Explore Manhattan’s Most Scandalous Memories

Walk in the Footsteps of the Mysterious & Infamous

KnickerWalker Guided Tours delivers 400 years of Manhattan history with a side of “histortainment”, i.e., the unholy baby of both history plus entertainment.

Whether you’re searching for untold stories and notorious figures, the best bar crawl NYC has to offer, or just curious about things to do in Manhattan, our adventure tours turn ordinary streets into stages of scandal, gossip, and ghostly tales.

Tours like the East Midtown’s Oldest Taverns Tour, the Grand Central Bar Crawl, and the Odd & Awesome Secrets Behind Turtle Bay, aka what locals refer to as their neighborhood which encompasses our United Nations/Grand Central Station/a whole lotta murder. We take you through hidden bars, historic haunts, and the hotel lobbies where legends — and lunatics — left their mark.

Get ready to dive head first into giggles with a guide who has spent decades reporting on the city’s secrets.

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Build Your Own Mischief Tour

Got a birthday group, office crew, bachelor(ette) posse, or a band of history-loving troublemakers? Tell us what you’re into, and we’ll whip up a custom walking tour filled with scandalous stories, forgotten gossip, and the kind of NYC secrets that never make it into glossy brochures.

Looking for a private bar crawl through Midtown’s oldest watering holes, a deep dive into legendary hotel drama, or a tailor-made stroll where we dish the dirt on your favorite corners of the city?  We’ve got you covered.

Build Your Own Mischief Tour

Got a birthday group, office crew, bachelor(ette) posse, or a band of history-loving troublemakers? Tell us what you’re into, and we’ll whip up a custom walking tour filled with scandalous stories, forgotten gossip, and the kind of NYC secrets that never make it into glossy brochures.

Looking for a private bar crawl through Midtown’s oldest watering holes, a deep dive into legendary hotel drama, or a tailor-made stroll where we dish the dirt on your favorite corners of the city?  We’ve got you covered.

Who We Are

KnickerWalker is our twist on “Knickerbocker”, coined by Washington Irving in his 1809 satire A History of New-York(opens in a new tab), has since become shorthand for “being a local,” as well as the moniker of our long-suffering NBA franchise(opens in a new tab). Bonus: This site’s logo is inspired by the city’s sadly defunct, Knickerbocker Beer(opens in a new tab). Founder, Bill Schulz, is a lifelong broadcast(opens in a new tab)/print(opens in a new tab) journalist who’s spent decades reporting on his home’s terrific taverns(opens in a new tab), marvelous museums(opens in a new tab), pretty pipe clubs(opens in a new tab) and forgotten traditions(opens in a new tab).

Who We Are

KnickerWalker is a playful twist on “Knickerbocker”, coined by Washington Irving in his 1809 satire A History of New-York. The name has since become shorthand for “being a New Yorker,” and our logo is inspired by the Knickerbocker beer that once carried the name. Our founder, Bill Schulz, is a lifelong journalist who has spent decades uncovering NYC’s quirks, scandals, and secret histories. With KnickerWalker Tours, he brings this knowledge to life — from hidden taverns and ghostly bars to legendary hotels and Art Deco gems. Every tour is a mix of history, humor, and the kind of stories you won’t find in guidebooks. Get ready for histortainment like you’ve never seen before.

See What Our Happy (and Slightly Tipsy) Guests Say

Caught on Camera

We apologize in advance for your host’s previous videos that illustrate his terrible taste in clothing/tour acumen.

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We’d Love to Hear From You

Ready to explore NYC? Please reach out to us!