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walking tours off the beaten path

connect the dots n yc

take the tour that has local new yorkers raving

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"New York storytelling at its best..."

-Dianne, NYC

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"We learned so much while laughing and having a blast..."

-Gabriella, NYC

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"A must even for NY'ers. You'll learn a lot even if you call NYC home."

-Angeles, NYC

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“ This is the tour to take if you're interested NYC's musical, artistic and intellectual history.”

-Caren, NYC

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NYC but Non-Touristy:
Greenwich Village & West Village Guided Walking Tour (2.5 hrs) 
New Yorker-approved storytelling experience featuring crucial undertold history, local perspective and authentic recommendations for diverse small businesses

Sundays 4pm - 6:30pm
Starting at $39
Wheelchair Accessible

Description:

Elevate your NYC trip with a highly curated, sensory-stimulatory guided walk through the neighborhood that is calling to your most curious and authentic self.

The Village is best served sans tourist traps. It is wise to book this tour for the early part of your visit in NYC. Your guide will point out loads of underground nightlife hotspots, recommendations for local favorite hole-in-the-wall eateries, and all kinds of hidden gem boutiques and unique activities.

Greenwich Village also offers some of the most distinctive and dynamic history to be learned in all of New York City. This tour will cover five centuries of fascinating and undeniably relevant history in one of Manhattan's oldest neighborhoods.

What to Expect:
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*Guided Visualizations of Indigenous Mannahatta pre--1600's. Learn about the lifestyle and sustainable practices of the Lenape people, and acknowledge the streets we walk as Lenape homelands...

*Uncovered Footpaths of North America's first free Black community in the 1600's. Learn the names, stories and tenacity of Manhattan's first Black landowners, including the first woman to be documented as a landowner on the island...

*Traced Steps of Freedom Fighters, Abolitionists, and Revolutionaries of every kind, who have devoted their lives to justice for all, some of whom are still doing so today...

*Imprints of Various Waves of Immigration that have arrived here. Discover why and how these waves shifted the neighborhood dynamic, and the wider historical context of the times that helped or hindered these growing communities...

*Sounds of live music from improvisational live jazz wafting from tavern windows... to solo saxophone blues players busking in the park... to Hendrix-inspired guitarists plugged in and solo riffing on a street corner. This is a brilliant neighborhood to discover live music.

 

*Art, art, and more art  from local artists selling paintings in the park, cafes filled with antique furniture, modern dancers painting abstract expressionism with their feet, up and coming fashion designers showcasing sidewalk racks of their wearable art, active film and television shoots, charming walk-in galleries and exhibits... At every turn, the Village will immerse you in creativity.

*Recitations of Poems and Song Lyrics of former Village giants of the counterculture movement; time travel as you hear the protest anthems of every decade from the 40's to the 70's, and the beat poetry that once snapped and shook every shoddy basement cafe. 
 
*Origin Stories of Abolitionists,  Suffragists, and LGBTQ+ Trailblazers, who have been drawn to the Village and shifted tides with their ideas, speeches and art. A special focus on lesser-told stories will leave you feeling truly connected to the revolutionary heartbeat of the area.

*Authentic NYC Culture you won't find it in your AI-generated itinerary full of mainstream hype. The Village is teeming with local hangouts; cozy 1930's jazz bars, back room comedy shows, indie theatres, secret speakeasies, dancefloors, cabaret bars and more... but only a HUMAN who has logged miles making HUMAN friendships with business owners, comparing/contrasting food and experiences with all five HUMAN senses will know where to go, and where to avoid.

*Insider Recommendations for exactly where to eat, drink and party like a Village local AND support hard-working New Yorkers while you do it! Connect the Dots NYC is proud to support family-run small businesses, diversely-owned businesses, and benevolent organizations that provide for NY'ers in need. Taking this tour means you won't just visit the neighborhood, you'll connect to the Villagers themselves, and become a valued part of the Village ecosystem.

*Free PDF email of the stops on the tour and a list of recommendations  customized to include specific requests, not just in the Village, but in other neighborhoods too. Many guests say this email is worth the ticket price, alone!

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Footsteps You'll Trace

  • Bella Abzug

  • Eve Addams

  • Maya Angelou 

  • James Baldwin 

  • John Brown

  • William Burroughs

  • Angela Davis

  • Miles Davis

  • Dorothy Day

  • Storme Delarverie

  • Walt Disney​​

FAQ's

Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts on the corner of 6th Ave and West 10th St, in front of the Iron gated corner (with the rose bush branches poking out) at Jefferson Market Public Library Garden. This tour ends at Grove Court on Grove St. and Bedford Ave. You will receive a confirmation email upon booking with all necessary details.

Is there anything fun to do in the area before the tour starts? Bonus if there's restrooms!
Step inside of the Jefferson Market Public Library, originally built as courthouse in the 1870's. Explore its Victorian Gothic style architecture! (you can use the restroom in the basement if you need.) For a bite to eat, grab a fresh toasted bagel from Bagel Pub, across the street from our starting point (also a restroom available to customers). To browse some truly local NYC souvenirs, check out Locavore Variety Store (434 6th Ave) which is just up the street, a woman-owned gift shop featuring only local NY vendors.

How much walking? Any rest stops?
This tour is approximately 2.5 miles of walking and is wheelchair/stroller accessible. There is a 15 minute break on Macdougal Street to use the restroom, and grab a snack. Snacks are not included in the price of the tour.

What if the weather is bad?
The tour runs rain or shine. Be sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly. In the rare event of dangerous weather conditions, you will be notified in advance and have the opportunity to reschedule your tour or be refunded.

What if I am running late?
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour starts. There is a 10 minute grace period during the tour's introduction in which you will still be able to check in. If you are more than ten minutes behind, please text your guide at 646-259-3301 for a meet-up point. 

What is your cancellation policy?
No-shows without prior notice are not eligible for refunds. If you cancel at least 24 hours ahead of time, you are eligible for a refund, or your tour can be rescheduled. For further instructions, contact angela@connectthedotsnyc.com 

Is this tour appropriate for children?
This tour has been enjoyed by all ages, but overall, it is best enjoyed by ages 10 and up. Please read the full description of the tour and make the decision you feel is appropriate for your children.

Can I bring my dog?
Service animals trained for a specific task are permitted. Unfortunately, we cannot allow pets on this tour. 

Is food/drink included?
Food and drink are not included in your ticket price for the tour. You will receive many recommendations for beverages and small bites during your 15 minute break on Macdougal Street.
 
What should I bring with me?
Comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, your confirmation email and your sense of adventure!

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  • Frederick Douglass

  • Bob Dylan

  • Crystal Eastman

  • Sarah & Henry Garnet

  • Khalil Gibran

  • Emma Goldman

  • Elizabeth Jennings Graham

  • Woodie Guthrie

  • Alex Haley

  • Lorraine Hansbury

  • Jimi Hendrix​​​

  • Billie Holiday

  • Jane Jacobs

  • Marsha P. Johnson

  • Father Mychal Judge

  • Jack Kerouack

  • Fiorello Laguardia

  • Emma Lazarus

  • Margaret Mead

  • Edna St. Vincent Millay

  • Thomas Paine

  • Frances Perkins​​​​​​

  • Joan Rivers

  • Sylvia Rivera

  • Eleanor Roosevelt

  • ​Bayard Rustin

  • Patti Smith

  • Sonia Sotomayor

  • Sojourner Truth

  • Harriet Tubman

  • Mae West

  • Gertrude Whitney

  • Malcolm X​​​​

About Connect the Dots NYC

 

I am the owner of Connect the Dots NYC, as well as your tour guide, Angela. You can call me Ang or Angie. I am a performance artist, comedian, and historical storyteller. I am also the parent of an 11 year old whiz kid with my partner of 15 years.

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New York City has raised me up, nurtured me and  kicked my ass for the last two decades. I grow more in love with it every day. 

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My eclectic resume of stage work and odd jobs would most definitely dazzle you, but suffice it to say, no performance opportunity has been as rewarding as becoming a historical storyteller a la tour guiding. 

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What a privilege to show off the best of the real NYC, and share its uniquely relevant history with hungry open minds.

 

Whether you are a world traveler or a local New Yorker,  it is my mission to provide the most authentic, meticulously researched, informative and entertaining experience possible. 

 

Can't wait to show you around!​

-Angie

(they/them)

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Tour guide points to the Friends Apartment on the Greenwich Village Walking Tour
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COMING SOON! STAY TUNED!

NYC but Non-Touristy: LGBTQIA History + Thriftstore Shopping Guided Walking Tour (3 hrs)

Join your guide, Angela, a bargain-hunter since birth, on a romp through the best and queerly beloved thrift shops of the three villages  of lower Manhattan (West Village, Greenwich Village, and East Village). Yes, you will have time to shop! Not only that, but you will also be walking (or skipping perhaps? Arm in arm? Wizard of Oz style? OKAY!)  footpaths of LGBTQIA+ heroes and learning about NYC's major contributions to the on-going Queer revolution. 

This tour aims to guide LGBTQIA+ travelers and allies to the most queer-friendly, gender-affirming second-hand shops, where you will be made to feel welcome and safe to shop for clothes that make you feel exactly like yourself.  All thrift stores on this tour are thoughtfully curated for their affordability (only true thrift prices allowed),  their atmosphere (friendly staff, tidy, size-inclusive and well-stocked inventory) and most importantly, their mission! This means every one of your hard-earned dollars will help serve vulnerable communities in our city, including the LGBTQIA+ community. 

That's not all! Add meaning and depth to your queer shopping adventure by visiting some of NYC's most famous queer landmarks along the way, including the birthplace of the Gay Civil Rights movement, the Stonewall Inn on the legendary Christopher Street.
 
This tour is truly two experiences rolled into one: a guided thrift store crawl and a queer history guided walking tour.  Halfway through the tour's duration, there will be a break for lunch on a street with a wide variety of delicious food options. Your guide will be happy to make the best recommendations for your liking.









 

This website was made with 100% human intelligence, and 0% AI. All photos and video content displayed are captured and owned by your Connect the Dots NYC guide. Yay for humans.

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