2-Hour Fifth Avenue History Tour

5 Reviews5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | New York City, USA
Titan Atlas holding the heavens in the Rockefeller Center
The Plaza Hotel
Titan Atlas holding the heavens in the Rockefeller Center
St. Patrick's Cathedral - the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
A Tiffany's lamp on the 4th floor of the Tiffany's
The beautiful St. Regis Hotel
The striking lobby of Fred F. French Building

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2 to 3 hours (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket

Overview

An in-depth history of the Gilded Age and New York's most famous landmarks.

Join me for a walk along Fifth Ave - the name associated with wealth, glitz, and glamour. Fifth Ave is one of the best-known streets in the world, especially the stretch known as Millionaire Row. Once upon a time, it was lined with the finest homes of New York's wealthiest people - a place of ambition, intrigue, scandal, and the most spectacular balls ever given.

This tour is about New York's famous landmarks, its eclectic architecture, and people like the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and the Rockefellers, who shaped New York City into the metropolis we know now. It's about millionaires and architects, visionaries and beautiful models, artists and writers whose names are forever connected to the fabulous 5th Avenue.

Description

Stop At: The Plaza, 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA

A starting point of the tour, the Plaza was hailed the “greatest hotel in the world.” You will find out about its colorful history connected to the Vanderbilts, Scott Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe, just to name a few.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Pulitzer Fountain, Grand Army Square, 59th Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, New York

An elegant bronze sculpture represents Pomona, the Roman goddess of abundance holding a basket of fruit. There is a tragic story behind what meets the eye.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Bergdorf Goodman, 754 5th Ave, New York City, New York 10019

Edwin Goodman, the first couturier to introduce ready-to-wear fashion, built the store on the site of the former mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the largest private residence ever built in New York City

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Tiffany & Co., 727 Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York 10022

The Tiffany Blue Box is possibly one the most recognizable and probably one of the most desired retail containers in history. The story of Tiffany's is worth a stop.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Avenue, New York City, New York 10022

The headquarters for the Trump Organization, the building has quite a unique exterior.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: The St. Regis New York, Two E 55th St, New York, NY 10022, USA

Another one of the Gilded Age grand hotels, St. Regis is not only stunning but has a great story.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: St. Thomas Church, 1 W 53rd St, New York City, New York 10019

This French High Gothic Revival structure marks the place of Consuelo Vanderbilt wedding to 9th Duke of Marlborough.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion, 653 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

One of the surviving Gilded Age mansions which used to line up 5th Ave.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Versace Ltd., 647 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

The last surviving on the many Vanderbilts' mansions on 5th Avenue

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: St. Patrick's Cathedral, 50th Street & 5th Avenue, Wheelchair accessibility located off the corner of 51st Street and 5th Avenue, New York City, New York 10022

The largest Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral in the US, it was ridiculed for being built in the wilderness, way too far outside the city. Like most NYC landmarks, St. Patrick's has a fascinating story.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Rockefeller Center, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Centre, New York City, New York 10111

Home to some of the most recognizable tourist sites, like a Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the dramatic story of the Rockefeller Center centers around the Great Depression and the Rockefeller family.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

Not just a department store, but one of the New York institutions since 1924

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Fred F. French Building, 551 5th Ave, New York City, New York 10176

The gilded lobby of the Fred F. French features the only Art Deco-cum-Babylonian design you'll ever see

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd Street, New York City, New York 10017

The fabulous Grand Central Terminal - a Beaux-Arts Masterpiece built to house Cornelius Vanderbilt’s railroad network and envisioned as a gateway to the city.

Duration: 15 minutes

Read full description

Schedule

  • Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
  • Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
  • Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours (Approx.)
  • Return Details:

    Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA

What's Included

  • Get a free NYC map for your further city exploration
  • See NYC highlights with a licensed NYC Guide
  • Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of a small group
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup not offered
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What To Bring

  • Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
  • Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.
  • A Smile!

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Operated by City Beautiful Tours

Cancellation Policy

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

5.00
5 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

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Product code: C-239090P2

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