Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour
Description
Explore the opulent Gilded Age mansions along Fifth Avenue, where the wealth of historical figures like Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie shaped New York City's skyline. This engaging walking tour from Bowery Boys Walks takes you past exquisite exteriors of grand residences, sharing the fascinating stories behind their architecture and the influential families who inhabited them. Starting at East 70th Street and concluding at East 91 Street, this 2-hour experience offers a unique glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the past without entering the homes themselves. Perfect for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike. - 2-hour walking tour covering approximately one mile on the Upper East Side - Discover Gilded Age stories and the architectural styles of iconic mansions, including the Frick Collection and the Duke House - Led by engaging guides with expertise in Gilded Age history - Ideal for adults and children over 8 years old, no entry into mansions included
Tour Options
Itinerary
Once the private residence of Henry Clay Frick, now one of the city’s greatest art museums.
The James B. Duke House (today NYU Institute of Fine Arts) modeled after a French château, this was the home of Doris Duke, the “richest girl in the world.”
Harry F. Sinclair House (now The Ukrainian Institute), an elaborate mansion with most of the original design intact.
The Payne Whitney House (today Cultural Services, Embassy of France) where a statue by the teenage Michelangelo was rediscovered in the 1990s.
The home of Otto Kahn one of the most famous bon vivant of the 1920s who may have been the inspiration for “Mr. Monopoly.”
Former home of Andrew Carnegie, who described the 64-room mansion as “modest and plain.”
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(42)
Bill did an amazing job relating what was going on in the city with what was going on with these homes of the gilded age. So much history that you just walk by without even noticing unless Bill explains the who, what and where of the building. My husband doesn’t watch The Gilded Age” but he really enjoyed the tour. We highly recommend!
This is one of the most fun tours I have ever been on. Amy, our well informed an animated tour leader, knew all the good gossip behind the building of the beautiful Fifth Avenue Gilded Age hotels. She had just the right mix of history and behind the scene stories, and very knowledgeably answered our questions. There was a good pace between walking and sitting time and the two hours flew by. Highly recommend!
Great small group tour of the outsides of several remaining Gilded Age mansions on and just off 5th Ave, plus one interior. Guide was super well informed and had a pleasant, authentic communication style, plus was easy to hear! $50 cost was a little higher than my usual budget, but I've been to NYC many, many times and was looking for an activity I hadn't previously done before. Perfect pairing with a visit to the Frick, Met, Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt or Neue Gallerie. About 2 miles of walking in total, no hills and lots of shade if it's a hot day.
Absolutely fantastic walking tour. Guide is interesting, informative and engaging. I’ve taken several walking tours in NYC, and this is my favorite.
Best walking tour in the city. Guide is fantastic. Fun and knowledgeable. Look forward to doing another tour on my next trip!
I highly recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in learning about the architectural, financial, and urban development of NYC. My tour guide, Aaron, presented the material in a very engaging manner, and with interesting anecdotes. The walk along 5th Avenue is beautiful. I can't imagine a better way to spend a few hours learning about NYC and the industrial and financial titans who provided much of the foundation of the city.
We enjoyed this tour and learned a lot. Well paced and informative. We had 7 on our tour, so it was easy to hear the guide and ask questions. Appreciated the history and architectural focus. Wonderful introduction to Gilded Age mansions in NYC.
It is a very good introduction to the mansions. Your guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. It was a fun adventure .
Despite the heat, Emma, walked us around the upper east side, keeping our small group in the shade. Kudos for that! Emma's expansive art history knowledge was very apparent and appreciated; she provided so much detail, but in a way that was NOT overwhelming. Thoroughly enjoyed learning about history, facts about various buildings, etc. Completely lovely 2 hour tour...I would book again with Bowery Boys!
Our guide, Emma, was EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the Gilded Age and presented the information in such a way that it was not overwhelming; it was easy to understand and digest. Now, remembering it all will be the challenge! Her pace was perfect, kept us in the shade which was appreciated, and answered any questions that came up. LOVED IT and highly recommend over other Gilded Age tours I have been on. Looking forward to taking another tour with Emma in the future.
