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Tour A - Back to the Old Country - The Ethnic Apple Tour
Our ethnic mosaic tour
Fridays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Great urban vistas that are typically not seen. Ethnic
neighborhoods that are part of the unique mosaic of the city. This
tour combines them both!
Our tour begins with a ride on an aerial tram, with our bikes on
board, high over the East River. The ride is surely like none other in
the world with its 360 degree panorama of the big apple .(And, if you
are very, very lucky, you might get a glimpse of Spiderman, as this
tram played a major role in one of his recent film adventures!) Its
destination, Roosevelt Island, "a city in the city," which was once
viewed as a "dumping ground for undesirables" - but no longer. With
quiet streets and parks and wonderful river promenades, it is today
very "in," although seldom visited except by its residents.
In Queens, we pedal under the imposing Queensboro Bridge to
Gantry State Park. At this historic location we can see restored
"gantries" and learn about their critical role in the city's commerce
in the first part of the 20th century. The view across the East
River, directly opposite the United Nations and what was the world's tallest
apartment building, provides an unforgettable photo opportunity.
As we enter Brooklyn, we have a first hand opportunity to
appreciate more of the fascinating nature of the city. Is it like a
"melting pot," in which diverse immigrant groups meld together? Or is
it more like a "salad bowl," in which different cultures mix together
but still keep their own customs and traditions? Or, is it a bit of both?
The most dramatic example of our salad bowl comes out bursting
with flavor in Williamsburg, the Brooklyn neighborhood where Hassidic
Jews continue their century's old culture of the most religious of
Eastern European Jews. On Friday, the day before the
Jewish Sabbath, with its strict prohibition on any "labor," the
community is bustling! As we pedal on its main street and its side
streets, you will find it hard to believe that you
are in New York City in the 21st century! But we want you to do more than
just stare, as we explain to you the traditional culture and how it
has adapted, on its own terms, to the broader American society.
Just blocks away from Williamsburg is Greenpoint, a vibrant Polish
neighborhood that keeps its roots with a sense of pride, food, and
language. Here you see how New Yorkers live outside the frantic pace
and congestion of Manhattan. Then, a simple turn of the corner brings
us to the very "hip" neighborhood of younger, trendy New Yorkers, who
bring
with them their transportation of choice - the bicycle! Their ride,
as well as ours, is across the Williamsburg Bridge, which provides
more rarely seen views of the city and its skyline.
As we leave the bridge the
pace of the city takes over, for we are in the heart of the Lower East
Side of Manhattan. Here early and recent arrivals from Europe, Puerto
Rico, the Dominican Republic, and China are mixed together with
assimilated New Yorkers. All are seeking an "inexpensive" place to
live in Manhattan. And all are seeking, like generations before them,
"a bargain" place to shop.
As we complete this tour, we pass directly in front of the
United Nations. What better place than this to reflect on the unique
urban mosaic that makes The Big Apple such a fascinating place to
explore, especially by bike!
Enjoy a “Bike and Bite” delicious ethnic Thai or Polish luncheon! (food cost not included)
“I just wanted to say thanks for such a brilliant tour. I've been to NYC about four or five
times and I have to say it was the best day I've ever had there!! Getting to explore the outskirts
of Manhattan was great, the guides really looked after us and were pretty much able to answer
every question put to them and were full of information about every place we went!!”
--Síobhra Rush, Dublin, Ireland
This tour leaves every Friday,
year-round, weather permitting, at 10:00 am from the Upper East
Side of Manhattan (near the 68th street on the #6 subway). It
is approximately 15 miles and will last about 7 hours. (It is also available, by special request, any weekday)
The $90 cost includes the bike, a helmet, and the licensed tour guide ($10 less with your own bike).
*Note: Continuing through the summer, the city has closed the Roosevelt Island tramway.
Accordingly, until it is re-opened, this tour will omit that section. All is not lost, however, as this will
give us an opportunity to explore even more aspects of ethnic Queens with you!
Click below to reserve your spot:
(Select the date you would like a reservation on, then click "Reserve Spot")
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