New York City Gateway to America Official Mobile Guides begin Downtown and on New York Harbor, the place that has shaped our heritage from the time of the First People and the first explorers to successive waves of immigrants, ship masters, and pleasure boaters propelling our growth into the nation’s most populous and vibrant city.
These free tours are produced by the Federal Hall Conservancy and the United States National Park Service, the largest caretaker of shoreline on New York Harbor. Tours are written and narrated by Sam Roberts of The New York Times. You will hear some of the greatest stories never told, the rich and unheralded history of how America began here because of the coveted harbor, making New York City the Gateway to America. You will meet iconic National Park Service Rangers, a cast of great New York storytellers, award-winning writers, scholars, and scientists who share significant insights through the prism of the city’s national park monuments and memorials, and other historic landmarks.
Each tour takes about 90 minutes and covers distinctive locations heading north, from the Battery
on New York Harbor. At each ~ at the very place where history happened ~ you’ll listen to several
minutes of expert commentary, and view historic or contemporary imagery, all of which will also be
available later on your mobile device. You can walk the trail at your own pace. This Gateway Guide
features an interactive map showing all tour stops, your current location, and directions to the next
stop. You access the map by tapping the icon at the bottom of the screen.