Activity New York City, USA

Who Saved New York?

1 h 30 min Free cancellation

Who Saved New York?, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

New York wasn't always the city the world fell in love with.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Midtown was struggling with financial collapse, rising crime, and a fading reputation. Today, it's one of the world's safest and most visited urban centers.

Walk from Grand Central Terminal to Bryant Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and St. Patrick's Cathedral as you uncover the people, bold decisions, and unlikely partnerships behind one of history's greatest urban comebacks.

Who saved New York? By the end of this tour, you'll have your answer.

Led by a licensed NYC guide and lifelong New Yorker.

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Rail Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Gotham Walks

Ages: Children (5–11 years) · Adults (12–61 years) · Seniors (62–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission fees: Admission fee

Not included

Not included: There are no exclusions, this is a fully guided tour

Itinerary

Grand Central Terminal

15 min

We will see how this magnificent building rebounded from tragedy and reinvented NYC, and how the Supreme Court and a former first lady prevented the wrecking ball from destroying it.
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

10 min

A former reservoir and site of a tragic fire faced closure and came back and still stands as the largest research library on NYC and remains one of NYC's most iconic buildings today.
Bryant Park

10 min

A daily 1970s and 1980s crime scene, Bryant Park transitioned from urban blight that New Yorkers walked around to become the proof or urban renewals and a definitive blueprint for modern public spaces.
Times Square

15 min

Once one of the most dangerous blocks in the city, learn how NY's used eminent domain to chase out career criminals, to turn this area from the hub of urban vice into the Crossroads of the Universe, one the the leading global family destinations.
Shubert Theatre

10 min

The decline of NY included the decline of Broadway that turned around right here, at the Shubert Theater, located at Shubert Alley. Hear how one magical show lead Broadway's comeback, where it remained New York's largest commercial tourist attraction today.
Radio City Music Hall

10 min

Globally recognized home of the Rockette's beat back its demise with the performers leading the resistance to their closing. JUST BARELY!
Rockefeller Plaza Manhattan New York City

10 min

Unable to pay its mortgage, Rockefeller Center emerged from bankruptcy three decades ago and is the globally recognized home of the Christmas tree and ice skating rink that people from all over the world love, adjacent to the beautiful windows of Saks and the grand St Patrick's Cathedral. How close did they come to collapse?
St. Patrick's Cathedral

10 min

As New York was nearing collapse, this magnificent house of worship was a source of hope. Since New York was saved, this building has gone through a major renovation, to last many decades and remains where faith and commerce face off daily.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We will meet at the world famous clock, which is atop the information booth in the center of Grand Central Terminal - any New Yorker will point you in the right direction if you ask, "where is the clock!"

End point

Our tour ends the church, in the tranquility where commerce and faith face off with each other.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Participants shoule be able to walk about 1.7 miles through a congested part of NYC, go up and down steps.