Discover Secrets of New York and Washington Heights with a local

At Club Deportivo Dominicano, we stop to hear how Dominican immigrants built a place to gather in Washington Heights. What began in 1966 with neighbors meeting around a domino table grew into a community institution. I’ll share stories of the people who came here to play sports, make friends, celebrate their culture, and help one another feel at home in New York. If the club is open and welcomes our group, we may also get a glimpse of its activity inside.(15 min)

At Broadway and West 165th Street, we’ll pause outside the Audubon Ballroom. Opened in 1912, it hosted performances and meetings for many different groups. As we look at the building, I’ll share how this gathering place became part of the neighborhood’s history. Place Detail: Audubon Ballroom This is also where Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, as he prepared to speak. We’ll take a respectful moment to remember his life and his work for human rights. Part of the historic site is now the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. Our tour stop is outside; entry would depend on the center’s availability(15 min)

Botánica La Abundancia and Elsa la Reina del Chicharrón - Elsa la Reina del Chicharrón: 1249 St. Nicholas Avenue, near West 172nd Street. We’ll talk about chicharrón and the Dominican food traditions found in Washington Heights. If the restaurant is open, guests may choose to buy something to taste. Washington Heights - Botánica La Abundancia: 1273 St. Nicholas Avenue. Outside the shop, I’ll explain how botánicas connect everyday neighborhood life with spiritual and family traditions(30 min)

Stop: United Palace — outside visit Location: 4140 Broadway at West 175th Street, Washington Heights. United Palace We’ll stop outside this grand theater to admire its ornate façade and imagine the crowds arriving for movies and live performances. Opened in 1930 as Loew’s 175th Street Theatre, it was one of the celebrated “Wonder Theatres.” Today, the United Palace continues to bring people together for cultural events. I’ll share its story while we view the building from the street; this stop does not include entry.(pass by)

Stop: St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church — outside visit Location: 124 Wadsworth Avenue, between West 179th and West 180th Streets, Washington Heights. We’ll pause outside the church to look at its Byzantine Revival features and hear the story of the Greek community in Washington Heights. St. Spyridon has remained an important spiritual home for families even after many moved to other neighborhoods. This is an outside stop; entry is not included.(15 min)

La Casa del Mofongo Location: 1447 St. Nicholas Avenue, near West 183rd Street, Washington Heights. Order pickup and delivery La Casa del Mofongo, where food gives us one more way to talk about the neighborhood’s Caribbean culture. I’ll introduce guests to mofongo, a dish made with mashed plantains, garlic, and chicharrón, and share how familiar foods help families carry traditions into a new home. Guests who wish to stay can purchase a meal and continue the conversation around the table(30 min)

Hispanic Society Museum & Library stop Location: 3741 Broadway, at Audubon Terrace between West 155th and West 156th Streets, Manhattan. Hispanic Society Museum and Library Step through the iron gates and into Audubon Terrace, where you can admire the historic buildings and take photos. Your guide will introduce the Hispanic Society and its collection of art and cultural objects from Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and other parts of the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world. If the museum is open and your visit is arranged, you can go inside to see works on display, including Joaquín Sorolla’s Vision of Spain. Hispanic Society Museum and Library Planning note: The museum currently opens Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but visitors must reserve a ticket; groups of 10 or more must request a group visit. The research library does not offer tours.(20 min)

Trinity Church Cemetery & Mausoleum stop Location: The uptown cemetery lies between West 153rd and West 155th Streets, extending from Broadway toward Riverside Drive. Trinity lists 770 Riverside Drive as its address. This is a different site from Trinity Church’s churchyard near Wall Street. trinitychurchnyc.org At this stop, visitors can look across the peaceful grounds, see old gravestones and monuments, and hear how this part of Manhattan became a resting place for generations of New Yorkers. Trinity opened the cemetery in 1843; Broadway later cut through it, creating eastern and western sections. Your guide can use that unusual layout to tell a story about how the neighborhood changed as the city grew around it(15 min)

The Met Cloisters Location: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, inside Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040. Walk with your guests through Fort Tryon Park to a museum that looks like a medieval monastery. From outside, admire its stone buildings and the park setting while you explain that The Met Cloisters is devoted to medieval art and architecture. If your tour includes admission, guests can explore the galleries and gardens inside. Mother Cabrini Shrine Location: 701 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10040. At the shrine, introduce Mother Cabrini as an immigrant who devoted her life to helping other immigrants. Give guests a moment to see the shrine, hear her story, and reflect on how her work connects with the immigrant histories you share throughout your Washington Heights tour. If you plan to bring the group inside, check the shrine’s visiting hours before the tour(30 min)