Art, Sex and Rock & Roll: New York on the Cultural Edge Walking Tour

Explore how New York City has shaped the American Cultural Landscape.

Whether you are thinking of the Ashcan Artists of the early 20th century or the punk rockers of the 1970s, New York is a city that has been on America’s cutting edge for over a century. New York City has been instrumental in shaping the world’s cultural landscape, often by pushing the boundaries of respectability.

Join us as we explore New York’s cultural edge beyond Greenwich Village, from the site of Stanford White’s 1890 Madison Square Garden (and where he was murdered) to Hilly Kristal’s mecca of punk rock, CBGB. Along the way we will explore the many waves of artists, musicians, and cultural figures who have found creative expression in the City.

Stops could include: The Palladium/Academy of Music, Paresis Hall, the 69th Regiment Armory, and Max’s Kansas City, as well as sites associated with Alfred Stieglitz, Patti Smith, Led Zeppelin, Evelyn Nesbit, and Bill Graham’s “Church of Rock and Roll.” This walking tour does contain mature content within a historic discussion.

Tour Info

Cost: $30

$20 Seniors and Full-Time Students

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Public Tour

Private Tour

Tour Schedule

Saturday, December 21

1:00 pm

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.

Reserve Your Spot
Refund Policy

For bigger groups, consider a private walking or virtual tour!

Whether you are looking to integrate a tour into your academic curriculm or entertaining 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:
The intersection of Fifth Avenue & 25th Street, at the edge of Madison Square Park.

Subway Trains
F/M/R/6 to 23rd Street.

FAQs for In-Person Street Walks

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.
More about our guides.

Finding Your Guides
All guides carry an 8×11 sign that says “Big Onion Walking Tours”.

Time & 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 check our home page for notifications or 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 with less than 24 hours prior to the tour or no shows cannot be credited.

Walks are held rain or shine, but may be cancelled for severe weather or if museum is closed. In the event of a Big Onion cancellation or museum closure, full refunds or rescheduled tickets will be offered.

More Questions? Check out How it Works for more details.

Helpful Links
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NYC Subway Map
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