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Purefinder New York

Uncover the dark, true stories of NYC history on walking tours that skip the myths and get to the grit.
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Written by Michael Stickle (Time Out) in partnership with Purefinder New York
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Forget Hamilton singalongs and ghost stories that rely on jump scares. Purefinder New York offers something far more provocative: walking tours rooted in the city’s most inconvenient truths. Founded on the premise that New York’s history is far stranger and darker than fiction, these offbeat tours are meticulously researched, unsanitized and not remotely concerned with whether you’re comfortable.

This isn’t history with a halo. Purefinder New York’s lineup includes Central Park Scandal & Vice (spoiler: not everyone was picnicking), The Outlaws Who Built NYC (because robber barons and political fixers rarely get the Ken Burns treatment) and Twilight Tour: Death in New York, a moonlit wander through some of the city’s more creatively tragic demises. All kidding aside, these aren't your run-of-the-mill "organized crime" or "famous deaths" tours. Be prepared to learn how the city—and the country—was shaped by people and events that might not be so admirable, but were undeniably influential. These are stories where outlaws helped invent law enforcement, vice led to reform and the most shocking deaths often left behind something more interesting than just a crime scene.

Each tour peels back the layers of city mythology to reveal what actually happened, using public records, archival research and a tone that gently reminds you this was never the land of moral high ground. No ghosts, no myths, no pretending everyone was just chasing the American Dream in a corset.

Time Out called Purefinder New York’s excursions a look into the “forbidden” parts of NYC, which hits. They dive into the murky waters of policy, power and public spectacle with the kind of curiosity that keeps grad students up at night. And while the summer features a tighter three-tour rotation, the full seven-tour lineup is expected to return in September for those who prefer their urban history with a side of corrective perspective.

Tours are led by historians not hype men, and each one covers real locations tied to events that actually happened. You’ll leave a bit smarter, possibly a little disturbed and definitely more suspicious of the nearest historic plaque.

Wear walking shoes. Maybe leave your rose-colored glasses at home.

Check out their website and book your tour today.

Purefinder New York says

Purefinder New York offers an unforgettable look into the hidden history of New York City. Our tours dive deep into thought-provoking themes such as the history of death, mental health, historic correctional facilities, epidemics, the institutional islands of NYC, New Deal policies, legislative transformations, and much more. We bypass the myths, ghosts, and legends to focus on the real stories that shaped the city, revealing the truth behind New York’s complex past.

Led by expert guides, our tours are based on thorough research and dramatic storytelling, providing you with a fresh, insightful perspective on the evolution of this iconic city. Whether you’re a visitor or a lifelong New Yorker, Purefinder New York’s tours offer a deeper connection to the city’s hidden history, uncovering stories that aren’t usually told.

Purefinder’s seven New York tours are up and running again.

Death in New York: Extended Daylight Tour
Immerse yourself in New York’s rich history of death, burial, epidemics, and execution on this in-depth 2.75-hour tour.

Twilight Tour: Death in New York
Explore stories of burial grounds, executions, and forgotten dead as the city transitions from day to night.

The Psychiatric History of New York
Take an analytical stroll through the evolution of psychiatry on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Oppenheimer in New York
Walk through the mind of a man—J. Robert Oppenheimer—the making of an era, and the streets that shaped them both.

Hell Gate
Explore the treacherous waters of Hell Gate, a notorious one-mile stretch of the East River between Manhattan and Astoria, Queens, that has claimed countless ships with its deadly currents, jagged reefs, and legendary whirlpools.

Central Park: Scandal & Vice
Discover the secrets hiding in plain sight inside New York City’s most iconic park.

The Outlaws Who Built NYC
Scandal. Subterfuge. Street-level rebellion. The real architects of New York City weren’t saints. They were schemers.

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