5.0 ★ · 144 reviews · from USD45
The Garbage and Rats in NYC Walking Tour is a unique dive into dirty subjects: -how New York City is built on trash; -how rats thrive on human consumption; - and how NYC has dealt with both these filthy, disease-causing problems since 1626. We'll learn about rat biology and habits, garbage disposal systems, metaphorical rats (i.e. - corrupt people), and gross stories featuring all of the above. This is the intersection of science and history at its finest! The guide is a graduate of the New York City Trash Academy, the New York City Rat Academy, and a member of the New York City Rat Pack, "an elite squad of dedicated anti-rat activists." Rats, garbage, and New York City history are her passions! Please note: During the tour we may or may not see rats, but everyone will learn a lot about NYC's long history with garbage and rats!
Check Availability✓ This experience includes a guided walking tour.
✓ Max 15 people per tour for an intimate experience
✕ Bottled water
15 min
We will start on Wall Street and discuss its role as a garbage dump in Nieuw Amsterdam, as well as the official market for buying and renting enslaved African people.
1 hr
As we walk up South Street, we will discuss the history of garbage, landfill, rats, and the former Fulton Street Fish Market. We will also stop at the former site of Sportsman's Hall, a notorious "rat pit," to talk about rat fights.
25 min
We will visit DeLury Square and talk about the garbage strike of 1968, John DeLury, and the Sanitation Union. Then we shall stroll down the historic Ryder and Eden Alleys.
20 min
The tour continues up Ann Street, the site of an infamous rat attack in 1979, into Theatre Alley, and to City Hall Park. Along the way, we will dive into more rat lore and trash-y facts.
We will meet on the southeast corner of Wall Street and Pearl Street (in front of the Hyatt Hotel). The guide will have a sign for Off the Beaten Subway Track Walking Tours.
End Point
The tour officially ends by the Tweed Courthouse, which is convenient to several subway stops.