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The Bowery Official Historic District Tour

20 Reviews 4.90 out of 5 stars Based on 20 reviews collected by Cool NYC and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
New York City, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (7) days in advance.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Join us on a journey through over four centuries as we walk down NYC’s oldest street! Originally a Native American footpath and Dutch farm road, site of the first free Black homesteads, it witnessed gang wars, the bloody Astor Place Riot, & Lincoln’s famous anti-slavery speech at Cooper Union. It was the working-class main street for sailors, shopgirls, gangs, gays, and waves of immigrant Irish, Italians, Germans, Jews, and Chinese. NYC’s first entertainment district, it has seminal links to tap dance, vaudeville, Yiddish theater, Houdini, Stephen Foster, Irving Berlin, Mae West, modern tattooing, Abstract Expressionism, Beat literature, improvisational jazz and punk rock. Though it declined in the 1900s, when flop houses and dive bars proliferated, it nonetheless became home to affordable jewelry, lighting, and restaurant supply stores, and a live-work home for artists like Marc Rothko, Maya Lin, William Burroughs, Robert Frank, and Debbie Harry.

What's Included

  • Sightseeing Guide
  • Gratuity
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

1-9
6702, Bowery, New York, NY 10002, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Foundation Building
7 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA

Tour ends at the Cooper Union Foundation Building

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Statue of Confucius

Meeting point is at the Confucius Statue at Confucius Plaza, corner of Bowery and Division Street
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Doyers Street

We'll stop at the entrance to Doyers Street, aka Murder Alley and the Bloody Angle during the 19th Century
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Manhattan Bridge

We'll pass by the Triumphal Arch and Colonnade of the Manhattan Bridge, we'll stop to talk about the Original Diamond District on Bowery and Canal, the old Citizens Bank Building, Confucius Plaza and former sights of the German Winter Garden and Windsor Theatre
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Bowery Ballroom

We will stop near the old Bowery Ballroom, one of the last music vestiges of the Bowery, we'll also talk about the old LIncoln Hotel, former site of one of the Germania Bank Buildings and more
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

New Museum of Contemporary Art

Stopping near the New Museum of Contemporary Art Building we will talk about the Bowery Mission, Italian Opera Houses, Yiddish Theatre and more
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bowery Poetry Club

We will stop near the Bowery Poetry Club and talk about the Punk Rock era of Bowery. Right across the street was the location of the famous CBGB's. We are not far from Electric Ladyland and former residence of Deborah Harry (Blondie)
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cooper Union Foundation Building

As we approach the Cooper Union Foundation Building we will also have a few stops along Cooper Square including the old Village Voice Building, Carl Fischer Music Building, McSorley's Ale House, and more
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the The Bowery Official Historic District Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-41393P10

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.90
20 reviews

Average 4.90 out of 5 stars based on 20 traveler reviews collected by Cool NYC and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
19
4 stars
0
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (7) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Sightseeing Guide
  • Gratuity

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

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