March is Women’s History Month, and today we’re shining the spotlight on destinations and events that can help you celebrate women right here in New York City.
It’s probably no surprise that the women of NYC are known for the history that they’ve made. For a rundown of some of the city’s most influential women, check out The Women Who Made NYC History. Here you can check out the ladies who forged New York’s arts, literary and music scene, prevented some of New York’s finest parks from being turned into highways, rocked the music scene or simply made their mark by standing up for what they believed in or pouring money into what they thought was important.
Ready to take a female-focused tour of NYC? Check out these sights and events for an adventure with some of the city’s most influential women.
TimeOut’s Interactive Womens History Map
Pull up this map no matter where you are in the city to find the nearest site commemorating a powerful woman and learn more about her influence. There are so many parks, streets and more named after amazing women and this map is a great way to get all the details. You can walk the tour, or get around even more quickly on a Fancy Apple Bike Rental!
New York Historical Society Center for Women’s History
The Center for Women’s History is the first of its kind nationwide inside the walls of a major museum. The center explores the ways that women have shaped and continue to shape life in America. A gallery of Tiffany lamps explores the hidden history of women in designing this iconic item–they labored anonymously but were paid on par with their male counterparts. Or, check out the Billie Jean King archive for an exhibit on the groundbreaking tennis player. You can score discounted passes to this and many other NYC attractions here.
Yeah She Did: She Built This City
March 27 at 6:30 pm
Female-identifying comedians shine a light on the stories of some of the greatest women the world has ever known–but history forgot. The event focuses on femme founders, public servants and protestors who were as “bold, bright and brassy as NYC.”
“She Persists” Art Installation at Gracie Mansion
“She Persists: A Century of Women Artists in New York, 1919-2019 puts on display 60 artworks of 40 female artists along the themes of Body as a Battleground, Picturing People, Contending with History and Expanding Abstraction. Together, the works tell the story of women’s tenacity in the face of adversity throughout history. Pro tip: entry is free on Mondays.
If you look closely at the bridge near the Brooklyn Tower, you’ll find a tribute to Emma Warren Roebling. Her husband, civil engineer Washington Roebling, was the chief engineer of the bridge during its construction but fell ill. She relayed information from her bedridden husband to the team building the bridge and eventually became heavily involved as a joint planner to the bridge. She was the first to cross it by carriage upon its opening. (Grab a ride to the bridge on our City Sights NY Brooklyn Bus Tour!)
Cafe Con Libros
Self-described as a feminist bookstore, Cafe Con Libros offers “coffee, tea, books, art and community.” Sip on a beverage, browse their selection or attend a reading or book club event to be a part of the community.
Nasty Women of the Met Tour
Check out the Met’s collection of “women who ruled, women who scared, women who patronized, women who painted, women who politicked–all role models for today’s liberated woman.” This is a fun and informative 2-hour walking tour of the Met.
Road Trip! Women’s Heritage Trail
If you’re interested in expanding your celebration beyond the city, check out the Women’s Heritage Trail. The trail celebrates women’s contributions throughout New York State (including some NYC destinations). Check out the location of the first women’s rights convention for the birthplace of the women’s suffragette movement, the Harriet Tubman home and many more amazing sites.
Take the “Great Women of New York” tour to discover pioneering women artists, activists, financiers and 9/11 heroes that are a part of the city (and world’s) history. Inside Out Tours is a certified minority- and women-owned business dedicated to presenting the history of NYC women in an engaging and sensitive manner.
Take a Women’s History Run
Looking to get in a workout during your New York visit? Double it with a women’s history tour by doing one of these women’s history runs as recommended by the NYRR.