• Hell’s Kitchen - The tour begins with a visit to the tenements of Hell’s Kitchen, providing a striking contrast to the residential history observed on Fifth Avenue at the tour’s conclusion.

We explore zoning laws and POPS (privately-owned-public-spaces) at Worldwide Plaza.

• Times Square - At the Citizen Hotel in Times Square, the discussion centers on New York’s history and its northward expansion.

In the hotel lobby, visitors can admire works by Julien Opie.

• Times Square - At 787 Axa Equitable (now BNP Paribas), a Roy Lichtenstein mural is analyzed, followed by a visit to additional artworks and 6 1/2 Avenue, showcasing unique zoning and innovative urban planning.
• Midtown - The tour continues through an underground tunnel network connecting several Midtown Manhattan corporate lobbies, featuring stunning artworks by Frank Stella, Fritz Glarner, Sarah Morris, and Mark Bradford.

These buildings, known as Skyscraper Alley, were designed by Wallace Harrison, a member of the architectural team behind Rockefeller Center.

• Rockefeller Center - As the tour passes through Rockefeller Center, the rich and intriguing history is discussed, including Columbia University, holdouts, Alexander Hamilton, Diego Rivera, radio and television, the Rockefellers, the architectural brilliance of Raymond Hood, and an impressive collection of art. Understanding the history of Modern architecture is key, as Rockefeller Center’s art program emphasizes art over ornamentation, although John D. Rockefeller Jr. did manage to incorporate some ornamentation into the buildings.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral - The view up the escalator to St. Patrick’s Cathedral across the street is unforgettable.

This is one of New York’s most beautiful spaces, the final room in Rockefeller Center before proceeding to Fifth Avenue.

Photographs help recall the era when Vanderbilt mansions lined this part of Fifth Avenue up to Central Park.

• Fifth Avenue - The history and development phases of Fifth Avenue are discussed.
• Olympic Tower - The tour passes through the POPS of Olympic Tower, and if seating is available, history or architecture may be discussed.
• Seagram Building - This building epitomizes Modern architecture; its context within the development of the surrounding block is examined.
• Park Avenue - There is a wealth of history to explore here: Grand Central Terminal, the grid, the transformation of Park Avenue—twice!—and the ongoing “history” in progress.
• Monkey Bar - A must-see stop on the tour.
• Midtown - The tour concludes with two of New York’s most cherished POPS located across the street from each other: 550 Madison and the IBM building’s POPS.

• Expert guide

• Gratuities

This walking tour of Midtown Manhattan encompasses all elements of the built environment, highlighting the city’s historical expansion uptown, as well as its public and private art and architecture. What sets this tour apart are the underground passages, tunnels, and privately-owned public spaces (POPS) that connect these carefully selected blocks, showcasing some of the city’s most fascinating and captivating areas.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.