Queer Art, History & Hidden Figures of New York
Some journeys invite you to see more. This one invites you to discover more.
Over two days, explore the stories of LGBTQ+ artists, writers, and changemakers whose lives and work helped shape New York’s cultural landscape. From Long Island to New York City, this itinerary connects places of artistic expression, public memory, and lived experience, offering a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ history through the lens of art, place and legacy.”
DAY 1 - Long Island: Art, Legacy & Literary Roots
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site – Huntington Station
Begin your day at the birthplace of Walt Whitman, one of America’s most influential poets. Whitman’s writing explored themes of identity, connection and the human experience with a candor that continues to resonate today.
The site includes the restored farmhouse where he was born, along with exhibits that trace his life and literary impact.
Admission: Adults $12; reduced rates available for seniors, students, and groups. Hours vary by day, so check ahead before visiting.
After your visit, consider stopping at a nearby café in Huntington Station or along your route into town for a relaxed breakfast or coffee before continuing your day.
The Heckscher Museum of Art – Heckscher Park, Huntington
Continue to The Heckscher Museum of Art, a cornerstone of Long Island’s cultural landscape. While the Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History exhibition has concluded, its research and interpretation continue to inform how visitors engage with her work and legacy.
Stebbins, the artist behind Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain, was among the first American women to receive a major public art commission in New York City. Her life and work—shaped in part by her long-term partnership with actress Charlotte Cushman—offer insight into the networks of artists and LGBTQ+ individuals working in the 19th century.
Today, the museum invites visitors to explore a broader collection of American art while reflecting on the enduring impact of artists like Stebbins.
Open Thursday–Sunday, 12–5 pm
Just outside the museum, Heckscher Park offers a natural extension of your visit. The augmented reality experience presents a contemporary interpretation of Stebbins’ Angel of the Waters, allowing you to engage with the work in a new and accessible way before seeing the original in New York City.
Take time to walk the park’s shaded paths and lakeside areas before continuing into town.
Lunch & Exploration in Huntington VillageÂ
A short walk from the museum, Huntington Village offers a lively and walkable downtown filled with restaurants, cafés and independent shops.
Choose a casual café or sit-down restaurant for lunch, then spend time browsing local boutiques, galleries, and bookstores along Main Street. The area’s creative energy and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal place to slow down and explore. If your schedule allows, consider an early evening visit to the Cinema Arts Centre, a nonprofit independent cinema known for its thoughtfully curated programming, including LGBTQ+ films.
Dinner in Huntington Village
Stay in the village for dinner and enjoy one of the many restaurants offering a range of cuisines and atmospheres—from relaxed and casual to more refined dining experiences.
Overnight
Huntington Village offers a range of accommodations within walking distance of restaurants, shops and cultural attractions, making it a convenient and comfortable place to stay.
Note: While Huntington Village is highly walkable, reaching the Walt Whitman Birthplace earlier in the day will require a short drive or rideshare.
Day 2 – New York City: Art, History & Lasting Impact
Travel
Take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Huntington to Penn Station. Travel time is approximately 60–80 minutes depending on the train schedule.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art — SoHo
Begin your day in SoHo at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, the world’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ art museum. Founded in 1969, the museum has played a vital role in preserving and presenting queer artistic expression across generations.
Its exhibitions span a wide range of media and perspectives, offering insight into both historical and contemporary LGBTQ+ experiences.
Open Wednesday–Sunday; admission is free with a suggested donation.
Stonewall National Monument & Visitor Center — Greenwich Village
From SoHo, make your way to Christopher Street to visit the Stonewall National Monument and Visitor Center.
Located at 51 Christopher Street, the Visitor Center offers exhibits that explore the 1969 Stonewall uprising and its lasting impact on LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. Standing in this neighborhood provides a powerful sense of place—one where history continues to shape the present.
Lunch in the West Village
The West Village is one of New York City’s most walkable and inviting neighborhoods. Choose from a wide range of cafés, bistros and casual restaurants along streets like Christopher and Bleecker.
Take time to enjoy a relaxed lunch and experience the neighborhood’s distinct character before heading uptown.
Central Park — Bethesda Fountain
Continue to Central Park to encounter Bethesda Fountain, the original work you explored through the AR experience in Huntington.
Designed by Emma Stebbins and unveiled in 1873, the Angel of the Waters remains one of the most recognized sculptures in New York City. Seeing the work in its intended setting offers a deeper appreciation of both its artistry and its meaning.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A short walk from Bethesda Fountain, The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides an opportunity to place Stebbins’ work within the broader context of 19th-century American art.
Consider visiting the American Wing to explore sculpture and painting from the period in which she was working.
Dinner in the West Village or Chelsea
Conclude your day with dinner in either the West Village or nearby Chelsea. Both neighborhoods offer a wide range of dining options and continue to serve as important centers of LGBTQ+ community and culture.
From Huntington to Central Park, this journey connects places shaped by artists and individuals whose contributions continue to resonate today.
Extend your visit: Alice Austen House — Staten Island
If you have some more time and are interested in exploring another important site connected to LGBTQ+ history, consider taking the Staten Island Ferry to visit the Alice Austen House. Located along the waterfront in Staten Island, the historic home and museum celebrates the life and work of pioneering photographer Alice Austen, whose photographs documented everyday life in New York during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the museum also interprets Austen’s long-term relationship with Gertrude Tate and her significance within LGBTQ+ history, offering a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on identity, art and visibility.
By experiencing these sites together through art, landscape and community, you gain a deeper understanding of how LGBTQ+ history is embedded within New York’s cultural fabric, still visible for those who know where to look.
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