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.
- Stand where George Washington’s army escaped the Battle of Long Island
Sons of Liberty, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, 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.
Meets at City Hall and takes 2 1/2 hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
$40/Adult $25/Child
Mrs. Q’s New York
Our Popular Revolutionary War and Hamilton and Burr Tours with a new twist!
Explore Historic New York with Karen Q’s living history character, Mrs. Q. Mrs Q is a successful New York merchant (yes, ladies had businesses then!) and knows everyone who is anyone in the city. Raised in the Hudson Valley she has inherited her father’s successful business. She is married to Mr Q who, like his father, is a fur trader. Join Mrs Q for her personal story of living through the tumultuous times that were the founding of the United States of America.
Our Saturday Revolutionary War and Hamilton and Burr Tours will be led by Mrs. Q through September 2021. (Weather Permitting – otherwise, it will be our standard tour with Karen Q.) You will experience the full tour with some additional insight into the time period:
- What life was like for people during that time
- Her experiences as a lady merchant among a profession of men
- The role of women in NYC’s founding
- What were Hamilton and Burr REALLY like? (Mrs Q knows both gentlemen and their wives.)
While visiting the city’s most historic sites you’ll hear about the people, places, and events that were vital in the fight for American freedom. And Mrs Q always welcomes your questions!
Tours meet at City Hall and take about 2 1/2 hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
Be Sure to Book a Saturday Tour to Join Mrs. Q
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!
- Listen to a hilarious ballad written about Burr and his secret lover
- Learn about how one of the bitterest elections in American History led two exceptional, successful men to the famous duel. Who really shot first?
We’ll visit sites important in the lives of both men: their homes, offices, churches, banks and favorite meeting places. And we’ll “remember the ladies” with a tour stop dedicated to the capable, inspiring women in their lives.
Plus, eye-witness accounts of the duel.
At the end of the tour, you can decide what’s truth and what’s myth.
Meets at City Hall and takes 2 1/2 Hours. You will receive detailed meeting instructions when you buy tickets.
$40/Adult $25/Child
Karen Quinones
Your guide will be Karen Quinones, historian, author, and cast member of 
Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum! Karen has been conducting tours of lower Manhattan since 2005 and knows every nook and cranny of the area. She is also a historical reenactor and participates, as Mrs. Q, in NYC area Revolutionary War reenactments. Karen is the author of “Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation”, a critically acclaimed Young Adult biography of Aaron Burr’s daughter and available on Amazon, Join Karen for an unforgettable historic experience!
NEW!!! Karen Q Virtual Experiences
Join Karen Q on a tour of Fraunces Tavern Museum. Built in 1719, it is the oldest building in Lower Manhattan. In this video we look at the George Washington Portrait Gallery, the Clinton Room, and the Long Room where General Washington gave his farewell address at the end of the Revolutionary War.
You can see more of Karen’s virtual tours on our Youtube Channel. Learn New York City’s history from someone who loves it!
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History Reenactments
First Presidential Inauguration 1789
Mrs. Q joins NYC reenactors and Ariel Viera of Urbanist: Exploring Cities to celebrate the 232nd anniversary of President Washington’s inauguration!
There is even more to see on our Youtube Channel about the American Revolution in NY.
Mrs Q Live
You can see Karen Q’s living history character, Mrs. Q, every Friday at 7 pm ET LIVE! Mrs. Q teaches you all about the American Revolution – a different topic each week. Guests are encouraged to interact as if you are visiting in her home.
Streams live on the FaceBook Patriot Tours NYC Page, or via Zoom meeting ID 680 422 5376 PWD: 4mzCM8. Or use this link.
Past episodes are available on Youtube: Mrs. Q’s NYC. Be sure to subscribe to see them when they’re released. You can donate to the Mrs. Q project here.
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!
Theodosia Burr: Teen Eyewitness to the Founding of the New Nation – by Karen Cherro Quinones
Available NOW! The story of Theodosia Burr, daughter of VP Aaron Burr!
Critically Acclaimed Young Adult biography of Aaron Burr’s daughter, Theodosia Burr, and her life in 1790s New York City. Written for teens but a great addition to any family library. What was it like to live in NYC during the nation’s founding? This is the story of a gifted, talented, young woman and her inspiring achievements.
“The writing is crisp, clear, and engaging. Full-color illustrations add visual appeal. …Burr’s prominence as an educated, modern woman made her a role model for her time. Interesting and accessible way to learn about early U.S. history through a remarkable young woman’s life.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The detailed source notes, bibliography, and further reading make for a well-researched and interesting look at a little-known person and the times in which she lived.” — J. B. Petty, Booklist
Learn all about Theodosia on our Hamilton and Burr walking tour.
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!