Meet gold-digging showgirls, lusty architects and wily billionaires on a walking tour that answers some of the really big questions about New York, such as why we celebrate the New Year by watching a lighted ball slide down a pole!
Explore New York’s theater district and learn why the shows all cost so much (and why they’re so similar.) On this 2-hour walking tour, you'll stroll past New York’s most exclusive social clubs and learn what tycoons do behind closed doors. You'll also discover the amazing stories behind these world-famous buildings:
Explore New York’s theater district and learn why the shows all cost so much (and why they’re so similar.) On this 2-hour walking tour, you'll stroll past New York’s most exclusive social clubs and learn what tycoons do behind closed doors. You'll also discover the amazing stories behind these world-famous buildings:
- Grand Central Terminal: Beneath the classical facade lies a trail-blazing design that has been copied by nearly every airport and stadium in the world.
- The Chrysler Building: Now universally acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest skyscrapers, this building ruined the architect who designed it.
- The United Nations: The world’s most important diplomatic organization served as a pawn in a war between New York’s real estate magnates.
- The Public Library: It ranks among New York’s most beloved buildings and its most beloved institutions — and it’s not even the most important structure to ever sit on this site.
What Is Not Included?
This tour does not include admission to the United Nations, though it does end in a convenient spot for those who wish to visit afterward.
Meeting Location
Times Square (New York, NY)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
- Tickets must be purchased in advance and tours often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
- Does this tour run in all weather?
- Yes, tours run in all weather including rain, snow and unpleasant temperatures. Of course in the case of any extreme weather events that could shut down public transit, we may need to cancel.
- How long do tours last?
- Tours are approximately two hours long.
- Do I need to purchase tickets for young children?
- Children 6 years old and under do not need a ticket as they are too young to really understand the subject matter. However, if you are bringing young children, please let us know when purchasing your tickets.
- How much walking is involved?
- On this tour we cover about 1.5 miles over mostly flat ground.
- Where does the tour end?
- The tour ends near the United Nations, which is about 1.5 miles from the starting point. Your tour guide will gladly help direct you back to the meeting location or wherever your trip takes you next.
- Does the entire tour take place outside or do we enter any buildings?
- Most of the tour is outdoors, but we do go inside Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building and the Public Library.
- Is the tour accessible by wheelchair or stroller?
- No. There are stairs that cannot be avoided. For those with strollers, we thus suggest bringing a small, umbrella stroller that folds easily and can be carried when needed.
- Are there bathrooms along the way?
- There are no scheduled restroom stops on the tour, but we can generally find facilities if the need arises.
- Will I be able to shop and buy souvenirs along the way?
- No, unfortunately there is no time for shopping on this tour as we'll need to keep on schedule.
- Are cameras allowed on the tour?
- Yes, cameras are allowed and encouraged as there will be multiple photo opportunities.
- Is there parking available near the meeting spot?
- Parking can be difficult in New York City and therefore we encourage people to use mass transportation. If you are driving, we suggest parking in a nearby parking garage. Several parking options will be provided after purchasing your tickets. Please keep in mind that the tour ends approximately 1.5 miles away from the meeting spot.
- Are tours offered in any language but English?
- No. Being Americans, we are all monolingual, but we are cosmopolitan enough to be embarrassed by this shortcoming.
- Do you offer gift certificates?
- Yes. If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate, please click on the "Contact MetroWalks" link on the left side of the page for more information.
- Are private tours available?
- Certainly. We can do private versions of any tour we offer — or entirely customized tours — at any time on any day of the week. Please click on the "Contact MetroWalks" link to email us with your request.
Metropolitan Walks
Andrew Smith, the founder of Metropolitan Walks, fell in love with New York when he was a small child and has been walking its streets and studying its quirks ever since.
When designing tours, he tries to use quirky individual stories to illustrate broad and important points about how the City operates. Walkers spend most of their time laughing at improbable tales and only later realize that they've been tricked into learning stuff.
His tour repertoire covers everything from Dutch history to today's headlines, touching on architecture, city politics, pop culture, financial shenanigans, and much more. He combines all these individually interesting topics to leave walkers with a sum that is greater than its parts: a sense of what makes New York unique and how it got to be this way.
When designing tours, he tries to use quirky individual stories to illustrate broad and important points about how the City operates. Walkers spend most of their time laughing at improbable tales and only later realize that they've been tricked into learning stuff.
His tour repertoire covers everything from Dutch history to today's headlines, touching on architecture, city politics, pop culture, financial shenanigans, and much more. He combines all these individually interesting topics to leave walkers with a sum that is greater than its parts: a sense of what makes New York unique and how it got to be this way.
