Slumming it in Five Points, Chinatown and the Bowery: Audio Guide

2 h 15 min Free cancellation Private tour

Slumming it in Five Points, Chinatown and the Bowery: Audio Guide, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Step into New York’s gritty past on this self-guided walking tour through infamous neighborhoods like Five Points and Chinatown. Starting at Collect Pond Park, you’ll follow the footsteps of Gilded Age millionaires who “went slumming” in these squalid areas. Discover how Jacob Riis exposed the horrors of the slums, explore gangland history, and learn about the rise of tattooing, tap dancing, and blackface minstrel acts. Visit historic sites like the African Burial Ground, Chinatown’s famous restaurants, and the Bowery’s notorious saloons. With actors, sound effects, and music, this two-hour tour vividly brings New York’s untold stories to life, offering an unforgettable journey through the city’s darker side.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 h 15 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
Included: The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour

Itinerary

Collect Pond Park

Passing by

Pass by this historic site, once a freshwater source that became a dumping ground, marking the early transformation of the area into one of New York’s most infamous slums.
African Burial Ground National Monument

Passing by

See this powerful memorial honoring the African Americans buried here in the 18th century, with an option to explore its poignant symbolic designs.
Stop 3

Passing by

Walk through this notorious intersection, once home to New York's most dangerous slum, known for its rampant crime, poverty, and social upheaval.
Columbus Park

Passing by

Stroll past this public park, historically known as Mulberry Bend, a hub of crime and poverty, now a bustling community space in Chinatown.
Stop 5

Passing by

Admire this monument dedicated to the founder of modern China, located in a vibrant part of Chinatown steeped in history and culture.
Stop 6

Passing by

Pause outside this legendary dessert shop, famous for its unique flavors, where you can choose to grab a treat on your own time.
Stop 7

Passing by

Pass by this beloved restaurant in Chinatown, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain, known for its traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Stop 8

Passing by

View this James Beard-recognized eatery from the outside, renowned for serving authentic Chinese food since 1938.
Stop 9

Passing by

Marvel at the exterior of New York’s largest Buddhist temple, home to a golden Buddha, with an option to step inside and explore.
Stop 10

Passing by

Walk down this famous street, once the site of bloody Tong gang wars, now a vibrant part of Chinatown's history.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour begins in Collect Pond Park at the intersection of Centre Street and Leonard Street. By subway: take the 6, J or Z to Canal Street Station.

End point

The tour ends at 180 Canal St, New York, NY 10013.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

3. Create an account

4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

5. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]