TRUE TALES OF THE EAST VILLAGE
We focus on two main strands of East Village history: the experiences of the many immigrant groups that called this area home over its three-hundred-and-fifty year history; and the changes and challenges that locals have encountered in recent years as a once desolate, dangerous but artistically vibrant neighborhood saw an influx of money and popularity.
We will take you through Cooper Square and Astor Place, the gateway to the East Village; hit storied art and music main drag St. Marks Place; see reminders of the neighborhood’s Japanese, Ukrainian, German and Puerto Rican immigrant heritage; enter a few unique local East Village businesses; encounter one of New York’s oldest bars; learn about the Tompkins Square Park riots; learn about New York’s oldest continuous place of worship and the unusual theft that took place in its cemetery ; discover the secret of the area’s community gardens and their role in the re-birth of the area. As with all of our tours, we’ll convey the rich history of the neighborhood through fascinating people and funny, dramatic, and surprising stories. But this is not just a history lesson. We’ll point out numerous great places to eat, drink, shop and soak up local culture on the way. Your guide will be a 10+ year East Village resident ready to help you experience the best the neighborhood has to offer. We focus on telling great stories and making our tours like being shown around by an (exceptionally well-informed) friend. Although a little off the beaten path for many tourists (and some New Yorkers!), we highly recommend this tour — it’s a personal favorite. LENGTH: 2.5-3 hours COST: $40 per person Still not sure? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor and Yelp! |