Explore New York City through new lens this week on one of our upcoming tours. Join us for an exploration into the American Irish Historical Society and uncover the many secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge on our newest walking tour. Here’s what we have lined up for the week:
Secrets of the Brooklyn Bridge: Thursday, June 22nd at 10AM
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. On our newest tour, author, playwright and Untapped Cities’ tour guide Justin Rivers will not only unpack the history behind the Brooklyn Bridge, but also explore its many hidden secrets. Our unique walking tour will give you a whole new appreciation for one of New York’s most iconic landmarks.
On our tour, we will cross the bridge span and check out some of the best vantage points in New York City, explore the perimeter of the Manhattan and Brooklyn anchorages of the bridge and discover Brooklyn Bridge’s various secrets, including its old Cold War fall out shelter, the love locks, the Russian fur vaults, the bridge jumper survivor’s support group and more.
Insider Tour of the American Irish Historical Society: Thursday, June 22nd at 6PM
Usually off-limit to the public, the American Irish Historical Society is opening its doors to Untapped Cities. The center of Irish culture and knowledge, located on Manhattan’s Museum Mile, was built in 1901. The five story Beaux-Arts townhouse was a private home before it was purchased by the Society in 1939, and it currently stands as one of the last standing mansions on Fifth Avenue. With a library that holds over 10,000 volumes, it is home to one of the largest private collections of Irish and American Irish history and literature in the United States. Discover the historic townhouse with us, learn about the history of the Irish in America, and see highlights of the library and archives.
Tour the Secrets of Coney Island: Past, Present, Future, & Unknown: Saturday, June 24th at 2PM
Titled America’s first playground, Coney Island was a small strip of sand on Brooklyn’s south coast that became synonymous with the burlesque, the bizarre, the outlandish and the corrupt. Join, author, playwright and Untapped Cities tour guide, Justin Rivers, in a new Untapped Cities tour, The Secrets of Coney Island: Past, Present, Future, & Unknown, as you trace the steps of the two main characters from his graphic novel, The Wonder City: The Great Whale of Coney Island on their visit one hot summer in 1942. Through their eyes, you’ll see what Coney Island was like at the height of its popularity, while unearthing secrets about long-gone amusement parks and learning about what’s in store for the future development of the island.
Untold Stories of 9/11 Walking Tour: Sunday, June 25th at 11AM
The attacks of September 11, 2001 were a seminal event, forever changing New Yorkers and their city. While most of us are familiar with the basic elements of that day, there are fascinating facts and stories that are seldom told. On this walking tour, we’ll uncover lesser-known aspects of the tragedy. Discover the roots of the attacks and visit sites that played a key role in the incident. You’ll learn about the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan, while hearing stories of extraordinary heroism and miraculous survival, which provide context for the most momentous event in New York’s history.
400 Years of History in 1 Mile Walking Tour: Sunday, June 25th at 2pm
Take a walk in the footsteps of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, revel in beautiful architecture across four centuries, hear stories of heroes and rogues that have shaped our history as a country and as a city. Our newest tour, 400 Years in 1 Mile, looks at the history of New York City by walking a mile long portion of Lower Broadway. In this area of Lower Manhattan, you can find examples of streets and structures that date from our Dutch past to the 21st century. Take a walk through City Hall Park, learn about the first department store in the U.S., see sites where Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton all worked and more.
