We will be running a limited number of tours in January and February, returning to our regular schedule in March.
Revolutionary War Walking Tour
Historic New York City
New York – In 1776 all eyes were on “The Island at the Center of the World”!
Take a walk from the Stamp Act of 1765 through President Washington’s Inauguration in 1789. You’ll experience the spellbinding story of the unbelievable events leading up to the American Revolution. You’ll walk on the same colonial streets where it all happened.
- Hear about the feuding families and political intrigues that pit neighbor against neighbor, patriot against loyalist.
- Listen to stories about real people like John Holt the “Liberty Printer”, Alexander McDougall, leader of the Sons of Liberty, The Wicked Triumverate and the Odious Six
- Learn about NYC’s beginnings and its strategic role in the American Revolution.
- Take a walk through St. Paul’s Chapel, the town’s “Country Church” built in 1766 and still intact today. We’ll also visit some of the graves in the graveyard.
- Walk through an old neighborhood called “Golden Hill” where the first TRUE bloodshed of the American Revolution happened. (of did it?)
Sons of Liberty, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Nathan Hale, The Culper Spy Ring and the Battle of New York are just some of what you’ll hear about while standing right where the events happened.
If you’re a fan of TURN on AMC, McCullough’s “1776”, Rutherford’s “New York” or just want to learn about how we got to be the USA you will LOVE this tour!
Meets at City Hall and takes 2 1/2 hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
$39.99/Adult $25.99/Child
Culper Spy Ring Tour
Revolutionary War Spies
The first modern spy ring operated right here in NYC during the American Revolution: The Culper Spy Ring!
Walk through the British occupied city. We’ll follow the story of spymasters Col Benjamin Tallmadge and Maj John Andre as they battle to outwit each other. Who would survive the deadly game of Revolutionary War espionage? And who would not?
- We’ll imagine a city occupied by the British and converted into a military base
- Visit the old Commons – site of the Provost Jail used to house rebel spies by the British
- Learn the true story of early spy Nathan Hale, how he was captured and by whom (it’s not what you think!)
- Visit St. Paul’s Chapel and hear about the Holy Ground – the biggest, most notorious red light district in North America
- Travel through colonial streets where we’ll find James Rivington’s print shop and coffeehouse, the tailor shop of Hercules Mulligan, the store run by Culper Jr., Robert Townsend, and more
- Hear the incredible story of Benedict Arnold and how the spy ring warned General Washington about him
- And what about 355? Who was she?
- Plus, you’ll see pages from the original code book used by Benjamin Tallmadge
If you’re a fan of TURN on AMC and Netflix, or have read any of the popular books about spies operating during that time, you’ll love it!
Meets at City Hall Park and takes 2 Hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
$39.99 Adult/$25.99 Child
Hamilton Walking Tour
Hamilton, Burr and the Duel that Changed a Nation
Forget everything you think you know about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr! Take a stroll through the lives of these two incredible men. We’ll tell you the story NO ONE else can. Who were these men really? You will be stunned at how different the reality is from what we believe today.
- You’ll hear their personal stories in their own words and the words of those who knew them.
- Visit the site of King’s College, The Room Where it Happened, Washington’s Inauguration, The Bank of NY, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel and the graves of Hamilton and Eliza!
- Stand where Hamilton stopped the Sons of LIberty on their way to punish the Headmaster of Kings College
- Listen to a hilarious ballad written about Burr and his secret lover
- Hear the fascinating story of the nation’s first fully educated woman on a tour stop dedicated to the women in their lives.(And find out which of the two was an early advocate of women’s education and independence.)
- Visit the original sites of George Washington’s Presidential inauguration, The New York Stock Exchange and the Bank of New York
- Learn about how one of the bitterest elections in American History lead two exceptional, successful men to the famous duel. Who really shot first?
At the end of the tour, you can decide what’s truth and what’s myth. And you might be VERY surprised what you learn!
Meets at City Hall Park and takes 2 Hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
$39.99/Adult $25.99/Child
Our Tours Are Different!
Our tours are different from anything else in NYC! We don’t spend a couple of days looking up sites on the internet and writing a script. Instead, we carefully research every time period we cover. We use period documents like newspapers, pamphlets, personal correspondence and broadsides. Then, we pick events that you will find most interesting and that you can relate to. Plus, all of our tours are designed to tell a complete story from start to finish and conducted personally by the researcher.
All tours are limited to 15 customers on weekdays and 20 on weekends. We want to engage with you and create a total historic experience. Plus, we use original period documents on all of our tours to help illustrate the story.
Watch the video below to see how Karen Q builds our unique and amazing tours and what makes them different from all of the others. Then, check out our excellent reviews and book your tour!
Patriot Tours Video
Revolutionary War Spy Tour Preview
Spy Tour Review!
Liberty Pole on the Commons
You can see all of our videos on our YouTube Channel!
Karen Q
Travel Channel – Mysteries at the Museum
Karen Q is a contributor on more than twenty episodes of the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum where she discusses historic artifacts and the stories behind them. Tune in Thursdays at 9:00pm and 10:00pm ET.
Newsletter
Not coming to NYC any time soon? No worries, just subscribe to Karen’s semi-monthly newsletter for great articles about the American Revolution.
Our Awards
Take a Private Tour
Give yourself or a history lover you know a private tour with Karen Q! She’ll answer all of your questions and tailor the story to your interests. An unforgettable experience.
Give a Gift Card
You choose the amount and we’ll send it for you!
Tour Schedule
Civil War Tour
Our Civil War Tour will be running on a very limited schedule in 2018. Click the link here for the tour description and calendar. If you are interested in the tour and would like to take it when it isn’t being offered, please contact us. This tour is also available on a private basis.