Slumming it in Five Points, Chinatown and the Bowery: Audio Guide

New To The Site! New York City, USA

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2 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Step into New York’s gritty past on this self-guided walking tour through infamous neighborhoods like Five Points and Chinatown. Starting at Collect Pond Park, you’ll follow the footsteps of Gilded Age millionaires who “went slumming” in these squalid areas. Discover how Jacob Riis exposed the horrors of the slums, explore gangland history, and learn about the rise of tattooing, tap dancing, and blackface minstrel acts. Visit historic sites like the African Burial Ground, Chinatown’s famous restaurants, and the Bowery’s notorious saloons. With actors, sound effects, and music, this two-hour tour vividly brings New York’s untold stories to life, offering an unforgettable journey through the city’s darker side.

What's Included

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Leonard Street
New York, NY 10013, USA

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

End point

Canal Street
New York, NY 10013, USA

The tour ends at 180 Canal St, New York, NY 10013.

What To Expect

Collect Pond Park (Pass By)

Pass by this historic site, once a freshwater source that became a dumping ground, marking the early transformation of the area into one of New York’s most infamous slums.
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African Burial Ground National Monument (Pass By)

See this powerful memorial honoring the African Americans buried here in the 18th century, with an option to explore its poignant symbolic designs.
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The Chai Spot (Pass By)

Walk through this notorious intersection, once home to New York's most dangerous slum, known for its rampant crime, poverty, and social upheaval.
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Columbus Park (Pass By)

Stroll past this public park, historically known as Mulberry Bend, a hub of crime and poverty, now a bustling community space in Chinatown.
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Dr. Sun Yat-sen Plaza (Pass By)

Admire this monument dedicated to the founder of modern China, located in a vibrant part of Chinatown steeped in history and culture.
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The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (Pass By)

Pause outside this legendary dessert shop, famous for its unique flavors, where you can choose to grab a treat on your own time.
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Hop Kee Restaurant (Pass By)

Pass by this beloved restaurant in Chinatown, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain, known for its traditional Cantonese cuisine.
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Wo Hop (Pass By)

View this James Beard-recognized eatery from the outside, renowned for serving authentic Chinese food since 1938.
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Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association (Pass By)

Marvel at the exterior of New York’s largest Buddhist temple, home to a golden Buddha, with an option to step inside and explore.
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Doyers Street (Pass By)

Walk down this famous street, once the site of bloody Tong gang wars, now a vibrant part of Chinatown's history.
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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

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Slumming it in Five Points, Chinatown and the Bowery: Audio Guide?

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-110804P823


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What's Included

Activity name

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour

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

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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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Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

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Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
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  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.