--- title: Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York lang: en type: tour city: New York country: United States price: 36 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.84 reviews: 1479 duration_minutes: 120 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 23 of 24 (Architecture & Grand Central Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-10-21 data_updated: 2026-10-21 canonical: https://guidekin.com/usa/new-york/tours/gilded-age-mansions-tour-in-new-york/ --- # Gilded Age Mansions Tour in New York In our comparison: #23 of 24 in Architecture & Grand Central Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview This is the only Gilded Age Mansions tour in New York City recommended by Condé Nast Traveler magazine and listed by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most unique experiences in New York City. Scandals! Murder! Romance Architecture! Step inside some of the few remaining Gilded Age mansions of Fifth Avenue and learn about the people who lived in and designed these masterpieces. Great for fans of the HBO show, The Gilded Age. As America's new millionaires competed to see who could have the most ornate mansion alongside the newly created Central Park they spent vast sums of money to hire architects inspired by European palaces to build structures the likes of which had never been seen in America. You will hear stories of power, greed, love and generosity from a time when America was quickly becoming one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. Does not include tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ## Before you book - Meeting point: We will meet you on the steps at the… - 6 start times: between 10:30 and 15:30 - Food not included: bring or buy your own - Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked - Strollers OK: infants accepted **Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point ## Key facts - Price: from €36 per person - Duration: 2h - Rating: 4.84/5 from 1479 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Matthew LaSpata - Group: Shared tour - Guide languages: English - Start times: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-10-21 ## Reviews 4.84 from 1479 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 96% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 1419 of 1479. - 5 stars: 1333 (90%) - 4 stars: 86 (6%) - 3 stars: 41 (3%) - 2 stars: 8 (1%) - 1 star: 11 (1%) ## What's included - Access to mansions ## Not included - Snacks - This is a walking tour ## Itinerary 1. **Our first mansion we view from the outside, learn about the owner, architects...** (10m) - Our first mansion we view from the outside, learn about the owner, architects and get an introduction to the Gilded Age and New York Society 2. **We go inside the mansion and hear a scandalous story about the architect** (10m) 3. **We learn about how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women in A...** (5m) - We learn about how the ex-wife of a former owner was a pioneer for women in America. 4. **We learn why one of the former owners went to prison for one of the biggest s...** (10m) - We learn why one of the former owners went to prison for one of the biggest scandals in American history, how two reclusive owners had a link to one of the most famous men in early New York history, and how this beautiful building was saved from destruction. 5. **We discover a surprise about the size of this mansion and how a former owner ...** (10m) - We discover a surprise about the size of this mansion and how a former owner left a gift that helps many students get a full scholarship to one of the best universities in America. 6. **The Metropolitan Museum of Art** (10m) - We go inside and learn about the Met Gala and how the Met has an fun connection to Gilded Age glamor. 7. **We learn how a famous former resident helped save one of the most famous and ...** (5m) - We learn how a famous former resident helped save one of the most famous and beautiful Gilded Age buildings from being destroyed. 8. **Neue Galerie** (5m) - We learn the Vanderbilt connection to this building and discover how the Vanderbilts became the richest family in America and one of the most influential. 9. **We discover how the owner of this mansion was a pioneer in philanthropy in Am...** (10m) - We discover how the owner of this mansion was a pioneer in philanthropy in America and contributed to science education, the arts and peace. 10. **We learn how the owner of this building has a surprising connection to Taylor...** (5m) - We learn how the owner of this building has a surprising connection to Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and The Jonas brothers. 11. **We hear how the owner of this building was warned not to build it, but defied...** (5m) - We hear how the owner of this building was warned not to build it, but defied New York society and built it anyway. ## Schedule - Runs: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun - Departures: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-10-21 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point We will meet you on the steps at the building at 1 East 78th street. Right on 78th street, just off 5th avenue. ## Good to know - Wheelchair accessible - Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller - Service animals allowed - Public transportation options are available nearby - Transportation options are wheelchair accessible - All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible - Suitable for all physical fitness levels ## Compared with other Architecture & Grand Central Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #23 of 24** | €36 | 2h | 4.84 (1479) | shared | | [Art Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks Tour](/usa/new-york/tours/art-deco-and-architecture-midtown-landmarks-tour/?format=md) | €36 | 2h 30m | 4.98 (164) | shared | | [Private Tour New York City in the Gilded Age: A History of High Society](/usa/new-york/tours/private-tour-new-york-city-in-the-gilded-age-a-history-of-high-society/?format=md) | €158 | 2h | 4.98 (132) | private | | [Secrets of Grand Central Private Tour](/usa/new-york/tours/secrets-of-grand-central-private-tour/?format=md) | €190 | 1h 30m | 5.0 (90) | private | Ranked #23 of 24 in Architecture & Grand Central Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €35 to €222, median €53; typical length 2h. 5 of 24 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/usa/new-york/nyc-architecture-tours/?format=md ## More in New York - All New York tours: https://guidekin.com/usa/new-york/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/usa/new-york/tours/gilded-age-mansions-tour-in-new-york/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/usa/new-york/?format=md