Downtown Manhattan’s Premier Cultural Open-House Event ‘Night at the Museums’ Returns for Fifth Year

To mark the fifth annual “Night at the Museums” Tuesday, June 19, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center in New York will feature activities inspired by its newly opened imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Visitors can tour the new center and learn about Native innovations throughout history that shape the modern world. Tours will also be offered on the hour from 5 to 7 p.m. of current exhibitions “Infinity of Nations” and “Transformer: Native Art in Light and Sound,” as well as the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, home of the museum. The event itself features free admission and exclusive programming at 14 venues from 4 to 8 p.m.

“Night at the Museums” is hosted by the Downtown Cultural Association, which consists of the museum and other cultural institutions of Lower Manhattan, host to one of the most diverse and concentrated groups of museums in the world. The event takes place as part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s “River To River” summer arts festival. All activities are free, but some require tickets or advance reservation. Complete information, including a map and schedule of events, is available at NightAtTheMuseums.org, and a free “Night at the Museums” guide is available at any of the participating institutions.

In celebration of downtown New York City also as a premier dining destination, this summer’s “Get Low” campaign, sponsored by the Downtown Alliance, offers restaurant goers a 20 percent discount at a range of restaurants in the area on summer Tuesdays. Patrons can check out the Downtown Alliance’s Instagram account @downtownnyc to find out which restaurants are running the special each week, beginning after Memorial Day.

About the National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Native cultures of the Western Hemisphere—past, present and future—through partnership with Native people and others. The museum’s George Gustav Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green in New York City. For additional information, including hours and directions, visit AmericanIndian.SI.edu. Follow the museum via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Downtown Cultural Association

The Downtown Cultural Association is composed of cultural organizations located in Lower Manhattan below Chambers Street. Its purpose is to foster collaborations among and promote the visibility of downtown’s cultural resources. A key project has been the creation of the Downtown Culture Pass, a three-day pass to museums and attractions that is geared toward tourists. DowntownCulturePass.org

About the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Since its founding in 1973, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has been dedicated to empowering artists and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of New York City through a broad range of platforms and initiatives, all based on the belief that artists are an inspirational and catalyzing force within any community. LMCC.net

About the River To River Festival

River To River, a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council public engagement initiative, inspires residents, workers and visitors in Lower Manhattan by connecting them to artists, new ideas and perspectives, and other art lovers to demonstrate the role that artists play in creating vibrant, sustainable communities.

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