Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York
Description
This is the only Gilded Age Mansions tour in New York City recommended by Condé Nast Traveler magazine and listed by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most unique experiences in New York City. Scandals! Murder! Romance Architecture! Step inside some of the few remaining Gilded Age mansions of Fifth Avenue and learn about the people who lived in and designed these masterpieces. Great for fans of the HBO show, The Gilded Age. As America's new millionaires competed to see who could have the most ornate mansion alongside the newly created Central Park they spent vast sums of money to hire architects inspired by European palaces to build structures the likes of which had never been seen in America. You will hear stories of power, greed, love and generosity from a time when America was quickly becoming one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. Does not include tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our first mansion we view from the outside, learn about the owner, architects and get an introduction to the Gilded Age and New York Society
We go inside the mansion and hear a scandalous story about the architect.
We learn about how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women in America.
We learn why one of the former owners went to prison for one of the biggest scandals in American history, how two reclusive owners had a link to one of the most famous men in early New York history, and how this beautiful building was saved from destruction.
We discover a surprise about the size of this mansion and how a former owner left a gift that helps many students get a full scholarship to one of the best universities in America.
We go inside and learn about the Met Gala and how the Met has an fun connection to Gilded Age glamor.
We learn how a famous former resident helped save one of the most famous and beautiful Gilded Age buildings from being destroyed.
We learn the Vanderbilt connection to this building and discover how the Vanderbilts became the richest family in America and one of the most influential.
We discover how the owner of this mansion was a pioneer in philanthropy in America and contributed to science education, the arts and peace.
We learn how the owner of this building has a surprising connection to Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and The Jonas brothers.
We hear how the owner of this building was warned not to build it, but defied New York society and built it anyway.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(1,203)
Zach our guide made the tour great. He’s super knowledgeable, engaging, tells interesting stories about the guilded age and made the tour really fun. This is a great way to spend a few hours in Manhattan.
This was a gem of a tour! It was easy to find the meeting location and our tour guide, Luke. The tour itself was well organized and extremely informative. The walking was easy and although a bit warm, there were several stops in the shade where there was seating outdoors and provided us a break. We also got the chance to go into a few mansions and the Met, where we had a bathroom/water break. Out tour guide, Luke was phenomenal! He was knowledgeable, kept things moving and interesting, and had a GREAT sense of humor! We recommend this tour highly and without reservation.
Very informative, entertaining history of Guilded Age with architectural facts added as well as secret facts
The tour was terrible. Minimum historic facts were given, only cheap jokes, the tour is suitable for people who has zero knowledge about American history and architecture
This tour has received hundreds of 5 star reviews from guests who specifically mention they appreciate the knowledgeable, professional guides who provide specific architectural and historical details in a passionate, entertaining manner involving brief moments of humor as well so that the tour is not simply like a boring lecture, but rather involves intricate storytelling to bring The Gilded Age to life. In regards to the statement that “minimum historic facts were given” and “the tour is suitable for people who has zero knowledge about American history and architecture” the tour actually goes into great detail about the time: describing why this time period is called “The Gilded Age”, how the new money families like the Vanderbilts were trying to get into the society of The Four Hundred, why a man named Ward McAllister came up with the phrase “The Four Hundred, how the “new money” American millionaires and their architects were inspired by European architecture and sought to specifically recreate various design elements n their new mansions including the influence of High Italian Renaissance, French Gothic, English Georgian architecture, and Beaux Arts design, among others. The tour includes little-known facts about architects like Stanford White, Richard Morris Hunt, C.P.H. Gilbert and one of America’s first prominent African American architects Julian Abel among others. The tour also explores the pioneering philanthropic efforts of people like Andrew Carnegie, James B. Duke, his daughter Doris Duke, Frieda Warburg, Isaac Fletcher and others. Rather than being “suitable for people who has zero knowledge about American history and architecture” many of the guests already have a great deal of knowledge on these subjects and appreciate the fact that questions and comments are encouraged and guides are able to answer questions to go deeper into a topic providing even greater detail and background information. These guests enjoy learning even more about this time period and the connections made that involve how many historians and sociologists believe America is experiencing a new Gilded Age at the start of the 21st century as tech billionaires amass fortunes that, even adjusted for inflation surpass those of the Gilded Age and how the income inequality and technological revolutions we see today, in many ways mirror those we see looking back at the Gilded Age. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Our tour guide engaged us from the beginning. He was personable, knowledgeable, and paid attention to where the noise and the direct sun were to move us to a better spot. He connected the present-day mansions to the HBO show, The Gilded Age. It was a worthwhile tour.
I’m glad your guide as personable, knowledgeable and paid attention to details like sun exposure and noise to provide the best possible experience, and that you also appreciated the connection to the HBO show, The Gilded Age. Thanks for your review!
Our tour guide Luke was amazing. He was knowledgeable, had good energy and kept the tour engaging and fun. The houses on the tour are amazing and to learn the history of some of these houses was incredible.
I’m glad Luke was amazing, knowledgeable, with good energy and kept the tour engaging and fun, and that you appreciated the amazing houses and incredible history. Thanks for your review!
Had a great tour! Very informative, fun, interesting and Care was an amazing guide.
Our guide was amazing and knowledgeable. I would recommend to all my family and friends.
I’m glad you guide as amazing and knowledgeable and that you’d recommend this to all your friends and family. Thanks for your review!
Our tour guide Zach was great! Loved the Ragtime and Gilded Age tie ins. Perfect amount of walking, stopping, and information.
I’m glad Zach was a great guide and that you loved the e Ragtime, Gilded Age tie-ins and the perfect amount of walking stopping and information. Thanks for your review!
The guide was very informed and articulate. Some wonderful locations unfortunately some are covered with scaffolding, but that’s not your fault. The tour was long enough, but not too long. Really enjoyed it.
I’m glad you appreciated the very informed, articulate guide and found the tour was just long enough, but not too long. Thanks for your review!
