Central Park: Scandal & Vice Walking Tour

9 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 9 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | New York City, USA

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On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
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Overview

Walk beyond the postcard views and discover the forgotten stories woven into Central Park’s landscape. This guided walk reveals how scandal, ambition, and social change shaped the park from its earliest days. Hear about vanished neighborhoods, high-society intrigue, sensational crimes, and the controversies that continue to spark debate. It’s a side of Central Park few visitors ever see, vivid, revealing, and full of surprises.

What's Included

  • English In person Guide
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • English Guide
  • Bottled water
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

5th Avenue
New York, NY 10065, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Oak Bridge
New York, NY 10024, USA

The tour will end in the Ramble in Central Park. All guests will be escorted out of the Ramble at the end of the tour (unless they wish to remain). The nearest exit out of Central Park is at West 77th Street and Central Park West, close to 81 St-Museum of Natural History subway station (B, C).

What To Expect

The Arsenal

Guests will be told a brief history of Central Park, followed by the Arsenal, as regards its history of 19th century infamy and violence. The evictions of the Central Park area prior to its construction will also be addressed.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Central Park Zoo

Guests will discover the strange origins of the zoo and the arrests for indecency that occurred there.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Balto Statue

Guests will hear about the controversy regarding the city's first dog statue as well as scandalous stories relating to other Central Park statues.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Rumsey Playfield

Guests will hear about the quarrels relating to the Wisteria Pergola and the prohibition nightclub that used to exist in Central Park.
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7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bethesda Terrace

Guests will hear about the scandalous affair of Jacob Wrey Mould, the unsung third designer of Central Park, and the history of crime and vandalism that ultimately became the catalyst for the Central Park Conservancy.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sheep Meadow

Guests will learn about Central Park's "Hooverville" settlement during the Great Depression as well as Sheep Meadow's protest and demonstration history.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial

Guests will hear about a gruesome murder connected with Strawberry Fields that intersects with class and subculture.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The San Remo

Guests will discover the curious interconnecting history of Central Park-related accidents, stunts, and suspicious deaths.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

American Museum of Natural History

Guests will hear about a notorious park-adjacent heist and another tale concerning a witness protection incident gone horribly wrong.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Ramble

Guests will discover the "cruising" history of the Ramble, the nighttime incidents, the police raids, and the films and TV shows that this activity inspired.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Central Park: Scandal & Vice Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

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

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-317194P9

Reviews

5.00
9 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 9 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
9
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • English In person Guide
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • English Guide
  • Bottled water

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).

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