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The Story Behind NY's Evolving Skyline An Architectural Journey Through History

The Story Behind NY's Evolving Skyline An Architectural Journey Through History

Overview

This virtual video talk and tour is perfect for anyone who loves to stroll through NYC’s neighborhoods wondering who created the buildings and when. Learn how to identify buildings by their architectural design and building materials. Hear the stories about how New York grew from a small Dutch settlement to a world-class capital city and the architects who influenced New York’s evolving skyline. Understand how urban planning effects neighborhoods, parks, and public transportation systems. Discover the importance of balancing historic preservation with creating hot new neighborhoods. A pdf of the virtual tour can be downloaded to their device for a self-guided tour to explore the neighborhoods, district by district. The buildings that are still standing are listed with their name, district, addresses and architects when known.

City: New York City

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

PDF of self-guided walking tour of the sites mentioned in the virtual tour.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Electric wheelchairs may have difficulty navigating some corners of NYC's streets.
NYC's Covid mask requirements are constantly changing with new data. Check prior to arrival and follow the City's guidelines. At this time, masks are not required outdoors.

What To Expect

Castle Clinton National Monument

From the time Henry Hudson sailed into New York’s Harbor, the City has been a hub of trade and commerce. See how New York’s architectural styles changed over 400 years from Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Romanesque Revival, Italianate, Renaissance Revival, Gothic Revival, “Queen Anne”, Neo-Classic to the modern period we see today. We’ll look at the future of New York City through zoning and the needs of the people who work and live side by side in towering skyscrapers and landmarked neighborhoods. See how the waterfront has been transforming from industrial to recreational neighborhood by neighborhood and how public and private partnerships are creating new destinations.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (17)

B1697PIcindyb

Aug 2021

As a local New Yorker (living here for over 25 years), I discovered this treasure trove of information that Kitt Garrett has created. The tour I purchased encompassed the architectural history of New York including background world history and events of each period that influenced each architectural style. She's thrown in lots of fascinating trivia. The visuals to describe regions, locations and details are super helpful. Most virtual presentations are very static but Kitt's pointers and visual touches enhance the journey. Worth every penny whether you are an architectural enthusiast or not. I plan to go on the trail she has created and see it all up close and personal. 5-stars!

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Strolling through NYC's neighborhoods is so much fun and now you know the stories about what happened in various neighborhoods! Remember to download the pdf to your device so you can bring the tour locations with you to photograph and upload into Tripcast and create your own memory book!

C9309CXcolinm

Jun 2021

This is the perfect travel companion! Kitt's attention to the small details of the architecture transport you through history, giving you a window into the past while enjoying the present of this vibrant city. The pacing of her information is spot-on. After two hours, I felt like an expert on New York without ever feeling overwhelmed with information overload. The accompanying pictures helped me visualize myself walking in the footsteps of history. I cannot recommend her tours more highly!

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you for inspiring locals and visitors see NYC with fresh eyes! Remember to download the pdf of the virtual tour to your device so you can reference the street addresses and neighborhoods as you explore on your own. Capture those architectural details with your camera and upload them into Tripcast to create your own memory book!

gfx88

Jun 2021

So, I bought another virtual tour (High Line) from Kitt Garrett and loved it, so I thought I'd give this one a try too. I really like how she presents stories and even some of the more obscure but important facts (like 'air rights' - which no one could ever *really* explain to me, even though I've been on a few NYC tours before and they're the whole reason for all the new giant towers). She (I'm guessing it's her narrating) doesn't sound like she's reading, but like she's just talking to me. Does this cover the *entire* history of NYC? Pretty much yes! It's really great how she breezes through 400 years and explains everything about architecture and buildings without getting too technical or confusing. But in the end I felt a lot smarter and ready to explore the city on my own. It made me see the city in a whole new way, and a way where all the time periods connected in interesting ways. Like I said, I've been to NYC before but the next time I go (later this summer) I'm going to take the PDF she gives you and find all the cool stuff I've never seen that she told me about -- like the building that almost fell down but was saved secretly by a student!

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to hearing the stories about the history of the High Line and Hudson Yards! The process of researching the stories to uncover the secrets, myths, and truths as fascinating and I am happy you enjoyed it. Remember to download the pdf of the virtual tour so when you visit on your own, you can find the locations you want to photograph and upload into Tripcast to create your own memory book!