The Downtown Dozen

GREENWICH VILLAGE

For years Greenwich Village has been home to bohemians, musicians, novelists, poets, play writers and the overall counter culture of New York City. A stroll down Grove Street is one of my favorite walks in New York City. The 19th century brownstones, the tree lined blocks and the old jazz clubs reminds you that New York City is not all skyscrapers and business offices. Sites include: The Friend's TV show building, Marie's Crisis (The site of Thomas Pain's Death), Arthur's Tavern Jazz Club where Charlie Parker played, Emma Goldman's residence, Grove Court, Chumley's Restaurant, and other sites which reference Woody Allen, Rodney Dangerfield, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Hart Crane, O' Henry, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and much more.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

As one stands in Washington Square Park amongst the hustle and bustle of New York University students running to classes, the hippies sitting in the grass playing Bob Dylan songs on their acoustic guitars, the chess players planning their next moves and the amazing street performers, it is hard to imagine that beneath your feet lies about 20,000 thousand burials from the yellow fever epidemics from the 18th and 19th century. A burial ground, a dueling and execution ground under British rule and the epicenter of the folk movement in the 1960's, Washington Square Park's history is as diverse as the people who hang out there. Sites include: The Row Houses, Edith Wharton's home, Henry James Home, Will Smith's Home from "I am Legend," The Washington Memorial Arch, The Triangle Shirt Waist Factory, Scenes from " When Harry Met Sally," and much more.

SOHO

From the industrial days of the rag trade industry, to an affordable artist community, and now one of the most expensive residential and shopping neighborhoods, Soho has seen it all. We'll explore the transformation of this neighborhood and it's collection of cast iron building that makes Soho so unique. Sites include: The Haughwhout Building, The Old Police Headquarters, Heath Ledgers last home, and of course all the great shops and boutiques.

LITTLE ITALY

With the expansion of Chinatown, Little Italy has dwindled down to just a few blocks, but it's rich history and culture can still be discovered in New York City. Before the unification of southern Italy in 1861, Italians were forbidden to emigrate. In 1861 this all changed and Italians from southern Italy made the journey to the United States in search of work. This was one solution for the unemployment problem of the Italian government. Italians would come to United States to earn a living and send money back home to their suffering families. Some settled in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Massachusetts, but thousands settled in lower Manhattan. Sites include: The Stabile Bank, Church of the Transfiguration, Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Ferrara's, and much more.

CHINATOWN

Although the Chinese presence in New York can be traced back to 1784, it was the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 and the reformation of the immigration laws in 1965 that opened the floodgates. Walking through Chinatown is the next best thing to visiting Beijing. The true sense of the term "cultural melting pot" can be experienced as you walk through Chinatown. Fresh fish flopping around on ice, live frogs in large plastic bins, the sounds of Mandarin and Cantonese conversations, will make you feel as if you have left the country. As well as experiencing the rich cultural traditions of the Chinese we will also take a peak into the dark underworld of Chinese gang life. We will walk into the old tunnels that the Chinese built as escape routes from the police and where many of their battles were fought. These old tunnels today have been turned into underground offices for Chinese businesses. Other sites include: The markets on Mott Street, The CCBA, Port Arthur's Restaurant, Pell Street, Joe's Shanghai, The Bloody Angle and more.

THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

Although the bustling Fulton Fish Market has moved to the Bronx, you can still smell 189 years of fish from this old market. The shops at Pier 17 have something for everyone, but the view of The Brooklyn Bridge from the 3rd floor is one of the best-kept secrets in New York City. Sites include: Schermerhorn Row, The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge, The Fulton Ferry Landing where George Washington made his famous escape during the American revolution, Pier 17 shops and much more.

WALL STREET

Wall Street has so much history that one could spend a whole day just touring this street itself. It was in 1653 that Peter Stuyvesant built his wall to keep out the encroaching English and the Indians. But since then Wall Street has been home to some of the most important moments in US history. From the swearing in of George Washington as our first president to the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement, which formed the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Streets rich history will transport you back in time. Sites include: Federal Hall National Memorial, The New York Stock Exchange, The old Bank of Manhattan Building, Trinity Church, and much more.

FRAUNCES TAVERN

Initially the home of Stephen Delancey in 1719, the house was sold to Samuel Fraunces in 1762. Fraunces turned the home into the Queens Head Tavern, which became one of the most popular taverns of its time. With the outbreak of the American Revolution Samuel Fraunces wisely came to the conclusion to change the name of his tavern to Fraunces Tavern. The tavern became a meeting place for the Son's of Liberty to discuss their rebellion for independence against the British. George Washington became friends with Samuel Fraunces and had his farewell party to his officers here on Dec 4th, 1783 after the war ended.

GROUND ZERO / THE FORMER WORLD TRADE CENTER SITE

No matter where you were, no one will forget the horrific tragedy of 911. Together we will share our stories and discuss the new plans for the site. We will also visit Saint Paul's Chapel, which was the base for the rescue workers during their heroic efforts to search for survivors and clear the debris. Sites include: Saint Paul's Chapel, The World Financial Center, The Firemen's Memorial, and much more.