Fifth Avenue is known for old money and grand architecture, but this walking tour, a new limited-run addition to the lineup, focuses on a different kind of resident: the dogs and cats who once lived in its most famous households. The route begins near Madison Square Park and follows the avenue north toward the Plaza Hotel, passing mansions, historic hotels, and clubs tied to some of the city's wealthiest Gilded Age families.

Guests hear stories connected to early cat and dog shows, animal mascots linked to landmark hotels and firehouses, and a Fifth Avenue demonstration that once helped shift public understanding of guide dogs. Well-behaved leashed or carried pets are welcome to join for free, making this one of the few tours in the lineup where four-legged guests can experience the history firsthand alongside their humans.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome
• Physical limitations: Participants should be comfortable walking approximately 2 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: Well-behaved dogs and cats are welcome free of charge if leashed, carried, or secured in a stroller or carrier. Owners are responsible for their pets throughout the tour.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 2 hours
• What's included: A guided walking tour along Fifth Avenue featuring fascinating stories about the Gilded Age history of the neighborhood's famous cats and dogs
• Who will be present: A knowledgeable guide will lead the tour along with other guests and their pets
• 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
  • A leash, carrier, or stroller for any pet joining the tour
• 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.