
INFINITE CITY #1: Artists, Eccentrics and Botanics in the Heart of the Village
Walking Tour
About the Tour
INFINITE CITY is a series of walking tours exploring New York City in endless detail. And this is the first tour in the series.
On this thirty-minute tour, we’ll walk two loops around a section of Greenwich Village. Each successive trip around the block reveals another layer of information about the people, buildings and trees surrounding you. First, you’ll meet the artists, eccentrics and visionaries who lived on this block, including Henry James, Jackson Pollock and the founder of the Whitney Museum. Then, on the second loop, you’ll uncover the history hidden within the botanics of this place, and the unique stories behind each species of tree that lines these streets.
Join us on a walking tour unlike any other where, by putting this city block under a microscope, you'll learn about:
• The mass grave beneath the park
• The park’s public hangings
• Druids and tree worship in the city
• Author Henry James’ connection to the block
• The last alleys in New York, and where to find them
• The origin of two of the city’s greatest museums
Each tour in the INFINITE CITY series is an accumulation of a particular place’s memories, and an obsessive compendium of its often overlooked minutiae. Keep a look out for the release of Tour #2 on VoiceMap’s app soon!
Tour Producer

Akiva Saunders
Major Landmarks
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Washington Square Park
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Whitney Museum
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Greenwich Village
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at the north side of Washington Square Park, across the street from the marble arch. When you find the arch, cross the street and stand facing the park with the arch slightly to your left. You’ll be at the northwest corner of 5th Avenue and Washington Square Park North. Nearby subways include the A, B, C, D, E, F, M, R, W and 6 lines.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Stumptown Coffee, Amelie Wine Bar, South of the Clouds Chinese restaurant.
Best time of day
Daytime
Precautions
Stay aware of traffic, especially bicyclists who can come from both directions.
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