NYC: Greenwich Village Walking Tour

Greenwich Village is one of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in New York City. The tour begins at the famous Washington Square Park and Washington Square Arch. The tour begins at famous Washington Square Park, which has rocked with concerts, swelled with mass demonstrations, and has served as a prominent platform for social causes. At the Washington Square Arch, (1895) the famed monument to President George Washington, in 1915, artist Marcel Duchamp led a band of poets, artists and actors to climb to the top of the Arch to declare the "Free and Independent Republic of Greenwich Village!". On our route is the site of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911) with many lives lost, but which sparked important labor and safety laws in New York City. The tour continues to "The Row" townhouses, some of the earliest structures on Washington Square North and Lower Fifth Avenue at almost 200 years old. We will view the houses where famous artist Edward Hopper and the renowned author Mark Twain resided. We will also discuss reported paranormal events at Mark Twain's residence. We then make our way to view and share the history behind the Jefferson Market Library which features stunning Victorian Gothic architecture. We continue to the Stonewall Inn and National Monument and Visitor Center, the site of the uprising for gay and LGBTQ civil rights in June, 1969 that inspired the ongoing Gay Rights Movement and subsequent civil rights laws. We jump back in history to Marie's Crises Cafe, the site where Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, who inspired his countrymen in 1776 to rebel against Great Britain, died in 1809. Then, we proceed to the apartment building film setting for the comedy television series “Friends”. Back again into the past, we will view the the oldest village house, the Isaacs-Hendricks (1799) and the narrowest house in the city, measuring only 9 ½ feet wide. Next on the tour is the Aaron Burr House. Burr is currently portrayed in the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton". We then stroll through the night club district along Bleeker Street to hear about and see some of the famous spots such as The Bitter End, Kenny's Castaway and Cafe Wha that presented Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead, Barbara Streisand and Lady Gaga who performed at the start of their careers. Many comedians also began their careers in the village including Woody Allen, Joan Rivers, Whoopie Goldberg and Lenny Bruce. We visit the former site of Cafe Au Go Go, where comedian Lenny Bruce's arrest in 1964, based on obscenity charges from his routine, preceded a landmark Supreme Court case that expanded free speech rights. The tour concludes at the former site of Gerde's Folk City, where audiences were captivated by great performers such as Bob Dylan, the Mamas and Papas, the Byrds, Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Umbrella

Know before you go

• The tour covers historical and cultural sites.
• The tour involves walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• The tour is suitable for ages 13 and above, but be aware of the historical content discussed.