Explore New York’s Layered History
Take a Big Onion Walking Tour and discover New York’s rich history through memorable stories and little-known facts.
East Village Walking Tour
A walk exploring the world of hippies, hipsters, and immigrants.
Explore the area made famous by radicals and immigrants alike; the East Village is the lesser-known side of Broadway between Houston and 14th Streets. Our tour combines the history of German, Ukrainian, and Jewish immigrants with the long neighborhood legacy of labor activism. We also explore the evolution of local theaters from the Yiddish stages of the early 20th century to becoming the epicenter of the 1970s counter-culture music scene!
Stops could include the Fillmore East, St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, the historic Marble Cemetery, the Public Theater, and sites associated with Peter Cooper, Dorothy Day, Peter Stuyvesant, The Allman Brothers, and the General Slocum disaster of 1904.
Tour Info
Cost: $30
$20 Seniors and Full-Time Students
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Tour Schedule
August 2025
October 2025
Tour Reservations
Big Onion requires all walkers to reserve and pay in advance. Prepayment helps us determine group size and appropriate guide numbers.
NOTE: You will select your date in the next step.
For bigger groups, consider private walking.
Whether you are looking to integrate a tour into your academic curriculum or entertain out-of-towners, a Big Onion walking tour is a great way to experience the city.
For more information or to arrange, please call (718) 499-3001 or email info@bigonion.com.
Meeting Location
Location
On the plaza in front of the “Black Cube” at Astor Place.
Subway Trains
6 to Astor Place, R/W to 8th Street.
FAQS for Walking Tours
Guides
The finest group of tour guides anywhere. Most of us are full-time graduate students researching and writing doctoral dissertations in history, passionate about the history, architecture, and people of New York.
Finding Your Guides
All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Big Onion Walking Tours.”
Time and Distance
All tours last approximately two hours. We start on time and walk between one and two miles at a moderate walking pace, stopping at various sites along the tour.
Rain/Inclement Weather
Big Onion generally presents tours rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, please call our hotline [(888) 606-WALK (9255) ext. 1] to confirm our schedule.
Tips
Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected.
Reschedule Policy
With 24+ hours prior to a walking tour, Big Onion offers a full credit for the value of the booking. Credits will be given as Gift Cards in dollar amounts. Gift Cards are good for two years and can be used on any Big Onion outing. Cancellations less than 24 hours prior to the tour or no-shows cannot be credited.
Walks are held rain or shine but may be canceled for severe weather. In the event of a Big Onion cancellation full refunds or rescheduled tickets will be offered.
More Questions? Check out How it Works for more details.
Helpful Links
Local Weather Forecast
NYC Subway Map
Weekly Service Advisories
Subway Fares