The Municipal Art Society of New York

Head outside for an invigorating walking tour this holiday season. Take in the last of John Kriskiewicz’s “Architecture of Aspiration” walking tours on Christmas Eve, and consider Tony Robins’ Christmas morning tour of Rockefeller Center — repeated on Sunday, December 27. Take (or send) your holiday guests on MAS Tuesday Downtown and Wednesday Grand Central Terminal tours — we’ll have two tour leaders at Grand Central Terminal between Christmas and the New Year.

Also, don’t forget to welcome in the New Year with Jack Eichenbaum’s tour of Flushing’s Koreatown on New Year’s Day. Happy Holidays!

Update 12/21/09, 11:30 a.m.

Sold Out Christmas Day Deco Tour Repeats December 27

Rockefeller Center is always worth a visit for its splendid Art Deco art and architecture. And this time of year, it is at its festive best. Our annual Christmas Day tour is sold out, but we will repeat the tour on Sunday, December 27, also at 10:00 a.m. Unlike the Christmas Day tour, the Sunday tour is unreserved, so simply walk up and pay at the tour ($15, $10 MAS members). Both tours are led by architectural historian Tony Robins, a founding member of the Art Deco Society of New York.

New York’s Rue de la Paix: West 57th Street
Thursday, December 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The years between the First and Second World Wars marked the emergence of this elegant enclave of exclusive boutiques, art galleries, and department stores housed in Art Deco skyscrapers and classically inspired structures. Today, major designers and luxury multinationals dazzle with the latest architectural trends. Leader: John Kriskiewicz, architectural historian. Meet at the S.W. corner of 57th St. and Madison Ave. $15, $10 MAS members. Pay at tour. MAP.

Rockefeller Center: Art Deco Masterwork – SOLD OUT
Friday, December 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Rockefeller Center — New York’s urbane urban wonderland — is full of surprising history, remarkable art and stunning architecture. Conceived as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, but built instead as Radio City, Rockefeller Center is a private real estate venture that has evolved into the public square of Midtown Manhattan. Explore the past, present and future of this 1930s Art Deco monument, including its architecture, planning, art and personalities. Leader: Tony Robins, architectural historian. Meet at the S.E. corner of Fifth Ave. and 49th St. $15, $10 MAS members. MAP.

Late Addition to Schedule: Repeat of the Christmas Morning tour

Rockefeller Center: Art Deco Masterwork
Sunday, December 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Rockefeller Center — New York’s urbane urban wonderland — is full of surprising history, remarkable art and stunning architecture. Conceived as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, but built instead as Radio City, Rockefeller Center is a private real estate venture that has evolved into the public square of Midtown Manhattan. Explore the past, present and future of this 1930s Art Deco monument, including its architecture, planning, art and personalities. Leader: Tony Robins, architectural historian. Meet at the S.E. corner of Fifth Ave. and 49th St. $15, $10 MAS members. Pay at tour. MAP.

Flushing’s Koreatown on New Year’s Day
Friday, January 1, 2010, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Koreans are the premiere small businessmen and church builders of contemporary immigration. Their center of gravity has migrated away from central Flushing and is now sprawling east along Northern Blvd. to “Korean Villages” at LIRR stations. See surprising shops and houses of worship. Leader: Jack Eichenbaum, urban geographer. Meet at the eastern end (front, coming from Manhattan) of the Main St. station (#7 train) at the foot of the escalators. Do not exit in middle of platform! $15, $10 MAS members. Pay at tour. MAP.