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Private tour in New York City Robert A

Recreate the Most Requested Walking Tour of 1840s New York City

5.0

(4) reviews

-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-9 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-9 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Robert A.

5.0

Guide rating

10

Reviews

Tours delivered

7 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi, New York City is a mesmerizing mix of buildings from wildly different periods, in wildly different architectural styles, from towering Art Deco skyscrapers to charming brownstones, and every sort of building in between. What is the story and the logic behind a city the author James Baldwin called, "spitefully incoherent. " I've spent decades studying, decoding, and deciphering New York's unique urban landscape from the Financial District to Central Park in order to tell a story of New York that's never been told. It's New York's own story as told through the built environment and answers the question: Why does New York City look the way it does? Between the Battery and Central Park are neighborhoods created by a slow-motion onslaught of brick and mortar, cast-iron, stone glass and steel that ran uptown through the middle of Manhattan. Left behind are the neighborhoods we know today as Museum Mile, the Fifth Avenue shopping district, Times Square, the Garment District and Herald Square, Murray Hill and the Empire State Building, Madison Square and the Flatiron Building, the Village and Union Square, NoHo and SoHo, Chinatown and the Lower East Side, Tribeca, and finally City Hall and the Financial District. Explore the different neighborhoods of New York and understand the sweeping histories that created a city unique in the history of the world. NYC Sightseeing Guide License #1278562-DCA Author of a NYC history blog. Bachelor of Science, History, Pace University, 1991 magna cum laude I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Robert A.

Overview of your New York City tour

Visitors to the city in the 1840s requested two things: to see the upscale homes of the wealthy, and the notorious slums of The Five Points. This tour recreates that walk, taking us along Broadway through NoHo and SoHo today. Indeed, a whirlwind of history would soon pass through Broadway which by the 1850s contained the finest shops, hotels and theaters in the country. And by the 1890s and 1900s, the area was dominated by warehouses, offices and buildings for industry and manufacturing--the most beautiful you ever saw! One interesting aspect to the tour is the role geography played before the grid: the wealthy were on the high (good) ground, and working class poor on low (bad) ground. As a result, the tour is entirely downhill. We end in the Civic Center, in search of the historic slum, The Five Points

Recent Reviews

Douglas M.United States
September 2026

We have been on many tours with ToursByLocals over the years because the tour guides have always been knowledgeable and have made the experience memorable. But Robert was by far and away the best guide we have ever had without exception. He combined his expert knowledge of architecture with a unique outline of how architecture defined the growth and history of New York and it’s population. He explained in detail the background of every site he showed us and explained the background history which made all aspects of his tours come alive.

Elizabeth W.
September 2024

Lively and personal introduction to NYC history, by a cool guy who can answer just about any question. (He also has other tours of other parts/eras of NYC.) Rob offered to meet me at my hotel, and arrived on time with a notebook if relevant photos, maps, etc. We took a subway downtown and walked around for 2 1/2 hours, with some breaks for sitting down or getting coffee when my energy waned. He was interested in what interested me and had done some research beforehand about it. At the end of a tour, he helped me get a cab. Five stars and more! I recommend! Tour made a very good impression not just for Rob A but also for Tours By Locals.

Jo Anne J.United States
December 2019

5 stars. So informative. Rob is so knowledgeable about all things NYC. We learned to look up!

Mark N.United States
August 2018

Very good tour. Rob is friendly and very informative. Has a great deal of knowledge about NYC architectural history. The tour was interesting to my wife about young adult children.

Your New York City tour itinerary

* Astor Place and Colonnade Row * Broadway through NoHo and SoHo * Civic Center, Foley Square * Chinatown * The old Five Points and Mulberry Bend neighborhoods of American gang history * Cast-iron and loft buildings of Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau, Neo Renaissance, Queen Ann, Romanesque styles * Columbus Park

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Transport details
Type: Walking

Good walking shoes are all that is required for transportation.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY, USA

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Meet on the front steps of The Public Theater 425 Lafayette Street, NY NY 10003

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
City Highlights
Off The Beaten Path
Tour reference number
462891
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in New York City best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for history enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the contrasting lifestyles of 1840s New York City, from the opulent homes of the Astors to the infamous slums of The Five Points. It's also kid-friendly, making it a great option for families.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in New York City be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-9 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-9 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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