Choose a currency
Private tour in New York City Suzanne R
Dirty NYC: New York City's Five Points
-
2 hours
1
Tour date
Start time
-
2 hours
1
Suzanne R.
5.0
Guide rating
1
Reviews
Tours delivered
2 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello! I'm Suzanne R! I specialize in unique, unusual tours of New York City. If you want to delve into the New York City that's off the beaten (subway) track, I literally wrote a book about it. I'm an avid walker who loves exploring in New York City. Although I spent my formative years in the Chicago suburbs, my soul truly felt at home when I arrived in New York. I've lived here for over 30 years now. That said, I insist on calling soda “pop,” and sneakers “gym shoes,” and sorry/not sorry - I prefer deep dish pizza (although there are some really great pizzas in NYC). As a mostly recovered Cubs fan, I cheer on the New York Mets. I worked in nonprofit organizations for over 20 years. Through that work, I had the privilege of serving New Yorkers from birth (happily helping with affordable, safe child care) to death (sadly helping with financial assistance for funerals), and all ages in between. My work enabled me to partner with people from a variety of ethnic, racial, and religious communities. Being part of a team to make New York a better place for everyone deepened my love for this big, diverse city, as well as my appreciation for those who choose to visit us. I'm curious, enthusiastic, and funny, and I would be thrilled to show you any of New York's five boroughs. Please join me to learn about saints, Dutch Nieuw Amsterdam, garbage, hidden stories in plain site, rats, weird history, murders, gorgeous parks, corruption, peaceful gardens, anarchy, and NYC at sunrise. I am delighted to customize tours to meet accessibility needs or create custom tours to satisfy special interests (as long as they are legal). - Licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (formerly Department of Consumer Affairs) - Member, Guides Association of NYC (GANYC) The best way to experience NYC is on foot, but I also use public transit (subway, bus, ferry), taxis, or Lyft if necessary. If required, a driver to the starting location can be arranged.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Suzanne R.
Sewage, Sex, and Sickness in the Five Points
Overview of your New York City tour
This two hour walking tour is a deep dive into the dirty history of the Five Points neighborhood in NYC, once called "the foul core of New York City's slums" and an area of "moral leprosy." In a way, it's also a ghost tour, as we'll be exploring a geography (streets and natural features) erased by development and redevelopment. We will uncover the lives of the people who lived in this area (now Chinatown) from 1800 - 1900, discussing how sewage, sex, and sickness pervaded a neighborhood filled with the "poorest of the poor" until it was razed and rebuilt starting in 1897. This is not a tour for the faint of heart!
Your New York City tour itinerary
Collect Pond Park: We will discuss how Collect Pond was transformed from a fresh water pond with a park to a reeking, polluted swamp to a foul landfill. In this spot, we will also discuss The Tombs (aka the Halls of Justice). Five Points Intersection: The tour will stop just east of Columbus Park on Worth Street. We will talk about the historic location and stories of Paradise Square, The Old Brewery, Cow Bay, and the intersection of streets that gave the Five Points neighborhood its name. Chinatown: The tour will continue through the historic area of the Five Points, stopping at the former sites of Donovan's Alley, Chatham Theatre, Chatham Square, Park Street, Mulberry Bend, Bandit's Roost, and Bottle Alley. We'll visit the site of a former notorious brothel and see the oldest tenement in New York City. During the tour, we'll discuss sewage, sex, and sickness in the Five Points from 1800 - 1900.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Walking
Walking!
What's included
Meeting location
Collect Pond Park, Leonard Street, New York, NY, USA
We will meet in Collect Pond Park on Leonard Street between Centre and Lafayette Streets unless other arrangements are made.
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
Tour reference number
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Accessibility
Frequently asked questions
Who is this private tour in New York City best suited for?
What should I bring or wear?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
2 hours
1
Tour date
Start time
-
2 hours
1
Tour date
Start time
Explore more of New York City
Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.