New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982290197342

When New York City's wealthiest residents moved uptown to escape the crowded downtown neighborhoods beginning in the late 19th century, they didn't just build big homes, but rather colossal palaces. From architectural details that included turrets, gargoyles, moats, and wrought iron inspired by Italian Renaissance tombs — to prominent American families that included names like Carnegie, Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, and Frick — it's time to travel up Fifth Avenue and uncover the incredible sights and stories behind the Gilded Age mansions that still line the avenue.

Join New York Adventure Club as we hit the streets and explore the great Gilded Age Mansions of Museum Mile. Spanning along the Upper East Side's stretch of Fifth Avenue, Museum Mile got its name from the high density of world-class museums and cultural institutions that were built thanks to very wealthy benefactors during the Gilded Age — many whose great mansions still stand across Central Park.

Led by NYC tour guide, Ginny Poleman, our curated path through New York’s most exclusive neighborhood dating back over a century will include:

• A then-and-now comparison of the neighborhood using maps, illustrations, and vintage photos dating back to the 19th century
• A walk by museums that make up Museum Mile, which include the Guggenheim, MET, and Cooper Hewitt
• Insider stories surrounding some of Museum Mile's most notable families, including why Joseph Pulitzer had architect Stanford White soundproof his bedroom, how Andrew Carnegie was so wealthy that he could choose his neighbors, and why Henry Clay Frick wanted his home to become a world class private museum after he passed away
• A trip past Cook Block and explanation as to why it's today’s best example of early 20th century architecture
• A look at Beaux Arts architecture that defined the era that tied into the aesthetic of New York during the City Beautiful Movement
• A discussion of the architects who built the great mansions and museums along Fifth Avenue and beyond, such as Stanford White, Whitney Warren, CPH Gilbert, and the team of Carrère & Hastings

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!
**This tour does not go inside any of the mansions
***This tour concludes at Cooper Hewitt at 91st Street & 5th Avenue

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981859175143

It's right there under your feet, you probably ride it every day, but how much do you really know about New York City's subway system? It's time to explore one of the oldest and largest public transit systems in the world.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history of the New York City subway system — opened in 1904 with a single line serving 28 stations, the City of New York's subway system has since grown to encompass 472 stations and over 245 miles of tracks, serving nearly 6 million riders per day.

Led by transit expert and licensed tour guide Gary Dennis, our subterranean exploration from Brooklyn Bridge — City Hall station to Grand Central Terminal will include:

-An overview of New York public transportation back in the 1800s , and why The Great Blizzard of 1888 was the catalyst for a subway system

-The history and inside story of the creation of the original 1904 subway line , and how it grew into the most extensive transportation system in the world

-A closer look at the art, architecture, and secrets hiding in plain sight of stations including Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall, Astor Place, and Times Square

-A glimpse of Old City Hall Station from the 6 train, the crown jewel of the subway system, which closed in 1945

Our experience will conclude in the Grand Central Terminal food concourse, which has food and drinks available for purchase!

Check out pictures from one of our last Underground Manhattan tours!

See you there!

*Since our tour starts outside, a MetroCard swipe will be needed to enter the subway system

**Please bring water, snacks, and comfortable shoes as we’ll be on our feet for most of the tour

***The MTA requires a facial mask at all times once you enter the system

***This tour does not access the Old City Hall Station platform or any restricted areas

****This tour concludes at Grand Central Terminal

*****The exact meeting location is shared in the 'additional information' section of the confirmation email, which is sent immediately upon registration

About Gary Dennis

"I am a native New Yorker, NY subway aficionado, and product of an insanely competitive family of "know it alls". My parents, younger brothers, and I all love New York City history, and to get some parental attention I had to be historically correct and entertaining at the same time.

"I love this city and all its peculiarities, and I love sharing it with newcomers, returning visitors or native New Yorkers— I'll tell you these and other fascinating things you never knew about this amazing place I call home because 'there are 8 million stories in the naked city' and I will share with you as many as possible."

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service .

Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982290224423

Clocking in at 843 acres, New York City's Central Park is one of the world's largest urban parks, teeming with lakes, waterfalls, meadows, and wooded areas. But how has the park changed since its inception nearly 165 years ago, and what sites help tell its incredible story along the way? From a statue dedicated to a beloved sled dog to the oldest outdoor monument in New York City, it's time to explore Manhattan's urban jewel like never before.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the rich history and hidden gems of Central Park along a custom-curated path spanning from the South End to Mid-Park.

Led by NYC tour guide Ginny Poleman, our moderately-paced walk through a portion of Central Park will include:

• A brief overview of Central Park's inception and how the vision of architect Frederick Law Olmsted and landscape architect Calvert Vaux eventually came to pass
• A visit to four of the park's twenty nine sculptures including Bethesda Fountain's Angel in Waters to the new Women's Rights Pioneer sculpture
• Stops at historic sites throughout the park, including the park’s second oldest building, the only straight path in the entire park, a 3,500 year-old Egyptian obelisk, and a surveyor bolt from New York City's 1811 street grid
• A walk through the wooded and hilly area known as the Ramble, with a stop at the medieval-like Belvedere Castle with sweeping views of the surrounding area

Click here for a preview of the experience 📽️

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!
**This tour concludes at 79th Street & 5th Avenue

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1980115636171

New York's East Village of the 1970s didn't just have a great collection of rock venues and — it was the center of the rock music universe, period. But what was it like to see legendary performers take the stage at these historic venues, and how has the neighborhood's music scene changed over the following decades? It's time to explore the incredibly rich music history of this bohemian Manhattan neighborhood, from a music expert who experienced its heyday first-hand.

Join New York Adventure Club as we hit the streets of the East Village and explore the sights and stories of the neighborhood's 1970s rock legacy, ranging from its legendary music venues to eclectic rock bands.

Led by licensed New York City Tour Guide and music lover Ann McDermott — who worked in the music industry in the '70s and saw many rock shows alongside her musician friends and fellow fans — this on-the-ground exploration of the East Village's rock legacy will include:

-A stop at some of the former sites of New York's most legendary music venues, including The Fillmore East, CBGB's, and The Bottom Line

• Little-known stories throughout the decades , such as why Pete Townsend was arrested the night The Who premiered Tommy at The Fillmore East, to Bruce Springsteen's legendary performance at The Bottom Line in 1975
• Global rock stars who got their start in the East Village , including Janis Joplin, Blondie, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, and The Ramones
• Ann's personal first-hand stories of the 1970s rock scene , from what it was like to get a gig at CBGB's and Max’s Kansas City to seeing Patti Smith in a packed CBGB in the Summer of 1976
  -The factors that promoted incredible artistic creativity during this era in New York history — and why it all but disappeared by the 1990s

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!
**This tour concludes on East 4th Street and Mercer Street

About Ann
Ann McDermott, a native born New Yorker has spent her whole life in NYC born in Brooklyn, working in midtown and going to Rock shows where ever they happened. She's spent the bulk of her career in IT in various positions and she's well versed in the technology behind the music as well as the people who "made it happen". Once upon a time she worked for Warner Cable the company that launched MTV as well as ATCO records. In 2019 she became a licensed New York City Tour Guide and looks forward to showing you around!

Disclaimer
Event takes place rain or shine.
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service .
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours