New York History

Happy Halloween! Beneath the vibrant surface of New York City lies a darker narrative—one filled with tales of ghosts, hauntings, and urban legends. From historic buildings to eerie parks, the Big Apple is home to many spooky landmarks that beckon brave souls to explore their haunted pasts. If you’re looking for a chilling adventure, here…

New York City is a dream destination for many, but it doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With a little savvy planning, you can enjoy all the wonders of the Big Apple without spending a fortune. Here’s your guide to exploring NYC on a budget, filled with free attractions, affordable eats, and cost-saving travel tips….

New York City is a place brimming with surprises. From quirky historical tidbits to little-known cultural trivia, the city offers endless fascinating stories. Whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or a first-time visitor, these fun and interesting facts about NYC will surely pique your curiosity. And guess what? Many of these facts can be experienced…

New York City, a melting pot of cultures and traditions, is always buzzing with unique events and festivals that reflect its diverse population. From grand, city-wide celebrations to local neighborhood gatherings, there’s always something happening in the city that never sleeps. In this guide, we’ll dive into NYC’s local traditions and festivals, offering insider tips…

Every June, cities around the world come alive with the vibrant colors of the rainbow flag as they celebrate Pride Month, honoring the LGBTQIA+ community and its history, struggles, and triumphs. Among these celebrations, New York City stands out as a beacon of progress and resilience. The NYC Pride Parade, one of the largest and…

As February unfolds its wintry embrace, New York City dons another coat, one woven with the threads of history, culture, and resilience. In honor of Black History Month, let’s embark on a fascinating journey through the diverse neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn, where echoes of the past intertwine with the vibrancy of the present. Harlem:…

In the heart of New York City, where history and modernity blend seamlessly, lies a culinary haven: the Flatiron District and Union Square. The Flatiron Food Tour offers an exceptional journey, combining rich history, stunning architecture, and a culinary adventure. Stepping into Architecture and History: Flatiron and Union Square To truly appreciate the beauty of…

To truly feel the essence of New York City, it is important to experience a culinary adventure through its diverse communities.  Within downtown’s bustling streets lie three neighborhoods with incredible stories to share: the Lower East Side, Chinatown and Little Italy. Steeped in history and filled with culinary treasures, these neighborhoods still retain the imprint…

As fireworks light up the sky and parades fill the streets, Americans across the country come together on the Fourth of July to celebrate America’s independence. This historic occasion marks the birth of a nation that has long prided itself on the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity. While the Fourth of July commemorates the…

Westgate New York Grand Central and Like a Local Tours Join Forces for an Exclusive “Limited Run” Event New York City – June 9, 2023 – Westgate New York Grand Central is thrilled to announce its partnership with Like A Local Tours for an extraordinary “limited run” event. This collaboration aims to offer guests an…

We have been running our very popular Chelsea Market, High Line & Hudson Yards Food & History Tour for about six years now, and we FINALLY had a photographer take the tour to get updated photos. WOW! We were blown away by the shots she captured!   Here’s what chatGPT had to say about why…

Greenwich Village, also known simply as “the Village,” is a vibrant neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. With its winding streets, tree-lined sidewalks, and charming brownstones, Greenwich Village is a favorite among both locals and tourists alike. But there’s much more to this neighborhood than its picturesque streets. In this blog post, we’ll explore…

Chelsea Market is a very popular mixed use development that opened in 1997. It is located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The Chelsea Market complex fills an entire city block bounded by Ninth and Tenth Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets, with a connecting bridge over Tenth Avenue to the…

Red Hook is located on a peninsula in southwestern Brooklyn and is known for its diverse community, rich history, and unique geography. It’s one of the only places in Brooklyn with a clear view of the Statue of Liberty. In fact, Red Hook offers the only frontal views of the Statue of Liberty in NYC….

We are excited to announce the launch of our first Harlem based Social Impact Tour. This social impact experience will allow travelers and companies to connect with local organizations that do good in Harlem. On this tour guests are able to support hyper-local, community-based organizations and learn about the movements and people behind them, while…

Autumn in New York City is a sight to behold. As the leaves turn their brilliant colors, the city transforms into a cultural cacophony of sights, smells and sounds. You’ll find everything from breathtaking walks through Central Park to intimate dinners with friends at some of New York’s best restaurants. Below are our favorite ways…

This historic island has been a popular location for picnics, military training and even concerts. Though it was originally part of the city’s defensive plans, Governor’s Island is now home to a unique mix of recreational activities and historical sites. Located in New York Harbor between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, this small island—just…

Our guides at Like A Local Tours are more than just walking encyclopedias. They are part entertainer, part concierge, part stand-up comic, part friend, and whatever else you might need on tour!  Our tour guides bring destinations to life through the art of storytelling and leave lasting impressions with top-notch customer service. We asked a few of our guides some of the biggest questions they are asked on tour. We love how unique each of their answers are! Part of what sets our guides apart here at Like A Local is their individual personality and their own perspectives they bring to the tours they give. Take a chance to get to know a bit more about some of the shining faces you’ll see while out on tour!

Immigrant New York Food Tour: Lower East Side New Time Available! With so many different foods, cultures and neighborhoods in New York City, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we created the New Immigrant New York Food Tour! You’ll get to sample the best food that immigrants brought here over…

With warmer weather on it’s way, now is a great time to book a spot on our fantastic Flatiron Food, Architecture, and History Tour! This tour isn’t just for out-of-towners, with our expanded food stops it’s sure to help locals find new favorites too. Check out this review we recently received: “Really great tour! I…

OCTOBER 15, 2021: (NEW YORK, NEW YORK) — With fall in full swing and cooler weather around the corner, Like A Local Tours, a Brooklyn-based tour company, has announced the launch of its new Fifth Avenue Walking Tour. This tour is the perfect way to enjoy a change of seasons in the city, while also…

Fifth Avenue is home to much more than just high end shopping. From the history to the architecture and now…. the art! Here are a few highlights of what we see on our Fifth Avenue Walking Tour: Stand under a famous street artist mural for an optical illusion image. According to his website, “JR has…

Fifth Avenue Hidden Secrets & Special Access Tour! Hello New York City! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Fifth Avenue Walking Tour in partnership with the Fifth Avenue Association: the Fifth Avenue Hidden Secrets & History Tour! Launching September 12! Book your tickets now! Did you know that … The huge…

2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the birth of Gay Rights activism, making New York City the home for World Pride. These days we know Gay Pride as a movement for equality for all who identify as LGTBQIA. It has brought us powerful progressive legislation and now the first openly gay…

March is Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day is March 8. We are proud to present a series of articles about some serious NYC and Brooklyn boss babes both past and present! Enjoy! Who runs the world? GIRLS! Who runs Russ and Daughters? ALSO GIRLS! We love the story of this traditional bagel and…

I’m not what people are expecting when they first meet me, that’s for sure. I simply say ‘hello’, and their faces make this weird twisty look as they try to figure out where I’m from, whether I am qualified for the job, and if they’ve made the right decision to do this thing in the…

We are so excited to share the coverage of our one of our New York City food tours in Australia’s national Traveller (2.5 million readers!). Here are a few excerpts: There are much more imposing structures in New York City than the 22-storey Flatiron Building. The Chrysler building is arguably the most beautiful. The Empire…

Along a stretch of midtown Manhattan streets less than a mile in length stand some of the most important buildings in the country. In this compact area, the world’s most influential architects gave birth to American Modernism, built its undisputed triumphs, and sang its swan songs. The story hinges on four Modern landmarks: the United…

The story of immigration and migration in the United States is one that can be told through the history of New York City. Our Lower East Side Food Tour tells all and fills your tummy all while meeting the people that make NYC what it is! Most immigrants who came to New York City in…

We are so excited to introduce you to Ariel Rodriguez of La Sonrisa, a Pop-Up Empanada company selling in artisan markets and parks throughout NYC. Their mission: We specialize in selling high quality, affordable, fast, and delicious food options.  We offer competitive wages in our industry, leadership opportunities, team building environments, and a positive work culture. …