Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour

4.9 (71 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

71 reviews

4.9

Across the street from the Harry F. Sinclair House — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

A sold-out tour. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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

Private and Luxury Architecture Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 16 people
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: Bowery Boys Walking Tours

Ages: Children (8–15 years) · Adults (16–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A guided walking tour along Fifth Avenue in NYC, examining iconic Gilded Age mansions and stories

Not included

Not included: This tour does not go inside any of the mansions.

Itinerary

Frick Collection

Passing by

Once the private residence of Henry Clay Frick, now one of the city’s greatest art museums.
Stop 2

Passing by

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.”
Ukrainian Institute of America

Passing by

Harry F. Sinclair House (now The Ukrainian Institute), an elaborate mansion with most of the original design intact.
Stop 4

Passing by

The Payne Whitney House (today Cultural Services, Embassy of France) where a statue by the teenage Michelangelo was rediscovered in the 1990s.
Stop 5

Passing by

The home of Otto Kahn one of the most famous bon vivant of the 1920s who may have been the inspiration for “Mr. Monopoly.”
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Passing by

Former home of Andrew Carnegie, who described the 64-room mansion as “modest and plain.”