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Recreate the Most Requested Walking Tour of 1840s New York

4.8 (9)
New York, US
4.8 (9)
New York, US
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Experience the most requested walking tour of 1840s New York and unravel the secrets of the city's architectural creation. Starting at the prestigious Public Theater in Astor Place, you'll journey through the opulent residential block of Colonnade Row, once home to the Astors, Delanos, and Roosevelts. As you walk along Broadway, you'll witness the contrast between the upper-class neighborhoods of Astor Place and the infamous Five Points slum. Discover how this part of town transformed into the fashionable city center of SoHo. Marvel at Louis Sullivan's only building in the city and uncover the history behind the ancient geography of Houston Street and Broadway. This 2.5-hour walking tour will decode the city's streetwalls, revealing the forces at work in its architectural development. Don't miss the chance to explore the rich history and evolution of New York City on this captivating journey through time.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 1 hours 30 minutes - 2 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Explore the elite residences of Colonnade Row
  • Decode the historic streetscape of Noho
  • Appreciate Louis Sullivan's iconic skyscraper building
  • Discover the brick-and-mortar history of SoHo
  • Experience the transformation from high society to notorious slums
  • Professional guide
  • Gratuities

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More about this experience

Introduction

Get ready to step back in time and experience the magic of 1840s New York with the exciting walking tour: Recreate the Most Requested Walking Tour of 1840s New York. This engaging 2.5-hour tour takes you on a journey through the history of one of America's most iconic cities, starting at the Public Theater in Astor Place and ending at the Civic Center.

What to expect?

During this immersive tour, you can expect to delve deep into the fascinating history of New York City during the 1830s and 40s. As you walk down Broadway, you will witness the contrasting landscapes of this vibrant city, from the opulent residences of the elite in Astor Place to the infamously notorious gang-infested slums of the Five Points neighborhood. Experience the evolution of New York's architecture and uncover the forces that shaped the city.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, and anyone eager to explore the rich heritage of New York City. Whether you are a visitor or a local, this tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of the past and gain a deeper understanding of the city's roots. Everyone with a love for history and a thirst for adventure is welcome to join this captivating experience.

Why book this?

Immerse yourself in the spellbinding stories of 1840s New York as you journey through the streets. Led by experienced guides, this tour provides a window into the past, showcasing the social, economic, and cultural aspects that shaped the city. From the impact of the Erie Canal to the evolution of skyscrapers, this tour offers a comprehensive look at the architectural birth of New York City. Be prepared to be captivated by the rich history and unique insights that only this tour can offer.

Good to know

This tour typically lasts between 90 to 120 minutes, immersing you in the rich history of 1840s New York. The meeting point is inside the Public Theater, New York's first public library. Don't worry, there are bathrooms available at the meeting point. As you embark on this journey, fascinating sights await you, such as Louis Sullivan's only building in the city. Prepare to be amazed as you explore vibrant neighborhoods like Noho and SoHo, discovering their hidden stories and heritage. The tour concludes at Columbus Park, where you'll experience firsthand the transformation from high standing to the most notorious slum.

Reviews

Participants of this tour have described it as a remarkable and educational experience. They praised the knowledgeable guides who brought the history of New York City to life, making it feel as though they had stepped back in time. Visitors were amazed by the deep insights into the architectural development of the city and appreciated the attention to detail in showcasing the contrasting social extremes. Many express their gratitude for this enriching journey through the history of 1840s New York, making it a must-do experience for history lovers and curious travelers alike.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

The Public Theater

We start across from Astor Place and Colonnade Row, the most elite residences in the country in the 1830s. We will lay the groundwork for what will be seen on the tour, including the impact of the Erie Canal, and Croton Water. We cover the economic, real estate, social-cultural and commercial business construction that moved uptown according to the city's early natural geographic features.

Astor Place

(Pass by)

The high ground nature of this historic spot is the sole reason for its rich and complex history.

Noho

We walk down Broadway and decode the streetscape making sense of history through the buildings' size and facades. We use historic images to show the evolution of the blocks, and learn the forces that under-girded them through history.

Bayard–Condict Building

We stop to appreciate Louis Sullivan's only building in the city, and learn its role in the evolution of the skyscraper style.

SoHo

(Pass by)

At Houston Street and Broadway, where the uptown numbered streets start, we appreciate the role of the ancient geography as a reason the grid may begin here. The early social history when it was the site of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is stunning. The tour continues through SoHo, a name place only since the 1950s, which begs the question, how did people refer to this part of town at different times in the past? We go down Broadway with explanations, descriptions, and images that deconstruct of the streetscape and reveal the brick-and-mortar history of New York City.

Canal Street

(Pass by)

The shifts dramatically when we reach Canal Street (a toponym). As a watery low ground area, it would have a very different evolution and building history.

Foley Square

Today's Civic Center was a lake, the shore of which had been the African Burial Ground through much of the British colonial period. The lake would be filled in, and along its old shoreline would develop The Five Points, the most notorious slum in New York City history.

Columbus Park

The tour ends at the location of The Five Points, now 500 Pearl Street. From the high historical social standing of the beginning of the tour, we end where the most long-lived desperate and deplorable living conditions once existed, from the Irish (and The Five Points), through the tenements of Mulberry Bend, the area is now at the border of the Court District and Chinatown.

Reviews

(9)

4.8 (9)

jrc645

Excellent guide, many facts not know about New York in the 1800’s Fascinating Architecture not noticed until pointed out, We take things for granted but understanding what went behind the building of NYC is very interesting.

Julie_S

This is my second tour with Manhattan Unlocked and both have been spectacular! We learned so much and saw things we would never have noticed (or understood the significance of) on our own. I highly recommend these tours!!

lrobertson2304

Rob's tour was a highlight of our visit to New York, an immersion into the history, architecture and even topography of the city along its most famous original thoroughfare, Broadway. We'll never again look at Manhattan in the same way. Rob was an extremely well-informed, gracious and accommodating host, and we're truly grateful for the experience. We look forward to exploring more of the city with him on our next visit.

Khushbu_G

I had the most wonderful time learning about the history of New York & SoHo from Rob. He has done thorough research of the city and patiently answered all of my questions. It was a real treat to walk through a city I’ve been to numerous times with someone with a such wealth of knowledge. I would definitely take another tour with Rob next time I’m in the city!

christin367

I Was impressed with the tour guide’s knowledge and love for his city. Would definitely take another tour of his.

Elizabeth_W

Robert was a wonderful guide! Very knowledgeable and fun to be with! We learned so much history on the tour and can’t wait to book him again the next time we are in NY.

GUTS

<p>My wife and I very much enjoyed our 1840's NY tour. The history, the architecture, the neighbors, all made for a fascinating morning!. Further, our guide was fabulous, with his detail, knowledge, and caring that we enjoyed our tour</p>

sgkroth

<p>We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and learned alot. We do, however, think the description of the tour should include a note that the tour emphasizes the architectural aspects of 1840's NYC rather than the history of 5 points and the gangs of NY.</p>

Kristina R

<p>My friend and I are both history geeks and have been looking for a tour of NYC for a while that would provide more than just pointing out the well-known attractions. Well, this was exactly it. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about NYC's history, weaving it in the architectural peculiarities of the buildings we saw and explored, while also not losing sight of the constant hustle and bustle that NYC has been since its creation. We learned a ton of interesting historic facts and have a newly developed admiration for NYC architecture. The tour covers some distance but it is not a fast-paced walk with plenty opportunity to stop and rest while listening to fascinating tid-bits about your surroundings. I would highly recommend it for those who want to dive in and truly learn to appreciate NYC.</p>
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2024-06-14 21:09