New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced the popular free tours of the Empire State Plaza will begin on Tuesday, July 2, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection tours on Mondays at 1 p.m., and the return of “Art for Lunch” tours exploring themes in art on the first Friday of the month, starting July 5.

Free Empire State Plaza Tours

The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is at the center of one of the most spectacular capitals in the world: a 98 1/2-acre city-within-a-city that includes one of the greatest public collections of modern American art in the country, a cultural education center, and a unique performing arts center, The Egg. On this tour, discover this world-class complex. Learn how government and culture are housed within the Modern architecture of the Empire State Plaza, including the Plaza's memorials, visit inside The Egg, and receive an overview of the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection.

Where: Starts at the Visitor Center in the North Concourse.

When: Tuesday - Friday at 1 p.m. in July and August (not offered on holidays).

No Reservations Needed: Call ahead for groups of 10 or more.

Questions: Visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov or call (518) 474-2418.

Free Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection Tours

Art historians have called the collection "the greatest collection of modern American art in any single public site that is not a museum." The collection was formed under the direction of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller during construction of the Empire State Plaza (1966–1978). The tour will focus on the creation of this historic collection, as well as highlights of the 92 works of art on permanent display throughout the Plaza. Weather permitting, tours will also look at pieces located outdoors on the Plaza. The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection is a public collection owned by the people of New York State and cared for by the New York State Office of General Services.

Where: Starts inside the Corning Tower at the concourse level.

When: Mondays at 1 p.m. (not offered on holidays).

No Reservations needed. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more.

Free “Art for Lunch” Tours

After a successful introduction in 2018, OGS will be offering theme/topic-driven lunchtime tours of the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection. Tours will start at 12:30 p.m. and last approximately 30 minutes. The tour will invite participants to engage with selected works from the collection and learn a deeper history of featured artists. Each tour will focus on a different selection of artworks and on various themes such as: Artists Who Served, Post-Painterly Abstraction, Immigrant Artists, and The Art of Conservation. Please call or check our social media for additional tour information.

Where: Starts at the Corning Tower security desk on the Concourse Level of the Plaza.

When: First Friday of every month - July 5, August 2, September 6

No Reservations needed.

Questions: Visit www.EmpireStatePlaza.ny.gov or call (518) 474-2418.

For updates on Empire State Plaza and Plaza Art Collection tours, visit @NYSCapitolVisit on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and @PlazaArtCollection on Instagram.