Garbage and Rats in New York City Walking Tour
Overview
About
Experience the Unique Charm of New York City's Neighborhoods: A Guided Walking Tour of Iconic Streets and Hidden Treasures
What you'll do
What is included?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
What is not included?
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Meet your host
Itinerary
New York City Walking Tours Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do
Explore the full itinerary for Garbage and Rats in New York City Walking Tour in New York City, United States. This walking tours experience includes 4 stops over 1 day. Duration: 2 hours. Activity level: Moderate.
Here is the starting point
Wall Street
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.
South Street Seaport Historic District
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.
DeLury Square
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.
City Hall Area
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.
This concludes the tour.
Walking Tours