Trace the footsteps of indie rock legends from the Strokes to Jeff Buckley on a two-hour journey through NYC’s Lower East Side with Walk on the Wild Side Tours. Discover the venues and hidden corners where alternative music was born.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; requires ability to walk about two miles on city sidewalks.
Wildlife
History
The Lower East Side was a hotbed of indie rock innovation from the early 90s to mid-2000s, evolving alongside NYC’s dynamic cultural shifts.
Conservation
Tours encourage responsible urban visitation by minimizing noise and respecting private properties along the walking route.
Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC
Trace the footsteps of indie rock legends from the Strokes to Jeff Buckley on a two-hour journey through NYC’s Lower East Side with Walk on the Wild Side Tours. Discover the venues and hidden corners where alternative music was born.
Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC offers guided walking tours that explore New York City's music and art history. The company leads seven distinct tours that focus on influential artists, scenes, and neighborhoods, including The Birth of Punk Tour, Lou Reed's New York Tour, Madonna's New York Tour, Post-Punk, Disco, & Hip Hop Downtown Tour, the Indie Rock Tour, Basquiat's New York Tour, and the Beastie Boys' New York Tour.
Madonna's New York Tour traces Madonna's journey from struggling artist to pop icon, visiting apartments, clubs, and studios tied to her early career in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Basquiat's New York Tour examines Jean-Michel Basquiat's evolution from graffiti artist to art icon and the downtown art scene that influenced him. The Post-Punk, Disco, & Hip Hop Downtown Tour is a two-hour walk through locations below Houston Street that shaped punk, disco, and hip hop culture. The Beastie Boys' New York Tour is a three-hour journey visiting studios, venues, and sites central to the group's career. Other tours focus on indie rock, Lou Reed, and the origins of punk.
Tours take place across Manhattan neighborhoods associated with these scenes, with routes highlighting venues, studios, and cultural landmarks. Walk on the Wild Side Tours NYC presents fact-based narratives and on-site interpretation to connect visitors with New York's creative history. Tours include on-site interpretation of recordings, performances, and artworks, helping visitors understand connections between artists, venues, and New York City's evolving cultural landscape across downtown and Manhattan neighborhoods and landmarks.
Tours Offered
7
Seven distinct NYC cultural tours
Durations
2–3 hours
Includes 2-hour and 3-hour examples
Focus
Music & Art
Punk, hip hop, indie, and art tours
Base
New York City
Downtown and Manhattan neighborhoods
Book a spot on a guided walking tour covering punk, post-punk, disco, hip hop, indie rock, Basquiat, Madonna, Lou Reed, and the Beastie Boys.
Wear comfortable shoes
This two-mile walking tour covers urban streets and venues, so sturdy, comfortable footwear is essential.
Bring bottled water
Stay hydrated during the approximately two-hour city walk, especially in summer months.
Arrive on time
The tour begins promptly in Alphabet City. Arriving early helps ensure you don’t miss any key locations.
Prepare for urban terrain
Expect sidewalks, cobblestones, and occasional street noise — stay alert and comfortable throughout.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive shoes keep you steady on urban terrain throughout the tour.
Bottled water
Stay hydrated especially during hot, humid days on the tour.
summer
Light jacket or layers
Weather can shift quickly in the city; layers help you stay comfortable.
spring|fall|winter
Camera or smartphone
Capture snapshots of iconic venues and neighborhood street scenes.