Direct: 212-222-1441
Cliff Strome, Licensed Tour Director
New York, NY 10025
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Mafia in Manhattan: Facts & Legends: Albert Anastasia’s last shave, “Big Pauly” Paul Castellano’s missed steak, The Five Points where the Five Points Gang was transformed into the Five Family’s of New York City’s mafia, the Don’s barbershop, first pizzeria in The United States, Rao’s, the Gambino’s East Harlem haunt, The Tweed Courthouse, hotbed of corruption, Hell’s Kitchen, meet the Westie’s, The Ravenite Social Club, “The Teflon Don’s” met place. No whacks or pinches on this tour, just fun and informative. Harlem, Gospel, Grits and Fried Chicken: Choir, organ and the glory of it all, a Baptist church service then servings of Harlem’s best food; savor the authentic taste of a buffet of flavor at Harlem’s best eatery. Walk and ride it off enjoying the sites; Striver’s Row, Astor Row, Marcus Garvey Park, The Apollo Theatre and much more. Harlem’s not what you think; be amazed and take back New York’s best kept secret.
CUSTOM & PRIVATE
SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR “CITY TOUR”
No, no! Not a "look at this" "look at that" scripted speech tour! The focus is on you, your family, friends or associate’s interests, preferences and whims. It is a cultural and historical overview of New York City that will amuse, amaze and entertain you! Fun, this is not a lecture!!
NEW SLIVER BUILDING ON 8TH AVENUE: A new 46 floor condo that is 24 feet wide illustrates the concept of “air rights”; that’s New York City invention. The drama of this edifice provides evidence of this concept and draws wonder. View the best example of New Yorkers who find solutions to problems, pushing forward, achieving success. Where else, New York City!
COLUMBUS CIRCLE: “The new gold coast” will impress you for many good reasons; The Norman Foster Hurst Building, a $500 billion skyscraper literally built in and on top of the six story surviving landmark Hurst headquarters, erected in 1929 did not stop the construction of this beauty; The Time Warner Center, the world’s largest mix-use building, most expensive home purchased in New York City, $54 million, is located within and three buildings re-clad demonstrating “if you can’t replace it then reface it” and 15 Central Park West, Robert A.M. Stern’s retro-condo that netted Zeckendorf Realty the highest return on any residential building in New York City’s history; $1.6 Billion, but perhaps a big mistake (you’ll find out why).
THE DAKOTA: New York City’s first apartment building (1883), an icon of The Upper Westside, home to Lauren Bacall, July Garland, Leonard Bernstein, Yoko, John Lennon and countless other rich and famous not to mention the site of “Rosemary’s Baby”! The folklore of this German Renaissance beauty is most naughty and fascinating; tales you won’t hear on “the Big Red Bus”! We’ll venture into Central Park, a short two minute walk, to view Strawberry Fields, the memorial built by Yoko, a must see stopping point for those who loved and respected John Lennon. Don’t look for the strawberries, the squirrels took care of them years ago!
CENTRAL PARK: Let’s take a short stroll into this 19th century masterpiece. At 100th Street, the most natural and bucolic part of the park; a place that matured to fulfill the vision of the park’s designers, Calvert and Vaux. A short presentation provides park history, themes, design, crime rates (don’t believe what you see on CSI!) size, cost and unique aspects that make Central Park truly exceptional. “Gee, I never knew that!”
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE: The world’s largest cathedral, site of Sir Elton John’s 60th birthday party, a short presentation of the history, architecture, role in the community, the fire in 2001 and the tour of the interior highlights the challenges of the construction, beauty of the stained glass windows, the artifacts and more. “This is huge!”
HARLEM!: New York City’s largest neighborhood is so rich in history, cultural significance and monumental change that has blanketed the Nation. We’ll venture down Striver’s Row, Astor Row; view the Apollo Theater and catch a glimpse of the Harlem of the future. The history of this fascinating place with be presented and what the future will bring to the revitalized community. “I’m amazed; it’s not at all what I had expected.” Consider a Gospel Church service; it’s more than enthralled and “better than a Broadway show”!
ON THE WAY TO GROUND ZERO: There’s much to see on the seven mile stretch of The Westside Highway on the way to ground zero; Riverside Park, Riverside Drive, The Hudson River, Trump City, The West Village, Hell’s Kitchen, The Highline, Meatpacking District, Viacom Building, Richard Meier’s triple beauties, The Greenway at water’s edge and Battery Park City.
GROUND ZERO: Viewed from inside The Winter Garden you’ll see the site and its perimeter from a high and unobstructed inside viewing vantage point. A presentation of the past, who’s idea was it, what was there before, why the Twin Towers were built, the scale of the project that is ongoing at present, why it’s taking so long, artistic renderings of the, to be, completed rebuilt site, the perimeter; a virtual palette of New York City history through architectural change, St. Paul’s Cathedral (1766) unscratched, “The Little Cathedral That Stood”, several world’s tallest buildings in their time and more.
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY: Viewed from the Manhattan shoreline, the ferry roundtrip with usual lines takes upwards of three hours, a presentation of the history, art, construction and folklore of “the lady”.
WALL STREET: A short walk to view The New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall a museum with a number of most significant historical artifacts, The Trinity Church and the famous sculpture, known as The Bull, The Alexander Hamilton Custom House and Bowling Green Park, all with historical facts of interest. Why do they call it Wall Street? Find out!
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE: The icon of engineering and beauty in the 19th century! The tallest edifice on the continent connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan and forever changed our city. The fascinating history, the tragedy and glory, the technology and characters that made it possible is yours to experience. We’ll take a ride over the bridge and venture into beautiful Brooklyn Heights, New York’s first suburb and landmark neighborhood. Trust me; this is off the beaten path but on the right track!
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL: The largest and most spectacular train terminal in the world awaits you. Enjoy the food market, the main hall, the whispering arches that are fun, “be careful what you whisper for; hear tales of the visionaries who built it, why it was erected, the $10 million clock that hasn’t moved since 1913, the controversy regarding the ceiling painting and much more. And best of all, it didn’t cost the railroad a penny . . . find out why! Humm . . .
THE CHRYSLER BUILDING: New Yorker’s favorite building, there’s a reason for everything. The love affair between Paris and New York City (1925-1940) our mutual admiration, we loved their art deco and they loved our skyscrapers. It all comes together here. And have I got a story for you! This is the place to experience how New York looked in the jazz age. No dancing please!
THIS IS A SUGGESTED OVERVIEW: All suggestions and requests are most welcomed! Whether it’s The Bronx, Soho, Chinatown, The Lower Eastside or Greenwich Village, whatever you want, not only will I take you there, you’ll take a part of it back home as well!
Always remember, it’s your tour, it’s your time and the focus is always on you!! Let’s shake up the New York City that’s in your head so that you’ll take home the real New York, not only in your heart as well.
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