
What we’re about
OVERVIEW
This is a group for people either new to New York City, or have called the city home for awhile and are interested in discovering new neighborhoods and learning more about the city's fascinating history, architecture and culture. Most of our activities are professionally-guided walks of 3 - 5 miles within a NYC neighborhood that has distinct and unique qualities. They usually last from 2 to 4 hours. We sometimes have an optional social hour afterwards for a meal and/or a beverage at a local restaurant.
During the summer months we usually combine a walk with a free outdoor concert, often in the evenings. During the winter we'll have shorter outdoor walks coupled with a museum visit.
I also organize theme tours to add some spice and variety to honor holidays or famous New Yorkers. Our events are usually free with a voluntary donation which I do appreciate as I do spend time preparing and making sure that we have a high quality and memorable experience. When we have museum visits there may be an admission charge.
I started this group because I am a native New Yorker and have a successful dual career as a professional tour guide and real estate agent and I am affiliated with the prestigious Corcoran Group, which was started by pioneering entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran. I had a 25-year career as a social worker, including work in the South Bronx and throughout Brooklyn, and served on the teaching faculty of Columbia University, Fordham University, New School University, Hunter College and NYC Technical College.
I have a B.A, in English and a Master's Degree in Social Work, and have also been an exhibited visual artist with a focus on experimental and landscape photography. I love to introduce people to new neighborhoods and explore their past, present and future and also welcome the opportunity to learn from others. With the fast-pace of life here it is easy to overlook the hidden treasures and iconic buildings that we pass by every day. While I have a repertoire of touring a good 80 neighborhoods, I especially love Harlem (where I spent my formative years) due its many different areas, amazing history and beautiful architecture. Other favorites include the West Village, Lower Manhattan (where the City's history began), Flatiron/Gramercy, Upper West Side, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Long Island City, the East Village and Washington Heights.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
Your participation in the activities of Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods acknowledges that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness and health to participate in that activity.
As I have resumed in-person tours, proof of full vaccination is required to participate. You should also be physically fit and be able to walk several miles at a moderate pace.
There are always inherent risks that can cause or lead to injury, property damage, illness *including the coronavirus*, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others when participating in an activity. Some, but not all of these risks include: hazardous and unpredictable ground, water or weather conditions, traffic conditions, misjudgments made by the leader or a participant, the potential that a participant or others may act carelessly or recklessly, etc. etc.
Hank Orenstein and Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods cannot assure a participant’s safety or eliminate any of these risks. The participant is voluntarily participating in our activities with knowledge of these risks, and therefore the participant must accept full responsibility for the inherent and other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities, and for any injury, damage, death or other loss suffered by the participant.
By joining any event conducted by Hank Orenstein/Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods, the participant agrees to release and indemnify Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods and/or Hank Orenstein with regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees) for any injury, property damage, illness including the coronavirus, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others in any way connected with the participation in an activity.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hell's Kitchen Walking Tour -- and Free Live Jazz at Pier 84 on the Hudson!Columbus Circle Traffic Circle, New York, NY
RSVPs begin Wednesday July 30th at 8:00pm. Space is set aside for new members and and 2nd first timers who land on the waiting list. If this is you, email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.
This tour is free with an optional contribution to your organizer/guide payable after the tour by cash, venmo or zelle.
After a fun and interesting guided walk through the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, we'll arrive around 7:30pm at Pier 84 @ 44th Street and the Hudson River, just south of the Intrepid Museum. The free live music performance begins at 7:00pm and runs until around 8:30pm. On this night we can enjoy the jazz music of described below:
Renowned trombonist Clifton Anderson has shared the stage and studio with a diverse array of musical luminaries—from McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie and Lester Bowie to Stevie Wonder, Keith Richards and the Mighty Sparrow—and has captivated audiences worldwide with his rich sound, fine compositions and unique interpretations. A longtime regular in the groups of Sonny Rollins, his own sextet plays an exciting mix of swinging originals, high energy straight-ahead, calypso, funk & American songbook standards.
Meeting Place: Columbus Circle: Inside the circle by the sitting area by the statue- facing the Deutsche Bank Center (The shops at Columbus Circle). Restrooms inside: Up the escalator to the 2nd level. Please take care of business prior to the tour.
Tour description:
Hell's Kitchen has a very colorful history: like the Five Points downtown the area was once a haven and hangout for notorious Gangs of New York, along with dockworkers, factory workers -- even urban cowboys -- as well as immigrants from Ireland and Germany back in the 19th century. There were slaughterhouses, breweries, bordellos, lumber yards, tanneries and rail yards.Madison Square Garden was located in Hell's Kitchen from 1925-1968. You may be surprised at what the site looks like today. Vital cultural institutions include the Irish Arts Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (and School) and the famous Actor's Studio, which has trained many of our great performers over the years. Many parts of the area have undergone transformation -- with new housing, countless restaurants, off-Broadway Theatre and nightlife -- but it still has plenty of older tenement-style housing and a bit of its former character and grit. There's even a tavern that's been serving since 1868! Before we're done we will be sure to tell the story of how Hell's Kitchen got its name!
You can also hang out, socialize and enjoy part of the evening by the river along with the live music.
There are also restrooms at the end point of the tour at Pier 84.
For getting home afterwards, there's the M42 at 42nd Street making East and West Side subway connections ro West Side subways A,C,E, 1,2,3,N,R,Q at 42nd Street. The M50 also departs from there which also goes to the east side ending at East 49th Street and first avenue.Cheers from Hank!
646-596-3005
hankorenstein@gmail.com