Tours Neighborhood tours Wheelchair accessible Deals & Discounts Culture & history Outdoor activities Guided tours Landmarks & monuments Educational activities Hidden gems Sightseeing Architecture Private tours

Explore Hell's Kitchen with a charismatic and licensed local as your guide! Learn about the neighborhood's history, see some of its oldest buildings, and hear stories about its colorful past.

Highlights

• Discover the history of Hell's Kitchen with a charming local guide
• See some of the oldest buildings in Hell's Kitchen and learn about tenement life
• Learn about how the gangs that ruled Hell's Kitchen influenced its development
• Hear stories about the neighborhood's gay past and present
• Visit the home and training ground of numerous celebrities and artists

Description

Meet your guide ('BFAB') at the NW Corner of W. 42nd St, and 9th Avenue. After a brief intro and overview, we will set off on our walking tour to explore and discover Hell’s Kitchen, one of New York City's most iconic and historic neighborhoods. On this tour, you will: Learn about the history of the neighborhood, including its working-class immigrant past, the origin of its name, and the evolution of the neighborhood from gangster-run slums into a multicultural artistic and gay enclave. See some of the oldest existing buildings in Hell’s Kitchen, including the German Church (now Westside Theater), Hartley House, and row houses that date back to the late 1800s. Discover the home and training ground of numerous celebrities that helped shape Hell’s Kitchen into a pipeline for performers and artists, including Manhattan Plaza and The Actors Studio. Learn about groundbreaking community-based organizations such as Hartley House, Fountain House, and the Clinton Community Garden, that have inspired similar organizations across the country and around the world. See tenements typical of the late 1800s and learn about their sordid history, as well as understand the Special Clinton District. Understand the difference between a Pre-Law, Old Law, and New Law Tenement, and how these names came about. Get to know the story behind the gangs that ruled Hell’s Kitchen, and some of their most infamous leaders like Owney Madden, Battle Annie, and Mickey Spillane. Hear colorful and sometimes tragic stories about Hell’s Kitchen’s gay past and present, including the OUT Hotel, Sanctuary, Manhattan Plaza, the Ritz/Q murders, and Posh Bar/FLEX Bar. Have fun by learning how to 'clack' a fan like a pro, and by participating in an interactive quiz game as you learn about Hell's Kitchen. A prize is awarded to the participant who gets the most answers right! The tour will end at one of Hell's Kitchen's oldest gay bars, FLEX (formerly POSH), where participants can refresh themselves and chat with the guide (beverages not included). The tour also includes a short break about midway through at Fountain House + Body

Includes

Guided walking tour Live tour guide

Important Information

• Tour involves walking approximately 1.6 miles over mostly flat surfaces Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing Tour duration is 2.5 hours and includes 15 stops with a short break in the middle (subject to change)

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund