self guided tour

Back to the Beats

Travel in the footsteps of the Beat Generation.

During the 1950s artists, writers, and other creative types landed in New York and flocked to Greenwich Village for its affordable rents. As the Beat Generation rose to prominence for their relaxed and innovative lifestyles, icons like Allen Ginsberg, Jackson Pollock, Jack Kerouac, and Frank O’Hara became daily staples in the neighborhood’s bars and coffee shops.

In this tour you’ll walk in their footsteps and get a sense for life in the neighborhood during 1950s. Start on Carmine Street and follow your favorite Beat icons west through a trail of bars, restaurants, and residences. 

While you’re exploring Greenwich Village download the Village Access app to see what merchants around you offer exclusive deals!