Obscura Society NYC: The Insalubrious Valley

Newtown Creek Alliance historian Mitch Waxman leads a trek of the “virtual urban desert” around the waterway. The walk covers the ’hood’s history as a chemical manufacturing center, railroad terminal and forgotten nook, and ends with an included meal at Clinton Diner in Maspeth, where scenes from Goodfellas were filmed. Meet at Grand St and Morgan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (atlasobscura.com). Subway: L to Grand St.