East Village Rock and Roll Tour: CBGB, Ramones, Punk Sites

Two hours through the East Village where the Ramones, Television, Blondie and the Clash made their mark

This is a 2-hour walking tour of the East Village led by licensed guides who worked in the music business and lived the punk and rock scene. You visit the sites where musicians played, lived and partied: CBGB, Ramones locations, punk rock album cover spots, and venues where Led Zeppelin, the Doors, the Who and the Allman Brothers performed. The tour covers rock, punk and pop sites across the neighborhood, meeting at the corner of East 9th Street and 3rd Avenue.

Step-by-step itinerary

East Village rock and punk tour

• Explore musician residences
• Visit music venues
• See murals and album cover sites
• Learn about punk and rock history

The experience

The East Village was the epicenter of New York's rock and punk world, and this tour traces the geography of that era through the streets where it happened. Your guide is a licensed operator who actually lived and worked in the music business, so the stories come from someone who was there. You'll walk past CBGB (the club that launched the Ramones, Blondie, Television and the New York Dolls), and see the locations that appear on punk rock album covers. The tour also takes in the apartments and venues where musicians like Led Zeppelin, the Doors, the Who and the Allman Brothers would play into the early morning hours.

The walk covers about 2 hours and stays within the East Village, moving through a neighborhood that still carries the imprint of its music history. You'll see where bands lived, where they performed, and the murals and street corners that became part of the visual record of the scene. The guide points out the sites and explains what happened there, which bands played which venues, who lived in which buildings, how the scene evolved. This is a shared tour, so you'll be walking with other music fans. The group size stays manageable enough that you can hear the guide and ask questions as you move through the neighborhood.

Meet at the southwest corner of East 9th Street and 3rd Avenue at Shake Shack. The tour runs rain or shine. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended because there is a moderate amount of walking, and the area can have heavy foot traffic, so smaller strollers work better if you're bringing one. If you need to reschedule for any reason, you can do that. Just provide your phone number when you book in case the operator needs to reach you about changes.

What’s included

• The 2-hour walking tour with a licensed guide.
• visits to rock and punk sites including CBGB, Ramones locations and punk rock album cover spots.
• access to venues and neighborhoods where Led Zeppelin, the Doors, the Who and the Allman Brothers performed.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs Tuesday to Friday at 13:00, from US$ 47 per person, with a live guide in English and in groups of up to 15.

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 13:00Last departure this season: 30 DecAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to1h before

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rock Junket

Is this one for you?This is a shared walking tour led by a guide, so you move as a group through the East Village and listen rather than explore on your own. Choose it if you want the stories and context behind the sites (why a particular venue mattered, which bands played there, how the scene connected) rather than just walking past the locations yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.76★★★★★★★★★★

176 verified traveler reviews

5 ★151

4 ★16

3 ★3

2 ★4

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Where exactly does the East Village Rock and Roll Tour start?

The tour meets at the southwest corner of East 9th Street and 3rd Avenue at Shake Shack in the East Village.

What was CBGB and why does it matter on this tour?

CBGB was the club where the Ramones, Blondie, Television and the New York Dolls launched their careers and defined the punk scene. The tour visits the site and explains its role in New York's music history.

Who leads this tour and what's their background?

Licensed guides who worked in the music business and lived through the punk and rock era lead the tour, so they share firsthand knowledge of the scene and the venues you visit.

How long is the walk and what kind of fitness do I need?

The tour is 2 hours with a moderate amount of walking through the East Village. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Does the tour run if the weather is bad?

Yes, the tour runs rain or shine. If it's canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, you can reschedule for another date.

Can I bring a stroller or use a wheelchair on this tour?

Yes, strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. Smaller strollers work better because the area can have heavy foot traffic. All surfaces and areas are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all mobility levels.