Where America Began
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Where America Began worth booking?
Where America Began is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 45 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 45 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $249 per person
Stand where George Washington took the oath of office and visit the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton. This immersive walk through Lower Manhattan reveals the turning points of American history at the very sites
What you get
About this experience
Stand where George Washington took the oath of office and visit the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton. This immersive walk through Lower Manhattan reveals the turning points of American history at the very sites where they occurred. Learn where the United States began to take shape as you walk the streets of Lower Manhattan. From George Washington’s first steps as president to the legacy of Alexander Hamilton, this tour traces the founding moments of America right where they happened. Explore churches, taverns, and financial institutions that have stood for centuries, and discover how New York helped shape the nation’s identity. Discover how New York City evolved from a Dutch trading post to one of the greatest cities in the world,
What's included
Included
- Guided Walking Tour
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
National Museum of the American Indian
Visit the site of the former Fort Amsterdam and the Custom House. Currently, it the part of the Smithsonian Institute and houses the American Indian Museum.
10 minutes here
Trinity Church NYC
See the oldest church in New York and visit the grave of Alexander Hamilton.
10 minutes here
Castle Clinton National Monument
Before Ellis Island, migrants entered New York City through Castle Clinton.
5 minutes here
Fraunces Tavern Museum
You’ll see the site where George Washington bid farewell to his troops after the Revolutionary War.
5 minutes here
Stone Street
Walk one of the oldest streets in Manhattan. It’s the first street to be paved.
5 minutes here
Wall Street
Yes, there was indeed a wall on Wall Street. Walk the street and learn its history.
5 minutes here
Federal Hall
Visit the site where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president in 1789.
5 minutes here
New York Stock Exchange
Experience the site of the New York Stock Exchange. Learn about the building and see “Fearless Girl” who faces the stock market
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
Meet on the steps of the Alexander Hamilton Custom House. Your guide will be holding a sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This will be close to many of the subways stops in lower Manhattan.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Richard Soden
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Where America Began. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tour of old New York
We really enjoyed all of the history of New York in this area. It was very informative and we could appreciate how the city has evolved. Despite the rain, it was great!
via Viator
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
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 45
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Where America Began: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does Where America Began cost?
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Prices start at $249 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 Where America Began 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 Where America Began worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 45 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 Where America Began?
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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 Where America Began 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 Where America Began?
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Around 0 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 Where America Began 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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