It’s a great week to rediscover NYC with a chance to tour some of its most important institutions and its most innovative living spaces.

Citywide

City Modern: A Celebration of New York Design
This joint venture from Dwell and New York magazines celebrates modern design in the city. City Modern home tours will take attendees inside ten beautifully-designed private homes in Manhattan and Brooklyn; The architects of these homes will present their design ideas at a “Meet the Architects” event.
Oct 1-7; Manhattan home tour is October 6; Brooklyn home tour is October 7

Open House New York
OHNY is a weekend-long, one-time-only peek behind the scenes at the city’s historic buildings, architectural wonders, landmarks and other structures of note.
October 8 & 9, see schedule for times and locations.

The New Yorker Festival 2012
This annual celebration of the NYC’s guardian of high culture includes panel discussions, literary city tours and readings and talks by the likes of Patti Smith, Malcolm Gladwell, Martin Amis, Zadie Smith and many, many more.
October 5-7, see program guide for venues and times
Ticket prices vary by event

Morningside Heights

St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals
A kids’ favorite, this annual service and afternoon fair promises an only-in-NYC procession up the cathedral’s nave that will feature a yak, a tortoise, baby swans and a macaw. Directly after the service, cathedral clergy will be available for blessings of pets at the Fair on the Close. The fair’s theme is the celebration of Creation, Compassion, and Faithful Stewardship of the Earth.
Sunday, October 7, 11 AM service, followed by the fair at 1 PM
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue

Upper East Side

Park Avenue Armory 5th Anniversary Afterparty
This after-hours celebration of the 5th birthday of this venerable NYC venue is guaranteed to rock, with music by DJ Mick Boogie, an open bar and fabulous snacks and sweets.
Thursday, October 4, 10PM
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue
Tickets: $150 (advance) - $175 (door); ticket sales benefit the Armory

Chelsea

The Affordable Art Fair
This annual event offers an inspiring and friendly atmosphere in which you can find thousands of original paintings, prints, sculptures and photographs all under one roof, ranging from $100-$10,000, with more than half priced under $5,000. The works of emerging artists hang alongside some of the biggest household names, and a Recent Graduates Exhibition provides a chance to snap up work by a future art world star.
October 4-7; see site for schedule
The Tunnel; 269 Eleventh Ave between 27th and 28th Streets
Tickets: $12; $20-$60 for special events

Flatiron District/Union Square

Meet Stephen Colbert
America's foremost patriot and his team of writers discuss pulling the United States back from the brink of un-awesomeness via Colbert’s book, America Again. Mr. Colbert and all the writers will be signing books.
Tuesday, October 2, 8:30 PM
Barnes & Noble Union Square 33 East 17th Street