Slumming in Five Points, Chinatown and Bowery Audio Guide

New To The Site! New York City, USA

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2 hours 15 minutes (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket
Instant Confirmation

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Gratuities (Optional)
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Tickets or entrance to any optional stops en route
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Collect Pond Park, 130 Leonard St, New York, NY 10013, USA

Open in Google Maps

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

180 Canal St, New York, NY 10013, USA

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

What To Expect

Collect Pond Park (Pass 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.
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African Burial Ground National Monument (Pass By)

See this powerful memorial honoring the African Americans buried here in the 18th century, with an option to explore its poignant symbolic designs.
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Five Points (Pass By)

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

Stroll past this public park, historically known as Mulberry Bend, a hub of crime and poverty, now a bustling community space in Chinatown.
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Dr. Sun Yat-sen Plaza (Pass By)

Admire this monument dedicated to the founder of modern China, located in a vibrant part of Chinatown steeped in history and culture.
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The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (Pass By)

Pause outside this legendary dessert shop, famous for its unique flavors, where you can choose to grab a treat on your own time.
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Hop Kee Restaurant (Pass By)

Pass by this beloved restaurant in Chinatown, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain, known for its traditional Cantonese cuisine.
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Wo Hop (Pass By)

View this James Beard-recognized eatery from the outside, renowned for serving authentic Chinese food since 1938.
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Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association (Pass 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.
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Doyers Street (Pass By)

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

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-110804P823

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