Ben's Bagel Tours

10/27/2026

Did you know that Washington Square Park was once a burial ground?

Today, it's one of Greenwich Village's most popular gathering places, filled with musicians, artists, chess players, and visitors.

But in the late 1700s and early 1800s, thousands of New Yorkers were buried beneath what is now the park.

Over the years, stories of ghostly figures and mysterious encounters have become part of the neighborhood's folklore.

And that's just one of the spooky stories you'll find in Greenwich Village!

Just a short walk away, 14 West 10th Street is a historic townhouse nicknamed the House of Death. It's famous for its ghost stories and was once home to author Mark Twain.

Are these places really haunted? I'll let you decide.

10/22/2026

There's no better time to walk through Central Park than in autumn.

The summer heat is gone, the air is crisp, and the trees are beginning to turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and gold.

As a lifelong New Yorker, I've always thought this is one of the best times to explore the city on foot.

And Central Park is one of my favorite places to do it.

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the 19th century, the park was created to give New Yorkers a place to escape the growing city's noise and congestion.

More than 150 years later, it's still doing exactly that.

If you're visiting this fall, don't miss The Mall with its magnificent American elm trees, Bow Bridge, and Bethesda Terrace.

My advice? Don't rush.

Take your time, wander the paths, and enjoy the scenery. Sometimes the best New York experiences are the ones you don't plan.

10/18/2026

Ice skating is back at Rockefeller Center!

The famous rink opened for the season on October 10, and this year marks its 90th anniversary!

Here's a little New York history you might not know.

When the rink first opened in 1936, it was intended to be a temporary attraction. But New Yorkers and visitors loved it so much that it became a permanent part of the Rockefeller Center experience.

Nine decades later, it's one of the city's most beloved traditions.

Whether you're skating or just watching from the sidelines, there's something special about this little piece of New York history.

And it's one of the first signs that the holiday season is on its way!

09/30/2026

New York is more than Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building.

One of the best ways to experience the city in the fall is to spend a day exploring its neighborhoods. Wander through Greenwich Village and the West Village, head toward SoHo or Chelsea, walk the High Line, and finish the day watching the sunset along the Hudson River.

My advice? Don’t try to see everything. Pick a few places and give yourself time to explore.

I share more ideas in my latest blog post, Touring New York City in the Fall. Or, if you’d like some help seeing the New York most visitors miss, join me for a tour!

https://www.bensbageltours.com/touring-new-york-city-in-the-fall/

09/25/2026

One of my favorite New York walks starts Downtown.

Explore Wall Street and Broad Street, visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and then make your way to the Brooklyn Bridge. Walk across and you’ll be rewarded with some terrific views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the East River.
The cooler fall weather makes it an especially good time to do it.

Want more ideas? Check out my three-day fall itinerary on the Ben’s Bagel Tours blog. And if you want to discover the history behind what you’re seeing, come explore New York with me!

Check out Touring New York City in the Fall.
https://www.bensbageltours.com/touring-new-york-city-in-the-fall/

09/21/2026

If you’re visiting New York this fall, bring comfortable shoes!

New York is a walking city, and cooler fall weather makes it a great time to experience it on foot. Walk through Central Park, explore Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, and finish the evening in Times Square or at a Broadway show.

Those are just a few of my suggestions for a fall visit. I’ve put together a complete three-day NYC itinerary on the Ben’s Bagel Tours blog.

Touring New York City in the Fall.
https://www.bensbageltours.com/touring-new-york-city-in-the-fall/

09/17/2026

Fall is one of my favorite times to explore New York City. The weather cools down, the leaves begin to change, and walking around the city becomes a lot more comfortable.

If you’re planning a fall visit, I put together a three-day itinerary that takes you from Central Park and Midtown to Downtown, the Brooklyn Bridge, and some of my favorite neighborhoods.

→ Touring New York City in the Fall:
https://www.bensbageltours.com/touring-new-york-city-in-the-fall/

07/03/2026

Most people know the Statue of Liberty as a New York City icon.

But did you know she was actually meant to celebrate America’s 100th birthday on July 4, 1876… and arrived 10 years late?

Or that the date July IV, MDCCLXXVI is carved into the tablet she holds, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

The more you learn about Lady Liberty, the more you realize she’s far more than a beautiful landmark: she’s one of America’s greatest history lessons.

With the Fourth of July almost here, I thought I’d share some of my favorite stories about the statue’s origins, its remarkable engineering, and the fascinating details that most visitors never notice.

Take a few minutes to read the full story, you may never look at the Statue of Liberty the same way again.

Take a few minutes to read the full story; you may never look at the Statue of Liberty the same way again.

Learn why the Statue of Liberty has a special connection to the Fourth of July and why Independence Day is the perfect time to visit Liberty Island.

05/01/2026

Here is Ben Bagel with Trevor, my favorite Airbnb photographer taking pictures in Greenwich Village for my new Airbnb Greenwich Village Tour soon to be published (Stay tuned)

04/20/2026

There’s a short window each year when New York feels just right.

Spring is that moment.

The cold is behind us, the summer crowds haven’t fully arrived, and the city becomes much easier to explore on foot. You’re not rushing to get inside or escape the heat. You can actually slow down and take it in.

From my perspective, this is one of the best times to walk neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, or even just spend time in the parks. The pace is different, and that changes the experience.

I shared a few of my favorite spring ideas, along with a bit of classic New York culture, here: https://bensbageltours.com/spring-touring-has-sprung/