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When New York City's wealthiest residents moved uptown to escape the crowded downtown neighborhoods in the late 19th century, they built colossal palaces made for fancy-dress balls.

From architectural details that included gargoyles, moats, and wrought iron inspired by Italian Renaissance tombs — to prominent American families including names like Pulitzer, Vanderbilt, and Frick. We’ll even peek inside the Whitney family mansion, now the Cultural Services for the French Embassy, and home to the French/American bookstore, The Albertine.

Walk covers approximately 1.5 miles, many hills, stairs, and some uneven paths. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Meet on 5th Avenue at the Richard Morris Hunt Memorial on the Central Park side of the street, across the street from the Frick Collection between 70th & 71st Streets. The tour will end around the Met at 5th Avenue & 82nd Street.

* Optional pay-on-your-own lunch
For those who want to join us we will have lunch at Serafina on Madison & 79th Street. Please note it’s on the second floor without an elevator.

Ginny Poleman is a graduate of Cornell University, licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide, a trained docent for the Municipal Art Society, as well as a trained educational guide for 4th through 12th graders at Manhattan’s largest art museum.