This charming little house is known as the Goodnight Moon house. It began as a farmhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, built in the middle of the 19^th Century.  At that time is was known as Cobble Court because it was surrounded by cobblestones in its courtyard. In the 1940s Margaret Wise Brown rented the little house for a writing studio and there wrote the children’s book Goodnight Moon.  She also described it in her book The Hidden House, “It was a little house in the middle of a big city. And nobody knew it was there. It had been there for years and years, for over a hundred years, forgotten. And there it stood in a hidden garden in the middle of a big block of skyscrapers.”

Brown wrote most of her 100 children’s books at Cobble Court, including her perennial bestsellers, The Runaway Bunny, Mr. Dog: The Dog Who Belonged to Himself, and Goodnight Moon. The fireplace pictured in Goodnight Moon is said to be the Cobble Court fireplace

The house was facing demolition in the 1960s. Tenants Sven and Ingrid Bernhard negotiated to move the house rather than see it destroyed. In 1967, Cobble Court was transported on a flatbed truck to its current location at 121 Charles Street in Greenwich Village, where it remains a private residence and a literary landmark.

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New York is about attitude and atmosphere. It’s a city that is endlessly creative, frustratingly enigmatic, mightily big, and more rewarding than just about anywhere you’ve been before! Sure, we’re New Yorkers, and we’re biased. But in our many years of experience providing Sightseeing Tours of NYC, we’ve seen guest after guest fall under New York’s spell.

Join us today to explore just a few reasons why New York is so incredibly popular.

New York City is a Star…

From Woody Allen’s Manhattan to Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Hitchcock’s Rear Window to the Ghostbusters franchise, New York has taken a starring role in a near endless list of classic movies. Moviegoers and moviemakers alike are transfixed by the city’s rough diamond charm.

New York can be as romantic as it can be menacing. New York can look old in one neighborhood and be a shining beacon of modernity a mere block away. The diversity of New York’s districts, its mix of architectural styles, and its wealth of famous sites make it the perfect place to point a camera. 
Whether you’re a Friends fanatic or dreamed of retracing Audrey Hepburn’s steps from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, you’ll love spotting all the cinematic locations around New York City. And as you hail an iconic yellow cab or step out onto Times Square, you might feel like a character starring in your very own movie.

Superheroes Come From New York

It feels like comic books have come to dominate the world in recent years. Hollywood is breaking one record after another with each release of the latest DC or Marvel Universe movie release. And almost all the major characters are linked to New York somehow!

Among popular Marvel superheroes, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Iron Man, and The Avengers have made New York their home. Spider-Man (aka Peter Parker) may just be Marvel’s most recognizable New Yorker superhero, and it’s easy to imagine Spidey swinging from building to building as you gaze up at Manhattan’s skyscraper-filled cityscape.

DC has also rooted its characters in New York. Although Batman lives in fictional Gotham City and Superman in Metropolis, both cities have been heavily influenced by New York. Gotham seems inspired by New York at night, with a noirish feel – neon lights and steam rising from the pavements. On the other hand, Metropolis seems to hark back to a golden age of art deco skyscrapers, streetwise reporters.
Anyone interested in superheroes should consider joining us for one of our Superheroes of Gotham Tour, where we delve into the history of some of the comic world’s most iconic figures and look at important filming locations from the movies.

New York is a City for Art Lovers

New York is loaded with art as we showcase our NYC Art of Transit Tour. New York won’t disappoint any culture vultures. There is a huge amount to see, from the city’s bold, colorful street art to the masterpieces at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Our Art of Transit tour takes guests on a tour of the hundreds of artworks on display in the New York subway system. From poetry to sculpture and murals, the art of the underground ensures that no commute in New York is ever dull.

The collections at the New York Met are vast and should not be missed by any self-respecting art lover on vacation in New York. Head there to see masterpieces from Jan van Eyck, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Monet, Modigliani, and countless others.

And if Modern and Contemporary art is your thing, be sure to visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, which is also filled with treasures.

New York is Diverse

Diversity is a virtue often invoked when describing large urban areas, but New York takes the definition of a cultural melting pot to a whole new level. It’s estimated that around 800 languages are spoken within New York. 

Throughout its history, New York has often acted as the place of entry for immigrants arriving in the United States. Many of these millions of immigrants came through the now-iconic Ellis Island. It is estimated that around 12 million immigrants were registered at the Ellis Island immigrant stations. The island was known as the “island of hope,” It was also known as the island of tears for the immigrants who were turned away. But, only 2% of all immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island were refused admission. America was the “land of opportunity,” which made New York the natural place for many new arrivals to lay down roots.

Today New York has sizeable minority populations drawn from an array of national and ethnic groupings. There are Jews (New York is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel), Irish, Poles, Mexicans, Italians, Puerto Ricans, Germans, Chinese, Russians, and Indians, to name but a few. 

And each community has brought its own culture, making New York the wonderland it is today. It also means that there’s an amazing choice of food!

You Can Eat Well in New York

Wherever you travel in this world, you’ll always remember the food. No matter your priorities as a traveler, we all have to eat. And New York serves up more variety of flavors than almost anywhere else.

From Little Italy to Chinatown, you’ll find much lovingly prepared international cuisine in New York. Whether you’re on a tight budget and hoping to grab some street food, looking for a chilled-out deli to grab a coffee and a sandwich, or hoping to book a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you’ll find what you’re craving in New York. 

That’s all we have time for with this discussion of what makes New York so popular. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding this blog or our tours.

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Occurring just less than two years into the new Millenium, the 9/11 attacks on New York City sent reverberations worldwide. Those old enough to remember the events of that day tend to recall the exact moment they heard the news. 9/11 is unquestionably one of the defining events of modern world history.

If you’re visiting New York and wish to learn more about the tragedy and pay tribute to those who lost their lives that day, a public memorial and museum are today located in the footprints of the destroyed Twin Towers.

The following blog will outline what you can expect from a visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and provide information useful to your visit. 

If you’re looking for more things to do in New York City, please check out our Custom & Private Tours in NYC. And don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

What to Expect on Arrival at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

On arrival at the World Trade Center site (formerly site of the 9/11 attacks), you will walk through a tree-lined space before reaching the two memorial pools called Reflecting Absence. This memorial area is free and open to the public seven days a week.

Carefully designed to be a space for contemplation and remembrance, the memorial pools bear the names of all those killed on 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The victim’s names are inscribed on the waterfalls’ parapets and are grouped by meaningful connections, such as friends and workmates being positioned together.

The memorial itself is laden with powerful symbolism that aids us in reflecting on the heartbreaking events of that day. The victim’s names have been cut into the metal parapets, so flowers can be inserted in tribute. If you see a white rose at a person’s name, it has been placed to signify their birthday.

The pools themselves constituted the largest man-made waterfalls in North America and were designed to mute the sounds of the bustling city around you. Standing by the pools, you can listen to the flow of the waters, signifying life and a spirit of hope and representing tears shed for those who will never return to us. The square voids at the center of each pool represent the absence of those who died, a space that can never be refilled. 

There is also a tree at the site referred to as the survivor tree. Found in the rubble of Ground Zero, this Callery pear tree was nursed back to health and today serves as a powerful symbol for those who survived the attack and for the city’s rebirth and process of healing.

Finally, the memorial glade at the site pays tribute to the thousands of World Trade Center workers and emergency first responders who have suffered from chronic health problems since 9/11 due to the dust and chemicals they were exposed to in September 2001.

Entry to the 9/11 Memorial Museum

Unlike the memorial, the museum is not free to enter. Open Thur-Mon, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tickets cost between $15 and $26, or between $38 and $46 if the guided tour option is selected. 

The museum is run as a not-for-profit organization. The money you spend on the museum ticket will be reinvested into the museum’s running, educational programs, commemorative events, and other activities dedicated to preserving the memory of 9/11 and its victims.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection consists of material objects recovered from the World Trade Center attack site, first-person testimonies, and historical records relating to September 11, 2001. Being at the site of such tragedy, surrounded by so many reminders of the human lives taken by this terrorist act, can be overwhelming. We recommend reserving at least two and a half hours to explore the exhibition space slowly.

The museum also charts the continued effects of this momentous tragedy nationally and globally. Today, the museum is home to 70,000 artifacts that movingly tell the stories of 9/11’s victims, survivors, and emergency responders.
If you can take a guided tour, it will certainly add to your overall experience. However, an audio guide narrated by Robert De Niro is also available; this well-crafted guide will bring the museum space to life, adding context to the objects and the overall story of what happened.

While in the area, you should also visit the Oculus building. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this extraordinary building resembles a dove flying from a child’s hand and was built as a sign of peace and hope for the future.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum

When planning your trip to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, be aware that there is another 9/11 museum located just 5-minutes away. The 9/11 Tribute Museum is run by the September 11th Families’ Association and shares the personal stories from that fateful day and its long-term effects on the lives of countless New Yorkers.

Using photos, artifacts, and stories shared by the community, the 9/11 Tribute Museum gives moving insights into the personal lives of those who died, survivors, and members of the emergency services.

If you’re short on time, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will probably be the better choice for you, though the 9/11 Tribute Museum should not be missed by those who have a deep interest in the events of that day. 

Getting to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is best done on public transport, and the local station (World Trade Center Oculus Transportation Hub) can be reached by bus, subway, or PATH train. Just leave plenty of time for your journey and be conscious that the museum can get very busy – if you can arrive early in the day, do so. 

Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum with CityWalksNY

At CityWalksNY, we offer 9/11 Memorial Tours customized to fit your travel plans. Learn more about the acts of bravery and selflessness displayed during one of the darkest days in American history.

New York City has remained a beacon of hope for the nation, and the spirit of the American people has never shined more brightly than in the days, weeks, and months that followed the 9/11 attacks. 

Although the nature of the 9/11 story is devastatingly sad, we try to put the city’s sense of togetherness, when faced with such unspeakable trauma, at the center of our tour – this is the story of a city’s grief, but also of its determination to flourish once again. 
 This brings today’s blog to a close, but keep an eye on the CityWalksNY Blog for more New York City-related content!

The post What Is It Like to Visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum? appeared first on City Walks NY.

If this guide inspires you to travel with us, please check out our Private NYC Tours and our Custom NYC Tours. And please get in touch if you have any questions. So, let’s start exploring the off-the-beaten paths through the greatest city on Earth!

NYC’s Rock and Roll Scene

Leave no rock unturned in your search for authentic New York experiences! While your mind might go to places like Memphis and Nashville when considering the origins of rock and roll, New York City’s history positively overflows with rock and roll, but only if you know where to look. This is why we created our Rock & Roll NYC Private Tour. 

This experience takes you from the Lincoln Center to the East Village, uncovering the rich rock and roll history of the city, learning about icons like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and The Ramones. 

If you’re pushed for time, you could simply choose to visit the Lincoln Center, but we highly recommend taking part in the full experience!

The Whispering Gallery – Grand Central Station

While there is nothing about Grand Central Station at first glance that could be considered “off-the-beaten-path”, the Whispering Gallery is a kind of hidden spot that mostly only locals know about. 

The way the domed ceiling is made makes sound carry perfectly from arch to arch, so two people can whisper to each other. It’s a magical effect that can’t really be explained properly; it’s just something you’ll have to experience for yourself!

The Rockefeller Center’s Secret Garden

Once again, this is an off-the-beaten-path spot in NYC that is with a more popular destination. The Rockefeller Center is arguably one of the most famous shopping complexes in the world, so you’d be forgiven for not adding it to your journey along the road less traveled. 

However, there is a secret garden along the roof of this stunning art deco building. 

The garden is beautifully built and arranged, with different flowers blooming at different times of the year. It also offers stunning views of St Patrick’s Cathedral — one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks!

Appreciate the Art on the NYC Subway

The NYC Subway is up there with the Metro (Paris) and the Underground (London) as one of the most iconic public transport systems in the world. Visitors often want to ensure they take the New York Subway at least once during their visit! 

Well, there is so much more to appreciate if you take your time and look around at the spectacular art on the walls of the stations throughout the city. 

With a guide on our Art of Transit NYC Subway Tour, you will be able to appreciate the small-scale models of Tom Otterness, the exquisite tilework of Elizabeth Grajales, and so much more. 

Rather than getting off the beaten path, this is an excellent way to appreciate the often-overlooked spectacles on one of the most well-worn paths there is!

See a Piece of the Berlin Wall

In a little park on East 53rd Street, you’ll find a very enigmatic thing indeed: a small section of the Berlin Wall. Very from its original home, this section of the famous wall was donated in 2004 by the city of Berlin to Manhattan’s Battery Park City. 

Even if you’ve seen some of the remnants of the Berlin Wall in Berlin, there’s something special about seeing this piece of European history transplanted into a New York City park! 

It’s also worth noting that the wall isn’t just some black chunk of concrete: it is covered in art by German artists Kiddy Citny and Thierry Noir. 

While many might walk past this section of the wall each day without taking note of its true significance, you can take a moment to appreciate it.

Appreciating NYC’s Superhero Origin Story

Due to the comic and movie industry, it’s impossible to imagine a world without superheroes. Whether you’re a huge fan or just a casual observer, it’s fascinating to uncover many of the inspirations for the places and characters in both Marvel and DC’s universes. 

This is an area where NCY really shines as it is either the main city for many superheroes or it is the city that inspired the fictional cities other superheroes call home. 

New York City was used as a basis for both Superman’s Metropolis and Batman’s Gotham, and it is the stomping ground for Spiderman, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and more… 

Take our tour Superheroes of NYC Tour to learn more, seeing the city from a completely new perspective.

There are, of course, millions of other places worth seeing in NYC that are off the beaten path. And there’s a slightly funny irony to writing a list like this as it puts some of these spots onto the beaten path by sending people there… 

Wherever you head in New York City, we hope you have an incredible time and we hope we can share part of the experience with you on a City Walks NY Tour!

The post The Best Off-the-Beaten-Track Sights in NYC appeared first on City Walks NY.

However, you’ll have a much better time if you land in Manhattan armed with some local knowledge on the best spots and some historical context. There is simply far too much to possibly say in one blog — or perhaps even one book — so we are merely plucking out a few of Manhattan’s most famous spots to talk about today.

We would be delighted if anything in this guide inspires you to explore Manhattan with CityWalksNY; take a look at our Custom & Private Tours in NYC if you’d like to find out more. And please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

Guide to Visiting Midtown

Magnificent Midtown Manhattan

When one thinks of Manhattan, some of the things that come to mind are Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Broadway Theater district. What do all of these have in common? Their location in Midtown Manhattan — an area that includes a significant portion of what makes NYC so iconic.

Midtown Manhattan is home to some of the most definitive architecture and cultural areas of the city. These institutions evoke the image of NYC whenever brought up in conversation. One feels the true meaning of being a New Yorker when walking through Midtown Manhattan, understanding the lore behind the development of the iconic structures that reside in the area.

The Private Midtown Tour from CityWalksNY will take you through one of the most valuable real estate regions in the world, as your private tour guide provides a running commentary on the valuable history behind each iconic institution.

It can be difficult to approach or design a visit to an area as densely packed with significance as Midtown — there are so many different landmarks that probably require a separate tour of their own if you are to enjoy their full significance. But the Midtown Classics tour will attempt to provide at least a basic understanding of what’s so great about this area of NYC. Containing architecture from a wide range of schools — Neo-Gothic, Art-Deco, Post Modern, and more — Midtown is an architectural smorgasbord.

The unique history behind each of Midtown’s attractions will delight and inspire. Prominent locations such as Grand Central Terminal (pictured above) and the newly renovated New York Public Library have a significant cultural importance, as they are renowned not just for their aesthetic beauty, but the impact they have had on New Yorkers over the years.

Since Midtown is so large and so diverse, there are a great number of options as to where one can go exploring. On your custom tour with CityWalksNY, you can sit down and indulge in the tranquil atmosphere of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Ave or enjoy the festive activities available year-round at Bryant Park. 

Your private tour guide will not only point out the best places to capture the essence of NYC, but they will also help you understand what it is that makes all of these places so iconic and emblematic of the city.

Guide to Visiting Wall Street

The Street, The Wall, The Legend

Of course, when we refer to “The Street” we’re talking about Wall Street — so named because it is the site of a wall that was built here in 1653.  That wall wasn’t built by New Yorkers, however, because in 1653 the southern tip of Manhattan Island was not New York but the Dutch trading colony of New Amsterdam and the wall was the northern boundary of the city. 

In 1664 the English arrived.  On their ships, they had a gun for every building in New Amsterdam.  And so New Amsterdam became New York without a shot being fired. Eventually the wall came down but the street that had run parallel to it retained the name: Wall Street.

Due to its proximity to the piers where goods and raw material were imported & exported, Wall Street was an active trading location from its earliest days.  One of the imported resources found on Wall Street in the early 18th century were slaves.  In 1711, the New York Common Counsel made the corner of Wall Street and Pearl Street the city’s official slave market.

In the late 18th century, under a buttonwood tree at the foot of Wall Street, a group of traders would meet and transact business together.  In 1792 they signed “The Buttonwood Agreement” which stipulated that they would henceforth trade only with one another, and the New York Stock Exchange was born.

Wall Street, though synonymous with the financial industry, is also very important in American History. New York was the first capital city of the United States after our Constitution was ratified.  Wall Street is where the first U.S. congress met, where the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution, and it is where George Washington took the oath of office as the First President of the United States in 1789. In fact, it’s where many of our founding fathers both lived and worked!

Guide to Visiting NYC’s Upper West Side

See New York City as a Local

The Upper West Side in Manhattan is a neighborhood bounded by Central Park to the East, the Hudson River to the West, Columbus Circle on the South and 110th Street on the North end. The Upper West Side is primarily residential; the only major commercial tenant of the Upper West Side being the ABC Television Network HQ & production facilities from which they currently broadcast “Live with Kelly & Ryan.”

There are major cultural and educational institutions in Manhattan’s Upper West Side including The American Museum of Natural History and The New-York Historical Society as well as Lincoln Center near the southern boundary of the neighborhood and Columbia University in the north. 

The Dakota

The Dakota was built b/t 1880 – 1884 as the first luxury apartment building in New York City.  It was developed by Edward Clark, head of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and designed by Henry Hardenbergh who also designed the Plaza Hotel.  At the time it was being built, most New Yorkers of means lived in townhomes, houses.  Multifamily dwellings were considered the reserve of the working class. 

For this reason it was called “Clark’s Folly.”  However, the joke was on them, all apartments were leased before the building was completed.  According to lore the building is so named because it is so far north and west, outside of the developed part of the city at that time and therefore far from civilization, it might as well be in the Dakota territories.  

The esterior of the building was used in the movie “Rosemary’s Baby.” Some of the Dakota’s famous residents include Leonard Bernstien, Connie Chung, Rosemary Clooney, Lauren Bacall, Boris Karloff, Judy Garland, Lillian Gish, and Roberta Flack. And, of course, the Dakota was the home of John Lennon & Yoko Ono as well as the childhood home of Sean Lennon and where John Lennon was shot and killed on December 8, 1980. Yoko still lives here.

249 Central Park West

249 Central Park West, the corner house at 75th Street is one of three remaining of nine that were built between 74th and 75th Streets from 1888 to 1891 — all by the same developer and architect. They were built to be luxury townhomes and are so today after the mid-20th century neglect and abuse they suffered. 

By the 1950’s the Beck house, the corner brownstone, had been converted to apartments with the exterior modernized and slathered in white paint.  It was actually fortuitous that, in 1989, a chunk of masonry broke off the building and forced the owner to strip the building and reveal the original red brick and brownstone beneath.

In 2006 it was purchased for $14.4mm and reconverted to a single family home which required removing two floors that had been added to the top.  In 2013 it was sold for $20mm.

That’s all we have time for with this guide to Manhattan. But there will be lots more where this came from, and we are committed to writing more NYC travel guides in the future. So, keep an eye on the CityWalksNY Blog for even more New York City guides

The post Guide to Visiting Manhattan appeared first on City Walks NY.

• Be prompt: When you go sight-seeing on your own as a tourist, you can create your own timetable or walk around as leisurely as you want. But when you book a private walking tour, you do need to be on time (or even a little early). Don’t assume that tours will start a few minutes late or that it’s fine to hold up the tour for one straggler in your group. Even if your tour group consists of just your family, it’s important to stay on schedule and be respectful to your guide by arriving with time to spare.

• Dress appropriately: When you’re on vacation, it’s understandable that you’d want to wear a special outfit or fancy footwear. But you should save those items for when you go to dinner or hit the town. When you go on tours in New York City, you should dress for the weather and for the physical activity involved. After all, “walking” is in the name, so you should expect to move your feet quite a bit. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing (layers are typically a good idea!). You may also want to consider forgoing a heavy bag or purse for your own comfort throughout the tour. If you’re uncertain whether your outfit choice is appropriate, we’d be happy to answer your questions in more detail.

• Come prepared: Although you’ll probably want to travel light on your tour, you should come to your tour prepared with a few things. A bottle of water, cash, an external phone battery charger (in case you want to snap some photos but are low on juice), and a couple of bandages for blisters are all good to bring. You may also want to bring along some sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses (even in winter!) and a hat. Don’t assume that you can just buy these items when you arrive; although the Big Apple has a lot to offer, you may not have time to stop and purchase them. These items won’t take up a lot of room in your bag but will ensure you’re comfortable and better able to enjoy your tours in New York City.

• Interact with your guide: When you take one of these fascinating tours in New York City, remember that they’re meant to be a bit interactive. Unlike when you go to the theatre or see a film, it’s okay to ask your guide questions and respond to theirs. In fact, it’s encouraged! Although guides do have an itinerary and an idea of what they’ll say, it’s always better when participants actually participate! Don’t be afraid to get involved in the conversation and take advantage of the opportunity to learn. Your guide will be more than happy to tell you all there is to know about a specific location or notable figure in history.

• Stay safe: Although your tour will never take you to an unsafe part of the city, remember to exercise caution wherever you are in NYC. Always observe crosswalk signs and yield to your guide’s expertise when traveling from stop to stop. If you’re traveling with children, watch them closely and do not allow them to walk outside of the group. You should keep moving, stay aware, and follow instructions from your guide.

As long as you follow these tips, your NYC walking tour should be fun and informative for everyone involved. To get started on booking your tour, contact us today!

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Where can we go on our gangster private walking tour?

On all of our tours in New York City, we offer tailor-made options that allow you to see exactly what interests you. Of course, there are certain spots that we think are must-sees for this sort of tour. Little Italy and the East Village are infamous for their mob hangouts, and the Lower East Side was home to both Irish gangsters and the Jewish-American mafia that later influenced Italian organized crime. No matter which areas capture your imagination most, our guides will provide you with fascinating insight into these groups and how they survived during their heyday. You’ll walk the same streets they did and get a glimpse into the lives they lead during your tour.

Aren’t all mafia tours in New York the same?

Absolutely not. Although many tours focus on some of the same areas due to their historical significance, every tour company brings its own expertise and flair to the table. What you’ve seen portrayed in shows like The Sopranos or in movies like Goodfellas are just one piece of the puzzle — and it’s one that isn’t always accurate. On these tours, we’ll dispense facts and visit locations you likely never knew about. If you’re looking for a tour that focuses on more than just pop culture or what you could glean yourself from the internet, our experience can provide you with an insider perspective to which not many are privy.

How can I find out more about taking a tour?

If you’re interested in taking the best mafia tour NYC has to offer, just contact us! Unlike many other guided walking tours, CityWalksNY allows you to customize your tour experience to ensure it includes exactly what you want to see. We can also provide recommendations for those can’t-miss spots. To find out more about signing up for a gangster tour (or any of our other amazing offerings), get in touch with us through our site or check out our NYC gangster tour info page for more.

The post What To Expect On Your NYC Gangster Tour appeared first on City Walks NY.

1. The fall foliage is simply beautiful. There is no doubt that Central Park is beautiful. It has been featured in over 240 films since 1908, making it the most filmed public park in the world. And the park gets even better in the Fall when it explodes into color. Take your walking tour of Central Park during October to soak in nature’s warmest spectacle.

1. The tourist crowds thin out. As kids and students head back to school in the Fall, the city generally sees fewer tourists. This leaves more room for you to breathe and explore New York. If you are not a fan of crowds at all, you might consider a private walking tour to get your ideal experience.

1. You can enjoy seasonal food and drink. The Northeastern United States is full of delicious flavors during Autumn. While in the city, you can try out the many regional ciders and even hunt down the best apple doughnut. When the air gets chilly, you can tuck into a cafe to enjoy one of the many seasonal coffee drinks.

1. Fall activities happen around the city. In addition to your New York City tours, you might consider stopping by some of the many Fall festivals. As Halloween season roles around, seek out a fun costume party or film screening to attend.

1. You can test out your favorite Fall fashion. New York City is certainly one of the fashion capital of the world, so what better place to try out your new Fall clothes? Have fun with layers and warm colors. And when in doubt, there are plenty of places to shop.

Tours in New York during the Fall simply can’t be beat. You can breathe in the crisp air while enjoying the sights and sounds of this bustling urban center. And at the end of the day, these is always some Fall comfort food to try.

Looking to schedule your own exciting NYC tour? Whether you want to learn more about the city’s cinematic culture, unique gangster history, or just want to see the most iconic tourist spots, contact our experienced tour guides today!

The post Why Fall Is The Best Time To Schedule Your NYC Tour appeared first on City Walks NY.

In order to get the most out of your New York City experience, it is important that you understand what you are looking for and find someone who can help you realize your perfect trip. One excellent way to make your NYC trip as rewarding as possible is with a customized walking tour of Manhattan.

Why Customized Walking Tours?

With a customized walking tour, you can choose the types of sites that are most interesting to you and receive an expert retelling of important events and local trivia. Plus, you will get to experience NYC up close and personal.

Unlike other forms of tours in New York, you will work with your tour guide in advance to shape your trip. That means you can be sure that you and your group are getting your money’s worth.

But it isn’t only the content of your tour that you can customize, but the way it is delivered. Whether you wank to take in the skyline or blend into the fast paced sidewalk traffic, you have the option of setting your pace and the scope of your walking tour. That means you can forget your fears of being outed as a tourist — just leave the fanny pack at home!

Types of Customized Walking Tours
There are as many unique tours as there are visitors to NYC. If there is something about the Big Apple that you want to see, then all you need to do is ask and your tour guide will craft the perfect tour to pique your interest.

Popular tour requests include:

• 9/11 History Tours
• American Revolution Tours (perfect for fans of the Hamilton musical!)
• Cultural Institutions
• Famous Sites and Buildings
• Architectural History
• Harlem Renaissance
• Central Park
• Gay History
• Civil Rights
• Television and Movie History

From the famous 30 Rockefeller Plaza (and the eponymous television show) to the Lincoln Center and Empire State Building, Manhattan has something for everyone. No other city can match its culture, energy, or history. Why else would 58.5 million tourists have visited in 2015 alone?

To see why, or for more information on our customized walking tours, contact CityWalksNY today!

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New York City is more than just a city – it’s several cities brought together to form a larger mega-city! There are several islands that are an important part of the fabric of New York City. CityWalksNY provides visitors looking for a truly immersive New York City experience a personal tour of Roosevelt Island and Randall’s Island. Take the Roosevelt Island tram to explore the island of the same name. Most people are familiar with Ellis Island with its important place and rich history in American immigration. Then there is Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands tall and watches over New York Bay. In recent years people are starting to re-discover Roosevelt Island and Randall’s Island as the local government has revitalized parts of the island as public space, performance and event venue and a fantastic summer getaway.

Roosevelt Island

The forgotten islands of the city include Roosevelt Island, located in the East River between Manhattan island itself and Queens. At one point in its extensive history, the Island was known as Welfare Island for its hospitals. During its long and interesting history, the island has been home to a variety of different institutions from prisons to hospitals, mental asylums, lighthouses and residential buildings. Roosevelt Island is home to a myriad of architectural styles, marking the different phases of development and the changing administrators for the island.

Today the island boasts multiple residential buildings with 11,500 full-time residents on the island. Today Roosevelt Island also boasts a beautifully restored lighthouse, the Blackwell Island Light. Also on the island are 2 large parks on the island, Southpoint Park near Goldwater Memorial Hospital and Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park opened as a state park in 2012. For quick and easy access to Roosevelt Island, hop on the recently restored tram that reopened in 2010.

Roosevelt Island has seen considerable investment from the private sector as well with Cornell University announcing the establishment of a Technology Research campus on the island. Announced in 2010, the new initiative is a joint venture between Cornell University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. With the ground breaking ceremony held in 2014, the building of the new campus is currently underway and with classes slated to start in late 2017.

Randall’s Island

Randall’s Island is often skipped over because of the bridge that spans across the island. With 1,650 full-time resident’s on it’s also another small island that is often forgotten in the frantic pace of New York City. With an area of 520 acres, it’s not a small piece of land at all. Even though there are several vehicular and pedestrian bridges leading visitors to the island, it’s often forgotten in the shadow of its larger sibling, Manhattan Island. At one time or another Randall’s Island has been home to an orphanage, a poor house, burial grounds for the poor, an asylum, a hospital of homeopathy and eventually was even a home for Civil War veterans.

There a variety of facilities on the island for hospitals, shelters, the New York City Police Department and The New York City Sanitation Department. One of the more memorable and unique facilities that exist on the island is the New York City Fire Department’s training academy where all new recruits train. Hopefuls looking to join the Fire Department of New York City must go through the grueling training regimen that includes removing people trapped in cars, providing emergency care to injured civilians, to rescuing people from burning buildings. While this facility is not open to the public because of the inherent dangers associated with fires and the risks they may pose for civilians.

During its storied history, Randall’s Island has been host to a number of important and memorable events, including the men’s Olympic trials in 1936 and women’s Olympic trials in 1964. Today there are a number of facilities on Randall’s Island that are frequently visited by locals and visitors alike. In 2005, Icahn Stadium was opened on the island along with a major renovation of the park space surrounding it. Not long after, in 2008 a renovated golf center was opened on the island. In 2009 the island added a newly built tennis center featuring 20 courts, a cafe and indoor facilities for men and women. In the winter the courts are bubbled over for continued use by patrons through the harsh New York winters. The park also boasts 60 athletic fields for use in sports ranging from football, rugby, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and field hockey.

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