By Lubomir Rzepka
A walking tour is often bite-sized. A landmark is briefly examined, we are given the name of an architect that we are bound to soon forget— and, oh, hurry up along the way now because we’ve only got an hour left! But some walking tours do things a little differently, occasionally delving into the worlds of music, theatre, even VR, to offer up an experience that is truly immersive. Here are five walking tours in New York City that break the mold, allowing you to walk, wander and wonder.
Gates of Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn | PHOTO: Rhododendrites
1. ‘Nightfall’ by Death of Classical
Launching our list of walking tours in New York: one of the most exciting nights in New York occurs once a year on the alluring green expanse of Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. ‘Nightfall,’ hosted by ‘Death of Classical,’ is both a celebration of classical music and a sort of ‘walking-tour’ that takes place in a charming, haunting setting. Across Green-Wood’s varied crypts and burial grounds chamber music is played by a score of ensembles. Attendees walk the grounds unchaperoned, wandering from one serene concert to the next. The night culminates in one grand show. Although this is a yearly event, DOC hosts other cemetery-wide celebrations occasionally through the year. Due to their limited nature, it’s best to jump on these tickets early as soon as they’re available.
https://www.deathofclassical.com/concerts/nightfall-2024
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2. New York Narratives
What makes the tours at NYN so compelling is how deeply they delve into the history they cover. Each tour follows a very particular and complex story, the details of which are revealed and examined throughout the journey. Particularly fascinating selections include, ‘Malcolm X’s Harlem: Witnessing the Autobiography,’ which paints a rich and vibrant picture of the activist’s life as well as “Remembering Little Syria: The First Arab Americans,’ which showcases an often overshadowed side of the immigrant story. These curated tours are
bound to leave an impression.
https://www.newyorknarratives.com/
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- Read: Who is Meredith Monk? | Our guide to the American interdisciplinary artist
3. Horizon of Khufu: Journey in Ancient Egypt
Utilizing modern virtual-reality technology, ‘Horizon of Khufu,’ is a walking experience that allows visitors to explore the interior of the Pyramid of Giza in a massive Manhattan space. Visitors don VR goggles and are transported inside of the Egyptian architectural marvel all while given free reign to walk around the ruins and peruse the space as they please. With historians on
their creative team, the experience advertises itself as thoroughly researched, ‘highly authentic,’ and an accurate analog of the real thing— the VR world is detailed and immersive and, as far as walking tours go, this experience is one that is wholly unique.
www.horizonkheopsexperience.com/nyc
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4. Passing Stranger: East Village Poetry Walk
Unlike some of the other walking tours in New York on this list, this one is a little less bombastic and a little more personal. ‘Passing Stranger,’ is a walking tour that chronicles the poetry of New York greats (not exclusively household names) and sends you on a pilgrimage through the East Village in Manhattan. ‘Passing Stranger’ can certainly be undertaken by a group but it is one of the few adventures in this collection that is almost more compelling to embark on alone. The walking tour is self-guided and free. Poetry is narrated by filmmaker James Jarmusch and the accompanying score is by composer John Zorn, an integral part of NYC’s avant-garde music scene since the 80’s.
- Read: Who is Steve Reich? | Our guide to the celebrated American contemporary composer
- Read: Art installations in New York | 5 must-see installations in 2025
5. Accomplice: The Village
Our last entry on the list of walking tours in New York is just pure fun: ‘Accomplice,’ is a walking-tour/ show which also takes
place in New York’s Greenwich Village. The tour is only part of the event, however, as the
excitement begins when visitors are asked to solve riddles and interact with actors who pose as
passersby on the day’s walk. You can never truly be sure who’s part of the experience and who
isn’t— collaborative, intriguing, and consistently hilarious, ‘Accomplice,’ can make for a
particularly uproarious outing with a few good pals.
https://www.accomplicetheshow.com/shows/accomplice-the-village/