William Helmreich accomplished a feat that few people can brag about. He walked every street in New York City’s five boroughs, a total of more than 6,000 miles! While completing this epic quest, Helmreich explored – literally – every corner of the city, uncovering little-known businesses, overlooked artworks, and colorful New York characters. Helmreich turned his discoveries into five books, starting with The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City.
He would go on to complete a separate book for four of the five boroughs before sadly passing away from COVID in 2020, leaving the Staten Island book unfinished. The latest book in the series to be released explores the Bronx. In our upcoming talk on November 29th, join Helmreich’s wife, Helaine, for an engaging conversation about the walks she used to take with her late husband and the fascinating people and places they encountered!
This live virtual talk is free for Untapped New York Insiders! Insiders will also receive an exclusive discount code for 30% off your own copy of The Bronx Nobody Knows! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and gain access to member-exclusive experiences, both in-person and online, as well as our archive of 200+ on-demand webinars. Use code JOINUS for your first month free!
Helmreich grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and in Washington Heights. He had a lifelong love affair with New York City, stemming from a game he played with his father as a boy, called “last stop.” For about 5 years, every Sunday they would ride the subway to the last stop, get off, and explore the neighborhood. In this way, he learned to know and appreciate New York City.
As an adult, Helmreich would adapt this game and continue exploring the city. Over the course of four years, he traversed more than 100,000 city blocks. His first book about his travels, The New York Nobody Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City, was published in 2013.
The Bronx Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide, which came out in August 2023, follows Helmreich’s walking guides to Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Inside, readers will find a block-by-block guide organized by the borough’s different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood section features a map, a brief history, photographs, and a walking tour. From Mott Haven to City Island, Helmreich shares hundreds of interesting and unusual places, along with interactions Helmreich shared with the residents. As you read, you’ll discover the birthplace of hip hop on Sedgwick Avenue in the West Bronx, a hidden synagogue in Concourse East, a family-run Italian bakery in Allerton run by the third-generation, and so much more.
Join Untapped New York’s Chief Experience Officer Justin Rivers for a conversation with Helaine Helmreich about The Bronx Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide, written by Helaine’s late husband Bill Helmreich!
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Televis
