What You Will Do
Explore the history and hazards of Hell Gate, one of New York’s most notorious waterways. This guided walking tour reveals the perilous East River stretch between Manhattan and Astoria, where hidden reefs, violent tides, and legendary whirlpools claimed countless ships. As you walk along Randall’s Island, hear stories of river pirates, explosive disasters, and bold engineering feats. Discover how this small section of river shaped the city’s maritime history and left behind eerie remnants of quarantine hospitals, prisons, and vanished communities.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Randall's Island Park (the collective name for Randall’s Island to the north and Wards Island to the south) at the Wards Island end of Wards Island Bridge (also known as 103rd Street Footbridge). The Wards Island Bridge connects the island to East Harlem in Manhattan.
1
Wards Island Park
15 minutes
Vantage point to view Hell Gate, Mill Rock, and Roosevelt Island.
2
Randalls and Wards Islands
20 minutes
A vantage point to Astoria Park and the Triborough Bridge, and features of Wards Island.
3
Randalls and Wards Islands
15 minutes
At the Wards Island end of Hell Gate Bridge, tour attendees will hear about the unusual engineering of an iconic bridge as well as the plot to blow it up.
4
Randall's Island Park
35 minutes
Tour attendees will see the remainder of Little Hell Gate that separated the islands, the truss bridge over the covered strait, and classic film locations. Will see the northern part of Hell Gate from Sunken Meadow, the former islands adjoined to Astoria, and the power plants of the East River.
A vantage point of Rikers Island, North and South Brother Islands, and the biggest prison barge in the world.
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