East Village: Artists, Oddballs & Provocateurs

Dive into the exhilarating history of the East Village

(Recommended for ages 16 and up)

Private Group: Please contact us for pricing and availability

Duration

2 hours (we will send you the meeting place when you sign up)

Overview

On this walking tour, you will learn the story of the East Village since the 1950s, focusing on the many subcultures that took root and flourished here, and on the nightlife that continues to draw people to this day (yes, even during COVID)!

Tour participants will even be encouraged to share their memories of the East Village and talk about some of their favorite spots.

Your guide will be a 15+ year resident of the neighborhood who has spent many an hour in the East Village eating, drinking, walking, biking, playing music, photographing and otherwise indulging in all the wonders the neighborhood has to offer.

• This walking tour is ideal for fans of art, music, and recent New York City history.

Tour Highlights

• Learn about artists, musicians and writers like WH Auden, The Velvet Underground and Nico, Joey Ramone, Keith Haring and Lady Bunny.
• Experience the incredible array of subcultures that have flourished here, from 1960s hippies to the downtown cool of the 1990s
• Find out how punk music was born here and dominated the look of St. Marks Place
• Spend some time hanging in the neighborhood’s center, Tompkins Square Park
• Learn about the changing spirit of the neighborhood with the increase of wealth since 2000
• Local institutions and businesses like Veselka, the Fillmore East, Manic Panic and the original Hare Krishna temple

Please Note

*Tours take place rain or shine ​— dress for the weather!