Recently Viewed
Central Park Secrets: Dark History Unveiled
5.0
6 Ratings
New York
Uncover Central Park’s hidden scandals and crimes on a thrilling walking tour. Explore infamous tales and nighttime mysteries of this iconic park.
Uncover Central Park’s hidden scandals and crimes on a thrilling walking tour. Explore infamous tales and nighttime mysteries of this iconic park.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Arsenal - Visitors will be introduced to a concise history of Central Park, followed by insights into the Arsenal’s notorious 19th-century past marked by infamy and violence. The discussion will also cover the evictions that took place in the Central Park area before its development.
- Central Park Zoo - Visitors will explore the unusual…
- The Arsenal - Visitors will be introduced to a concise history of Central Park, followed by insights into the Arsenal’s notorious 19th-century past marked by infamy and violence. The discussion will also cover the evictions that took place in the Central Park area before its development.
- Central Park Zoo - Visitors will explore the unusual beginnings of the zoo and the arrests for indecency that occurred there.
- Balto Statue - Visitors will learn about the controversy surrounding the city’s first dog statue and hear scandalous tales related to other statues in Central Park.
- Rumsey Playfield - Visitors will be informed about the disputes concerning the Wisteria Pergola and the prohibition-era nightclub that once existed in Central Park.
- Bethesda Terrace - Visitors will discover the scandalous affair involving Jacob Wrey Mould, the often-overlooked third designer of Central Park, along with the history of crime and vandalism that eventually led to the creation of the Central Park Conservancy.
- Sheep Meadow - Visitors will learn about Central Park’s “Hooverville” settlement during the Great Depression and Sheep Meadow’s history of protests and demonstrations.
- Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial - Visitors will hear about a gruesome murder linked to Strawberry Fields, highlighting issues of class and subculture.
- The San Remo - Visitors will uncover the intriguing interconnected history of accidents, stunts, and suspicious deaths related to Central Park.
- American Museum of Natural History - Visitors will hear about a notorious heist near the park and another story involving a witness protection incident that went terribly wrong.
- The Ramble - Visitors will learn about the “cruising” history of the Ramble, nighttime incidents, police raids, and the films and TV shows inspired by these activities.
What's Included
- English Guide
- English In person Guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- English Guide
- English In person Guide
- All Fees and Taxes
What's Not Included
- Bottled water
- Bottled water
Additional Information
The hidden stories within New York City’s most famous park.
Underneath the lush landscapes and picturesque scenes of Central Park is a fascinating history waiting to be explored. This walking tour reveals the scandals, crimes, controversies, and forgotten communities that have influenced the park’s current form. From large-scale evictions and celebrity…
The hidden stories within New York City’s most famous park.
Underneath the lush landscapes and picturesque scenes of Central Park is a fascinating history waiting to be explored. This walking tour reveals the scandals, crimes, controversies, and forgotten communities that have influenced the park’s current form. From large-scale evictions and celebrity detentions to secret meeting places, eye-catching headlines, and debates over statues, you’ll uncover a side of Central Park that most visitors never envision.
Location
The Arsenal
5th Avenue
The Arsenal is located in Central Park on 5th Avenue and East 64th Street. The meeting point is by the Arsenal steps.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Susanmpassoni
Feb 2, 2025
Great Deep Dive into NYC's Central Park's History! - We had a wonderful time on our Central Park Walking Tour: Scandal & Vice! Our guide was engaging, entertaining and incredibly delightful. She shared some interesting tidbits on some of Central Parks History and how it has changed over the years. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Central Park's and NYC's history. I look forward to doing some of the other tours to learn more about this incredible city!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Garys649
Nov 2, 2024
Fun and fascinating tour with guide Liz! - My wife and I had a blast on this tour courtesy of our lovely, personable and super-knowledgeable guide Liz! When she told us this was a new one for her at her company Purefinder, we were stunned, as we would've gotten the impression she had already given this one a hundred times. Fascinating historical stories (which I, as a lifelong Gothamite, knew little to nothing about) and a truly memorable stroll through Central Park on a gorgeous fall day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O7502wmgeorgeb
Oct 30, 2024
Explore the Seedy B-side of Central Park - This deep-cut tour into the seedier histories of NYC's most famous park ranges from the hilarious to the horrific and is deeply fascinating and enlightening for those who are over-confident in their knowledge of Vaux and Olmstead's urban oasis (mirage?). From scandals surrounding the famous Balto statue and pergolas, to the sometimes tragic, sometimes comic story of America's first supermodel, from the more recent tale of Baby-faced butchers to tales of the days when the LGBTQ+ crowd was confined to the shadows, no matter what you think you know about his park, you are sure to learn something new on this tour from the always reliable Purefinder New York. I have been on all this tours and this one might be my favorite. Of course, the experience was in no way lessened by the lovely autumnal colors in the trees and the generally scenic grounds of Central Park.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tom
Oct 28, 2024
A perfect walk in the park. - This tour was no walk in the park. It was so much more. I’ve taken a number of Central Park tours, all good, but this was in a class by itself. A wealth of information, beautifully presented. And INTERESTING information that takes off where other tours end. As promised, it’s what the City doesn’t want you to see; but it’s what YOU want to see. Too dark, too strange, too funny, too mysterious, too scandalous. And fascinating every minute. Purefinder does the best tours in the most interesting city on Earth.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B1783ehalexeyk
Oct 27, 2024
Great start of your sunday - It’s a fantastic tour that gave me a fresh perspective on Central Park, a place I pass by every day. The two-hour duration makes it the perfect start to a Sunday morning. I recommend it to anyone looking to spend time outdoors while discovering some of the city’s lesser-known stories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
