years at Big Apple Greeter - In the gig-economy era, Gail’s long-term commitment to Big Apple Greeter is striking. She connected with the program while completing a masters degree in tourism at New York University and says that she quickly “found a home” in the organization. Gail says that no two work days were ever alike: “Even the problems weren’t boring!” https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/united-palace monthly 0.5 2026-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/b93d144a-79f4-40c7-8ebb-cd88266ed273/united_palace_02.jpg Blog - United Palace: A Jewel in Washington Heights - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/4b100e45-2106-43b5-ace3-b10376ad9969/united_palace_01.jpg Blog - United Palace: A Jewel in Washington Heights - After 40 years as a movie palace, the building entered a chapter as a place of worship. In 1969, Reverend Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II—better known as Reverend Ike—saved the theater from demolition. As the story goes, he saw a movie there on a Friday, learned the building was scheduled to be torn down on Monday, and bought it over the weekend to preserve it. He renamed it the United Palace, reflecting the site’s spiritual mission and role as a “palace” for the community. It remained an active place of worship until 2022. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/les-dumbo monthly 0.5 2026-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/dc42002c-6ab9-4da4-bd86-5d6e505608eb/Salim+and+Rob+Meet+at+Essex+Market.jpeg Blog - From the Lower East Side to DUMBO - Salim met Rob at Essex Market, located at the corner of Essex Street and Delancey Street near Rob’s home on the Lower East Side. Offering a mix of fresh foods and community events, Essex Market descends from a market that appears on NYC maps as early as 1818. By the late 19th century, covered markets had given way to pushcart vendors selling wares in crowded streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/6594a287-3c4f-40f7-bfb1-40c8b7e7e257/Rob+and+Salim+with+a+Hektad+Love+Mural.jpeg Blog - From the Lower East Side to DUMBO - A walk through the Lower East Side and the nearby Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods gave Salim a chance to take in diverse architecture and public art. Bronx-born graffiti artist Hektad’s work, including the “Love” series, adorns many Lower East Side buildings. The Chinatown Mural Project, a collaboration between activist Karlin Chan and artist Peach Tao, aims to draw foot traffic to the area in an effort to support Chinatown’s recovery from COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns of restaurants and other businesses. Sara D. Roosevelt Park offers a green respite from the dense surrounding area, and hosts several playgrounds and polo matches featuring players on bicycles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/592032b2-b025-4594-baef-63d7f7b2ade1/Chinatown+Mural.jpeg Blog - From the Lower East Side to DUMBO - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/7a7f460a-c27d-4742-86c2-b0b23cd3bfe6/Salim+watching+boxers+at+Gleason%27s+Gym.jpeg Blog - From the Lower East Side to DUMBO - Visitors are welcome to stop in Gleason’s Gym on Water Street. Known as the Cathedral of Boxing, Gleason’s has hosted training sessions for many boxers, including Jake LaMotta and Muhummad Ali, and been featured in numerous films and TV shows. DUMBO boasts several high-end restaurants, but eating there doesn’t have to break the bank. Rob and Salim stopped for a snack in the Time Out Market at 55 Water Street, which offers a variety of dining options, bars, and art installations. Fortified by delicious scones, they headed for a walk along the Promenade in Brooklyn Bridge Park before admiring the stately brownstones that line the “fruit streets,” Cranberry, Orange, and Pineapple Streets, in Brooklyn Heights. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/greeted-in-london monthly 0.5 2026-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/e4c718bc-fd4d-4b14-88a3-401043e115e4/Fitzroy_01.JPG Blog - Greeted in London: Discovering Fitzrovia - I'd lived in London years ago and assumed I knew it fairly well. But there's nothing like exploring with a local to make a familiar city feel new. London Greeters pairs visitors with residents to discover lesser-seen corners, much as our program does in New York. I submitted a request through the London Greeters website and received an email from Paul Olins. Paul has been a Greeter for more than a decade and now is the head of the London program. He suggested we meet in his own neighborhood: Fitzrovia. Despite my time in London, I’d never properly explored this pocket of central London tucked between Oxford Street and Euston Road, with Bloomsbury to the east and Marylebone to the west. It’s right in the heart of things, yet I’d somehow missed it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/498dd8a4-d53e-4453-97d0-96918bd7e126/Fitzroy_04.jpg Blog - Greeted in London: Discovering Fitzrovia - We met at the Fitzroy Tavern on Charlotte Street, which was alive with that particular pre-Christmas energy London does so well. We felt so happy to be there! Paul greeted us warmly and, almost immediately, launched into Fitzrovia’s backstory, starting with the name itself. “Fitzroy,” he explained, comes from the Norman French “fils du roi”—son of the king—and traces to Henry FitzRoy, an illegitimate son of Charles II who became the 1st Duke of Grafton. His descendants helped shape the area through marriage, inheritance, and development. The tavern made an apt prologue. Long associated with Fitzrovia’s bohemian reputation, it has been a gathering place for writers and artists: Dylan Thomas and George Orwell among the names most often linked to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/63c84843-0ee1-4c23-a969-4e5e6d1615e6/Fitzroy_02.jpg Blog - Greeted in London: Discovering Fitzrovia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/central-park monthly 0.5 2026-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/55c36368-2b75-4956-be23-b0464803b62f/Dore%2C+Mia%2C+Andrew%2C+and+Deb+begin+their+walk.jpg Blog - A Greet That Was a Walk in the Park - However, Deb wondered if there would be much to see. After four hours exploring the park with Dore, the family from the English Midlands understood why Central Park is beloved by New Yorkers who treasure the 843-acre green space between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side of Manhattan. Dore, who has volunteered with the Central Park Conservancy since 2019, met Deb, Andrew, and Mia at the park entrance at 81st Street, directly across Central Park West from the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station on the B and C subway lines. Starting at one of the maps found throughout the park, Dore shared the park’s history before the group set out on their walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/0aac8f09-a2be-45b8-9cc5-96ae6745b5b3/Bow+Bridge+crossing+the+Lake.jpg Blog - A Greet That Was a Walk in the Park - Water was another key element of the designers’ vision, and Central Park features a number of bodies of water ranging from the largest — the Reservoir, a favorite destination for runners — to the Pond at the south end of the park, which offers stunning views of midtown Manhattan. Musicians frequently perform by Central Park’s lakes and ponds, as well as under the numerous bridges and arches found throughout the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/46d11ee3-d45c-4882-bd4d-71ed733cffa3/Looking+across+the+Lake+toward+the+San+Remo+apartment+building+on+Central+Park+West.jpg Blog - A Greet That Was a Walk in the Park - John Lennon, who lived in the Dakota building at Central Park West and 72nd Street, visited the park frequently with his wife Yoko Ono. After Lennon’s murder, Ono funded the landscaping for a memorial to Lennon in the park. Dore showed the visitors the resulting Strawberry Fields memorial, a garden of peace highlighted by a mosaic laid into the pavement with the word “Imagine” in the center—a gift from the city of Naples, Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/ed4e0aff-b90a-4f04-b484-449548accffe/Bethesda+Terrace.jpg Blog - A Greet That Was a Walk in the Park - The Mall connects to Bethesda Terrace, a two-level plaza whose central fountain is familiar from numerous films and TV shows. The Arcade, under the upper level of Bethesda Terrace, offers great acoustics for musicians and the only ceiling in the world made of inlaid tiles. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/walking-harlem monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/0f5a7d39-3839-4a66-9c4b-79f8769a47ce/Welcome-to_Harlem-montage.png Blog - Walking Harlem’s History on International Greeter Day - As president of Welcome to Harlem — the tour company she founded in 2004 —Johnson has spent two decades celebrating and preserving the neighborhood’s history and culture through walking tours, live jazz programs, and educational initiatives. The day is meant to honor locals who open their cities to the world —making Johnson, after 20 years of doing just that, a truly inspired choice to guide our walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/0b487385-83f7-453c-959f-86f0b4fa1eed/Gospel.jpeg Blog - Walking Harlem’s History on International Greeter Day - Our first stop set a spiritual tone. Inside the historic Mount Olivet Baptist Church, at Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Boulevard) and 120th Street, we joined the Harlem Gospel Series for an hour of uplifting music that drew the audience into clapping, singing, and swaying along. Built in 1907 as Temple Israel, a grand Reform synagogue, the building still bears traces of its origins. Stars of David can be seen in the column capitals and fanlights — a reminder that these streets have long welcomed diverse communities. Mount Olivet Baptist Church, an African American congregation, purchased the edifice in 1925, establishing it as a pillar of Harlem life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/e7f6be7e-38b8-4ea7-bd16-7f03c9066536/Brownstones.jpeg Blog - Walking Harlem’s History on International Greeter Day - Graceful brownstones line Mount Morris Park West and West 122nd Street, at the heart of the Mount Morris Park Historic District. Built in the late 19th century, these stately homes were crafted from sandstone quarried in Connecticut and shipped down the Connecticut River to New York stone yards. The stone’s warm reddish-brown hue gave the architectural style its enduring name. Once known as Doctor’s Row, this stretch was home to many of Harlem’s physicians and professionals. Standing on its tree-shaded sidewalks today, you can still sense the quiet grandeur of that era in the proud stoops and intricate carvings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/bb6a6be5-bf11-484a-bd57-9f58e6777b89/Adam+Clayton+Powell+Jr+statue.jpeg Blog - Walking Harlem’s History on International Greeter Day - The final leg of our walk brought us to 125th Street, where history and commerce meet. Johnson highlighted cultural landmarks such as the Studio Museum in Harlem (founded in 1968 and original home to the James Van Der Zee archive, now stewarded by The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 2021) and the storied Hotel Theresa, once known as the “Waldorf of Harlem.” The hotel famously hosted figures from Josephine Baker and Duke Ellington to Fidel Castro. Nearby, the former Blumstein’s Department Store marks the site of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.’s 1934 “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work” campaign, which successfully opened jobs to Black New Yorkers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/9b93055f-93aa-4fa9-94a7-989b9ce8d674/Mo%27s.jpeg Blog - Walking Harlem’s History on International Greeter Day - No visit to Harlem is complete without sampling its great food. Icons like Sylvia’s and Red Rooster continue to draw locals and visitors alike, while newer cafés and global eateries keep the culinary scene vibrant. Our guide also led us to some of her favorites, including Mo’s Famous Burgers and Sugar Hill Creamery, known for handmade, small-batch ice cream, and Jacob’s Soul Food Restaurant. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/a-big-apple-reunion monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/914ffb28-4ee6-4c55-b87b-1fcf84dabc73/Todd+Cherches+with+Maunie+and+PJ+Timmins.jpg Blog - A Big Apple Reunion In 1998, Todd took the Timmins, who live in Dublin, Ireland, to the Lower East Side. This past July, they had lunch near Todd’s home in the Yorkville neighborhood of the Upper East Side. After catching up over a meal, they visited Carl Schurz Park along the East River and stopped by Gracie Mansion, the New York Mayor’s official residence, which is located in the park. Built in 1799, the building is one of the oldest in the city. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/57th-street-visit monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/664dfc52-1f0d-4abf-ba50-b82a66ab2473/57th_Visit_01.jpg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett What happens when a 20-year veteran Big Apple Greeter takes you through his own neighborhood? You discover an insider's New York that even locals rarely see. Last month, Lester Barnett did just that, guiding a group of fellow Greeters along 57th Street from Fifth to Eighth Avenue, unveiling hidden layers of history beneath one of Manhattan's most famous corridors. With the storytelling flair that comes from decades of calling this city home, Lester wove together threads of history, art, architecture, and personal anecdotes into an unforgettable urban adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/6951cb25-8e24-4388-bb72-63b767392f4d/57th_Visit_08.jpeg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett - This transformation was no accident. City planners, particularly Manhattan Borough President George McAneny, played a foundational role in shaping the street's development. Beginning in 1913, McAneny collaborated with planner Edward M. Bassett to create the Heights of Buildings Commission, which led to the landmark 1916 Zoning Resolution—the first citywide zoning law in the United States. This groundbreaking legislation established building limits and setbacks to preserve street-level light and air. Beyond zoning reform, McAneny championed citywide "street widening" campaigns designed to modernize sidewalks for pedestrian traffic. These ambitious efforts involved removing "street furniture"—everything from staircases and arcades to porticos and small gardens. His dedication to these sweeping changes earned him a memorable nickname from the New York Tribune: the "Barber for Buildings." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1756146842188-86STHTQR4U6RH1YEUEWT/57th_Visit_09.jpeg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1756146840861-OVRRV2XIGNQL7M09RIDS/57th_Visit_10.jpeg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1756146842345-FJQ2B7AMSE9P0FG1U7PM/57th_Visit_11.jpeg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/f6801301-84f0-4c35-ba87-96ff38e48036/57th_Visit_04.jpeg Blog - Discovering 57th Street: A Greeters' Trip with Lester Barnett Lester also highlighted how commercial forces have once again reshaped 57th Street's identity. Zoning modifications during Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration in the early 21st century and the subsequent selling of air rights made possible the construction of today's supertall towers along what's now aptly dubbed "Billionaires' Row." https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/nypl monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/557acadc-7a65-4f2f-87b5-aff5ccf47a23/NPL-lion2.jpg Blog - The Virtues of Patience and Fortitude - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/c34c49f9-8d8c-447c-9492-ce9bd6b353d6/Rose+Main+Reading+Room+3.jpg Blog - The Virtues of Patience and Fortitude - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/135-street monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/521e82ff-a4a0-45ba-b9f8-11a13a9e139b/Leigh+Hallingby+and+Petra+Schulz+Outside+Schomburg+Center.jpg Blog - One Block, Four Hours, Many Special Moments - The Greet started at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on Lenox Avenue (also called Malcolm X Boulevard) at 135th Street in Harlem. This branch of the New York Public Library houses an archive of materials related to the African diaspora and the African-American experience. The library was named for Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian, writer, and activist whose collection of art, literature, and other items related to African history were purchased to become the basis of the Schomburg collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/a526c677-6e63-4bd8-a4c6-cda53c7dedf3/Dizzy+Gillespie+Mural.jpg Blog - One Block, Four Hours, Many Special Moments - Crossing the street one block west of the YMCA brought Petra and Leigh to a small parking lot with murals honoring jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie was an anti-war and civil rights activist, and in the 1960s he became a Bahá’i, drawn by the faith’s emphasis on the oneness of humanity and elimination of racism. One of the Harlem murals shows Gillespie with Iranian schoolchildren—the Bahá’i faith began in Iran—along with the hashtag #educationisnotacrime, in recognition of Gillespie’s commitment to equal educational opportunity for all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/fd104b94-db33-44c9-8457-23fdaf1b12b9/Officer+Denton+with+Petra+Schulz+at+32nd+Precinct.jpg Blog - One Block, Four Hours, Many Special Moments - Leigh and Petra were welcomed at the 32nd Precinct and were referred to Officer Denton from the Community Affairs Bureau. When he learned of Petra’s request, he excused himself for a few minutes and returned with an old jacket of his own, scissors, and a box cutter. As they sat together, he removed not only two NYPD patches, but three stripes honoring his years on the force—one stripe for every five years. Denton said that his current jacket has four stripes; he and Petra are both 20-year veterans of the police. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/escaping-hustle-bustle monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/8da69d60-75b7-48fa-8399-5d29dcc660ec/Jay+Teitler%2C+Rebecca+Batt%2C+and+Teddy+Urena+outside+190th+Street+Station.jpeg Blog - Escaping the City’s Hustle and Bustle… - Teddy Urena, a Big Apple Greeter volunteer for 17 years, recently shared his neighborhood on a walk with a group of fellow Greeters. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Teddy has lived in New York City on and off since 1998, always making his NYC home in the neighborhoods at the northern tip of Manhattan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748370046124-MWMATXXZR6E16JR2NY39/Fort+Tryon+Park+-+crop.jpeg Blog - Escaping the City’s Hustle and Bustle… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748370054157-ZLEPLKXG6VXW9PKAYYW5/Gatehouse+at+Fort+Tryon+Park.jpeg Blog - Escaping the City’s Hustle and Bustle… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748370056368-4E97M0E4L02YT7ZAMOI4/The+Cloisters.jpeg Blog - Escaping the City’s Hustle and Bustle… https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/exploring-nyc-age9 monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/08775e0e-8357-4e2e-98d4-18197c9d9e01/Aaron%2C+Cormac%2C+and+Sara+on+the+Staten+Island+Ferry+CROP.jpg Blog - Exploring NYC at Age 9 - Here are some of the things that were really fun. He took us to the Staten Island Ferry, which was unique because of the amazing views and awesome pictures that we got to take. He showed us around Chinatown, which was cool because of all the great food and places to shop. We all went to a place called Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles, which was delicious. While we were walking I saw a ton of cool gift shops with T-shirts to keychains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748368595870-7U3OWSNUIWNEWC2KRJHG/Cormac+Preparing+to+Perform.jpg Blog - Exploring NYC at Age 9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748368594877-CRJ1DIRI3EK4RZ5GXVMS/Across+from+NYSE.jpg Blog - Exploring NYC at Age 9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748368594973-RINO38BWP4WNE4YX5XFU/Cormac+and+the+Charging+Bull.jpg Blog - Exploring NYC at Age 9 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1748368595778-MH47QK5VGU9QM0G15B14/Cormac+and+the+Fearless+Girl.jpg Blog - Exploring NYC at Age 9 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/fkanf1p9hrhxk16an4e0hn4y8h1jx0 monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1742493189303-8TAPBMNCERHHODL6NZNX/May%2BChen%2Bwith%2BCaitlyn%2Band%2BPolly%2BFoster%2Bat%2BNorth%2BDumpling.jpg Blog - Food, Shopping, and Chinatown! - Make it stand out Greeter May Chen with Caitlyn and Polly Foster at North Dumpling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/8a9543dc-e86c-4dd6-a89c-d717d2dfc380/Walking+through+Chinatown.jpg Blog - Food, Shopping, and Chinatown! - Make it stand out Walking through Chinatown https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/fi7e821b6c7ow4fccurq7pwk11fq1k monthly 0.5 2026-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/786d77ff-4056-43c8-9af9-03400f14c5b5/Oualid+and+Theo+Riddersma+with+Ellen+Gasnick-crop.jpg Blog - A Harlem Sunday - Make it stand out Oualid and Theo Riddersma with Greeter Ellen Gasnick https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/0877fecb-50ba-4ff5-8271-e27c9fe7455c/Malcolm+Shabazz+Harlem+Market.jfif Blog - A Harlem Sunday - Make it stand out Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Transportation monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Gardens+and+Parks monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/NYC+history monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Brooklyn monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Heritage+sites monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/The+Bronx monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Global+Greeter+Network monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Greeter+for+a+Day monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Staten+Island monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Ethnic+culture monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Shopping monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/NYC+landmarks monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Food monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Performing+arts monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Sports monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Big+Apple+Greeter+event monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Activities monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Literature monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Buildings monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/People monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Language+skills monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Photography monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Queens monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Religious+sites monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Cultural+attractions monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Immigration monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Museum monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Manhattan monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Community monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/blog/category/Fine+arts monthly 0.5 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/home daily 1.0 2023-10-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1598371061006-A9EQ6AY5UR29ERVVP1EH/BAAG_Home_Photo.jpg Home - Meet the real New York City. See the hidden sides of the city. Hear the real New York stories. Experience it for free. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1595000123820-0VLUDVLTM9DJPUPNFEAZ/High+Line+Kissing+with+Leland.jpg Home Spend two to four hours getting the insider scoop from volunteers who actually live here. We’re not professional tour guides. We’re the people of New York. Proudly representing our city, and sharing its joys. Stroll above Manhattan streets on the High Line. Poke into the happening shops of Brooklyn. Savor the street murals and delicious foods of the Bronx or Queens. Ferry your way past Lady Liberty to a neighborhood in Staten Island. Find the little places for big memories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1594663360662-1DBI431AGXMIY5GLFM5X/DeKalb+Food+Posters.jpeg Home - “He has real passion and knowledge of his home town.” – DRDin, Brisbane, Australia “Like meeting your best friend’s uncle who was willing to share his time with you.” – Deana K, Petaluma, California “Gave us info and input only a New Yorker could give.” – Zazouette01, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France “One of our group was in a wheelchair. Bob was mindful of the challenge and didn’t miss a beat.” – HSW1226, Spartenberg, South Carolina “I was sooo happy!” – Michiko S, Chiba Prefecture, Japan TripAdvisor https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/volunteer-faqs daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/about-nyc daily 0.75 2026-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1595201703963-6BZCXWP9AQ3QWVVNIXH7/Silhouette+with+image+Only.jpg https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/be-a-greeter daily 0.75 2026-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1597764900786-OUD5DJPVLSF60J9M2TK2/BAG+Greeter+Grid.jpg Become a Greeter https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/why-give daily 0.75 2020-10-02 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/ways-to-give daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/request-a-greeter daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1621119541719-9VNH9UVIURV00461GTER/Times_Square.jpg Request a Greeter - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/4775fc86-12b3-4c6d-8d2d-f0c6b5063f03/Welcome-to-Harlem_Ad.jpg Request a Greeter - Make it stand out Gospel Concerts, Jazz Concerts, Cultural Tours and more. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/visitor-faqs daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/board daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/history-mission daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1585774605658-AOEEEPTAI0JGGQHZSVFP/lynn-brooks-new-york-ny-photos29-2+%281%29.jpg Mission & History - Make it stand out Lynn Brooks’ idea: “Unite the world in friendship. One person at a time.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1584312228156-UM52RROXJNE8W9ERHCEK/BAG_Yankee_Stadium.jpg Mission & History - Yankee Stadium celebration honoring Big Apple Greeter staff, volunteers, and board members Photo by Rob Ruotolo https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/iga daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1608337125467-5OFCNF6QMX9TC7KLNALH/IGA_Logo_NoBkgd.png International Greeter Association https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1594753251327-PFQTGUTSIVYFK8TKXCQH/sawyer-bengtson-tnv84LOjes4-unsplash.jpg International Greeter Association https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1594753414145-99ETMT4W22TXDZAV15JV/peter-pryharski-X0-uKrHO1no-unsplash.jpg International Greeter Association https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/1594753941991-0KBMB0UI4M4R0MGE5FGI/kevin-hernandez-EIiakCJYngk-unsplash.jpg International Greeter Association https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/4cc05912-4dcc-4082-95ef-812ca02132e0/seattleGreeters.webp International Greeter Association https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/monthly-giving daily 0.75 2026-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/b24a3327-933e-4659-b4b6-600fe1682460/Jerry+Rumain.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/f535eccc-4d44-43c9-acdd-065313b8d4c4/Karen+Tenser.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/6a1b1452-c2a5-4e25-ae31-a73cdacb3729/Dani.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/e03a50b2-315c-45a8-a18f-d5d8378ea39e/Allen+Weingast.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/2398db20-72a3-4c61-b825-b89cad00def9/Big+Apple+Greeter+Core+logo+no+bkgd.png Monthly Giving - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.bigapplegreeter.org/inheritance-giving daily 0.75 2026-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/d35e0fdd-fea6-4c1d-b5b1-c0a0649683a3/Inheritance+Logo+-+Transparent.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/04638a56-13e8-4717-8e35-1552b317fa04/Liz_Kadin_04.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/5bc2265c-ca6d-4663-b1d6-6ce66305873f/Liz_Kadin_CentralPark.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e5d7f1323f8e30c0cfc291d/31bd8577-12f8-4a27-8317-11216d397f1b/Liz_Kadin_03.jpeg