Broadway Top 10 CityPASS®

Surveillance, Propaganda & Control Tour of Midtown Manhattan

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor |
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100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| New York City, USA
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from $40 per person

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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Explore the hidden systems of surveillance, propaganda, and influence that shaped everyday life in Midtown Manhattan during the Cold War. This guided walking tour reveals how power operated quietly through recording studios, libraries, hotels, and transit hubs in one of New York’s most visible districts. Learn how John Lennon came under federal scrutiny, how public behavior was monitored and regulated, and how espionage unfolded in familiar civic spaces. The tour lasts approximately 80 minutes, covers 1.5 miles, and follows a thoughtfully designed route with sheltered stops and occasional indoor spaces for comfort in varying weather conditions.

- Duration: 90 minutes covering 1.5 miles in Midtown Manhattan
- Discover the impact of surveillance on public spaces and behavior
- Visit key locations linked to espionage, policing, and propaganda
- Meeting point at The Record Plant, ending at Rockefeller Center

What's Included

  • Admission fee

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    West 44th Street
    New York, NY 10036, USA

    Show on Google Maps

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

    End point

    5th Avenue
    New York, NY 10111, USA

    The tour ends at Rockefeller Center.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

    Times Square / Theater District

    Once known as “The Deuce,” this stretch of West 42nd Street was a notorious part of Times Square’s past. This stop explores how the block became a center of underground entertainment, and how surveillance and political pressure later reshaped the area.
    Read more

    15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    New York Public Library

    Behind its grand public façade, the New York Public Library has quietly played a role in twentieth-century intelligence history. This stop explores how an open research space became linked to secret wartime work and a surprising espionage encounter.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Grand Central Terminal

    Grand Central has been the stage for wartime precautions, criminal investigations, and Cold War political display. This stop explores how fear, public security, and national messaging shaped one of New York’s busiest civic spaces during the twentieth century.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    MetLife Building

    Once a symbol of corporate power in Midtown Manhattan, the former Pan Am Building became linked to political corruption and Cold War–era influence abroad. This stop explores how business interests and foreign intervention intersected behind the façade of one of New York City’s most recognizable towers.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Park Avenue

    During the Cold War, the Waldorf Astoria became a temporary home for visiting world leaders and rival powers. This stop explores how diplomacy, political tension, media influence, and quiet monitoring converged inside one of Midtown Manhattan’s most famous hotels.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Rockefeller Center

    Rockefeller Center played a quiet role in global intelligence operations before and during World War II. This stop explores how propaganda, counterintelligence, and political influence were coordinated from inside one of New York City’s most prominent commercial buildings.
    Read more

    10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Show 5 more stops

    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
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (6)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Surveillance, Propaganda & Control Tour of Midtown Manhattan?

    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 (EDT). 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?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-317194P11

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    5.00
    1 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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    On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (6)

    Activity name

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool New York City customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Surveillance, Propaganda & Control Tour of Midtown Manhattan?
    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 (EDT).
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Admission fee.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 18..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Surveillance, Propaganda & Control Tour of Midtown Manhattan is as follows:

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Surveillance, Propaganda & Control Tour of Midtown Manhattan will be included in your confirmation email from Cool New York City. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024

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    • 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
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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    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 (EDT).

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