Dr. Andrew Kirschner’s personally designed Greenwich Village tour was one of the best walking tours I have ever participated in. His broad knowledge and expertise were evident throughout the experience. The historical documents he shared, the historic buildings we visited, and the stories he told were both educational and entertaining. What stood out most was Dr. Kirschner’s genuine passion for history and for Greenwich Village. His enthusiasm brought the neighborhood’s history to life and made the entire day memorable. Dr. Kirschner and the Greenwich Village Private Walking Tour are a must for anyone visiting New York City! I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a unique, informative, and engaging way to experience Greenwich Village.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- This walking tour includes visits to locations throughout Greenwich Village.
- This is a private walking tour.
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- We meet at the Washington Square Park Arch on the north side of Washington Square Park that intersects with Fifth Avenue. I will be wearing an Epic Walking Tours flag, so you can easily find me. Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes early so you do not miss the tour.
Return
- We meet at the Washington Square Park Arch on the north side of Washington Square Park that intersects with Fifth Avenue. I will be wearing an Epic Walking Tours flag, so you can easily find me. Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes early so you do not miss the tour.
Itinerary
This two-hour walking tour of Greenwich Village begins in the heart of the neighborhood—Washington Square Park. The tour offers an in-depth look at the area’s rich and layered past. At Washington Square Park, you'll uncover stories dating back to the 1600s, including its early use as a potter’s field, its transformation into a parade ground, and its evolution into a center of activism, art, and rebellion. With historical photos provided at each stop, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how this iconic park became the symbolic gateway to Greenwich Village. This itinerary highlights just a few of the many fascinating stops you’ll encounter along the way.
Visit the former home of iconic American artist Edward Hopper. Learn how the neighborhood’s unique character influenced Hopper’s stark, contemplative style—and how his time here shaped some of the most enduring images of 20th-century art.
Step inside the dramatic past of the Jefferson Market Courthouse, once home to a working jail from the 1870s. Discover how this stunning Victorian Gothic building—once voted one of the most beautiful in America—served as a women’s court, held notorious criminals, and played a surprising role in New York’s fight for justice and women’s rights.
Learn about the inspiring history of one of America's most impactful and compassionate poets and her remarkable ties to the Statue of Liberty.
Travel back to the pivotal summer of 1969 and uncover the powerful events that led to the Stonewall Uprising. Standing outside the now-iconic Stonewall Inn, you'll explore the tensions, raids, and acts of resistance that ignited a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Hear the stories of the brave individuals who stood up to oppression and helped launch a global movement for equality and visibility.
Discover the rich legacy of the Cherry Lane Theatre, the oldest continuously operating off-Broadway theater in New York City. Nestled in a quiet corner of Greenwich Village, this intimate venue has launched the careers of legendary actors, playwrights, and musicians. You'll hear captivating stories of early performances by now-iconic stars and learn how this historic space became a creative haven for bold, groundbreaking work.
Relive the landmark court case that ignited a social justice movement at this medical center from 1827.
Step into Marie’s Crisis Café, a beloved Greenwich Village piano bar with a revolutionary past. Long before it became a gathering place for show tune lovers, this site was the final home of Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and a founding voice of American democracy. You'll learn how this unassuming bar became a surprising link between the birth of a nation and the vibrant cultural life of the Village.
Stand at the doorstep of the first racially integrated night club in New York as you listen to stories about the trailblazers who performed at this national historic landmark.
The tour concludes at the site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, now a designated National Historic Landmark. Here, you’ll reflect on the tragedy that claimed 146 lives in 1911—and learn how the bravery and activism of the women affected sparked lasting reforms in labor laws and helped fuel the women’s suffrage movement. Their courage continues to inspire generations. While this itinerary highlights just a few key locations, part of the joy of the tour lies in discovery—so we’ve saved many stops as a surprise for the journey.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We booked this tour as part of our staycation. Having lived in and around NY for much of my life, I booked this tour thinking it would largely be a learning experience for my teens. Boy was I wrong! I learned so much ... we all did! Andrew's extensive knowledge and clear passion for NYC and its history made our tour of Greenwich Village an incredible experience for the whole family. We'll definitely book more tours with Andrew in the future!
This tour was the highlight of 10 days in New York and absolutely worth every penny. Not only was the tour well-researched, interesting and diverse in terms of subjects and time periods, but it was thoughtful. I found myself very moved by the things we learned about Emma Lazarus and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, and continue to tell others what I learned from this tour months later. I will for years I bet. I also loved how our guide was excited and sociable — he asked everyone what they might be interested in learning and pointed out great places to go eat afterwards. This guy really was the best person to take us around the Village and I recommend this tour 1000x over to anyone who might consider it.
It was really really amazing tour with a lot of interesting stories. Thank to amazing guide Andrew I felt like I belong there. As someone from this industry I would definitely recommend this tour to everyone who comes to NYC. Just splendid.
Very informative Andrew was great and very generous about the tour time and depth. Great location to learn and discover its history
This was a very informative tour of Greenwich Village and the people and movements passing through. As we were the only people on the tour, Andrew tailored it to our interests, and had some fascinating insights on life in the Village. We learnt about the music here, the politics and the forces of change, covering a lot of ground. Thank you Andrew!
This was an outstanding tour. Our guide, Andrew Kirschner, of Epic Walking Tours, was enthusiastic and friendly, and he offered us personalized attention (granted, we were a very small group on that day). Mr. Kirschner is highly educated about the history and culture of the area, and was fully invested in educating us about it. He also brought historical photos of the area and of some of its more celebrated residents. On top of all that, he offered me and my friend a second, later, tour as well, which we did join. We thoroughly enjoyed both tours, and it was clear that the larger group that participated in the second tour was happy to have been there, as well. If be glad to take another tour with Mr. Kirschner when I visit New York City in the future.
The tour was great! Andrew was very knowledgeable and open with answering all our questions. He was very attentive to making sure we were comfortable and as cool as can be. The stories he told were sometimes surprising (because I was unfamiliar with the story) and endearing (because I was familiar with the story). I learned a lot and was very entertained!
Andrew was great. He was accommodating and interesting. We really enjoyed our time learning about Greenwich Village.
We had a great time on the Greenwich Village tour and learned a lot even though we live in NYC. Andrew is an entertaining story teller who weaves all sorts of fascinating details into his presentations. He also uses an iPad for visuals that really complement his work. Strongly recommend booking with him!
This tour was so great!!! As a New Yorker, it was absolutely fascinating to learn about the rich history and locations that I have blithely been walking past for decades. Andrew is an amazing storyteller, and enhances his well-researched tour with period photos. I was riveted the entire time.
We had a wonderful time seeing many historical sites in Greenwich Village with Andrew. He is extremely knowledgeable and his love of history and the city is evident in his enthusiasm during the tour. Highly recommended signing up for this experience on your next trip!
Andrew was an amazing tour guide, he had so many historical and fun facts to share during his tour. He provided archived photographes to enhance each of the historical events that were detailed during the tour. Even if you have lived or worked in NewYork your whole life, you will be suprised to learn of events that happpened at locations you may have walked by in the past! Thank again Andrew
The walking tour was very well done and our guide was accommodating, staying longer than the end time to show us an extra location. I enjoyed getting to know the city better!
Had so much fun going to this tour with friends! The guide is super knowledgeable, well prepared, and passionate about the work he does. Whether you're a history nerd or just looking for a way to spend an afternoon in the city, this is the perfect tour to go on. There's something so exciting about not just learning about history but seeing the actual places events happened/people lived, and the tour guide really made history come alive on this tour. Cannot recommend enough!
Andrew is knowledgeable, friendly and delivers the tour at a pace that is comfortable for all participants. Highly recommended.
Andrew gave us a well researched and entertaining tour through Greenwich Village. We highly recommend this tour if you want to know the amazing history of this part of Manhattan. It will truly astound you!
Andrew brought Greenwich Village to life on our tour! A historian (and writer with a wonderful blog) shared the early years prior to the revolution - writers, leaders, who inspired the freedom we enjoy today…through the war years…freedom for all races, religions, genders and identies…to the early days of rock where legends. As one passes through Washington Park on the way for the best pizza in NYC, knowing where Eleanor Rosevelt and Amelia Earhart lived and worked is an inspiration!
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