Travel

Item Description

True Crime and a Tipsy Tour in New York, New York for Four Days & Three Nights at Either the Westin New York Grand Central, Sofitel New York Hotel, Element Times Square New York West or New York Marriott Marquis for Two, including a Stories from the Dark Side Tour Led by an NYPD Officer, and a Speakeasy History and Drinking Tour (Land Only). Even if you think you know New York City well - the world-class museums, amazing food, incredible energy, and unforgettable views - there's always something new and exciting to discover! The city is steeped in history and has dark side just waiting to be discovered on this ex-NYPD-led tour, ideal for true-crime buffs wanting an educational and informative scoop on this fascinating part of the city's past. The booze-themed speakeasy tour welcomes you into the world of bootlegging, unmarked doors, back alleyways, phone booths and gangsters, with visits to several bars so you can sip cocktails as they did during the Prohibition Era. Trace New York City's sordid past on a crime tour led by an ex-NYPD officer or detective, who will regale you with tales of Manhattan's historic organized crime. Walk to once crime-ridden locales across Chinatown, the Lower East Side, and Wall Street, visit crime sites and mob haunts, hear stories of gang warfare, and learn about crime rings, chart killings, turf wars, and the Mafia. You'll also discover how, and to what extent, today's city has cleaned up its act. Pass by Trinity Church on your way to Wall Street, which has been fraught with white-collar crime, and find out the going rate for a get-out-of-jail-free card. Irish gangs weren't the only group to terrorize the Lower East Side. Throughout the 1900s, the Italian mafia kept the Little Italy district in a chokehold. While exploring the Lower East Side, you'll see tenement buildings where Irish immigrants lived in subhuman conditions. The most notorious area here was the "Five Points" - a junction so infamous for its gang crime (rumor has it some even lived in burrows under the streets!) that Charles Dickens came to check it out for himself on a trip to NYC, not believing it could live up to its reputation. It did, of course, as your guide will tell you. Your last stop will be in Chinatown, where during the 1970s and 1980s, the area was dominated by Chinese turf wars that were so bloody, you'd hardly believe the stories! Kick-off your Speakeasy and History tour of Midtown Manhattan in the late afternoon at a departure point on West 52nd Street. Over the course of the tour, visit three local bars, learn details about the history of Prohibition in New York, and purchase a drink if you wish. Make the first stop of the evening at Flute Bar, the original speakeasy that got its start during the 1920s. Though the cocktails today flow freely at this historic spot, the location continues to maintain its secretive appeal. Stop at the Empire State Building, Studio 54, and Hell's Kitchen as you continue to another historic Victorian bar, learning more from your guide about the various watering holes that once populated Midtown areas like Times Square, Hell's Kitchen, and Broadway, one of New York's most famous streets. Finish the trip with one final tasting, this time in the setting of a local beer garden. Relax in modern comfort at one of four excellent hotels in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The Westin New York Grand Central boasts contemporary features and unmatched service for an unparalleled experience. Situated on 42nd Street at 3rd Avenue, The Westin puts you just a few short blocks from renowned landmarks, including the United Nations Headquarters, the Empire State Building, Bryant Park and The New York Public Library. For French luxury in the world's most exciting city, a stay at the four-diamond Sofitel New York Hotel offers the ultimate in comfort and convenience. This brilliant, 30-story hotel evokes a contemporary statement in limestone and glass, just a stone's throw from Fifth Avenue. Eco-friendly Element New York Times Square West will inspire and rejuvenate you with sustainable services and practices that make it easy to play a role in being environmentally sound. Located just steps from Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Port Authority Bus Terminal, Element gives you space to live your life, with fully stocked kitchenettes, rooftop patio, and bikes to borrow. A vibrant fixture of Manhattan, the New York Marriott Marquis brilliantly captures the Big Apple's spirit in modern style with an ideal location on West 46th Street and Broadway. After an eventful day of sightseeing, retreat to thoughtfully appointed, spacious accommodations, and dine in an array of restaurants, including New York's only revolving dining destination, where views of Times Square are spectacularly on display. Your trip for two includes: 4 days/3 nights accommodations at Either the Westin New York Grand Central, Sofitel New York Hotel, Element Times Square New York West or New York Marriott Marquis, all room-related taxes, NYC Stories from the Dark Side tour with an NYPD Guide, New York City Speakeasy History & Drinking tour, and Free concierge reservation service. Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Blackout dates: Jan 1, Sep 20-22, Dec 1-15, 31. Accommodations at The Westin New York Grand Central are in a single king-bedded room. Accommodations at Sofitel New York are in a single queen-bedded room. Tour runs on specific days of the week and at specific times. If tour is not available, it may be substituted with equal or similar experience. NYC Stories from the Dark Side tour operates seasonally from March through October. Minimum age for NYC Stories from the Dark Side tour is 13 years old. Minimum age for New York City Speakeasy History & Drinking tour is 21 years old. Dress code for New York City Speakeasy History & Drinking tour is smart casual. A minimum 30-day advance reservation is required. Travel is valid for 18 months from date of issue.