The Lower East Side has never been a polished neighborhood, and neither are its cat stories. This walking tour starts near Cooper Square and moves through the block's grittier corners, from old dive bars to tenement alleyways, tracing the cats who lived close to the street alongside generations of immigrants, saloon keepers, and eccentric neighborhood characters.

Guests hear about tavern cats who have called a historic ale house home since the 1800s, feline bar flies who once ruled the neighborhood's rougher dive joints, and heroic cats credited with saving lives during tenement fires. The walk also passes the site later known for its place in punk music history and closes with the story of one of the Lower East Side's most beloved eccentric residents, pulled straight from old newspaper archives.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome
• Physical limitations: Participants should be comfortable walking approximately 1.5 miles at a leisurely pace
• Experience level: All levels are welcome

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included
• Individuals with disabilities: This tour is not fully wheelchair accessible due to historic streets and uneven sidewalks
• Pets: Pets are welcome if kept in a secure carrier or backpack and must be arranged with advance notice prior to the tour

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 2 hours
• What's included: A guided walking tour through the Lower East Side featuring fascinating stories about the neighborhood's famous feline history
• Who will be present: A knowledgeable guide will lead the tour along with up to 12 total participants
• Spectators: No spectators are allowed, everyone must have a reservation
• Photo/video: Personal photos are encouraged. Video recording during the tour is discouraged so everyone can enjoy the experience.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: The tour runs in light rain. Severe weather may result in rescheduling or a refund.
• Arrival: Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes in advance
• What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing
• What to bring:
  • Water bottle
  • Camera or phone for photos
  • Umbrella if rain is expected
• Restrooms/lockers/changing rooms: Restrooms are available at the beginning and end of the tour, with additional public restrooms available along the route

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 24 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 24 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.