Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York City
by Matthew LaSpata
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$80Overview
The tour starts on Fifth Avenue outside a mansion where the guide introduces the Gilded Age period and New York society, explaining the background of the owner and architects. Then the group enters a mansion to hear about a scandal involving its architect. The guide will share the story of a former owner's ex-wife, who was a pioneer for women's rights in America. Next, the tour covers the story of an owner who went to prison for a major American scandal, connections between two reclusive owners and a famous early New York figure, and how a mansion was saved from demolition. Visitors learn about the unexpected size of another mansion and a former owner's gift that funds full scholarships at a top American university. The group then visits The Metropolitan Museum of Art, going inside for about 10 minutes to learn about the Met Gala and its ties to Gilded Age glamour. The tour continues with a story of a famous former resident who helped protect one of the most notable Gilded Age buildings from destruction. At the Neue Galerie, the guide explains the Vanderbilt family's connection to the building and how they became America's wealthiest and most influential family. The tour concludes with stories about a mansion owner who was a pioneer in philanthropy supporting science, arts, and peace; a surprising link between another owner and celebrities Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and The Jonas Brothers; and how one owner defied New York society by building a mansion despite warnings. This walking tour lasts about two hours and includes access to the mansions visited. Snacks are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
First Mansion Exterior
The tour begins outside the first mansion. The guide explains the background of the owner, the architects, and introduces the Gilded Age period and New York society.
10 min
Second Mansion Interior
Visitors enter this mansion and hear a scandalous story involving the architect.
10 min
Ex-Wife Pioneer Story
The guide tells how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women’s rights in America.
5 min
Scandal and Preservation Stories
Learn about one former owner who went to prison due to a major American scandal, how two reclusive owners connected to a famous early New York figure, and how this mansion was saved from destruction.
10 min
Scholarship Gift Mansion
Discover a surprise about this mansion’s size and how a former owner left a gift that funds full scholarships at a leading American university.
10 min
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The group enters the Met for about 10 minutes to learn about the Met Gala and its connection to Gilded Age glamour.
10 min
Preservation Hero Story
Hear how a famous former resident helped save one of the most well-known Gilded Age buildings from being demolished.
5 min
Neue Galerie
Learn about the Vanderbilt family’s connection to this building and their rise as America’s richest and most influential family.
5 min
Philanthropy Mansion
Discover how the owner of this mansion pioneered philanthropy in science education, the arts, and peace efforts.
10 min
Celebrity Connection
Hear about the surprising connection between one owner and celebrities Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and The Jonas Brothers.
5 min
Defiant Mansion Owner
Learn how one owner was warned not to build the mansion but went ahead despite New York society’s opposition.
5 min
Meeting point
We will meet you on the steps at the building at 1 East 78th street. Right on 78th street, just off 5th avenue.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York City
by Matthew LaSpata
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$80Overview
The tour starts on Fifth Avenue outside a mansion where the guide introduces the Gilded Age period and New York society, explaining the background of the owner and architects. Then the group enters a mansion to hear about a scandal involving its architect. The guide will share the story of a former owner's ex-wife, who was a pioneer for women's rights in America. Next, the tour covers the story of an owner who went to prison for a major American scandal, connections between two reclusive owners and a famous early New York figure, and how a mansion was saved from demolition. Visitors learn about the unexpected size of another mansion and a former owner's gift that funds full scholarships at a top American university. The group then visits The Metropolitan Museum of Art, going inside for about 10 minutes to learn about the Met Gala and its ties to Gilded Age glamour. The tour continues with a story of a famous former resident who helped protect one of the most notable Gilded Age buildings from destruction. At the Neue Galerie, the guide explains the Vanderbilt family's connection to the building and how they became America's wealthiest and most influential family. The tour concludes with stories about a mansion owner who was a pioneer in philanthropy supporting science, arts, and peace; a surprising link between another owner and celebrities Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and The Jonas Brothers; and how one owner defied New York society by building a mansion despite warnings. This walking tour lasts about two hours and includes access to the mansions visited. Snacks are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
First Mansion Exterior
The tour begins outside the first mansion. The guide explains the background of the owner, the architects, and introduces the Gilded Age period and New York society.
10 min
Second Mansion Interior
Visitors enter this mansion and hear a scandalous story involving the architect.
10 min
Ex-Wife Pioneer Story
The guide tells how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women’s rights in America.
5 min
Scandal and Preservation Stories
Learn about one former owner who went to prison due to a major American scandal, how two reclusive owners connected to a famous early New York figure, and how this mansion was saved from destruction.
10 min
Scholarship Gift Mansion
Discover a surprise about this mansion’s size and how a former owner left a gift that funds full scholarships at a leading American university.
10 min
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The group enters the Met for about 10 minutes to learn about the Met Gala and its connection to Gilded Age glamour.
10 min
Preservation Hero Story
Hear how a famous former resident helped save one of the most well-known Gilded Age buildings from being demolished.
5 min
Neue Galerie
Learn about the Vanderbilt family’s connection to this building and their rise as America’s richest and most influential family.
5 min
Philanthropy Mansion
Discover how the owner of this mansion pioneered philanthropy in science education, the arts, and peace efforts.
10 min
Celebrity Connection
Hear about the surprising connection between one owner and celebrities Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and The Jonas Brothers.
5 min
Defiant Mansion Owner
Learn how one owner was warned not to build the mansion but went ahead despite New York society’s opposition.
5 min
Meeting point
We will meet you on the steps at the building at 1 East 78th street. Right on 78th street, just off 5th avenue.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.