New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour

New York City, USA
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Duration45m - 1h 30m
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This self-guided audio tour will take you through the fairgrounds for the historic New York City World’s Fairs of 1939-40 and 1964-65. We’ll visit iconic sites of both fairs, hearing about the architecture, design and history of the famous Unisphere, The New York State Pavilion and the temporary headquarters of the United Nations, now the Queens Museum.

You’ll hear about the origins of the park, which inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald when it was an eyesore ash heap, and how that was transformed into beautiful fairgrounds and then into a major city park. You’ll hear about the colorful history of the fairs’ exhibits and pavilions, which includes the infamous feud between artist Andy Warhol and controversial mega-developer Robert Moses.

It’s best to take this tour during the day, when the Queens Museum is open, so that you can pop in and see the New York City Panorama, which is an enormous scale model of all of New York City. Please check the museum’s hours beforehand.

What's included

  • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink

What to expect

  1. Pass by
    The tour goes around the David Dinkins Circle.
  2. Unisphere
    Pass by
    The tour goes around the Unisphere.
  3. Queens Theatre
    Pass by
    The tour passes by the Queens Theatre.
  4. New York State Pavilion
    Pass by
    The tour goes around the New York State Pavilion.
  5. Pass by
    The tour passes by the Westinghouse Time Capsules.
  6. Pass by
    The tour ends outside the Queens Museum.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

The tour ends outside the Queens Museum.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours · Booked through Viator
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