Art and Architecture of the Gilded Age (New York City)

Experience the glamour and history of Manhattan on a guided tour that showcases some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden stories. Begin at the world-famous Plaza Hotel, where you can marvel at the epitome of wealth luxury and high society while learning about its fascinating history. Explore 5th Avenue and Millionaire’s Row, admiring the grand mansions built by America’s wealthiest families. Visit the Central Park Zoo to uncover its unusual origins when exotic pets were released into the park by affluent owners. Along the way, hear intriguing stories at the Herbert Straus House, the former lair of Jeffrey Epstein, built by the family behind Macy’s.

Discover more of Manhattan’s cultural and political history as you walk along Museum Mile, where the estates of industrial titans now house world-renowned museums. Step inside the Roosevelt House to imagine Franklin Delano and Eleanor Roosevelt planning their political strategies. Visit the French Cultural Institute to learn about a lost Michaelangelo discovered in the sculpture garden and explore the charming French bookstore. End the tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose world-class collection owes much to the generosity of the mansion owners featured earlier. This journey combines history architecture art and scandal to provide a unique perspective on New York City’s rich and varied past.