Jane’s Walk NYC 2024: 175+ Free Walking Tours

New York City is a rich city with unique experiences and a rich history. Jane’s Walk NYC gives you the opportunity to dive deeper into different cultural, historical, and unique aspects of the city, all for free!

This year, NYC’s Jane’s Walk will take place from Friday, May 3rd, through Sunday, May 5th.

While availability lasts, you can register for free walking tours through the hosting group’s website, the Municipal Art Society of New York.

Keep reading below to learn about some of the unique tours available, more about Jane Jacobs, and why you won’t want to miss this once-a-year event! 👇

Note: This article was written by a real live human being, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

Jane’s Walk NYC 2024 Podcast Episode

Want to hear more podcasts like this? Head here.

What is Jane’s Walk?

Jane’s Walk is a movement of free, citizen-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs, a writer, urbanist, and activist who championed a community-based approach to city-building.

Jane lived in Greenwich Village until 1968 and was influential in helping to preserve a community-centric approach to city planning and fought against and helped derail the expansion of expressways and roads.

The event started in 2006 in Toronto, where Jane Jacobs lived for most of her life. It has now expanded to over 500 cities worldwide!

Jane’s Walk takes place annually around the first weekend of May, close to Jane’s birthday.

Who Can Participate?

The walking tours are open to the public, are free, and require registration.

Many are already sold out and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What is Jane’s Walk in NYC?

Jane’s Walk NYC is put on by the Municipal Art Society of New York, and was one of the first cities outside of Toronto to host Jane’s Walk.

Some highlights and interesting tours include:

• Medieval Manhattan! covering Medieval architecture references in Hamilton Heights
• Unpacking the Historic Meat Packing District
• Downtown Dames: Historic Women Celebrated in Public Spaces in Lower Manhattan
• Pest Propaganda: An Ode to the Rat & the Pigeon
• Radical History of The Village
• Proving Ground: Fighting Fires in the City of New York
• An Anti-Connoisseur’s Guide to the Parking Lots of Astoria
• The City Speaks: Language. Place. Identity.

These are only a few highlights; be sure to check the entire website with 175+ options and register for a walk!

This Episode’s You’ll Have to Check It Out Segment – Up Thai on UES

Up Thai is a slightly upscale Thai spot serving unique dishes, delicious duck options, and phenomenal cocktails.

Their specials are worth trying and rotate with the seasons. Beef Shortrib Panang and Duck Tamarind are some of the best Thai dishes we’ve had.

We recommend getting lots of dishes and sharing rather than everyone getting their own dish. Our go-to cocktails are the M&M (Magical Spicy Margarita) and the Lycheetini.

The Vegetable Pad Thai is amazing and has perfectly cooked, thick vegetables rather than the small/stringy veggies that typically come with Pad Thai.

Check out Up Thai on 2nd Ave, near 74th Street, here.

When Does it Happen?

Jane’s Walk takes place annually around the first weekend of May, close to Jane’s birthday on May 4th.

This year, NYC’s Jane’s Walk will take place from Friday, May 3rd, through Sunday, May 5th.

Where Are the Walking Tours in NYC?

Luckily, there are tours available across all five boroughs, as well as virtual tours!

They span a huge area across the boroughs, giving plenty of options for exploring your own neighborhood or a completely new spot.

Why Does This Event Happen?

Jane’s Walk is focused on connecting communities to their neighborhoods, sharing stories, and preserving cities’ histories.

From the Jane’s Walk website:

Jane’s Walks are a way for neighbours to meet neighbours, and for neighbourhoods to build community. Jane’s Walk strives to include a wide array of voices and ideas in discussions about cities, neighbourhoods and community engagement. Jane’s Walk is different from other initiatives because the community and its buildings, parks, and broader environment are also active players in the walks. They inspire, frustrate, inform, and direct participation in the conversations. 

The event focuses on 6 values:

1. Is volunteer-driven
2. Is inspired and informed by the world around us
3. Is done in whatever way makes sense for you
4. Creates an opportunity to hear all voices
5. Encourages critical engagement with the ideas and legacy of Jane
6. Recognizes cities are living ecosystems with a past, present, and future

Learn more about Jane Jacobs’ 10 Big Ideas here.

Jane’s Walk NYC 2024 Recap

Jane’s Walk in New York City is a unique opportunity to learn about the deep history of New York City through distinctive vantage points.

This free event gives you 175+ chances to better connect with the community, learn about New York, and carry on Jane Jacobs’s legacy.

Sign up for a tour here!