New York History Brought to Life

Step inside the stories that built New York.

Official exclusive tours of the Woolworth Building and other immersive experiences exploring New York City’s architecture, hidden stories, and historic neighborhoods.

As the official tour company of the iconic Woolworth Building, Woolworth Tours NYC offers immersive guided experiences exploring the architecture, hidden history, and remarkable people behind New York City’s most fascinating landmarks.

From gilded lobbies and historic streets to forgotten stories and legendary characters, our tours reveal the city beyond the guidebook.

Our Featured Tours

The Woolworth Building

The officially authorized tour of the Woolworth Building lobby and vault, offering rare guided access inside one of New York City’s most extraordinary architectural landmarks.

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City Hall Park

Explore the hidden history of City Hall Park on a guided walking tour through the civic heart of Lower Manhattan, featuring centuries of New York stories, architecture, scandals, and secrets.

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Gangs of NY & Five Points

Explore the infamous streets of Five Points and uncover the history behind New York’s most notorious gangs, immigrant communities, political corruption, and the legends that inspired Gangs of New York.

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The Oculus

Explore the breathtaking Oculus and the rebuilt World Trade Center complex through architecture, history, symbolism, and the remarkable transformation of Lower Manhattan.

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A Walk Up Broadway

Walk historic Broadway with a guided tour exploring New York City’s evolution through iconic landmarks, hidden history, remarkable architecture, and the neighborhoods that shaped Manhattan.

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Chelsea Market & High Line

Explore Chelsea Market, the Meatpacking District, and the High Line while uncovering the stories that transformed Manhattan’s West Side. Discover the history, architecture, and character that define this iconic neighborhood.

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Why Travelers Choose Woolworth Tours NYC

New York City is more than landmarks and skylines — it is a living story shaped by ambition, immigration, innovation, conflict, resilience, and reinvention.
Our goal is to help visitors experience the city not just as tourists, but as participants in its extraordinary history.

Small Group Experiences
Deep Historical Storytelling
Carefully Researched Narratives
Exclusive & Hard-to-Access Locations
Passionate Expert Guides
Designed for Both Visitors & Locals
Architecture + Human Stories Combined
Not Scripted “Tour Bus” Experiences
Go Beyond The Guidebook

Official Access. Extraordinary Stories.

Official Woolworth building access

The only officially authorized tour of the Woolworth Building lobby and vault.

Hidden Stories Behind Iconic Places

Discover the people, scandals, innovations, and forgotten histories that shaped New York City.

Small Groups, Personal Experience

Enjoy engaging tours designed for conversation, questions, and deeper exploration.

Private & Corporate tours available

Click here to contact us for more information about private tours and corporate events.

Meet Your Guides.

Learn from some of New York City’s most knowledgeable guides.
Drawing on decades of experience in history, architecture, museums, preservation, and public education, they offer insightful tours that go far beyond the typical sightseeing experience.

Bob Gelber licensed New York City tour guide

Bob Gelber

Licensed NYC Guide, Volunteer Emeritus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and 20 year-plus volunteer with Open House New York. Former Board member of the Guides Assn of NYC. Bob was an official guide in the Woolworth Building from 2013-2020 and thrilled to be leading tours in the building once again.
Ed Welter licensed New York City tour guide

Ed Welter

Licensed NYC guide with over forty years in the construction industry. Docent at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and former guide at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. He previously led Woolworth tours from 2014–2020 and now returns as the program resumes.

What guests are saying

  • We loved this tour. Our two tour guides were fantastic. They were knowledgable about the Woolworth’s building history and architectural significance having personal connections…
  • My husband and I took the Untapped New York tour of the lobby of the Woolworth Building on Saturday. Bob, our guide, was such a great story teller and shared his knowledge and love of this building…
  • We had a wonderful tour with Ed Welter around the City Hall area of lower Manhattan. He was extremely knowledgeable about the area – and all of NYC – and was able to provide history as well as …
  • I absolutely loved being part of the Woolworth Building tour! The building itself is breathtaking, but what truly made the experience special was our guide, Bob. He is incredibly knowledgeable and…
  • Even after living in Manhattan for over a decade there is still so much I don’t know. Ed Welter’s tour opened my eyes to a whole section of the city’s history that I had never really known about. He has a true…

Stay Connected to New York’s Hidden Stories

We’re continually developing new tours, special events, and unique ways to experience the city’s history, architecture, and hidden stories. Join our email list to be among the first to hear about upcoming tours, exclusive experiences, and special announcements.

Our Partners

Viator
UntappedNewYork
Guides Association of New York City
New York Adventure Club
Tripadvisor