• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Curious to dive into New York City’s history? Join a local history expert on a fascinating tour that uncovers the stories, secrets, and landmarks of the city from a unique, local perspective. This experience will take you through the past and origins of New York City, focusing on the iconic Financial District and its evolution over the centuries.

Destination

New York City, United States

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

2.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Español, Italiano

Included

• Private Guide
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 3 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at The entrance of Conwell Coffee Hall - New York City to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. {theme}

   Your history tour in New York City will focus on NYC's Financial District . Learn the impacts, insights and hear stories related to past and present from your knowledgeable host. Discover the city as you retrace history and go in-depth on the effects this part of history has on New York City

4. Historical Highlights

   Check out main landmarks related to the theme of your history tour and connect their relevance through fantastic stories and facts from your expert local host

5. Hidden Treasures

   During your tour, you’ll also uncover hidden gems that will show you a different perspective of history as you know it, something you can’t easily find in a history book!

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the historical side of New York City, you’ll be able to go back in time thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Julie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Earl)

16 February 2025

My daughter and I had a wonderful time exploring Chinatown and Little Italy with this very personable and knowledgeable guide. Earl was perfect - he gave us much insight into the history of the areas we visited and engaged in discussion about so many things. There was not one dull moment! I would highly recommend having Earl show you around - even though I have lived in the City previously I learned so much! Thank you Earl! A wonderful day exploring NYC with Earl!

Daniela

(About local Laura)

29 January 2025

Il tour di Dyker Heights con Laura è stato fantastico! Lei è gentilissima, ti spiega moltissime cose anche sugli altri quartieri di New York che si attraversano per arrivare a Dyker Heights. È stata sempre disponibilissima per farci le foto, darci consigli e chiarire ogni nostro dubbio. Esperienza consigliatissima, non si può venire a natale a New York e non fare questo tour!Una garanzia!!

Anne-Marie

(About local Laura)

26 January 2025

Laura is amazing! Her extensive knowledge allowed her to share many interesting facts about everything we saw. Herfriendly, relaxed, manner made the experience a pleasure. She offered flexible options for the our four hour itinerary which allowed me to follow my interests as they arose. I appreciated her sitting with me before we started to discuss our plan for the time. I will definitely book with Laura again and am thankful that Tours by Locals reached out to her when a last minute change of guide was required.Laura Is Amazing!

Enrique

(About local Laura)

22 December 2024

Felicidades por tan excelente tour por NYC, quedamos muy contentos! Muy preparada y simpática!Muy preparada y simpática!

Jean

(About local Laura)

18 December 2024

Our day with Laura Campisi was absolutely great. She paced the activity to accommodate my 10-year-old granddaughter, and still made it very interesting and fun for her. We both enjoyed it very much and would recommend Laura to anyone wanting to maximize their time in NYC.Absolutely Great!

Sharyn

(About local Richard)

25 November 2024

This was a great walking tour led by our excellent guide, Richard. The two hours went by so fast as we learned about the gilded age mansions and the people who lived in them. Great history and very interesting stories about what went on in NYC during that time. I highly recommend! Review of: Fifth Avenue Gilded Age Mansions Walking TourGilded Age Walking Tour

Kevin

(About local Earl)

23 November 2024

Absolutely riveting tour with Earl there is nothing like a passionate tour guide who wants to share the stories and knowledge he has of this incredible time in New York (and for me , Irish/NY) history . I’ve read the books and seen the movies but to actually walk in the footsteps and touch the walls is something I just had to do and really can’t explain what it meant to me . Book a tour and you’ll know how I’m feeling since this incredible experience that I can’t wait to share again with visitors who arrive in October .Riveting Tour

Enrique

(About local Laura)

21 November 2024

Felicidades por tan excelente tour por NYC, quedamos muy contentos! Muy preparada y simpática!Muy preparada y simpática!

Edward

(About local Earl)

16 November 2024

This tour is awesome. Earl has great knowledge of all the locations that he took us to. Earl paints a picture and tells a story that takes you back in time.. well worth taking this tour, I will take it again the next time I’m back in town. 10/10 would highly recommend! Take this tour you will not regret it!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼10/10

Naomi

(About local Richard)

6 November 2024

1

Richard Soden, our guide, gave us everything we came for and more. Wanted to see any remaining traces of the Dutch in New York, he found all the hidden ones and taught us many, other things around the topic. We already had a background in Dutch NY but he revealed places we never would have found. His knowledge about NYC history in general gave added meaning to our main interest in Dutch history.History of Lower Manhattan

Joaquin

(About local Laura)

5 November 2024

Laura campisi, ha sido una guia excepcional, muy amable, simpatica y servicial, ha respondido todas nuestras preguntas demostrando ser una chica muy capacitada como guia. La recomendamos 100 % y sin duda volveríamos a contratarla en nuestros próximos viajes.Una Guia Exceptional

Joaquin

(About local Laura)

3 November 2024

Laura campisi, ha sido una guia excepcional, muy amable, simpatica y servicial, ha respondido todas nuestras preguntas demostrando ser una chica muy capacitada como guia. La recomendamos 100 % y sin duda volveríamos a contratarla en nuestros próximos viajes.Una Guia Exceptional

CT

(About local Richard)

27 October 2024

This was by far the best tour I’ve done! Richard was extremely knowledgeable about GCT and made sure any questions from the group were responded to. The earpieces were a tremendous help. Many thanks to Richard for a fun, informative tour! Review of: NYC Secrets of Grand Central Private Walking Tour

Grace

(About local Earl)

26 October 2024

I had such a great time during this tour! I live in NYC and my 2 friends came to visit me from Georgia, so I thought I’d book a tour for them as a gift. We had an absolute blast and learned so much! Highly recommend!!!Really enjoyable

Patrick

(About local Earl)

21 October 2024

I had an amazing time on the Lower Manhattan walking tour with 40 Thieves Tours! I had no idea how much Irish history was woven into this part of the city, and it was absolutely fascinating to hear the stories of the people who shaped New York. Earl The guide made the experience feel like stepping back in time, with detailed insights and captivating storytelling. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a deeper look into NYC’s past!Amazing time

Daniela

(About local Laura)

18 October 2024

Il tour di Dyker Heights con Laura è stato fantastico! Lei è gentilissima, ti spiega moltissime cose anche sugli altri quartieri di New York che si attraversano per arrivare a Dyker Heights. È stata sempre disponibilissima per farci le foto, darci consigli e chiarire ogni nostro dubbio. Esperienza consigliatissima, non si può venire a natale a New York e non fare questo tour!Una garanzia!!

Chuck

(About local Richard)

17 October 2024

Richard was very knowledgeable and a great storyteller. Got to see a lot of places in Grand Central. We would not have seen otherwise. Review of: Secrets of Grand Central Station Walking Tour New York City

DoctorJane

(About local Richard)

3 October 2024

Brilliant tour with Richard our guide today. He was kind and courteous and very knowledgeable. My husband is very much into trains and thought the tour was fantastic- as did our 17 year old daughter and I who aren’t quite such train fanatics! We learned a lot about the history of the train station, the role of Jackie Kennedy, secret spiral staircases, architecture, whispering walls and of course the tennis court! I was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to hear our guide given the background noise of a busy working station but Richard gave us little over ear headphones which were great. We’d thoroughly recommend this tour. Thank you Richard!Grand Central Walking Tour

Larney

(About local Richard)

30 September 2024

Just right tour of the Gilded Age This tour was exactly what we were looking for. Some of us were fans of the HBO series “Gilded Age,” some are just interested in the history. This tour had an excellent balance of both leaning toward the actual history. Richard was a superb guide: knowledgeable, friendly and extremely well-prepared. The pics he had to show what was in buildings we couldn’t enter or which are no longer there were essential to our understand. The tour length (2 hrs) was just right, too. Review of: Fifth Avenue Gilded Age Mansions Private Guided Walking Tour

Andrew

(About local Richard)

24 September 2024

What joys of the subway are missed in the hustle and bustle of people's commutes! Our guide, Richard, lived his entire life in NYC. This was evident in his grasp of, and love for, the history of this great city. He was flawless and patient. We walked, rode subways and learned, all at the right pace. I'll never look at this engineering marvel in the same way again. Thanks you untapped New York!NYC Subway Tour

ShariLee

(About local Richard)

21 September 2024

Richard was very knowledgable and excellent tour guide. He told us many interesting stories of the wealthy in the Guilded Age, and sprinkled in some tidbits about the HBO Guilded Age series for the few of us who are fans of the show. I enjoyed the tour and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about this time period and the extravangence of the ultra wealthy. Gilded Age Walking Tour

Shauna

(About local Earl)

20 September 2024

My mam and I took this walking tour last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Earl is a gentlemen with a great knowledge of New York. Would highly recommend!Excellent tour

Eoin

(About local Earl)

5 September 2024

I’ve been living in NYC for over 20 years and thought I knew most of the history here but this tour was excellent and brought so much more backstory to the city. Earl was our guide and I couldn’t recommend him enough for this. Well versed in the deep history between Ireland and America. Slainte!Great tour

Dan

(About local Earl)

4 September 2024

Great tour! Me and my family thoroughly enjoyed this walk through the past with Earl, delving deep into the Irish foundations that helped shape New York as it is today. Would highly recommend to all! We will be doing the new route once it is established can’t wait!AMAZING TOUR

Climber

(About local Richard)

17 August 2024

Richard was knowledgeable, friendly, and easy-going. He paced the walking just right, dealt with the rain outdoors, and kept us interested and engaged during the entire tour. Review of: Secrets of Grand Central Station Walking Tour New York CityGrand Central

Dave

(About local Earl)

2 August 2024

Excellent tour .. really informative thanks again earl will definitely book another tour soonGreat tour

Cian

(About local Earl)

30 July 2024

Had a great day out and learned a lot of the history of the Irish and New York! Earl was not only great at giving the tour but we all had great conversations with him about multiple topics! Definitely the highlight of our NYC tripFascinating

T

(About local Earl)

30 July 2024

Get your walking shoes on for this fascinating tour of New York’s Irish history! Discover hidden gems and captivating stories from Earl, his passion is clear to see. I learned so much about the unique influence the irish have had on this great city. It’s the perfect way to explore some of New York’s most storied neighborhoods —definitely recommend it!Excellent tour