Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York
Description
This is the only Gilded Age Mansions tour in New York City recommended by Condé Nast Traveler magazine and listed by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most unique experiences in New York City. Scandals! Murder! Romance Architecture! Step inside some of the few remaining Gilded Age mansions of Fifth Avenue and learn about the people who lived in and designed these masterpieces. Great for fans of the HBO show, The Gilded Age. As America's new millionaires competed to see who could have the most ornate mansion alongside the newly created Central Park they spent vast sums of money to hire architects inspired by European palaces to build structures the likes of which had never been seen in America. You will hear stories of power, greed, love and generosity from a time when America was quickly becoming one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. Does not include tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our first mansion we view from the outside, learn about the owner, architects and get an introduction to the Gilded Age and New York Society
We go inside the mansion and hear a scandalous story about the architect.
We learn about how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women in America.
We learn why one of the former owners went to prison for one of the biggest scandals in American history, how two reclusive owners had a link to one of the most famous men in early New York history, and how this beautiful building was saved from destruction.
We discover a surprise about the size of this mansion and how a former owner left a gift that helps many students get a full scholarship to one of the best universities in America.
We go inside and learn about the Met Gala and how the Met has an fun connection to Gilded Age glamor.
We learn how a famous former resident helped save one of the most famous and beautiful Gilded Age buildings from being destroyed.
We learn the Vanderbilt connection to this building and discover how the Vanderbilts became the richest family in America and one of the most influential.
We discover how the owner of this mansion was a pioneer in philanthropy in America and contributed to science education, the arts and peace.
We learn how the owner of this building has a surprising connection to Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and The Jonas brothers.
We hear how the owner of this building was warned not to build it, but defied New York society and built it anyway.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(1,324)
It was a shame to learn that so many of the guilded age homes had been torn down pr gutted but glad enough are still around to show us what that amazing time period was like. Our guide Zach was an excellent guide-- great story teller and disseminator of info. -- dry or not in a very engaging manner.
The tour was educating snd well explaind. But the in the future the guide should avoid statements that sound more like personal opinion. Overall I recommend the tour.
A really fun overview of the families and the drama associated with old money, new money and the mansions of New York.
I absolutely loved this tour! Zach was an amazing guide who provided us with the history of these gorgeous mansions using wit and humor. He was a delight to walk around with and listen to!
Very enjoyable tour. Mr. Care was VERY informative and professional, with a warm persona. I recommend this tour as a nice way to spend a couple of hours in NYC and learn some interesting information.
This was an amazing tour, so much fun, very informative and our guide was fantastic! I highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in architecture, the cities history, or the gilded age.
The guide, Luke, was great. It would be nice if mansions that are open to get in would be nice.
We had a wonderful tour with the knowledgeable, patient Luje. Our tour was 5 seniors. We met our friends in NYC as the halfway meet-ip spot for us. The meet upvwas great. Luke was early and we got to learn about the period as we waited. The buildings were a great mix of insude and outsude visits. Despite the heat, we definitely recommend this excellent tour along 5th Avenue. Luje stopped in shady spots when we stopped. Four insude spots provided a/c breaks and one water station and bathrooms.
Very interesting tour with a very motivated and truly well-prepared, friendly, and very attentive guide. It was nice to learn a part of New York's history through the stories and photos shown by the guide.
This excursion was misrepresented, we did NOT walk through Guilded Age Homes. We were allowed to enter only the foyer of two homes. Your add should CLEARLY state: No Entry into the homes.
As other reviews have mentioned, the parts of the homes that the tour enters are the parts that have preserved Gilded Age interiors. Other parts of the homes and other mansions have not preserved the Gilded Age interiors and are more like modern museums, while other mansions seen on the tour are today schools or privately owned. Thanks for your review.
