New York City: Walking Tour of Greenwich Village

We will explore the place that famous artists, musicians, playwrights and authors began their careers. We will also learn about the impact that this little corner in New York City made on workers rights, gay and civil rights, Off - Broadway theater, and the folk music and jazz scenes.

Wahington Square Arch - Designed by famed architect, Stanford White, (1891-92), it is considered one of the world's finest triumphal arches built to commemorate the Centennial of George Washington's Inauguration as first President of the United States. Inspired by Paris's Arc de Triomph, the site is popular for mass demonstrations, students, concerts, street performers and speeches promoting various social causes.

Former site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. The site of the fire of March 25th, 1911, when 146, mostly young women, lost their lives. We will discuss how this horrific event impacted subsequent labor and justice movements that led to the enactment of major factory building fire safety laws and regulations in New York City.

Washington Mews - We will view two story houses, most of which are remodeled horse stables built between 1833 to 1850.

14 West 10th Street - Mark Twain's former residence between 1900 to 19O1 (outside viewing).

Jefferson Market Library and the former site of the Jefferson Market Courthouse (1877) and Women's Prison (1931-1974). We will view the former site of a courthouse, jail and women's prison. The actress Mae West was jailed overnight here for obscenity charges in 1927.

Stonewall Bar and National Monument Visitor Center. The original site of the riots for Gay and LBGTQ civil rights in June, 1969 that inspired the ongoing Gay Rights Movement.

90 Bedford St - The apartment building film setting for the home of the main characters of the popular television series "Friends".

Isaacs- Hendricks House - (1799) The site of the oldest house in the village. The house was renovated since its construction (outside viewing).

75 1/2 Bedford Street (1873) - The narrowest townhouse in the city, measuring only 9 1/2 feet wide.

38 Commerce Street - Cherry Lane Theater - (1924) The oldest Off-Broadway Theater in New York City. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams and many renowned playwrights debuted their early plays here.

11 Commerce St - (1826) - Originally this historic house contained 7 fireplaces, wooden beams shaped by hand tools and antique stone flooring. Washington Irving, the author of " The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" never lived there, despite a false plaque on the building.

17 Commerce Street - (1830) - Two years before the famous Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Dual In 1802 that was portrayed in the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton", Aaron Burr, one of the Founding fathers and Vice President during Thomas Jefferson's administration, never lived here, but owned this property.

Bleecker Street - We will stroll down this vibrant street and view popular clubs such as Kenny's Castaway, Cafe Au Go Go and the Bitter End that presented Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez and Lady Gaga performances during their early careers.

Cafe Wha - 115 McDougal Street - Bob Dylan's New York City debut performance on January 24, 1961. Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Bruce, Jimi Hendrix, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby displayed their talents here.

The tour concludes on Weat 3rd Street. This street was the home of the former Gerde's Folk City and The Blue Note Jazz Club. Gerde's presented Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, the Mamas and Papas, the Lovin' Spoonful and many other famous folk and rock musicians.

The Blue Note Jazz Club presented Dizzie Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Stanley Turentine, Sarah Vaughn, Chic Corea and many other popular jazz musicians.