General Grant National Memorial, the largest mausoleum in the United States, is a short walk from TC’s campus. The site is the tomb of Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, but it’s anything but macabre. Inside the mausoleum there are murals of important moments in Grant’s life—mainly connected to his role leading the Union Army during the Civil War—and outside are a variety of public art pieces. Once you’re done exploring the mausoleum, consider taking a leisurely walk through the beautiful Riverside Park.

One of the many perks of being a TC student is free access to over 20 New York City museums; all you’ll need is your CUID with a current semester sticker from the Office of Graduate Student Life in Building 528. That sticker will grant you free admission to MOMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Museo del Barrio, among other museums. If you want to see more of the culture that the city has to offer, NYPL offers free admission to over 80 cultural institutions across the five boroughs through Culture Pass. Users only get one pass a year at each destination but with so many museums to choose from, there’s more than enough to explore.

Held the second Thursday of the month from April through October, the Uptown Night Market showcases dozens of local food vendors and is a place for the community to gather over good food and good music. When the market is out of season, there’s still plenty of culinary delights to explore close to TC. Sylvia’s is a soul food icon in Harlem and La Salle Dumpling Room serves up mouthwatering dimsum. For sweets, make sure to try rugelach from Lee Lee’s Baked Goods or swing by the Hungarian Pastry Shop for coffee and Eastern European baked goods.

Audiences have flocked to Harlem’s historic Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater to watch performers showcase their skills since 1934 and after two years of no shows, the competition is back and better than ever. Amateur Night at the Apollo has launched careers of legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder as well as Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo Audience. Each Wednesday night during the season, audience members decide who makes it to the next round, making this night of music an interactive experience like no other.

Offered through the American Institute of Architects New York (AIANY), these walking tours give new context for iconic buildings and neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and the other boroughs. Members of AIANY lead each tour, offering an expert’s perspective of the architecture and history. The schedule is always updating, but featured locations include Morningside Heights, Bryant Park and SoHo. Tours cost $30 and last for two hours. The one caveat is that these tours happen rain or shine and are not recommended for people with mobility issues.

Just a short ferry ride from Lower Manhattan, Governors Island is the perfect day trip when you need to get away from the city without actually leaving the city. Its 172 acres are car-free and offer plenty of things to do. Bike, walk or skate the Island’s paths, where you’ll go past public art works and historic buildings while getting great views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. Or splurge on a spa day at QC NY. Located in the old army barracks, the spa offers a range of soothing treatments with unparalleled views of Manhattan. There’s also an assortment of bars and restaurants on Governors Island to suit any mood or budget.