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.
Historic Lower Manhattan Walking Tour: Forging the Historic Metropolis
Walk in the footsteps of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and others on this broad-reaching tour of today’s Financial District.
2025 is the 400th anniversary of the founding of New Amsterdam!
Come tread in the footsteps of American legends like Alexander Hamilton and George Washington! Winding our way through the twisted streets and remaining colonial past, this tour will explore just how New Amsterdam actually did become New York and how New York lost Congress but gained Wall Street. From the 17th-century “purchase” of Manhattan through the American Revolution, Washington’s inauguration, the building of a new nation, and the rise of skyscrapers, this tour brings the founding of our nation and city back to life.
Stops could include Trinity Church and churchyard, Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern, the New York Stock Exchange, and sites associated with 18th-century slave uprisings, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Victoria Woodhull, JP Morgan, and Peter Stuyvesant.
Tour Info
Cost: $30
$20 Seniors and Full-Time Students
Give a Big Onion Gift Certificate!
Give an experience they’ll remember! All tours are available as gift certificates.
Purchase This Tour as A Gift Certificate
Tour Schedule
July 2025
August 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
Front steps of the U.S. Custom House, AKA the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, located at Bowling Green.
Subway Trains
4/5 to Bowling Green, R to Whitehall Street, 1 to South Ferry.
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