new york city historical walking tours

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Best Historic Walking Tours in New York

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New York City is the perfect walking town. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern so it’s easy to navigate and if you get lost or have questions, locals love to pave the way with directions and advice. (They may keep walking while tawking but they’ll go out of their way to help.) Still, while many will happily tell you where to find the best Chinese food, if you want to learn about the city’s history, best to go with an organized walking tour that will embellish the walk with insider knowledge. These tours take 2 steps forward and 1 step back into New York’s past, sharing anecdotes about neighborhoods, residents and iconic buildings. Personal History Tour Joyce Gold , a New York history teacher at New York University and The New School, has been giving visitors walking history lessons for 25 years. Her 2- to 2 1/2- hour “field trips” include tours about the bohemian and flamboyant Greenwich Village, the Irish in Hell’s Kitchen and New York gangs. Gold leads most of the tours herself, which she enlivens with insights culled from her years of teaching history. Central Park Tour The Central Park Conservancy offers several free walking tours that delve into the park’s fascinating history. The “Views from the Past” tour gives a glimpse into how the park was designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858. The tour, “A Road Once Traveled,” explores the role of the park’s wildlife habitat, Harlem Meer, during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Custom-Made Tours The popular Big Apple Greeter tours are led by more than 300 volunteers who lead custom-made tours of the city in over 30 languages. The guides will meet you at your hotel, or wherever else you want in any of the boroughs, and show you whichever neighborhoods you’d like to explore. The tours vary in time. Oh, and they’re free. Tip: You must book at least 1 month in advance. New York Food Tour Foodies will eat up the Foods of New York Tours that take a bite into the Big Apple’s historic neighborhoods including Chinatown and Greenwich Village. Experienced guides feed you tidbits of info about the culture, architecture and history -- as well as food tastings from specialty and ethnic foods shops and restaurants. Grand Central Tour Grand Central Terminal isn’t only the world’s largest train station; it is also an architecturally stunning building with a past that most commuters don’t even know. Take the self-guided audio tour (the 30-minute “local” or 1-hour “express”) or free guided walking tours. On Wednesdays, the Municipal Art Society runs a tour that highlights the architecture and history of the Beaux-Arts landmark. On Fridays, a tour of the terminal and surrounding neighborhood, led by urban historians, is offered by the Grand Central Partnership. Neighborhood Tours The Big Onion Walking Tours offer 30 neighborhood history-based tours led by guides who hold an advanced degree in American history or related fields. The 2-hour tours, spanning 1 to 2 miles, include explorations of neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights where you’ll see the former homes and haunts of many literary types including Truman Capote and Walt Whitman. The Free Historic Districts Walking Tour by NYC by Foot explores a couple of the city’s oldest neighborhoods from a historical perspective -- SoHo, Little Italy, Lower Manhattan and Chinatown. Bonus: Your well-behaved dog can hoof it, too! The guides function as “part professor, part performer” and while the tours are free, the company’s motto is “We’re so hip, we know you’ll tip.” Ghost Tours There’s nothing too scary about the Haunted Greenwich Village tour offered by Gotham Walking Tours. Instead, this history tour led by Lina Viviano, a native New Yorker who taught American history and politics at Harvard, tells tales about sites linked to famous residents and events where ghosts are said to roam, like Mark Twain (who knows, maybe he had a ghostwriter) and the devastating Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire that still haunts New York. Walking is not only a great way to discover the Big Apple but ideal for working off those extra calories and getting some fresh New York air (well, okay, maybe not fresh.) So, bring some comfy walking shoes and explore away. Laurie Bain Wilson writes often about New York City and is the author of several travel guidebooks, including New York City Made Easy and New York City with Kids .

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New York City history tours from the Bowery Boys Podcast

Bowery Boys Walks is now hosting private in-person walking tours for small groups. Read more about us and our guides .

New Full Day Bus Trip! Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park and Dinner

• Sat, June 1 at 10:30 AM: Join the Gilded Gentleman for a Bus Trip to a Gilded Age Landmark - Limited tickets available

May Walking Tours

• Fri, May 3: Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue (11 AM) - Only a few tickets left
• Sat, May 4: Jane Jacobs vs Robert Moses (11 AM) - Only a few tickets left
• Sat, May 4: World's Fair Tour in Queens (1 PM)
• Sat, May 4: Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue (2 PM) - Only a few tickets left
• Sun, May 5: Jane Jacobs vs Robert Moses (11 AM) - Only a few tickets left
• Tue, May 7: Tastes of Chinatown: Neighborhood History and Food Tour (11 AM)
• Fri, May 10: Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue (11 AM)
• Sat, May 11: Glorious Grand Central Terminal Tour (10:30 AM)
• Sat, May 11: Gilded Age Mansions of Fifth Avenue (11 AM) - Only a few tickets left
• Sat, May 11: Glamour, Greed, Money & Murder in 19th Century NoHo (11 AM)
• Sat, May 11: New York Newspaper Tour (2 PM)
• Sun, May 12: Tastes of Chinatown: Neighborhood History and Food Tour (11 AM)
• Sun, May 12: Jane Jacobs vs Robert Moses (11 AM)
• Sun, May 12: Gilded Age Mansions & Memorials of Riverside Drive (1 PM) - Sold Out

See all upcoming tour dates on our tour calendar .

The Bowery Boys Walking Tours take you through the streets and back alleyways of New York City's history.

Read the latest posts from our blog, including interviews with our guides, and tips for exploring New York!

Have fun walking through New York's history

The Bowery Boys NYC History podcasters, Greg Young and Tom Meyers , have been entertaining their audiences with tales of New York since 2007. Now they're taking their stories to the streets, with Bowery Boys Walking Tours developed by the Bowery Boys along with expert tour guides .

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Give the gift of history! With a Bowery Boys Walking Tours digital gift card , the recipient can choose the tour and dates that work best for them. Our gift cards can be used for virtual and in-person tours.

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The 11 Best New York City Walking Tours

Stroll around the Big Apple with a local by your side on these top tours.

Courtesy of Rock Junket

Explore New York City's musical past with a tour from Rock Junket.

Note: Some tour providers on this list have ceased operations through the end of March 2020 due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book if you’d like to tour during this time.

Tourists journey from all over the world to experience New York City 's top-notch cuisine, vibrant live music and theater scene, distinctive skyline and fascinating history. To see the Big Apple like a New Yorker, you'll want to hoof it through the city on your own two feet. And with a local leading the way, you're sure to learn more than you would going solo. Considering expert insight and tourist opinion, U.S. News determined that the following are the best walks in the city.

Rock Junket – East Village Rock n' Punk Tour

Revel in New York's famous rock music scene during Rock Junket's walk through the East Village. The two-hour excursion visits venues where music greats like the Ramones, Blondie and the New York Dolls once performed. Among the tour highlights is a stop at CBGB, which closed its doors in 2006. Guides recount neighborhood history with special attention paid to lauded artists who once lived and worked there. Audiophiles find this a thoroughly enjoyable way to learn about the area and its colorful history and describe the guides as insightful. Tours take place Monday through Saturday at 1 p.m. and cost around $45 per person. Rock Junket leads a number of other music-oriented tours, including a Greenwich Village tour.

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TopDog Tours – Marvel & DC Superheroes of New York

If you're a fan of superhero comic books and the movies based on them, this might be your ideal tour. The approximately two-hour walk visits sites that have appeared in comics and films, such as the United Nations building, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal , as well as locations where some comic book creators worked. Enthusiastic guides share insights regarding both the real New York and the city's portrayal in comics, which tour-takers appreciate. TopDog Tours offers this outing every day starting at 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost about $35 per adult and $26 for children 12 and younger. The company offers other specialty tours, including the Ghosts of Greenwich Village tour.

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Manhattan Walking Tour – High Line Park and Greenwich Village Food Tour

On this 3 1/2-hour combo tour, you'll explore Greenwich Village and the High Line while enjoying food and drinks at five different restaurants. Along the 2-mile stroll, your guide will share information about the High Line's creation, and offer tips about where to find the best independent bookstores and underground jazz clubs in Greenwich Village. Reviewers love the intimate feel of the tour, which is capped at eight participants, and say the food portions are generous (you'll want to come hungry). Travelers also applaud the friendly guides, who share plenty of historical and architectural tidbits. Tours depart daily at 11 a.m. Tickets start at $124 for all ages. If you'd like to explore more, consider booking the company's combo tour of Chinatown.

Free Tours by Foot – Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Tour

For a quick overview of Brooklyn, take this three-hour tour with Free Tours by Foot. The experience begins with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge that includes both photo stops and educational interludes along the way. You'll then reach Brooklyn Heights, a much sought-after residential area once home to numerous famous authors. It then proceeds to Dumbo (as in Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), a former industrial area transformed into an artists' haven. The tour ends at the Fulton Ferry Landing. From there, you can catch the East River Ferry back to Manhattan. Guides consistently win praise for their knowledge and candor. Though tours operate on a pay-what-you-wish basis, reservations are required. Tours commence at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Free Tours by Foot offers a number of other excursions around the city, including street art tours and food-themed outings.

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9/11 Ground Zero Tour

Each of the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour's guides have a personal connection to Sept. 11, which helps them to provide the passionate, informative tours visitors rave about. The 90-minute walking tours begin at St. Paul's Chapel, which served as an impromptu rescue center during the attacks, and then moves to the 9/11 Memorial. Guides may also stop at different locales related to the events, as each guide gives a slightly different tour based on their personal experiences. Tours take place at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Tickets cost approximately $35 for adults and $30 for children 6 to 12. Tours that combine the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour with a visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum , to the observatory atop One World Trade Center or both are also available.

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Take a walk through the iconic Central Park, and learn a bit about its history, during a tour with the Central Park Conservancy.

Central Park Conservancy – Iconic Views of Central Park Tour

Bethesda Terrace, the Bow Bridge, Cherry Hill, the Lake and Sheep Meadow are among the Central Park sights visited on this 90-minute, 1.3-mile walk. Along with the park's iconic landmarks, the tour also highlights the park's history, as well as insider secrets. Participants find the guides friendly and well-informed. Tours leave from the Columbus Circle Information Kiosk select days at 11 a.m. Tickets start at $15 for the general public. The conservancy also offers several other seasonal tours and walks devoted to specific areas of the park.

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours – Broadway's Beginnings

Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on New York's renowned theater district with the Broadway's Beginnings tour. The nearly two-hour, half-mile walk visits several venues in the southern end of the district, starting with the Nederlander Theatre. All of the guides are professional stage managers or actors, and they share their personal experiences as well as Broadway history and legends. Tour-takers report learning a great deal about Broadway shows from the engaging guides. Tickets cost around $40 for adults and about $35 for anyone younger than 13. Tours occur every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11 a.m. Groups are limited to 15 participants. Broadway Up Close offers several other themed walking tours, including one all about the ghosts that purportedly haunt the district's theaters.

Tommy's New York – Catacombs by Candlelight Tour

Set beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral (which is a different institution than St. Patrick's Cathedral ) is a series of catacombs that hold the crypts of past New York City residents and religious dignitaries, dating back to the early 19th century. Tommy's New York has an exclusive arrangement with the basilica to show the winding catacombs to visitors. Travelers generally find these excursions and their guides both informative and highly entertaining. They also enjoy seeing the catacombs. Tickets for the 90-minute candlelit tour start at $37 for adults and $30 for children younger than 12. Tours depart Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Note: Tours may be canceled or postponed due to church activities.

Urban Adventures – Hamilton Tour

With renewed interest in Alexander Hamilton, no doubt due in part to the wildly popular musical based on his life, tourists may want to check out his old stomping grounds. The Hamilton Tour starts where the first secretary of the treasury's journey ended: the cemetery at Trinity Church, where Hamilton is buried. The trip through the financial district also encompasses the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. It concludes at Fraunces Tavern, where Hamilton (and rival Aaron Burr) once ate and where tour participants may opt for a post-walk drink or snack. Guides are regarded as adept and talented storytellers. Tickets for the two-hour outings, which are offered daily at 3 p.m., cost about $40 per person; there is no charge for children 5 and younger. Urban Adventures offers numerous other New York City tours with a variety of themes, including a food tour of the Lower East Side and a Brooklyn history tour.

Inside Out Tours – NYC Slavery & The Underground Railroad Walking Tour

This 2 1/2-hour tour explores slavery in colonial New York as well as the efforts of enslaved Africans to escape. During the tour, you'll visit the sites of the city's first slave market and view a former station on the Underground Railroad. The approximately 1 1/2-mile walk also stops at a memorial dedicated to enslaved people, a burial ground and a related archaeological site. Travelers regularly extol guides for their informative and thoughtful storytelling. Tours are offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday throughout the year. Tickets cost approximately $35 for adults with discounts for children, students and seniors. The company also leads tours highlighting the city's art, architecture, gospel and food.

ExperienceFirst – SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown Tour

Three adjacent, but very distinctive Manhattan neighborhoods together form the perfect route for a fascinating two-hour walk. Starting at the corner of Spring Street and 6th Avenue, ExperienceFirst's tour navigates the blocks of SoHo, where high-end shops and upscale apartments came to occupy buildings that formerly housed factories and slaughterhouses. It then proceeds to Little Italy and Chinatown, where immigrants' eventful histories continue to shape the neighborhood. Guides narrate the colorful, sometimes tumultuous backstories of the three areas. Participates consistently call the guides both entertaining and well-informed. Tours commence at noon daily. Tickets start at around $35, with reduced rates for children ages 4 to 12. ExperienceFirst also offers this tour in Spanish, in addition to tours that explore other parts of town like the High Line and Chelsea, as well as Wall Street.

You may also be interested in:

• Best New York City Tours
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Step into the past as you stroll through the present New York City with Joyce Gold History Tours of New York .

Joyce is a recognized expert and historical raconteur and walking tour guide who delights visitors and new yorkers alike with an experience both insightful and entertaining.   schedule a private custom tour for an in-depth experience tailored to your tastes and time-table. or join a public scheduled tour and discover why people keep coming back for more..

Join our mailing list to receive NYC tour schedules as they are available.   Private tours are available year-round.

NYC tour guide Joyce Gold discusses a new highrise in the Financial District of New York City. (Courtesy of CORE Group Marketing 77 Greenwich St.)

Give an Exceptional Gift A tour of New York with a Joyce Gold History Tours of New York Gift Certificate -->For a complete price schedule and quote for your custom tour or for corporate tours , contact Joyce . Join a Public Walking Tour - $25 per person-->   » contact Joyce for details

Metropolis Tours

Walking tours in nyc, discover the stories of new york city, 9/11 ground zero walking tour, 5 neighborhoods walking tour, book tours with your sightseeing pass, at metropolis tours our mission is to share the energy, history, and excitement of the city with visitors from all over the world by bringing them into the story of the city..

New York City is made up of over 8 million people, over 300 square miles, and over 400 years of history. Each one of them has a story to tell.

Take a tour with us. Be a part of the story.

Reviews 35 Reviews .MGYwMmExOGULNYXRpYypbWFnZXMvYTUZGQOWYxZjcYjdkYjNhOTYMEyYjFkZTFiNjEucGn { } .MGYwMmExOGULNYXRpYypbWFnZXMvYTUZGQOWYxZjcYjdkYjNhOTYMEyYjFkZTFiNjEucGn:after{ ; ; } }

Jonathan is a very good guid and if you are French you can easly understand him

We took part to the 9/11 memorial today and our guide Jonathan was absolutely the best: super engaging, well-prepaired and gave us a lot of unexpected ... Read more

Merci beaucoup Jonathan pour cette visite emouvante mais passionnante du grand zero. J ai parfois des difficultés à comprendre les visites en anglais ... Read more

Usually hesitant about walking tours but man, this one was great. Jonathan gave a depth to the 9/11 memorial that you just cant get on your own. Very ... Read more

Mein Freund und ich haben die 9/11 Walking Tour über den Sightseeing-Pass gebucht. Unser Guide war Jonathan und er hat wirklich interessante Side-Facts ... Read more

9/11 walking tour with Jonathan was great! For the first time we really enjoyed these kind of tours. He provided to us very intersting information, ... Read more

Jonathan was our guide. He was full of knowledge and make the walk fun. He provided pictures to see prior verses today.

An excellent tour and one of the highlights of our trip to New York. Jonatan was so friendly and informative. We learnt so much that we didn't already ... Read more

Had a great 9/11 tour today with Jonathan! He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all the hard questions! He had a lot of respect for the ... Read more

I took the 9/11 Ground Zero Walking Tour with Jonathan as our Guide. It was a very informative, engaging and entertaining tour, Jonathan provide us a lot ... Read more

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5 Fascinating Historical Tours of New York City

Discover Manhattan's Long & Curious Past on 5 Guided Tours

Allan Montaine / Getty Images

New York City tells the tales of its past through art, architecture, food, and landmarks. Yet with the fast pace of the city, it can be hard to truly take it all in. That’s where historical tours come in. Across Manhattan, knowledgeable guides are bringing the history that surrounds us (and that we often walk right by) to life. From the earliest history of New York as a Dutch settlement to the opportunity to board a historic aircraft carrier, here are five favorite historical tours in NYC .

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

New York is a city of immigrants, and for many new Americans, their story began on Ellis Island. Follow in their footsteps with this 4 1/2-hour guided tour with ExperienceFirst , kicking off with a boat ride in New York Harbor. The first stop is Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, which served as a symbol of welcome to millions of immigrants. After a guided tour of the museum in the statue’s pedestal and a stroll around, the tour continues back on the boat as it sails toward Ellis Island. The original building still stands where millions of immigrants over five decades were processed before officially entering the United States. After your guide provides context about the buildings and the island’s history, it’s time to explore. You can look up the records of your own ancestors, wander through the Ellis Island Museum, and roam the grounds before boarding the boat back to the tip of lower Manhattan. Meets at the bookstore inside Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, from $57/adult.

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Tenements, Tales, and Tastes: A Tour of New York’s Lower East Side

For many immigrants, their story continued on from Ellis Island to the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side . This 3-hour tour with Urban Oyster is an on-foot exploration of one of Manhattan’s largest melting pots, home to Italian, Irish, Chinese, and Jewish settlers, among many others, over the years. This tour begins at City Hall with a Dutch snack before winding through the narrow streets of Chinatown and Little Italy. Stops will include everything from historic synagogues to a century-old bakery to the revitalized Essex Street Market. Historical sites are also included; expect to see both an African burial ground and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Snacks from a variety of cultures are included in this tour, so bring an appetite. Meets at the fountain at City Hall Park, from $69/adult.

Wall Street and 9/11 Memorial Tour

The most comprehensive history tour of New York City is found downtown, in today’s Financial District, where Manhattan as we know it first began. This 90-minute walking tour with Wall Street Walks begins on Wall Street—named by the Dutch during the 17th century when Manhattan was still New Amsterdam. The street today marks the northern extremity, or “wall,” of that original settlement. This neighborhood is also dense with landmarks dating back to the American Revolution, including Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Jumping forward in time, this tour covers Wall Street as the home of the American financial sector, including the imposing New York Stock Exchange. A stroll through the neighborhood concludes at the 9/11 Memorial, now home to two striking pools in the footprints of the former World Trade Center Twin Towers. Meets at 55 Wall St., from $35/adult.

Rockefeller Center Tour

In Manhattan, a rich history is often right under our noses. One of the best examples is Rockefeller Center, known today for its annual Christmas tree lighting and iconic ice-skating rink, but actually an important historical site in its own right. This 75-minute walking tour offered by the Rockefeller Center is led by a local historian and explores the history of Rockefeller Center from its Art Deco buildings to the Radio City Music Hall to its extensive displays of art, including sculptures and murals. This tour is a particularly good fit for art and architecture enthusiasts, with in-depth coverage of 30 Rockefeller, formerly called the GE Building, which is home to the viewing decks of Top of the Rock and a major Art Deco landmark dating back to 1933 (it was here that the famous photograph of workers sitting on a beam high above the New York City skyline was snapped). Meets at West 50th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues., from $25/adult.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Tour

History is brought to life aboard a floating landmark at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum . The USS Intrepid , a 900-foot-long aircraft carrier, is docked in the Hudson River and contains a wide range of exhibits spread throughout four decks, including a space shuttle, spy plane, submarine, and a hands-on flight simulator. Take your museum visit to the next level by joining a guided tour . Several different options are available, including tours that cover the USS Intrepid in World War II, Intrepid 101 (that covers the basics, including the flight deck), Concorde: A Supersonic Story (an exploration of the fastest airplane to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean), and Space Shuttle Enterprise: Up Close and In Depth. Pier 86, 12th Avenue & 46th Street, from $15/adult in addition to museum ticket.

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17 Best Walking Tours In NYC For A Day Of Sightseeing

Sure, bus tours are cool, but nothing beats touring NYC on foot!

Whether you’re commuting to work, meeting with friends, or exercising, it’s no secret that New Yorkers see much of the city by foot. However, walking the same paths day after day may keep you from seeing some of the most unique parts of the city, and what fun is that? Though typically taken by tourists, walking tours in NYC can be one of the best ways to bust out of your usual routine and expose yourself to something new! Whether you’re looking for new hidden gems in your neighborhood, wanting to learn more about the city, or explore somewhere you’ve never been, we’ve got some guided tours that’ll do the trick.

1. Catacombs by Candlelight Tour

Are you brave enough to explore the catacombs of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral by candlelight? In this walking tour, you can get an up close and personal look at the sealed off catacombs that are 200 years old and closed to the public. You’ll be able to walk through the chilling crypts by candlelight, all while learning about how the church served as a notable final resting place for many famous New Yorkers.

🕯️ Get your tickets to the Catacombs by Candlelight Tour here!

2. Inside Out Tours

This black woman-owned NYC tour operator offers some of the best walking tours in NYC, focused on hidden history, architecture, team-building, diversity and inclusion-themed experiences. This organization takes great pride in this outlook, and it reflects in their diverse subjects of tours! They too have both public and private tours available, and they truly dig deep into topics that made NYC what it is today. Check out just some of them below!

• Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Neighborhood Walking Tour, buy tickets here
• NYC Slavery & the Underground Railroad Walking Tour, buy tickets here
• Secrets of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Walking Tour, buy tickets here

3. Viator Tours

You’ve probably heard of Viator, and that’s because they service different experiences across the world’s most famous cities. Here in NYC it’s no different and their range of of unique walking tour experiences are some you can not find anywhere else! Check out our favorites below and remember to keep them in mind if you travel to other cities!

• Cupcake Walking Tour in New York City, buy tickets here
• Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC, buy tickets here
• New York City Ghost Hunt: Greenwich Ghost Hunt, buy tickets here
• Greenwich Village Small-Group Haunted Ghost Tour in NYC, buy tickets here

4. Chinatown Official Historic District Tour

In partnership with the Chinatown Little Italy Historic District and Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, this walking tour allows guests to explore one of the most exciting neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan! The 90 minute walking tour will lead you down Chinatown landmarks, like Doyers Street, Confucius Plaza, a Taoist Temple, and more. Don’t forget to try some of the neighborhood’s restaurants too while you’re there!

Learn more about this tour here !

5. Haunted Manhattan Walking Tours

Take a journey on a tour “where horror and history meet.” Haunted Manhattan Tours offers 4 different options, separated by neighborhood (East Village, West Village, Greenwich Village, Five Points). Have a drink with a troubled bartender in the East Village, or get to know the spooky souls of Manhattan artists in the West Village; each tour is riddled with crime scenes, ghosts past, and historical tales that will have you feeling spooked out.

Learn more about these tours here .

6. Broadway Up Close Tours

Get ready for a behind the scenes look at Broadway like you never have before! Broadway Up Close offers tours of different NYC Broadway theaters that you normally wouldn’t get access to. We’re talking everything from the Hudson Theatre to the Gershwin Theatre. They have three tours separated by street sections (41st-44th St, 44th-46th St, and 47-54th St), as well as variety tours too like a Haunted Broadway tour as well as a tour all about the play Hamilton .

Learn more these tours here .

7. New York Historical Tours

Our first walking tour recommendation is New York Historical Tours, whose unrivaled bundle of knowledge and fun is a great way to spend a day around NYC. With 15 signature tours covering every major district of the city, there’s sure to be one to enlighten and inspire you. Our favorite tours they offer include the Historic Lower Manhattan and Financial District Tour , the Downtown, Tribeca and SoHo Tour , the Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers tour , The Gilded Age tour or The Jazz Age tour !

Learn more about the tours here .

8. Little Italy Official Historic District Tour

Want to be transported back in time? At this 90-minute Little Italy Official Historic District Tour, you’ll uncover the rich heritage of the iconic neighborhood through a tour of Petrosino Park, Mulberry Play Street, the Old Police Headquarters Building, and beyond. The walking tour is filled with tales of triumph, struggle, and cultural contributions that shaped Little Italy into its present-day community. Be sure to save room to sample the authentic flavors that the neighborhood has to offer!

9. Free Tours by Foot

For some casual, and costless fun, check out Free Tours by Foot whose 5 featured tours all run under a pay-as-you-wish system. To start your journey with them, you could try the SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Tour , or their Brooklyn Bridge, Heights and DUMBO Tour . A few other of our favorites are the Harlem Tour and the Lower Manhattan Tour , and the Lower East Side Food Tour . Since these tours are free, they’re the perfect way to have a fun day at a low cost. They also have bike and audio tours too if you’re interested in that.

Learn more about Free Tours by Foot here .

10. NYC Gangsters & Ghosts Tour

This 2 hour and 1.2 mile walking tour takes you through the gangsters and ghosts of NYC’s past! Walk through the most famous neighborhoods of Downtown Manhattan (The Five Points, Chinatown, Little Italy and The West Village) and learn about the shady partying, speakeasy saloons, secret underground tunnels used by bootleggers throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The haunted locations and old crime scenes will leave you feeling chilled, as a historian guides you through the city, telling old stories along the way.

11. Like a Local Tours

Get ready to literally feel “like a local” with Like a Local Tours! With the help of their guides, they connect locals and tourists alike to discover NYC through food, fashion, art, history and immersive experiences. They offer both public and private tours, and even social impact tours that offer tourists a chance to make a difference in the NYC community while they’re on it. Be sure to check out our favorite ones below, and keep an eye on their calendar for even more:

• Flatiron Food, History, & Architecture Tour, buy tickets here

12. On Location Tours

Ready to feel like you’re on a movie set? On Location Tours in NYC specializes in entertainment, film, and TV-based walking tours that will take you around the most seen places of NYC on the big screen! If you don’t feel like the main character after one of these tours, we don’t know what will! Check out our favorite below and their website for even more:

• Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour, buy tickets here

13. Bowery Official Historic District Tour

Originally a Native American footpath and Dutch farm road, Bowery is NYC’s oldest street. At the Bowery Official Historic District Tour, you can uncover the site of the first free Black homesteads, gang wars, Lincoln’s famous anti-slavery speech at Cooper Union, and more. Steeped in history, the area was also home to NYC’s first entertainment district, Beat literature, improvisational jazz, and iconic artists such as Marc Rothko and Maya Lin.

14. Real New York Tours

For real people, real stories, and the real New York you know and love, Real New York Tours shows the city as it is. The founders of the company, Luke and Amber, are NYC locals that show you how the city should be admired. Their tour styles vary in location and size, so you’ll have to inquire online to see what’s available. For example, they have a classic Midtown tour or even a three-hour Downtown tour that will take you through a foot and subway trek through the Big Apple. We love the charisma these two bring to their guided tours!

For more details on tours, visit here .

15. Foods of NY Tours

If you’re looking for a walking tour in NYC that’s actually less walking, and more eating, Foods of NY Tours has a flavor for you! With seven mouth-watering tours in New York’s most historic neighborhoods, you’ll mingle with fellow New Yorkers over warm meals and even warmer conversations. The tour styles here combine food, history, culture, and storytelling to create an experience that will feed your mind just as much as your stomach! Some of our favorites include the Heart and Soul of Greenwich Village tour, the Flavors of Chinatown tour and the Secrets of Little Italy tour !

Learn more about Foods of NY Tours here .

16. Manhattan Walking Tour

If you’re looking for a casual, personable experience that feels like a friend is showing you around, Manhattan Walking Tours will happily be your guide. The tours here are kept small, with only eight people max per group! Manhattan Walking Tours gives you the chance to make friends, find new scrumptious foods, and just savor a day on your streets. With tours ranging from tasty eateries to architectural discovery, there’s a tour everyone can enjoy. Plus, we love the fact that they offer combo tours into a two, four, or even full six-hour package deal.

Find more information on tours here .

17. True Tales of NYC Walking Tours

The True Tales of NYC Walking Tours have a sweetly irresistible range of tours just for you. Most of their tours are around the East Village area, like their delicious East Village Food and East Village Dessert Tours . But they do have some good historical tours too! The True Tales of the East Village tour and the True Tales of Greenwich Village tour are both history-focused walking tours that will tell the tales of artists, oddballs, and provocateurs in those neighborhoods since the 1950s!

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Private Full Day Tour: Best of New York City

Best of new york city private full day guided tour.

Embark on an unforgettable journey  with our curated expert led   private guided tour through New York City . This exclusive experience is designed to showcase the very best of the city, taking you beyond the usual tourist spots to explore both iconic landmarks and hidden gems tucked away in the city’s vibrant tapestry.  Discover the stories behind the legendary people and extraordinary places that shaped the city, American culture and our modern global civilization.

This immersive tour through New York City starts from where it all began; on the tip of an island in one of the greatest natural harbors of the world that surround Lower Manhattan.  Learn how the city surpassed its colonial history through the American revolution to become a free and independent nation.  Explore the ports that would fuel its growth, diversity, and economic enterprise.   Uncover the city’s history and impact on American and global culture from its foundation of law and government.   You will be taken through the city’s historical remnants and landmarks and to its most stunning modern sites and innovations.

Next, you will be transported to the heart of the city to experience the modern majesty of Midtown Manhattan.   Learn how this area became the center point for the city’s prominent residents, ambitious enterprises, and seekers of wonder and excitement.  Alongside, you’ll explore an incredible world renown showcase of leisure fare in entertainment, shopping and attractions enveloped in extraordinary architectural masterpieces.

Your expert guide will lead you through the most exciting highlights through the city, rich with history , unraveling stories of ordinary and extraordinary people and  monumental events that shaped the world we know today.  Immerse yourself in the essence of Manhattan as you gain insight into the foundations, dynamics and energy that power this metropolis.   This exciting and illuminating private full day guided tour will reward you with greater perspective and insight for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime .

Explore: Landmarks and hidden gems off the beaten path.

Discover: stories unveiling New York's rich history.

Immerse: unparalleled private personalized experience.

Tour Details

• Good to Know

Tour Highlights

Historic Lower Manhattan: Explore the city's foundational roots in the Financial District, walk through history down cobblestone streets in the footsteps of the American Revolution.

South Street Seaport: Discover maritime charm at South Street Seaport: historic ships, vibrant markets, enjoying spectacular waterfront views.

World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial: Experience the powerful 9/11 Memorial, a testament to resilience and the human spirit, near the iconic World Trade Center.

Times Square Enjoy an illuminating experience through Times Square's where dazzling displays electrify New York City.

Theater District Stories and stars that spotlight NYC's Great White Way through popular Broadway productions and theater history.

Fifth Avenue: Stroll up fashionable Fifth Avenue world renown for iconic style, shopping and inspirational attractions.

Private professionally guided city walking tour

$799.00 USD for up to 6 participants

$80.00 USD each additional participant

What's Included

• Private Personalized Tour
• Expert Licensed Guide
• Customizable Experience
• Transportation one-way MTA subway metro card fare

Optional Add ons

+ Hotel Pickup  additional fee may apply

+ Private Vehicle of choice for an additional fee

+ Extended Duration hourly rate will apply

* advance notice required for optional add ons

Not Included

– Gratuities Optional but  appreciated

– Meals recommended options available on route

Meeting Point

Bowling Green Park By the south gate facing the National Museum of the American Indian View in Google Maps

Please note...

We want you to have a great experience and will do our best to accommodate you. Even with the best intentions we understand that sometimes things happen. We ask kindly that you please take a moment to review our policies:

• Safety – We follow all of the most current federal, state and local guidelines and follow best practices to ensure the safety of all. Our tours take place outdoors unless otherwise noted. Masks and social distancing are recommended and may be required to enter indoor facilities when applicable. We make every effort to avoid high traffic areas to make for a more comfortable experience.
• Weather – all tours are conducted on a year round basis, rain or shine. If inclement weather is expected or there is a severe weather advisory warning in effect around the time of the tour, we will contact you to discuss all options including or rescheduling the tour to another day or provide a refund.
• Schedule – tours start promptly at the designated meeting location for your chosen tour. We recommend you plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you anticipate a delay in arrival please call us at (646) 320-1277.
• Exchanges and Refunds – if for any reason you cannot make your scheduled tour we will be happy to reschedule your tour for another day. If you must cancel your tour we will provide a full refund of your tour at your request with a minimum of 48 hours notice for day tours.
• Reservations – you can reserve a tour by phone, e-mail, or securely online. Advance reservations are recommended for all tours. Scheduled tours start promptly at the designated meeting location for your chosen tour. We recommend you plan to arrive a few minutes early.
• Dress – for the most enjoyable experience we suggest dressing appropriately for the weather and wearing comfortable walking shoes.
• Photos – bring a fully charged phone or camera! Your guide is happy to take photos for you at your request.
• Accessibility – our tours take place on level terrain and are stroller and wheelchair friendly. Please notify your guide if any participants might require special accommodation or accessibility during the tour.
• Transportation – we know that the best way to experience New York City is on foot. Our tours are walking tours that go at a comfortable leisurely pace. We can provide private transportation or assist with public transportation for an additional fee upon request.

See What Previous Guests Had to Say

Tripadvisor reviews.

Wow!! We learned so much! Walking with a REAL historian made ALL the difference. We will definitely be back for more tours. We did a private tour snd it was worth EVERY penny.

travelinspiration

Our 1st day we concentrated on the many iconic sights of Midtown Manhattan, including inside the Empire State Building, NY City Library, Grand Central, Rockefeller Center, and many more including hidden gems along the way – all fantastic!!!

Google Reviews

Great city, great tour & top guide!

Discover More Great NY History

Private guided tour of the statue of liberty and ellis island nyc, private new york city half day tour: the downtown experience nyc, private new york city half day tour: the magic of midtown manhattan nyc, subscribe to our newsletter.

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New Tour Alert! SWEETS AND SCREAMS: A SUGARY SWEET GHOST WALK OF GREENWICH VILLAGE

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

Experience the City’s Rich History

From Colonial to Contemporary

Small Group Sizes!

Explore New York City by experiencing a journey of historical jewels that can't be missed

A New York City walking tour that compactly retraces a city’s evolution, Lower Manhattan is a treasured destination that provides a concentrated timeline along historical roads less traveled. Discover the key role of New York Harbor , where Lenape Villages converged with a fledgling Dutch colonials outpost. Retrace the strategic maneuverings of a conquering British Empire alongside the covert activities of the Revolutionary War. Relive the endeavors at governance of a new nation. And imagine a fledgling municipality’s grand visions of foundational urban planning, engineering innovations and financial restructurings,, as waves of new immigrants would expand cultural boundaries and heritage landscapes.

Lower Manhattan teems with perspectives brought to life by its many characters and lives revealed as you meander through ancient paths that acknowledge their presence. For discerning travelers on the hunt for long sought insights on the forces driving the evolution of this metropolis, the tour is an essential item on the list of things to do in NYC. No other historical neighborhood can lay claim to so much impact or influence in the world over a relatively brief time-period in global events. You come away with the past present in ways that enchant, intrigue, enlighten, magnetize. Through the myths and legends of the city’s origins , the secrets of the United States’ foundational directions, the hidden legends behind street names and places, the forgotten stories buried with unearthed archeological sites, and — in true NYC evolutionary fashion — the phenomenon of how the Charging Bull has become the most iconic structure redefining the neighborhood’s prestige.

Experience where the whole city and nation began

Learn about the city’s origin as a Dutch fur-trading outpost and colonial stronghold

Visit key historical locations like Wall Street, Stone Street Historic District, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Hamilton's gravesite

Discover how Lower Manhattan has transformed since 9/11

Click the Tabs to Find Out More

Trip details.

$50, but best value is the combo with our Chinatown or Greenwich Village food tours for a $25 discount

Tours require a minimum of 2 guests to open, and then single travelers can join. If you are a single traveler, and are having trouble booking, please email or call.

Departure time

Meeting point.

Upon your reservation, you will receive a confirmation with maps and best mode of transportation to get to your meeting point

Finish Point

Bowling Green

Availability

Seven days a week, rain or shine

Approximately 90 minutes

All tours are semi-private with 8 people or less

It is a walking tour, but the pace is slow and comfortable

Private Tour Option

All of our tours are available as private tours . Enjoy the same great tour with just your friends and family, and one of our guides. Get in touch to plan your tour today!

What You’ll Do and See

See where it all began on this fascinating tour that takes you past some of New York’s most important business and government institutions . This area is the birthplace of NYC , and your guide will share their immense knowledge of how it emerged from a Dutch fur-trading outpost and colonial stronghold, to a land of towering skyscrapers and glittering lights. We’ll show you the last remaining gas lamp lights and e xplore how stocks were originally traded . You will amble down Wall Street, explore the Stone Street Historic District (New York City’s oldest neighborhood), see the famed Trinity Church, Federal Hall, visit Hamilton’s gravesite and experience how 9-11 transformed these sacred grounds. Every step of this walking tour is like turning the page of an American history textbook . Let the next chapter be one YOU write!

This tour makes a great Half Day Double Combo with our  Greenwich Village Food Tour (opens in a new tab) , or an awesome Full Day Triple Combo with the  Greenwich Village Food Tour and High Line Walking Tour (opens in a new tab)

Check Out What Our Guests Are Saying

Happy client.

My wife and I have done a lot of guided tours, in a lot of different places round the world. I don’t think we have ever had a better one – and we’ve had some pretty good ones!

I really love this tour and the guides! Been to every single one! Full of knowledge when it comes to history and food.

This tour was great. Really informative and really laid back. You see a local side to NYC you would never normally see.

You May Also Like...

Central park walking tour, hell’s kitchen food tour, greenwich village food tour.

St. Paul’s Chapel – 1766

Last revolutionary war tour.

I will be leaving NYC at the end of February 2024! THANK YOU to everyone who has come on my tours since opening in 2005. It has been a great pleasure to bring the story of NY’s early history to thousands of people.

I will conduct ONE FINAL Revolutionary War Tour on Sunday, 2/11/24, at 11:00 am. It will be a cash-only or Venmo event, $50/person. The tour will meet at Broadway and Warren Street and end at Fraunces Tavern Museum. I expect it will take about three hours; I plan to include material I generally do not cover! This is the LAST OPPORTUNITY to take a tour with me in NYC.

If you would like to come, please let me know by sending an email so I will know who to expect.

I will be reopening in another location in the Summer of 2024; in the meantime, you can continue to follow me on social media on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube .

Revolutionary War Walking Tour

Historic New York City

New York – In 1776  all eyes were on “The Island at the Center of the World”!

Take a walk from the Stamp Act protests of 1765 through President Washington’s Farewell at the end of the War for Independence in 1783.

You’ll experience the spellbinding story of the American Revolution while walking on the very streets where it happened. Original documents and prints will help us visualize those events.

You’ll visit:

• The Liberty Pole — site of violent protests
• The Commons – Declaration Read 1776
• St. Paul’s Chapel and Graveyard  1766
• Wall Street
• Fraunces Tavern – Washington’s Farewell
• plus more…

You’ll hear the stories of Sons of Liberty, soldiers, printers, and spies and the risks they took to fight against the oppression of the British Empire. And you’ll see real propaganda used by both sides. Was anyone objective?

We’ll stand where the Continental Army landed during their dangerous escape from the British in Brooklyn in the middle of the night. Imagine what it must have been like!

Tour Preview: Liberty Pole

Hamilton Walking Tour

Hamilton and Burr!

Forget everything you think you know about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr!

Take a stroll through the lives of these two incredible men. We’ll tell you the story NO ONE else can. Who were these men really? You will be stunned at how different the reality is from what we believe today.

You’ll hear their personal stories in their own words and the words of those who knew them.

You’ll Visit:

• the site of King’s College
• The Room Where it Happened
• Hercules Mulligan’s
• Washington’s Inauguration
• The Bank of NY, Trinity Church
• St. Paul’s Chapel
• the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton and their son, Philip

You’ll hear a hilarious ballad written about Burr and his secret lover! And we’ll “remember the ladies” with a tour stop dedicated to the capable, inspiring women in their lives.

How did two intelligent, educated, successful, ambitious men end up pointing pistols at each other at a dueling ground in New Jersey? AND who really shot first?

Trinity Graveyard Preview:

Karen Quinones Your Tour Guide

Karen has been conducting tours of lower Manhattan since 2005 and knows every nook and cranny of the area. She is also a historical reenactor and participates, as Mrs. Q, in NYC area Revolutionary War reenactments.

Karen is the author of “Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation,” a critically acclaimed Young Adult biography of Aaron Burr’s daughter available directly from Karen or on Amazon .

Join Karen for an unforgettable historical experience without modern revisionism!

Follow us on Facebook for a Daily History Story

Or sign up for a weekly email digest of our daily history story posts. (We will not use your email for any other purpose.)

History Reenactments

Evacuation day 1783.

Mrs. Q joins Alexander Hamilton for a walk through NYC the day the British left at the end of the Revolutionary War. Who might we run into along the way?

There is even more to see on our Youtube Channel about the American Revolution in NY.

Follow us on social media or sign up for our weekly email digest for announcements of other events like this one.

NEW!!! Karen Q Virtual Experiences

Join Karen Q on a tour of Fraunces Tavern Museum. Built in 1719, it is the oldest building in Lower Manhattan. In this video we look at the George Washington Portrait Gallery, the Clinton Room, and the Long Room where General Washington gave his farewell address at the end of the Revolutionary War.

You can see more of Karen’s virtual tours on our Youtube Channel. Learn New York City’s history from someone who loves it!

Our Tours Are Different!

Our tours are different from anything else in NYC!  We don’t spend a couple of days looking up sites on the internet and writing a script. Instead, we carefully research every time period we cover.  We use period documents like newspapers, pamphlets, personal correspondence and broadsides. Then, we pick events that you will find most interesting and that you can relate to. Plus, all of our tours are designed to tell a complete story from start to finish and conducted personally by the researcher.

All tours are limited to 15 customers on weekdays and 20 on weekends. We want to engage with you and create a total historic experience. Plus, we use original period documents on all of our tours to help illustrate the story.

Watch the video below to see how Karen Q builds our unique and amazing tours and what makes them different from all of the others. Then, check out our excellent reviews  and book your tour!

Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation – by Karen Cherro Quinones

The story of theodosia burr, daughter of vp aaron burr.

Author signed copies available – $35 plus free shipping – contact Karen for more info .

“The writing is crisp, clear, and engaging. Full-color illustrations add visual appeal. …Burr’s prominence as an educated, modern woman made her a role model for her time. Interesting and accessible way to learn about early U.S. history through a remarkable young woman’s life.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The detailed source notes, bibliography, and further reading make for a well-researched and interesting look at a little-known person and the times in which she lived.” — J. B. Petty, Booklist

Learn all about Theodosia on our Hamilton and Burr walking tour.

Take a Private Tour

Give yourself or a history lover you know a private tour with Karen Q! She’ll answer all of your questions and tailor the story to your interests. An unforgettable experience.

Email for Info

The 27 Best Walking Tours of NYC (Ranked & Sorted)!

Among the most popular ways to experience the Big Apple are guided walking tours, which offer something for everyone. Here I show you the best walking food tours , street art walking tours , the best  Hamilton Musical Walking Tour , Haunted Walking Tours and (of course) the best walking tours through neighborhoods like Soho, Chinatown, the Lower East Side or the Theatre District.

You'll love this:

• Things to Do in NYC
• 30+ New York City Neighborhood Guides

The choice is huge and unfortunately not every tour is really worth the money. All walking tours that made it to our best list are really really good! Many of them we have done ourselves (several times) – which ones we show you here in our personal recommendations .

New are Self Guided Walking Tours , where you can explore the city at your own pace and at any time of day, private walking tours  and last but not least, here is an overview of free walking tours .

Table of Contents

The Best Walking Tours of NYC

01 A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

The A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour is a combination of sightseeing tour, bus and walking tour. It starts not far from Union Square Park in Manhattan: with your New York guide you drive to Brooklyn to get to know one of the most important neighborhoods like  Sunset Park, DUMBO, Bay Ridge and also Coney Island. 

On this sightseeing tour you will learn where movies like Goodfellas, Once Upon in America or Annie Hall were filmed and you will stop at two of the best pizzerias in Brooklyn. Because pizza and New York simply belong together!

02 Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour

Brooklyn is known for its good pizzas and great coffee. You can go on a journey of discovery through different countries like you can in hardly any other borough. There are many different cultures that have brought their recipes from home to the Big Apple. This Food on Foot tour offers the best of everything: from savory to sweet, from European variations to Mexico and Asia.

03 Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and learn about the exciting and dramatic history of this world-famous New York City neighborhood, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. On the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge you will discover DUMBO, a newly popular and up and coming part of Brooklyn. 

Meeting point is 52 Chambers Street in front of the Tweed Courthouse.

04 Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest

Explore the flavors and traditions of  New York’s Chinatown and Little Italy during this exciting food tour. You’ll leave with a full stomach and lots of interesting information about the history and culture of these two neighborhoods.

05 Food on Foot Tours

This is one of the best ways to discover the culinary highlights of NYC! Taking you around the city to explore the best of the best in terms of food, this award winning tour is an excellent way to explore the taste of different areas of NYC.

06 Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC

Immerse yourself in the rich history of New York City with an intriguing Gangsters and Ghosts walking tour. Join your guide for a unique journey into the city’s past, exploring its infamous crimes, notorious gangsters, clandestine deals, and haunted structures. Meander through a variety of downtown neighborhoods, including Little Italy, Chinatown, and the West Village, as you soak up chilling tales of spirits and mobsters. Experience downtown Manhattan’s history on this one-of-a-kind tour, gain insightful knowledge about local history from your guide, and explore several neighborhoods all in one fascinating journey.

07 Hamilton Musical Walking Tour

Did you know that Alexander Hamilton spent most of his life in New York? He is the main character in the musical “Hamilton”, which is one of the most successful shows on Broadway (it won 16 Tony Awards!). This Walking Tour will take you to the most important stages of his life and show you which spots have made an impact on the story. 

Highlights of the Walking Tour include many important historical sites such as Thomas Jefferson’s home, Kings College and Trinity Church. It’s the perfect tour for anyone looking to get in the mood for an evening on Broadway – and for all fans of the musical “Hamilton.”

08 High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour

This is the most popular walking tour along the High Line, starting in the Meatpacking District at the Whitney Museum, running through Chelsea and ending at Hudson Yards. The High Line is my personal favorite park in NYC and always worth a visit. I find the High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour really exciting because you get told the history and significance to New York. Your guide will tell you many secrets that the High Line, the Chelsea Market and the Meatpacking District has to offer.

For me personally, this tour is one of the best walking tours in NYC ever, because you see a lot of the old and the new New York City. That’s what makes this district so interesting for me!

09 High Line Park and Greenwich Village Food Tour

This walking tour through Greenwich Village and Chelsea is one of the best food tours New York City has to offer! Because in this part of the city there are many wonderful little food spots that you must discover. 

In addition, you will learn many exciting anecdotes about the High Line, which connects the Hudson Yards with the Meatpacking District. This former elevated railway line was saved from demolition due to an initiative and is now one of the most popular sights in New York. All the more reason to book this awesome walking tour!

10 High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking Tour

Go on a fun adventure in New York’s only park above street level- the Highline. Experience the Chelsea neighborhood from a whole new vantage point and find out more about the history of the famous Meatpacking District including how it developed into one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the world.

11 New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour

Learn more about the dramatic history of slavery and its connection to the New York subway. Listen to the stories of those New Yorkers who risked their lives and property to help others escape. During this Walking Tour you will gollow the NYC Freedom Trail, and learn how a group of brave men and women forged the network that became the Underground Railroad. View the former city stations that were included on the Underground Railroad, and discover how New Yorkers risked their lives to help people escape slavery.

12 New York: Central Park Movie Sites Walking Tour

On the tour she passes countless locations of TV series and movies: feeds the pigeons like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2, takes pictures in front of the Wollman Rink, as seen in Serendipity, and visits the Boathouse Café, where Harry and Sally have already sat. Also on the tour are locations from comedies such as Date Night – Gangster for a Night, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Gossip Girl, Ghostbusters and more.

13 NYC Lower East Side Food and Culture Small-Group Tour

This is a really unique walking tour in NYC that will introduce you to the wonderful Lower East Side. The Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour shows you the many lovely little delis, Jewish specialties, bakeries and everything that makes up the soul of the city. 

You’ll visit places that are an important part of the community, having operated in the same spot for generations. You’ll get a glimpse of authentic life and become part of the real New York. 

With nearly 500 positive reviews, it’s the most popular walking tour in New York of them all!

14 NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour

The Lower East Side is still an absolute insider tip among the neighborhoods of New York City and a part of Lower Manhattan that I love to visit. There are countless authentic bars and delis, some of which have been family-owned for more than 100 years and are thus an important part of the community.  

The NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour deals exactly with these small spots and stores and is therefore a TOP Thing to do for foodies!

15 NYC Private Walking Tour

If you are traveling as a family or small group and already know exactly what you want to see in New York City, then this private walking tour with Oli is a great option. Here you can let a New York guide show you the best parts of the city and sights from a local’s point of view. You can decide individually which attractions you want to see, because together with Oli you can build your perfect itinerary!

As a bonus, you can even be picked up directly from your hotel, so that the sightseeing program starts directly from your accommodation. And the best part? I personally know Oliver and can only recommend him to you: he loves New York and you will notice that 200% during your tour with him!

16 Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour

The Stage Door tour is great for everyone who is interested in theatre and the entertaining arts. Find out everything about the Rockettes and their history as well as a lot of behind the scenes information about the Radio City Music Hall.

17 Soho, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour

Now known for their many excellent restaurants, shops and tourism, Manhattan’s SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown neighborhoods offer the most varied stories of New York City. Take a 2-hour tour with a local guide and discover hidden gems and 19th century buildings.

18 Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: 4-Hour Guided Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You will have reserved access to the ferry to get to the statue and then you can explore these 2 major attractions with a 4 hour guided tour.

19 Statue of Liberty Pedestal, Ellis Island & Pre-Ferry Tour

A 30-minute English-language guided tour of Battery Park followed by a transfer to the Statue of Liberty with a German audio guide and guaranteed admission to the base of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

20 The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour not only shows you the most important parts of New York’s famous train station, but focuses on the secrets and special features that only a New York guide would know. Did you know that there is a hidden tennis court in Grand Central Terminal? Or that the painting of the ceiling is mirror-inverted? You will learn much more on this exciting walking tour in NYC!

My Recommendations

I’m a big fan of the

• the 4-Hour Guided Tour of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour as well as the
• High Line and Chelsea Small Group Tour , because you can do sightseeing and learn a lot of interesting things from a local guide at the same time.

And then I would like to recommend the

• NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Walking Tour and the
• Lower East Side Food and Culture Tour .

If you want to customize a walking tour to your own preference and schedule, I recommend this private walking tour with Oli, who I also know personally!

The 13 Best Walking Food Tours

Walking Food Tours bring together several things I like: you learn about the food culture and the neighborhoods of NYC through a local guide, and you get to eat delicious food!

Here you can find the best food walking tours of NYC :

NYC Lower East Side Food and Culture Small-Group Tour

Best of brooklyn walking tour, high line park and greenwich village food tour, chinatown and little italy food fest, flatiron food, architecture, and history tour.

The Flatiron Building is one of the most photographed buildings in the city. But there is much more to discover in the direct neighbourhood. Thanks to the organization “Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership” you will be guided through the district every Sunday by a free guide. Meeting point is the southwest corner of Madison Square Park.

NYC Lower East Side Walking and Food Tour

2-hour cupcake tour of greenwich village.

If you’re into sweets and desserts you should try the famous Cupcake Tour. Sample colorful cupcakes at boutique bake shops, and build your own custom cupcake during this 2-hour tour in Greenwich Village. New York clearly has the best cupcakes and this will be the chance to try the best of them.

Greenwich Village Pizza Walk

Pizza and New York simply belong together! Next to the famous Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour, this tour through Greenwich Village and Little Italy is one of the most popular food tours in NYC. Included in the price are 3 slices of pizza from different stores and during the tour you will also learn a lot about these neighborhoods from a New York guide.

A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

New york west village food tour.

Go on one of the famous Food on Foot Tours. During the 3-hour tour, you will discover many great little restaurants and bakeries. A total of 6 of them are on your program on this walking tour, which is one of the most popular in the West Village. For foodies this tour is a must!

New York: Midtown Manhattan Street Food Walking Tour

Food trucks are very popular with New Yorkers: as a quick snack between meals or as a lunch. The Gourmet Snack Truck Tour takes you either through the Financial District or Midtown. From Korean short ribs to souvlaki, curry, falafel, hot dogs or brownies – you will be surprised!

Williamsburg Brooklyn Food Tasting and Walking Tour

The Williamsburg neighborhood has a lot of bars, restaurants, pubs and delis and for me is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Brooklyn (one of our favorite BBQ spots called “Die Fette Sau” is located here). A visit to Williamsburg should definitely be on your itinerary because it’s a nice contrast to hectic Manhattan.

On the Williamsburg Brooklyn Food Tasting and Walking Tour, a New York guide will show you the most important corners of the neighborhood and where to get the most authentic and best food. 

The 3 Best Street Art Walking Tours

Street art is an expression of art that is very common and popular in New York. If you keep your eyes open while walking around the city, you will see a lot of them.

Especially Brooklyn with the Bushwick and Williamsburg neighborhoods are known for their variety of graffiti and street art. These street art walking tours will take you to the most important spots – and you will learn a lot about the artists and the context of the motifs.

Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour

Brooklyn is famous for its bold and bright street art, but it’s not easy to know where to find these creative works. With this walking tour of the Bushwick neighborhood, take in the diversity and culture of the neighborhood’s urban street artists. Check out massive murals and intricate designs as you take to the streets to learn how Brooklyn’s best can turn anything with a surface into a stunning work of public art.

Sidewalks and Skyscrapers: Street Art Is This Way

This walking tour shows that there is also street art and graffiti worth seeing in Manhattan. You start your exploration in Soho , and then in two hours learn the stories behind the large and small works of art. Some of the graffiti is an impressive 20 meters high, so always have your cameras ready!

Private Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour

The Bushwick district is probably the most famous part of New York when it comes to street art and graffiti. Here there are many colorful, very elaborately designed and creative murals. You will see the different techniques that the artists have to master and learn a lot about this own culture and art. 

For many artists, this is their main profession and their graffiti just look awesome! For this reason, take a look at this Start Art Walking Tour!

The Best Hamilton Walking Tour NYC

The musical Hamilton on Broadway has broken many records: it has won the most Tony Awards, the visitors are enthusiastic, the story is unique and until today it is not so easy to get tickets for this musical. The reason? It is always fully booked!

Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the United States and spent most of his life in New York City. Reason enough to take a closer look at the Hamilton Walking Tours, where you will learn a lot about his life, his works but also a lot about the history of NYC, which is strongly associated with him.

Hamilton Musical Walking Tour

Alexander hamilton's haunts and hangouts tour.

This walking tour is the second tour that deals with the life of Alexander Hamilton. While the first one has a focus on historical sites, here you will learn more about the person himself. From his favorite pub to his grave, everything is included. Nevertheless, the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street are not missing from the program!

The 4 Best Haunted Walking Tours

If you’re looking for Ghost Tours or Haunted Walking Tours, you definitely need to check out these tours (not only during Halloween in NYC !):

01 Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC

02 Ghost Stories: A Mysterious, Macabre Interactive Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dive into a world of the spectral and spine-chilling with our Ghost Stories adventure, encompassing everything from the eerie to the unnerving, the morbid to the enigmatic, and the phantasmal to the monstrous. This immersive journey at the Metropolitan Museum presents a spine-tingling exploration of all things terrifying. Attendees will traverse through different eras and cultures to explore the myth of the Flying Dutchman, enigmatic funerary masks, captivating still life art, and striking sculptures. 

Knowledge about the works of art from Egypt, America, and Europe, among others, will be imparted, along with tales of supernatural occurrences within the museum itself. Throughout this experience, we’ll delve into how various cultures portray the daunting and the macabre, seeking to understand the essence of our fears and their origins.

When? Fridays: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Important note: Upon your arrival, the guide will provide your tickets (avoiding the need to queue for purchase!), which remain valid for all the exhibitions in the museum after the conclusion of the tour.

03 Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village NYC

Greenwich Village is for me one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of New York and has a lot to offer. But it also has a haunted side in stories, which will be shown to you on this walking tour. This ghost tour through Greenwich Village is full of spooky tales of lost children, phantoms and celebrity ghosts – and not only at Halloween a popular tour. 

Along the way, you’ll learn many interesting anecdotes as you stroll through Washington Square Park, West 10th Street and the campus of New York University. The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour is a real highlight!

04 East Village Haunted Manhattan Walking Tour

On this haunted walking tour you’ll explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in Manhattan: the East Village (and Alphabet City). And at night! There are 13 haunted locations on the list – from historic pubs to the Public Theater to a subway stop known for its “ghost train”.

05 Ghosts of Greenwich Village: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

Do you like stories about ghosts? Then this private haunted tour of Greenwich Village in the evening is a great option! In two hours, you’ll hear lots of haunted stories about people who have suddenly disappeared or are haunted around Washington Square Park and New York University. And of course: also a lot about this beautiful neighborhood of NYC!

06 Alexander Hamilton's Haunts and Hangouts Tour

07 West Village Ghost Pub Crawl

The West Village Ghost Pub Crawl presents an exciting journey through the haunted corners of the bohemian West Village. Meander through charming, tree-lined streets with 19th-century brownstones, engaging in a thrilling ghost hunt throughout the neighborhood. Your guide will lead you through a series of haunted landmarks including a piano bar, a famous speakeasy, a popular inn, and a historic carriage house, each harboring its own spectral inhabitants. Embark on this spirited expedition to uncover the ghostly mysteries hidden in one of New York’s spookiest neighborhoods.

My Tip: Here you find my comparison of the best ghost tours in NYC !

The Best Private Walking Tour

Nyc private walking tour, manhattan neighborhood private customized walking tour.

You already have an idea of which neighborhoods and sights of New York you want to see? Then this walking tour is perfect for you, because you can create your individual route with your New York guide. 

Each of the many neighborhoods has its own charm and character, which is what makes New York so charming and interesting. Therefore, the right mix can show you the best picture of the city. Combine Times Square and Broadway with Greenwich Village and Soho, or schedule Greenwich Village or Chelsea with the High Line. The beauty of this private tour is that you set the schedule. If you particularly like a place, you can just stay longer!

With over 350 positive reviews, this private walking tour of NYC is one of the best!

The Best Self Guided Walking Tour

Nyc grand central terminal self-guided walking tour.

With its majestic cieling, a series of roman-inspired walk ways, and 18-metre high arched windows, the Beaux Arts style terminal is one of the busiest and most beautiful stations in the world. A comprehensive restoration in 1998 restored this jewel to its former splendour for thousands of passangers to enjoy daily.

Free Walking Tours

Central park conservancy.

Free Central Park tours are offered by the Central Park Conservancy. Here you will learn all kinds of interesting facts about the history of Central Park, its highlights and most important corners. The meeting point depends on the tour.

Grand Central Partnership

If you want to know what makes the Grand Central Terminal so special, the 90-minute free walking tour from the Grand Central Partnership is something you should definitely consider. With a historian as your guide, you’ll learn lots of exciting things about the beautiful building every Friday from 12.30 p.m.

Friends of the High Line Walking Tours

The High Line Park takes you along the old tracks of the elevated railway to the Meatpacking District. Thanks to the initiative “Friends of the High Line” the park exists at all, because originally the construction was supposed to be torn down. And the best thing? They offer free tours!

Things To Do

New York Neighborhood Guides

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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The Best Walking Tours of New York City

New York City has tons of walking tour companies. There are free tours, food tours, neighborhood tours, expensive private walking tours. New York has a walking tour for everyone’s needs and interests!

Personally, I love walking tours. I think they’re a wonderful way to see a city, get your bearings, and learn about where you are from a local expert. After all, why visit a place if you don’t want to learn about it?

To help you decide what tours to take while you’re exploring the Big Apple, I decided to sample a big chunk of the city’s historical walking tour companies in order to find the best ones. While it took a toll on my feet (I definitely got my steps in!), I learned a lot about NYC history!

Here’s a review of the best walking tours in New York City:

Best Overall Tour

Take Walks specializes in behind the scenes access that other tours don’t offer. Their Met tour is hours of educational fun and their Statue of Liberty and Ellis Islandtour as well as their Disney tour take you behind the scenes and give you insider access you won’t get anywhere else.

They are my FAVORITE tour company in the city. Any of their tours will be great!

Best Free Tour

Free Tours by Foot

These free tours are offered throughout the city by licensed guides. The company really shines in its diverse catalog — there’s a tour for everyone. They add a bit of quirky history to each tour and, since there’s no set script, each tour differs based on your guide. (My SoHo tour guide waxed poetic on gentrification.) Just make sure to sign up in advance and be sure to tip your guide at the end!

In addition to these two awesome tour companies, New York has over a dozen other insightful, educational, and delicious tours in the city. Here are my top suggestions:  

1. Big Apple Greeter

Big Apple Greeter was founded in 1992 and connects visitors with local residents who show them around their neighborhood for a day. These aren’t professional guides, just locals showing you their favorite spots. I haven’t taken a tour with this company in many years, but the concept is still spot on and it’s something I highly recommend first-time visitors do.

After a pause due to COVID, Big Apple Greeter is back, but at the moment they ask you to fill out a visit request 4 weeks in advance. Currently, they are not accepting restorations within 10 days so make sure to book in advance! Meeting a greeter is free of charge and there is a no-tipping policy. However, please consider making a donation to help this service continue.

2. Explore the Real Brooklyn

Friend and fellow travel writer Dani Heinrich runs this off-the-beaten-path tour around Brooklyn. She’s a diehard Brooklynite and loves taking people around the city to show them there’s a lot more to NYC than just Manhattan. She has been leading these tours for over 4 years and will take you all over Brooklyn (so be prepared to walk). Tours last 4.5 hours.

Tours from $44 USD.

3. Central Park Conservancy Tour

Ever wanted to know about the flora and fauna of Central Park? Well, now you can. Several free tours highlight the various features of the park. Not only do you get to walk around the park on a beautiful day, but you learn about what you’re looking at too! There are tours that cover the main sights, family-friendly tours, tours that focus on statues and monuments, and more. The tours usually last 90 minutes. You can purchase tickets online in advance.

Tours from $25 USD.

4. The Village Alliance

The Village Alliance offers free self-guided walking tours of Greenwich Village. You can get the itineraries and maps on their website so you can learn about the history and social culture of the area. Tours cover everything from LGBTQ landmarks to the 1960s to important women in history. Their website also has tons of information on the bohemian art scene, food, and gentrification. Since tours are self-guided, they last as long as you want them to.

5. Big Onion Walking Tours

This is one of the biggest walking tour companies in New York. Using Ph.D. candidates as tour guides, this company runs about 50 tours on varying days each month. I took their Prohibition walking tour. I liked my guide, and she provided a lot of historical information, but much of it wasn’t directly related to Prohibition. While that was a personal bummer ( I’m a sucker for anything Jazz Age! ), I still really liked the tour and would recommend the company.

Tours from $30 USD ($20 for students and seniors).

6. Bowery Boys Walks

The Bowery Boys started off as a podcast back in 2007, focusing on the unique history of the Big Apple. Since then, they’ve branched out and created their own walking tours based on some of their most popular episodes and topics. They offer over a dozen distinct tours that cover specific areas around the city as well as different historical periods, such as their Gilded Age Mansions tour (which is super interesting!). Their tours last around two hours. Be sure to book in advance since there is limited space.

Tours from $40 USD.

7. Honorable Mention: Get Your Guide

Get Your Guide is a massive online platform for finding all kinds of fun activities, including walking tours, bike tours, and food tours. Whenever I’m in a new city, I check their app to see what new activities I can find. There is really something for every interest and budget, and booking is a breeze. I can’t recommend them enough!

Some suggested tours worth checking out are:

• Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour
• MoMA Before Hours Guided Tour
• Speakeasy & Prohibition History Tour

Devour Tours is my go-to food tour company as they always have amazing itineraries and use expert local guides. In NYC, they currently have two epic tours on offer. Their Ultimate Greenwich Village tour lasts three hours and includes a filling 9 stops at a handful of family-run eateries around this iconic bohemian neighborhood.

Their Dumplings, Delis, & History tour explores the Lower East Side, including a visit to the oldest and most famous deli in the city!

Other suggested food tour companies to check out are:

• Scott’s Pizza Tours
• Foods of NY
• Famous Fat Dave’s Five Borough Eating Tour
• Beyond the Plate

No matter what company you tour with on this list, you’ll learn a lot, have fun, and discover parts of NYC with these walking tours you wouldn’t have found otherwise. Nothing can replace an insider’s tour of a city! Try a couple over the course of your visit. (Again, my favorite is Take Walks but any company on this list will be phenomenal!)

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!

For more in-depth tips on NYC, check out my 100+ page guidebook written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel in the city that never sleeps. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to New York City: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for more places to stay, here my complete list of favorite hostels the city.

Additionally, if you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood guide to NYC!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on New York City? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New York City for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Historic New York City Tours

Let me be your guide to the city's diverse neighborhoods, history and lifestyle.

Thank you for visiting my website!  My name is Hank Orenstein and I am a native New Yorker and a licensed NYC Tour Guide and I am intensely passionate about my city and its amazing diversity.  New York has always been a city of change – and even in the past decade there have been what seems like a century of new opportunities to explore and appreciate our neighborhoods.

Over the years I have logged over 2,000 walking and vehicle tours, and whether you are a first-time or repeat visitor, or reside in New York or the metro area, I will create an unforgettable experience for you. Fill out the contact form and we’ll start the conversation!

I have a repertoire of close to 100 neighborhoods, including all of Manhattan and many areas of Brooklyn, The Bronx and Queens.  theme-tour options.  Sample list below:

GUIDED NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS

• Manhattan:   Harlem; Washington Heights; Financial District; Hell’s Kitchen; Greenwich Village; Tribeca; Central Park West; Fashion District; Lower East Side, Upper West Side, Inwood.
• Brooklyn:   Brooklyn Heights; DUMBO; Williamsburg; Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Coney Island;  Sunset Park; Bushwick and Street Art; Fort Greene; Victorian Flatbush; Greenpoint; Crown Heights.
• Queens:   Long Island City; Historic Flushing; Jackson Heights;  Sunnyside; Forest Hills Gardens; Astoria; Corona and the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
• The Bronx:   Fieldston Historic District/Riverdale; South Bronx; Botanical Gardens/Belmont/Little Italy; Hunts Point; Yankee Stadium/Grand Concourse.

THEME TOURS

• Alexander Hamilton’s New York
• Women’s History
• Colonial Manhattan and New Amsterdam
• African American History
• Following in the Footsteps of the Presidents
• 1776 and the Battle of Brooklyn
• Harlem Jazz Tour
• Kleindeutschland and German New York
• Gangs of New York
• Art and Architecture Tours
• Natural History and New York Geology
• Community Gardens

REAL ESTATE

Looking to move or purchase or rent a home in New York?  As I am also a licensed Real Estate Broker with the prestigious Corcoran Group, I love helping people find the right home in a neighborhood that fits their lifestyle and budget.

 Free tours of neighborhoods for my real estate clients!  I represent home buyers, sellers, renters, investors and landlords.

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10 Best Eco-Tours You Can Take In New York City

• Choose eco-friendly transportation: Use the highly efficient and cheap mass transit system of subways and buses in NYC to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to sustainable tourism.
• Explore NYC's top attractions sustainably: Opt for these eco-friendly NYC tours that have a minimal impact on the environment and showcase the city's history, parks, and cultural landmarks. Walk, cycle, or take an eco sailboat tour to experience the Big Apple while being environmentally conscious.
• Embrace sustainable food options: Join a walking food tour that showcases quintessential New York street food while walking through the city's streets instead of using vehicles. By supporting local eateries and choosing sustainable transportation, tourists can contribute to a greener New York City.

Eco-tourism and eco-travel in New York City? Yes, the world's busiest cosmopolitan does a lot to make it an environmentally friendly destination. The best example of this is its highly useful and used mass transit system of subway and bus services. Citizens and visitors are highly encouraged to use this super efficient and cheap mode of transportation within the city.

Sustainable tourism is conscientious travel, and this means being careful with the environment and respecting the community. Visitors can contribute towards this effort by choosing mass transit over taxis, staying at eco-friendly New York City hotels or homestays that make an effort to be “green,” shopping at a locally owned store, and eating at a diner or coffee shop instead of at a branded fast-food chain. Plus, New York City recycles its bottles and cans (including bottled water), and travelers can look for containers for recyclables before discarding litter.

Outside of the everyday small things that people can do to be eco-friendly during an NYC vacation, they can also be kind to the environment while sightseeing and having fun in the Big Apple. Tourists have an incredible amount of interesting things to do in NYC, and the city offers them lots of eco-friendly options while doing so - in the form of eco-friendly NYC tours. Here is a list of some of the best eco-tours in New York City that let travelers explore its top sights and sounds while ensuring a low-impact, low carbon footprint at the same time.

The following eco-friendly tours in New York City were selected based on their minimal impact on the environment, low carbon footprint, and appreciation and value of nature. From walking and cycling tours to excursions to botanical gardens and farms that highlight nature's importance, these environmentally friendly NYC tours are worth it for eco-conscious travelers.

Historic NYC Downtown Walking Tour

Downtown New York City! No other historical neighborhood can lay claim to so much impact or influence in the world over a relatively brief period in global events, and so a tour like this one is an essential item on the bucket list of things to do in NYC for anyone.

The tour retraces the evolution of Lower Manhattan, the historic role of New York Harbor, and the covert activities of the Revolutionary War. While on the tour, visitors will explore key historical locations like Wall Street, Stone Street Historic District, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, Hamilton's grave site, etc., and discover how Lower Manhattan has transformed since 9/11.

Downtown Manhattan is one of the most densely populated places in New York City, and a walking tour is a refreshing and most eco-friendly way of seeing this iconic city.

• Price: $50 per person
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Meeting Point: Upon reservation, travelers will receive a confirmation with maps and the best mode of transportation to get to the meeting point
• Reservation: Click here for reservations

Related: Just 25 Beautiful Photos Of New York City's Skyline

Central Park Walking Tour

Central Park is certainly one of the most popular places in New York City. They say even a few days walking through Central Park (which is free to visit) will not be enough to cover its many hidden corners and stories. The only way to see the park to justify the park's true potential is by walking, and this expert-led Central Park Walking Tour offers views and entrance to areas unavailable to even cyclists.

It is a relaxing stroll of a little over two hours covering the history, structures, plants, animals, and movies filmed in the park, told in a way both entertaining for adults and children. Visitors are expected to have a moderate fitness level of being able to walk for 2 hours at a comfortable pace. Being a rather large park, it's best to follow a guide who knows it very well to have a richer experience.

• Price: $45 per person
• Duration: 2 hours
• Meeting Point: CENTRALPARKHORSES, 7TH AVE &, Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

This tour will have a maximum of 12 travelers.

New York Botanical Garden Visit

Located in the Bronx, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden is nature's paradise in every season of the year. With 50 breathtaking gardens, indoor rain forests and deserts, 50 acres of native forest, a river, waterfalls, and rolling green hills, the Garden is a blessing for the environment and a must-see destination for NYC visitors.

The garden is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Most of the Garden consists of outdoor spaces and are open in all weather conditions. Visitors are advised to dress for the weather and exploration. Refreshments are available at the Pine Tree Café within the property.

• Price: $35 per adult, $31 per student/senior (65+), $15 per child (2-12), Free (children under 2, members)
• Duration: All day pass
• Location: 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458

Related: The New York Botanical Gardens Are Home To NYC's Old Growth Forests, But That's Not The Only Reason To Visit

New York City Skyline Night Sailboat Tour

Seeing New York City's lights at night is a spectacle that just cannot be missed. City Lights Sail on America 2.0 is a breathtaking eco-friendly cruise through the waters of New York Harbor, sailing past One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, all lit up brilliantly to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that begs to be repeated, and more than just once.

This incredible eco-friendly ride is one of the best places to view the New York City skyline . It's better enjoyed with a romantic companion or a close group of friends who want to have a quiet, relaxed evening and watch the most admired skyline in the world. Each seat allows a complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soda, and additional beverages are available for purchase by credit card.

• Price: $76 per person
• Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Extreme high winds, fog, torrential rain, extremely low temperatures, etc., may contribute to a cancelation decision.

New York Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

New York City isn't just a bustling financial capital. With its rich history of culture and cuisine, it is also a food capital of the world, with delicacies from around the globe in fine dining restaurants as well as finger-licking street food.

This tour allows visitors an opportunity to contribute towards a greener New York by walking the vehicle-riddled streets of Manhattan instead of using a cab or bus, all the while sampling several quintessential New York street food favorites like classic bagels, New York-style pizza and gourmet doughnuts. The local tour guide takes visitors to some of New York’s best under-the-radar eateries.

• Price: $85 per person
• Duration: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
• Meeting Point: IFC Center, 323 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014

This tour requires a minimum number of 12 travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, guests will be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Hudson River Greenway Bike Tour

Nothing could define an eco-friendly activity more than people using their energy while exploring nature. This is a small-group guided bike tour along the Hudson River in New York City on one of the most popular places to ride, offering beautiful water views, fresh unpolluted air, and a dedicated bike path that is closed to car traffic.

The use of a bicycle and a helmet is included in the Hudson River Greenway Bike Tour, so visitors have one less thing to be concerned about. Just land up there with comfortable clothing and shoes (suggested shorts or track pants with sneakers and a T-shirt) and get ready to spend some time refreshing yourself from the city's bustle. The tour prefers small groups of no more than 15 to allow a more personal experience for the group.

• Price: $53 per person
• Duration: 30 - 45 minutes
• Meeting Point: Pier 84 at Hudson River Park, 555 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Infant seats are available on request.

A Day In Brooklyn Bike Tour

Brooklyn is one of New York City's coolest neighborhoods. This bicycle tour through Brooklyn explores tough-to-reach areas that most tourists often miss. The eco-friendly ride also goes through popular landmarks and hidden gems, like areas under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, including breweries and eateries to stop and refuel.

Photo stops and complimentary tastings along the way make this a popular choice for active New York City visitors, especially those who prefer environment-friendly activities that are fun, informative, and don't leave a carbon footprint.

• Price: $118 per person
• Duration: 5 hours
• Meeting Point: Under the Manhattan Bridge - Brooklyn, NY 11205. (This location is a Lock away SeflStorage. Guests are requested to wait at the front gate for a tour guide to meet them here)

This tour will have a maximum of 12 travelers. The minimum age for travelers is 13 years old.

Prospect Park Walking Tour

Prospect Park is a 585-acre park located in the center of Brooklyn. On this tour, the experienced guide helps the visitors discover hidden treasures, natural wonders, and little-known tales of Prospect Park .

While taking in the beauty of this iconic park’s woodlands, waterways, wildlife, and landmarks, visitors also get to explore layers of history, flora, and the architecture of the surroundings. The tour gives an insight into how the park supports environmental conservation, historic preservation, and recreational and cultural access for locals and visitors from around the world.

• Price: $25 per person (children under 5 are free)
• Meeting Point: Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza

Related: The Ultimate Eco-Travel Checklist: 10 Things To Be Aware Of When Traveling

Farm.One Classic Tasting Tour

Farm.One’s indoor hydroponic farm uses LED lighting, hydroponics, and technology to grow hundreds of culinary plants with no pesticides or chemicals and up to 90% less water than a traditional farm. The tour offers visitors a chance to connect with fellow plant lovers while experiencing new flavors and culinary plants in a sensory experience not easily found anywhere else in New York.

This 1 hour guided tour takes visitors to the grow room, display racks, and packing room. It allows guests to taste rare herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers. Each visitor gets a complimentary 0% ABV beverage crafted with Farm.One greens.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Location: 625 Bergen Street in Brooklyn, New York

Exploration Day At Randall’s Island Urban Farm

Despite its concrete density, New York City has hundreds of farms and gardens that produce fruit, vegetables, and herbs that are distributed and consumed within the city. Randall’s Island Urban Farm, set on 1 acre of land, grows hundreds of plants and teaches visitors about sustainable farming practices like pollination and composting.

The farm also has rice paddies, berry bushes, and greenhouses, all of which are open to the public on Exploration Days during weekends in the summer months. Throughout the year, the farm hosts over 200 free public events on the grounds of Randall's Island Park Alliance, including tours, waterfront activities, annual Earth Day and Harvest Festivals, and more.

• Price: Free
• Duration: Subject to individual interest
• Timing and Reservation: There are specific days when visitors can explore the farm. Please check for relevant information .

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Lost New York: remembering the city’s forgotten landmarks

A new exhibition at the New-York Historical Society looks back on years of radical change in the city for better and worse

I n recent decades New York City has changed dramatically, transforming from the lows of the crime and drug epidemics that ravaged the city in the 1970s and 80s to the resurgence and optimism that typified the 90s and the surge in gentrification that has been a source of debate more recently. Amid all of this transformation, one might make the assumption that these are new forces that New Yorkers are being forced to grapple with – not necessarily so.

In fact, one of the points of the New-York Historical Society’s fascinating new exhibit, Lost New York, is that these forces have been transforming the city for a much longer time. The exhibit brings to light layers of history that have generally been forgotten, showing how landmarks, practices and communities have been integral to the city’s formation, even though they may not be remembered.

Comprising nearly 100 historical pieces, the show is situated around dozens of landmarks that once defined life in the Big Apple but have since been lost. The offerings range from packs of trash-eating pigs that once roamed the streets of New York to the high-wheel bicycles that proliferated throughout Central Park and elsewhere in the late 19th century to the massive Beaux-Arts Penn Station, once a wondrous site of entry to the city. Throughout the exhibit, quotes from “community voices” – including experts, artists, athletes, self-described raconteurs and even a Yankees fan – add depth and nuance to the history presented here.

According to the show curator, Wendy Nālani E Ikemoto, Lost New York speaks to the importance and impact of preserving what has been lost in memories. She framed the show as not just about disappearance but also about recovery and finding resonance with the contemporary city. To that end, the show deeply ponders questions about how the phenomena that drove historical erasure can be seen in New York’s ongoing transformations, and which contemporary sites might now be implicated by issues like gentrification, class warfare and the need for preservation. “The past only has meaning in relationship to today,” Ikemoto said in an interview. “We want audiences to come away with deep questions into the drivers and consequences of change through the many layers of the city’s past.”

One of the intriguing offerings from this show is the unassuming oil painting No 7 1/2 Bowery, a streetscape of a business building that was made by Prelette Wriley in the mid-19th century. Although audiences might be drawn to take in the Wriley building, horse-drawn carriages, and men and women in period dress that stand front and center in the painting, there is a small detail that is actually most important: the placard for this piece instructs viewers to “note the pig in the foreground”, and the community voice note by the butcher Jennifer Prezioso informs us that at the time “there was one pig for every five people in Manhattan”.

Indeed, at the time pigs were considered an important part of garbage-management in the city, as well as providing an important resource to help lower-income New Yorkers maintain food security. According to Ikemoto, the pigs came when the city was being settled, reaching their height in the 1820s, when about 20,000 pigs roamed the streets. Although the pigs had benefits, they were also considered a menace, tearing up the cobblestone roads, smelling badly, and blocking carriage traffic – no less than Charles Dickens noted the ways in which their presence affected urban life – and eventually they were lost to the tides of history.

According to Ikemoto, the pigs are “a perfect example of resonance with present-day New York”. As the pigs were excluded from segments of the city, the working class moved with them, property values grew, and gentrification took place. Ikemoto sees similar processes working today, just not necessarily with trash-eating pigs. “The presence of the pigs basically created class warfare,” said Ikemoto. “As the pigs were removed, businesses moved in, lower-class New Yorkers moved out, and this is the process that we know today as gentrification.”

As the pigs demonstrate, Lost New York does a great job of integrating multiple communities in fascinating and delightful ways, including the Chinese community, LGBTQ+ individuals, the Black community’s civil rights struggle, and others, as well as bringing in diverse neighborhoods. The omnibus, which was a relatively egalitarian means open to most (if not all) New Yorkers, is a thread running through the exhibition, bringing some cohesion to the many various sectors that are present here. Walt Whitman was a fan, often falling into delightful conversation with the bus drivers, which fed into the creation of Leaves of Grass.

One major landmark that is celebrated in Lost New York is old Pennsylvania Station, which was demolished between 1963 and 1966, and whose elimination was the source of much outrage among New Yorkers. The exhibition features architectural presentation drawings, granting a view of the old station’s interiors, as well as a black-and-white photograph of the demolition. Ikemoto stressed just what a grand, historic landmark the station once was, quoting the architectural historian Vincent Scully, who memorably said of the old station and its replacement: “One entered the city like a god. One scuttles in now like a rat.”

The demolition of the station was important in that it spurred the creation of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. As Ikemoto shared, this was an important step, as she views landmarks as essential to the community vibrancy of a place, and their preservation a valuable part of maintaining a place’s identity and sense of history. “Landmarks are centers for community,” she told me. “They’re places that people can convene around – you can say to someone, meet at the blank. They also become places to help to identify a city.”

To that point, Lost New York isn’t just about commemorating places past but also about realizing the importance of the landmarks that currently exist and the reasons for celebrating and preserving them. Ikemoto hopes that visitors come away with fresh eyes that are more activated to the landmarks that are both gone and still present. “I want visitors to enjoy the exhibition and to enjoy delving into the many deep layers of the city’s past,” she said. “I also want them to come away with critical questions into the drivers and consequences of this loss.”

Lost New York is on display at the New-York Historical Society until 29 September

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