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Private tour in New York City Gary D
New York City's Upper Westside: Art, Architecture and History Tour
5.0
(7) reviews
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3 hours
1
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3 hours
1
Gary D.
5.0
Guide rate
157
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5 hrs
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I am a native New Yorker, born and raised on the Upper West Side, who's lived and worked my entire life almost exclusively within three blocks of my childhood home. I am the product of an insanely competitive family of "know it alls. " My parents, younger brothers and I all love New York City history and growing up, our dinnertime discussions were a chance to show off what you knew and get some parental attention for being historically correct and entertaining at the same time. I also old love movies, read up on Hollywood and Broadway history, studied old theaters and their architects, and ultimately threw all that into the dinnertime plea for attention. I'm the only one who ended up a New York City tour guide, so that gives you some idea of the depth of my passion for this place (or my desperate need for attention). Up until a few years ago, I owned and operated one of the largest independent movie rental stores in NYC, so unique and comprehensive that it was voted "Best in New York" by several publications including New York Magazine. In 2006, I petitioned the City of New York to rename West 103rd Street (between Broadway and West End Avenue) Humphrey Bogart Place to honor the late actor, whose childhood home on the block now bears a plaque with a dedication I wrote. That is me, by the way, with the late Miss Lauren Bacall in the picture to your left. Another New Yorker, she was just shy of 82 and was still breathtaking. Those eyes . . . I love this city and all it's peculiarities, and I love sharing it with new-comers, returning visitors or native New Yorkers—anyone who wants to know not only why Wall Street is called Wall Street, where is the "square" in Times Square or where are the batteries in Battery Park. I'll tell you these and other fascinating things you never knew about this amazing place I call home because "there are 8 million stories in the naked city" and I will share with you as many as possible. Licensed by The Department of Consumer Affairs of The City of New York. I am a veteran New York City tour guide. Proud member of the Guide Association of New York City.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Gary D.
Join me, a born and bred neighborhood resident as we stroll through the history of "Old village of Bloomingdale".
Overview of your New York City tour
This is my neighborhood! I was born here, raised here and still live on the Upper West Side. I have raised 2 kids on the Upper West Side. I have seen it change, in various ways over the decades. And while there have been some changes the history of this area remains constant - incredible. What lead me into my interest in NYC history was when I found out that a very important battle at the beginning of the American Revolution happened 2 blocks from my childhood home. Then I discovered that Humphrey Bogart grew up down the block from me and he became who we became because of where we grew up. Legends of the worlds of Crime and Entertainment called the Upper West Side home. The Upper West Side is home to the everything from the largest Gothic structure in the world, a University that has had more Oscar winners amongst it's graduates than any other school in the United States (it's mascot became a corporate icon) and is home to the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Come - see the neighborhood with someone who lives it!
Your New York City tour itinerary
We begin in front of the Main Gates of Columbia University and then we will: We will discuss the campus from there and then walk down along Riverside Drive and Riverside Park. We will see a memorial to a couple who had first class tickets on the Titanic, neighborhood residents who left their mark on the world of retailing and philanthropy. We will see a row of homes that over a century housed the Davis (Baking Powder) family, the doctor who gave us the epipen, all of Duke Ellington's sheet music the Faber pencil king and a gang involved with a notorious 1934 robbery. The building that was the inspiration for a "spooky building" in the 1984 Ghostbusters. The official NYC Firemen's Memorial The building that named a Motion Picture Studio Humphrey Bogart's childhood home. We will wind our way through the old village of "Bloomingdale", end at 103rd Street The total distance is 2. 1 miles spread out over 4 hours.
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Transport details
Type: Walking
Walking
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New York, New York, United States
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Cathedral Of Saint John The Devine 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
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7 reviews
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3 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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