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Free tour

Upper East Side Art & Architecture: from Gilded Age Mansions to Modern Art

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Scott
Quality Verified Registered on April 26, 2024

Practicing artist, student of tech and computer art. Have lived in New York for going on 8 years. I love how I keep finding cool treasures in the city. I’m from Texas. I have been giving tours of art and architecture for 10 years, working at modern art museums as well as New York City guided tours.

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  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

The Upper East Side is arguably Manhattan’s wealthiest neighborhood.   Elite and quieter, yet still with New York City quirkiness and artsiness.  We will begin in the Lennox Hill neighborhood looking at a Gilded Age era mansions and the modern art galleries that make the neighborhood unique.  Then we will head up 5th Avenue looking at the famous millionaire’s row of the turn of the century  now known at “museum mile”. 
We will then visit  the Carnegie Hill neighborhood  including the Andrew Carnegie mansion  and the Jewish Museum.

We will begin at the flagship Ralph Lauren store, a beautiful Gilded Age castle and work our way north between 5th  and Madison avenues  for about a mile. We will learn about the history of over 15 buildings from their origins to their  conversions and current uses and looking at art along the way.
 

Some of the sites we will visit include : The Jewish Museum, the Andrew Carnegie Mansion,  The Carlyle  Hotel, The Gagosian Gallery, The Neue Galerie, The Payne Whitney House ( The  Cultural Center of the French Embassy),  and more!   We will also be visiting inside some of the older buildings to get a taste of their grandeur and  going inside some of the various art galleries  with art ranging from early 20th century to now.


The Frick Mansion is currently under renovation and will open to the public in early 2025. 


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Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA
    888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA
    View on map

    We will meet in front of Ralph’s Coffee Shop. I will have s colorful umbrella.

  • 1
    Free admission
    Ralph Lauren Men's Flagship

    The Rhinelander Waldo mansion, modeled after a Loire Valley chateau was never lived in!

  • 2
    Free admission
    Bemelmans Bar

    This classic New York lounge has some beautiful murals by the creator of the children’s book Eloise.

  • 3
    Free admission
    Gagosian

    This blue chip art gallery has museum quality level shows.

  • 4
    Free admission
    Mnuchin Gallery

    We will visit a local gallery based on exhibitions. Frank Stella retrospective here through December 14th.

  • 5
    Free admission
    Cultural Services of the French Embassy

    The Payne Whitney House, once home to Gertrude Vanderbilt, founder of the Whitney Art Museum.

  • 6
    Outside visit
    Neue Galerie
  • 7
    Outside visit
    Ukrainian Institute of America

    This is beautiful gilded age stunner.

  • 8
    Free admission
    Cooper Hewitt

    Andrew Carnegie’s modest mansion.

  • 9
    Free admission
    The Jewish Museum

    We will visit this museum inside on Saturdays with free admission. The Jewish Museum is known for its contemporary art exhibits.

  • 10
    Outside visit
    Squadron A Armory

    The medieval castle playground of Gilded Age Millionaires.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
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