Track down the remnants of New York City’s former red light district in Times Square, savor snacks from different cultures on a Manhattan food tour, and find more ways to explore this week with Untapped New York! Don’t forget, Untapped New York Insiders get $5 off any Untapped New York public walking tours.
Gritty Times Square Tour
Wednesday, November 15th – This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture
Celebrate 100 years of the Museum of the City of New York at the exhibit This Is New York! This full-floor exhibition showcases more than 400 objects that span the last 100 years. Highlights of the exhibition include rare artifacts like a street sign from Sesame Street, an interactive talking bookshelf, and an immersive 16-screen experience featuring scenes from hundreds of movies about the city! The exhibit is open Thurs 10–9, Fri–Mon 10–5.
Wednesday, November 15th- A Vanishing New York: The Catskills
Virtually explore abandoned sites of New York’s Catskills region with photographer John Lazzarro, creator of A Vanishg New York: Ruins Across the Empire State. In this live, online talk, viewers will see the ruins of sites like the Catskill Game Farm and Borscht Belt resorts, as well as outtakes that didn’t make it into the book.
This live, virtual talk is free for Untapped New York Insiders! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to member-exclusive in-person and online events. Use code JOINUS for your first month free!
Thursday, November 17th – Go Inside the Former India House Building
Step inside One Hanover, a historic landmark and former long-time headquarters of India House, a private social club started in the early 20th century for men involved with maritime trade. The Financial District building, originally built as Hanover Bank in 1854, has recently undergone a major renovation by SomeraRoad. Be one of the first to see the new spaces, get a sneak peek of the historic Marine ballroom designed by noted architects Delano and Aldrich, and visit the iconic basement bar, Harry’s. This tour is free for Untapped New York Insiders!
Friday, November 17th – Explore NYC’s Underground Subway System
Use a subway car as your own personal time machine as you travel through abandoned stations and trace the evolution of the transit system from its earliest days to the present. Along the way, uncover hidden art installations, forgotten passageways, and quirky historical anecdotes.
This tour is offered every Monday through Saturday!
Saturday, November 18th – Visit the Victorian Mansions of Flatbush
Admire the unique Victorian mansions of this historic Brooklyn neighborhood on a stroll through its tree-lined streets! Learn about the evolution of Flatbush and find out why these homes broke from the trend of brownstones found in other parts of the borough. You’ll get to see the famous Japanese house, Greek revival mansions, and more stunning properties!
Saturday, November 18th – Secrets of Riverside Drive Tour
Visit the Upper West Side residences of famous real and fictional characters, see the first statue in NYC dedicated to a female historical figure, uncover quirky architecture, and learn more about the evolution of this famous street!
This tour is part of our Rediscover Your City series, a series of limited-run tours crafted specifically for local New Yorkers.
Sunday, November 19th – Taste of New York Lower Manhattan Food Tour
Munch on dumplings, knishes, pizza, and more yummy snacks on a food tour through Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side! As you enjoy foods from a variety of local New York City businesses, your expert guide will share their knowledge of immigrant life in what was once one of the most densely populated districts in the world. See how Italian, Chinese, and Jewish immigrants shaped Manhattan!
Sunday, November 19th – Gritty Old Times Square Tour
Learn about the largest sex emporium in New York City, discover the dirtiest hotel in America, visit sites for classic films like Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Taxi Driver (1976), and uncover more remnants of NYC’s former red light district in Times Square! Travel back to the halcyon days when 42nd Street was the Deuce, Eighth Avenue was the Minnesota Strip, and the Crossroads of the World was XXX-rated.
Sunday. November 19th – Secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge
Learn about hidden champagne vaults, a secret Cold War-era fall-out shelter, and more secrets of NYC’s most iconic span across the East River! Beyond the Brooklyn Bridge’s stately exterior lies an epic origin story. Now over 130 years old, the granite and limestone structure has dazzled both tourists and residents alike. Our unique Brooklyn Bridge walking tour will give you a whole new appreciation for one of New York’s most beloved landmarks.
Sunday, November 19th – The Art of Grand Central Madison
Uncover hidden works of art in the historic train terminal and travel down NYC’s longest escalator to explore new murals by famous artists like Kiki Smith and Yayoi Kusama! As you admire the art, you’ll also uncover hidden features in the design of the new concourse deep below the streets of Manhattan.
This tour is part of our Rediscover Your City series, a series of limited-run tours crafted specifically for local New Yorkers.
Sunday, November 19th – The Lost Theaters of Bay Ridge Tour
Discover which stores, restaurants, and gyms used to be grand movie palaces of a lost age in Brooklyn! On this tour of Bay Ridge, you’ll learn about the evolution of the neighborhood and its movie theater industry while tracking down architectural remnants of those lost film houses.
Sunday, November 19th – Explore the Gilded Age Mansions
Step into the world of HBO’s period drama The Gilded Age and see homes that were once occupied by the real-life figures who inspired the show characters like the old money Van Rhijns and Nuevo Riche Russells. On this tour, you’ll see which mansions still stand, check out photos of those that are lost, and even get to step inside a former mansion that now serves a new purpose. This tour will run on Friday and Sunday this week!
Monday, November 20th – Explore the Hidden Gems of Grand Central Terminal
Peer into hidden tennis courts, find out what’s hiding beneath the iconic clock at the center of the main concourse, locate remnants of a lost movie theater, visit an office-turned-speakeasy, and uncover more secrets of this historic train terminal!
This tour runs every day of the week!
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Check out all of our NYC walking tours here!