Forgotten Dark Histories of Lower Manhattan

THIS TOUR HAS BEEN RETIRED

This tour has been split into two new routes: for a dark history tour, check out Death and the City: Mortality and Mourning in Old New York; for a ghost tour, see Ghosts of Old New York: Haunted Histories of Lower Manhattan. 

We started the Forgotten Dark Histories of Lower Manhattan tour in 2013 and, while we will always have a place in our hearts for this one — it’s a guide favorite! — over the years, as we have gathered more and more stories, we have come to realize that there is simply too much material on this route for one tour. 

Since it was always a hybrid of a ghost tour and a dark history tour, we simply split it up into two routes: for those more interested in the dark history aspect of things, check out Death and the City: Mortality and Mourning in Old New York. If you prefer a ghost tour, you’ll love Ghosts of Old New York: Haunted Histories of Lower Manhattan. Both tours cover the same geography, but with very different approaches. Either way, we think you’ll love the new version(s) of this guide-favorite tour. 

Why Choose Boroughs of the Dead?

Boroughs of the Dead storytellers aren’t just tour guides: we’re published authors, editors, artists, and museum professionals, and all of our tours are firmly grounded in historic research to accurately contextualize each dark and spooky tale. 

Content warning: We always leaven our stories with humor, but some on this tour may be disturbing. Learn more at the BotD FAQ page.

What Guests Are Saying 

“I’ve lived in NYC for 16 years and the Forgotten Dark Histories of Lower Manhattan is hands down the best walking tour I’ve ever gone on in the city. Our tour guide tailored the tour to the group. We learned so much about places we pass all the time just walking around downtown. I left with a list of books and podcasts recommendations to dive even further into stories and figures I found particularly interesting.” – Paula R., Yelp review 

“One of the best tours I’ve ever been on! The perfect blend of history and hauntings, with a guide who clearly loves what she does. The eerie tales and hidden secrets of Lower Manhattan were brought to life in such an engaging way.” – Janet T.., Yelp review 

“By the time we ended the tour, it was a night of reflection on what we learned. We recommend [the Lower Manhattan ghost tour] to learn about the darker side of the beginnings of New York, which can be bathed in violence, blood, greed and loss. Our guide told the stories in a respectful way that allowed us to imagine that time and place.” – D. T., Yelp review 

Book now! We keep our group sizes small to ensure a unique and exceptional tour experience for all our guests. Our small-group tours sell out quickly, especially around Halloween.

18th Century, Cemeteries, colonial history, Dark history, death and burial, Local Legends