My sister and I enjoyed a 4.5 tour with Sonja on August, 24, 2017. Sonja was prompt meeting us at our hotel. We set off to the subway where we learned the history and current affairs of the subway, very interesting. After Sonja explained the subway lines, we were comfortable using it the next 4 days. We toured the Meatpacking District, SOHO, Greenwich Village, Little Italy and DUMBO. My mind was full of information at the end of the day. Touring with Streetwise made my 60th birthday memorable. I wish I had toured with Streetwise years ago. Thank you Sonja.

We flew to NYC on Wednesday to see the Adam Ant concert and stayed at Pods51. We had some time on Thursday before we returned to the airport, and I really wanted to see the High Line, Greenwich Village, and Washington Square Park. Coincidentally, Pods51 offered a free tour of all these places plus the Meatpacking District that morning.

Andrew led our tour. He's a native, so he possesses a breadth of knowledge on the intricacies of the city and how it's changed over the years. He's happy to answer any questions.

We took the subway to the Meatpacking District, which allowed him to inform us about the MTA's program to put more art in the stations. He introduced us to one of his favorite artists.

I'd never been to the Meatpacking District. We checked out Chelsea Market, which was the inspiration of Ponce City Market here in Atlanta. I enjoyed hearing about the history of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco), and seeing where the trains used to actually travel through the buildings.

I had always imagined browsing through the funky shops in Greenwich Village when I was a kid. Sadly, it's mostly brownstone neighborhoods now. I especially enjoyed hearing Andrew's story about getting to know a construction crew that renovated one of the brownstone homes over a few years. It helped understand the dynamics of the income and professional classes in Manhattan. Andrew also introduced us to Jeff at the Music Inn, which was another personal touch that made the tour seem more like one by a friend than a tour guide. Jeff is an interesting character who worked at the store when Bob Dylan used to purchase his records there.

We saw the Stonewall Inn and the statues commemorating the LGBT history in the neighborhood. It's amazing to think how much acceptance and civil rights have been gained by LGBT people since 1969. If you're interested in learning more about what life for LGBT people was like before that time, read Gay New York: Gender, Urban Culture, and the Making of the Gay Male World 1890-1940 by George Chauncey.

We ended the tour at Washington Square Park. I had always wanted to see the park because my mom used to play "Christmas in Washington Square" by Wayne Newton every holiday season. It was a bit warm to imagine Wayne Newton building a snowman, but interesting to see the space buzzing with students and others. Folk singers used to gather there to perform during the 50s and 60s.

In conclusion, if you'd like a more personal, casual tour of NYC, I would recommend Streetwise Tours.