From cool cats and smoky cafés to a literary revolution, Greenwich Village of the 1950s and '60s was a time of social change in New York's artsy neighborhood. What was it about these narrow streets that attracted poets, painters, and provocateurs who redefined American culture? Straighten your shades, Daddy-o, 'cause it's time to uncover the places and beatniks that changed American culture forever.

Join New York Adventure Club for a one-of-a-kind walking tour through Beatnik Greenwich Village, where the icons of the Beat Generation gathered to challenge convention, create art, and redefine cool.

Led by historian Marc Catapano, this immersive journey through the lens of 1950s and early '60s Greenwich Village will include:

A look at the hotspots of the Beat Generation — visit the legendary haunts of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Diane di Prima, where radical ideas and artistic expression thrived
A visit to iconic Village hangouts — step inside (or outside) The Gaslight, Café Wha?, The San Remo, and The Kettle of Fish, where creative minds gathered to drink, debate, and defy the mainstream
A walk in the footsteps of literary and artistic legends — hear the outrageous, inspiring, and unbelievable stories of figures like Jackson Pollock, Lenny Bruce, and other counterculture icons
An exploration of Washington Square Park — uncover the secrets of this historic gathering place, where Beats, folk singers, and free spirits redefined American culture
The sights and sounds of an underground movement — feel the energy of the Village’s wild jazz scene and the rebellious words of poets who shook up literature

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**This tour concludes in front of the Bitter End at 147 Bleecker St.

About Marc

Marc Catapano is a Licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide, active member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), and the proprietor behind Flowers in the Concrete Walking Tours.

Born and raised in New York, Marc has spent years roaming the city’s streets, uncovering its secrets and sharing them with friends and visitors. Marc’s career includes writing and editing for Interview Magazine and Starlog Press, producing for MTV, award-winning scriptwriting for Nickelodeon, and freelance work for Oxygen Media and Discovery Networks. He was Vice-President of video content for Steve Van Zandt’s Renegade Media and even had a spell as a stand-up comedian. Marc’s tours—Beatnik Greenwich Village, East Village Underground, and Greenwich Village A Go Go—blend his creative talents with his passion for New York’s history and culture, offering a unique and engaging experience for all.

Testimonials

"Learning about the structures that existed during the beatnik generation that are no longer there. The guide had pictures to show us. It was all good." -Lawrence

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

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Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

Beatnik Greenwich Village: In the Footsteps of the Coolest Cats in Town

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