
Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 58 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour worth booking?
Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $47 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 58 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (58)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $47 per person
Explore the opulent Gilded Age mansions along Fifth Avenue, where the wealth of historical figures like Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie shaped New York City's skyline. This engaging walking tour from Bowery Boys Wal
What you get
About this experience
Explore the opulent Gilded Age mansions along Fifth Avenue, where the wealth of historical figures like Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie shaped New York City's skyline. This engaging walking tour from Bowery Boys Walks takes you past exquisite exteriors of grand residences, sharing the fascinating stories behind their architecture and the influential families who inhabited them. Starting at East 70th Street and concluding at East 91 Street, this 2-hour experience offers a unique glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the past without entering the homes themselves. Perfect for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike. - 2-hour walking tour covering approximately one mile on the Upper East Side - Discover Gilded Age stories and the architectural styles of iconic mansions, including the Frick Collection and the Duke House - Led by engaging guides with expertise in Gilded Age history - Ideal for adults and children over 8 years old, no entry into mansions included
What's included
Included
- A guided walking tour along Fifth Avenue in NYC, examining iconic Gilded Age mansions and stories
Not included
- This tour does not go inside any of the mansions.
What you'll see and do
Frick Collection
Once the private residence of Henry Clay Frick, now one of the city’s greatest art museums.
Pass by without stopping
The James B. Duke House (today NYU Institute of Fine Arts) modeled after a French château, this was the home of Doris Duke, the “richest girl in the world.”
Pass by without stopping
Ukrainian Institute of America
Harry F. Sinclair House (now The Ukrainian Institute), an elaborate mansion with most of the original design intact.
Pass by without stopping
The Payne Whitney House (today Cultural Services, Embassy of France) where a statue by the teenage Michelangelo was rediscovered in the 1990s.
Pass by without stopping
The home of Otto Kahn one of the most famous bon vivant of the 1920s who may have been the inspiration for “Mr. Monopoly.”
Pass by without stopping
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Former home of Andrew Carnegie, who described the 64-room mansion as “modest and plain.”
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
The tour starts at East 70th Street & Fifth Avenue and ends at 2 East 91st Street. (we will send you complete details when you sign up).
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bowery Boys Walking Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 43 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
43 verified traveler reviews for Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great time, learned so much!
My husband and I had a phenomenal time on our Gilded Age Mansions tour on the Upper East side — fun, informative, and engaging. I got the tickets as an anniversary gift for my husband who is an avid reader of NYC history and even he learned so much. Our tour guide William Shaffer was absolutely wonderful and so knowledgeable — we made about a dozen stops in the two hours and it felt like a bargain for the $50 cost/person. Highly recommend for anyone with even a slight interest in city history and definitely for any watched of The Gilded Age!
via Tripadvisor
Great gilded age tour
Bill did an amazing job relating what was going on in the city with what was going on with these homes of the gilded age. So much history that you just walk by without even noticing unless Bill explains the who, what and where of the building. My husband doesn’t watch The Gilded Age” but he really enjoyed the tour. We highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Not To Be Missed Tour
This is one of the most fun tours I have ever been on. Amy, our well informed an animated tour leader, knew all the good gossip behind the building of the beautiful Fifth Avenue Gilded Age hotels. She had just the right mix of history and behind the scene stories, and very knowledgeably answered our questions. There was a good pace between walking and sitting time and the two hours flew by. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour for fans of NYC history, The Gilded Age, or anyone who has done "everything" in NYC
Great small group tour of the outsides of several remaining Gilded Age mansions on and just off 5th Ave, plus one interior. Guide was super well informed and had a pleasant, authentic communication style, plus was easy to hear! $50 cost was a little higher than my usual budget, but I've been to NYC many, many times and was looking for an activity I hadn't previously done before. Perfect pairing with a visit to the Frick, Met, Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt or Neue Gallerie. About 2 miles of walking in total, no hills and lots of shade if it's a hot day.
via Tripadvisor
Guilded Age tour
Absolutely fantastic walking tour. Guide is interesting, informative and engaging. I’ve taken several walking tours in NYC, and this is my favorite.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $47 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 58 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour?
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Around 20 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Bowery Boys' Gilded Age Mansions of 5th Avenue Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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