NEW YORK CITY GUIDED TOURS
FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK * SMALL GROUP * SOLO TRAVELERS * WALKING TOURS * GUIDED TOURS
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PROHIBITION
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FLATIRON
NEW YORK HIGHLIGHTS IN A DAY TOUR
This is the “Meet Manhattan” tour that covers its most famous landmarks. How many days do you need to see Manhattan? One? Two? Ten? It’s a trick question because even several years would not be enough. But, one has to start somewhere. If you are in New York for just one day or want an introduction to the city before exploring it by yourself, this is the tour to take. You will see major landmarks such as Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Times Square, Wall Street, World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, and more. Most importantly, you will discover the city’s history from the Dutch Colonial times to the present, learn about its colorful eclectic architecture, and hear many tales and stories of ambitious people who turned a relatively young town into a major metropolis.
CENTRAL PARK AND MUSEUM MILE TOUR
Central Park is the first designed urban park in the United States. It’s not the largest park in New York but, the largest in Manhattan, is large enough to fit the kingdom of Monaco almost twice! Despite its deceptive appearance as a creation of Mother Nature, the park is man-made. We will meander through its romantic landscape with lakes, meadows, lawns, bridges, and arches – with no two looking alike. We’ll walk along the Mall – the only straight road in the park, we’ll see the Bethesda Terrace, the Lake, the Reservoir with breathtaking views. On the east side, the Park is flanked by Fifth Avenue, called the Museum Mile. This stretch of Fifth Avenue is home to 11 major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. Some museums are hosted in spectacular Gilded Age mansions that once belonged to the robbers barons of the era. There is a lot to see and even more to discover.
ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECES OF MANHATTAN
Manhattan’s architectural landscape is incredibly eclectic. 19th century aesthetics demanded recreating the old-world look, giving birth to a variety of revival styles such as Gothic, Italian, French, German Renaissance revivals, Chateauesque, Beaux-Arts,to name a few. The 20th century produced a completely new architectural vision – that of modernity, technical progress and practicality. We will look at some spectacular examples of Beaux-Arts such as the Grand Central Terminal and New York Public Library, Gothic revival – St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Thomas, Renaissance Revival, and, of course, the glorious Art Deco masterpieces — 30 Rockefeller Center, the Empire State and — the star of the show –the magnificent Chrysler Building.
MANHATTAN ON THE ROCKS – PROHIBITION AND SPEAKEASIES TOUR
ALCOHOL. BECAUSE NO GREAT STORY EVER STARTED WITH COFFEE.
This tour is about the craziest period in American history – the Prohibition. The law that prohibited alcohol didn’t quite work and, instead, promoted much more drinking in illegal bars called speakeasies. With speakeasies came exciting nightlife entertainment with jazz, flappers, cocktails, and …mafia. The crazy party lasted for 14 years and left the city with a collective hangover. Prohibition changed all the rules: it created organized crime and the concept of nightlife, it brought about a new 20th-century independent woman and introduced a certain allure of secret drinking places. Speakeasies are no longer a necessity, but the idea of a “secret” creates this special excitement of discovery. There are only a couple of authentic Prohibition-era speakeasies left in New York that survived. But there are quite a few of excellent modern speakeasies where the craft of making a cocktail is elevated to the art form. We will visit one of the Prohibition era survivors for the atmosphere Prohibition history and some contemporary speakeasies for cocktails.
HIDDEN GEMS OF GRAMERCY AND FLATIRON NEIGHBORHOODS TOUR
Discover New York that most tourists don’t usually get to see.
We will explore two neighborhoods: Gramercy, tranquil and dignified, with the feel of the 19th century, and glorious Flatiron with soaring skyscrapers of a different era. A few minutes’ stroll between them feels like walking through time.
We’ll see the only private park in Manhattan and 19th-century mansions, then walk over to Flatiron district for the city’s most iconic views. I’ll share some of my favorite New York tales filled with daring, ambition, movie characters, famous architects, writers, lost presidential elections, love, murder, Prohibition, and ladies skirts.
We may visit a historic tavern and spend some time talking about prohibition (the place was a speakeasy!), as well as O. Henry who wrote his masterpieces right there. It’s the best place in town to soak up the atmosphere of old New York. This is optional and depends on the time of the tour and your wishes.
FIFTH AVENUE SECRETS AND STORIES
The best that New York has to offer: amazing history, and dizzying landmarks
Join me for a walk along Fifth Ave – the name associated with wealth, glitz, and glamour. Fifth Ave is one of the best-known streets in the world, especially the stretch known as Millionaire Row. Once upon a time, it was lined with the finest homes of New York’s wealthiest people – a place of ambition, intrigue, scandal, and the most spectacular balls ever given. This tour is not just about the landmarks, it’s about the history of New York City and the people who shaped it into the metropolis. It’s about millionaires and architects, visionaries and beautiful models, artists, and writers whose names are forever connected to Fifth Avenue.
We will see some of the better known landmarks such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, The Plaza Hotel, Tiffany & Co., Cartier Building as well as lesser known but fabulous Pulitzer Fountain, the St. Regis. . . and more.
HISTORY, ARCHITECTURE AND TASTE OF HOBOKEN TOUR
Discover a charming 19th century town across the Hudson
Unlike New York City boroughs, Hoboken is not really discovered by tourists, which adds to its charm. Hoboken’s story starts back in 1609 when it was first spotted by Henry Hudson. The “Mile Square City” came into prosperity in the 19th century when the Gilded Age elites came here to enjoy the beautiful countryside promenade – back then the largest pleasure grounds in the country. Hoboken is the place for many inventions that defined modern world from steam locomotive to ice cream come, bubble wrap and modern zipper. Besides Frank Sinatra, the Hoboken’s most famous son, there are others connected to it, like Alfred Steglitz, Alexander Calder, Marlon Brando, Edgar Allen Poe, and even Napoleon III.
There is beautiful 19th century architecture, spectacular view of Manhattan and, of course, lovely local restaurants with great Italian food.
SINATRA, MOZZARELLA, AND OTHER HOBOKEN SPECIALTIES
Many memories of Frank Sinatra, stories of his family along many other immigrant tales.
The presence of Frank Sinatra is palpable: from shops adorned with Sinatra memorabilia to restaurants playing “Fly Me to the Moon.” The houses where his family lived are still here, as well as some restaurants and bakeries he favored. The story of Sinatra’s family is an American immigrant story, and Hoboken holds so many of them. Before the Italians, there were Germans and the Irish, all left a trace on the city’s history. We will walk around Hoboken to see places connected to the “Ol’ Blue Eyes” as well as Frank Sinatra Memorial Park and the Hoboken waterfront with impressive views of the Manhattan skyline. This tour is not just about Sinatra, it’s about very rich local history, its beautiful streets and, of course, the taste of Mozzarella – the best in the world!
Custom Lower Manhattan Tour Lower Manhattan neighborhoods are less traveled by tourists but incredibly colorful. Walking through them feels like crossing times and cultures. There are several exciting options for the tour. For example: 1. Lower East Side, Chinatown, SOHO, and Little Italy. 2. SOHO, Greenwich Village, West, and East Villages. 3. Financial District, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial, Civic Center, Brooklyn Bridge 4. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park City
Custom Half-Day Manhattan Tour Craft your Manhattan adventure with this flexible, personalized half-day tour! Your journey is tailored entirely to your preferences, so you can make the most of your time in the Big Apple. How It Works: List the places you want to see, and I’ll put together the best trajectory for our journey. Alternatively, look through the checklist of landmarks and assemble your preferences.
Brooklyn Bridge and more – Financial District Tour The very south tip of Manhattan Island boasts some of the best and most recognizable views in New York: one can see Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor. This is the most historic area in New York – the city started here in the 17th century as a Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. This is a home to Wall Street with the world’s most powerful financial institution – New York Stock Exchange. On this tour, we will walk through the history of New York and enjoy magnificent vistas
Central Park and Gilded Age Mansions Walking Tour We will meander through Central Park’s romantic landscape and walk along the Mall — the only straight road in the park. We’ll admire the Bethesda Terrace, the Lake, and the Reservoir with its breathtaking views. We will stroll along the Museum Mile — a section of 5th Ave that hosts 11 museums, and will see spectacular Gilded Age mansions that once belonged to the wealthiest New York elites.
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