Private Walking Tour: Footsteps of Dylan and Springsteen
Ann McDermott
5.0
17DianeG17
32 days ago
My husband and I took this tour through The Bowery Boys, led by Ann McDermott. For me, it was fabulous. I’ve always had a fascination with the folk era in Greenwich Village, and I was not disappointed. I feel like we were treated to an insiders look at it. It was mingled with my own experiences living in New York in my 20’s, being a huge Dylan fan, seeing Springsteen in college in a small venue, attending a performance in those days at The Bottom Line (a comedian, not a concert…). We really were treated to a “then and now” look at the history of music in the USA. Even though I’m a big fan, I learned a lot I didn’t know, and I’ve read the memoirs!
The music scene in Greenwich Village launched the careers of some of the world's most well known artists! On this tour you'll visit the site and hear stories about how they became famous, the people who nurtured their talent and signed them to recording contracts. It wasn't by accident that both Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen became famous. It was because of one man, John Hammond who signed them both to Columbia Records along with many others. This tour helps you understand the times and the people who supported them as well as many other artists. NOTE: if the temperature in New York City is projected to be above 90 degrees, the tour will be cancelled due to fear for my and your health.
Departure Point
- We meet in front of the Hebrew Union College on the corner of West 4th Street and Mercer Street which is the former home of Gerde's Folk City where Bob Dylan played his first paid gig!
- We end at the corner where Bob Dylan and Suze Rotolo had their photo taken for the cover of his "Freewheelin" album and we will take a photo there too!
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Greenwich VillageNew York City, New YorkWe will walk through the streets of Greenwich Village stopping at the sites of Gerde's Folk City, The Bottom Line, Washington Square Park, The Bitter End, Cafe AuGoGo, The Gaslight Cafe, The Hotel Earle as well as Cafe Society and the former home of Bob Dylan and Suze RotoloDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Washington Square Park Audio Tour5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and Macdougal St, New York City, New YorkWashington Square Park is the spiritual heart of Greenwich Village. Known for spur of the moment music and in the 1960's on Sunday in was the home of Hootenannies where the like of Bob Dylan assuredly played as well as a fight for free speech. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Bitter End147 Bleecker St, , New York City, New YorkThe Bitter End is one of the only venues still helping to launch the careers of people who become world famous, such as Taylor Swift. But in the 60's and 70's it was a hotbed of talent. Everyone played there from Bob Dylan to Joni Mitchell to John Denver and many, many more!Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Cafe Wha?115 Macdougal St, , New York City, New YorkLegendary Cafe Wha where Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen played before there were famous. Bob Dylan did back-up harmonic for $1.00 a day!Duration: 30 minutesAdditional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Education about the music scene and the artists who became famous, particularly Dylan & Springsteen
The music scene in Greenwich Village launched the careers of some of the world's most well known artists! On this tour you'll visit the site and hear stories about how they became famous, the people who nurtured their talent and signed them to recording contracts. It wasn't by accident that both Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen became famous. It was because of one man, John Hammond who signed them both to Columbia Records along with many others. This tour helps you understand the times and the people who supported them as well as many other artists. NOTE: if the temperature in New York City is projected to be above 90 degrees, the tour will be cancelled due to fear for my and your health.
Departure Point
- We meet in front of the Hebrew Union College on the corner of West 4th Street and Mercer Street which is the former home of Gerde's Folk City where Bob Dylan played his first paid gig!
- We end at the corner where Bob Dylan and Suze Rotolo had their photo taken for the cover of his "Freewheelin" album and we will take a photo there too!
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Greenwich VillageNew York City, New YorkWe will walk through the streets of Greenwich Village stopping at the sites of Gerde's Folk City, The Bottom Line, Washington Square Park, The Bitter End, Cafe AuGoGo, The Gaslight Cafe, The Hotel Earle as well as Cafe Society and the former home of Bob Dylan and Suze RotoloDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Washington Square Park Audio Tour5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and Macdougal St, New York City, New YorkWashington Square Park is the spiritual heart of Greenwich Village. Known for spur of the moment music and in the 1960's on Sunday in was the home of Hootenannies where the like of Bob Dylan assuredly played as well as a fight for free speech. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Bitter End147 Bleecker St, , New York City, New YorkThe Bitter End is one of the only venues still helping to launch the careers of people who become world famous, such as Taylor Swift. But in the 60's and 70's it was a hotbed of talent. Everyone played there from Bob Dylan to Joni Mitchell to John Denver and many, many more!Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Cafe Wha?115 Macdougal St, , New York City, New YorkLegendary Cafe Wha where Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen played before there were famous. Bob Dylan did back-up harmonic for $1.00 a day!Duration: 30 minutesAdditional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Education about the music scene and the artists who became famous, particularly Dylan & Springsteen
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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5.0
based on Groupon 7 reviews
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Reviewed on
17DianeG17
My husband and I took this tour through The Bowery Boys, led by Ann McDermott. For me, it was fabulous. I’ve always had a fascination with the folk era in Greenwich Village, and I was not disappointed. I feel like we were treated to an insiders look at it. It was mingled with my own experiences living in New York in my 20’s, being a huge Dylan fan, seeing Springsteen in college in a small venue, attending a performance in those days at The Bottom Line (a comedian, not a concert…). We really were treated to a “then and now” look at the history of music in the USA. Even though I’m a big fan, I learned a lot I didn’t know, and I’ve read the memoirs!
michaelsburnett
To say that Ann is a font of knowledge, doesn’t describe the raging waterfall of info, exuberance, and music folklore that she expounds on this tour. This is a marvelous walking tour
Lynne E
Ann was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable about the area. She took us to all of the Dylan hotspots. We enjoyed the tour and our time spent with her.
V9955QKlaurac
I truly enjoyed this tour of Dylan and Springsteen in the Village. Ann is knowledgeable and passionate, she draws you into a magic time in NYC music history with plenty of anecdotes and old photos. She even gifts her clients with a bibliography at the end! I will certainly check out her other tours. Highly recommend!
Ben W
Took this tour as I'm a huge Dylan fan and I wasn't disappointed. Was part of a small group of similarly minded fans, the intimate nature of the tour made it easy to ask questions, and we got to see some key locations from Dylans early years in New York. Our guide Ann was great, well researched and approachable. The truth is there is more about Bob than Bruce, but that suited everyone on the tour, and that some of the key venues where he played are now changed, either demolished and something else built there or it's use has completely changed, but I guess that's life. It still felt great to walk the streets where he became famous and soak in the atmosphere. Key highlights were seeing a couple of the places Dylan stayed and, of course, the street where The Freewheelin album cover is from, where you get a photo opportunity. If your a Dylan fan, this is THE thing to do in NYC, but it would still be of interest for anyone interested in the wider music scene. Thanks Ann, loved it!