New Village Walking Tours Offer Inspiring Trip Through History

Have you ever wondered about the history of the beautiful buildings in Greenwich Village? The newly launched Epic Walking Tours offers two experiences that take guests back in time. Its founder, a New York-raised local historian, writer and college professor, has high hopes that it will inspire people to follow in the footsteps of the innovators and trailblazers who once lived, advocated, and worked here.

The Greenwich Village Historic Walking Tour focuses on the impact of people and events from the 1620s to the 1960s. It includes stories about the courage of enslaved Africans, women, immigrants, actors, writers, political leaders, animal advocates and human rights activists. Guests on the tour will relive the events that shaped our culture, from the American Revolution to the Civil Rights Movement. The tour also includes stories about public hangings, criminal trials, assassinations, bank robbers and mobsters in the Village.

The Greenwich Village Variety Walking Tour offers a more contemporary exploration of history. It examines the musicians, artists, writers, actors, athletes, comedians, rebels, architects, entrepreneurs, and innovators who lived and worked in the Village. Guests learn about what inspired them and how they impacted society. This tour also includes a haunted house and stories about murderers and mayhem in the Village.

Local resident Andrew Kirschner leads the tours. A licensed New York City sightseeing tour guide, he earned a star rating from the Department of Consumer Affairs for his knowledge of New York’s history. Dr. Kirschner has a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s and Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

“I created Epic Walking Tours to inspire people,” Kirschner said. “I chose the Village for the tours because so many heroes and innovators have lived, worked, and advocated here. People have come to the Village for centuries to realize their dreams and give voice to causes that matter to them, which is still the case today.” Kirschner also plans on donating tours to nonprofit organizations for their fundraisers to help support their work.

Kirschner said he has a few favorite stops on the tours that guests would not likely find on other tours but prefers to keep them a surprise. One of the more well-known stops on the tour is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory just east of Washington Square Park in what is now known as the Brown Building.

Interested parties can visit epicwalkingtours.com to learn more and book a tour. Village View readers will receive 20% off the tours by using promo code “VillageView20%Off” at checkout through April 1, 2024.