Washington Heights in 150 minutes or less!

Discover the history, culture, and hidden stories of Washington Heights on a fascinating two-and-a-half-hour walking tour led by local Dominican guide Emiliano Perez.

We will explore the neighborhood’s past, present, and future—from its Native American roots and European immigrant communities to the Puerto Ricans, Cubans, African Americans, Jews, Greeks, and Dominicans who helped shape the area.

Along the way, we will visit important cultural and historic places, including Club Deportivo Dominicano, the Audubon Ballroom, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, El Palacio de los Chicharrones, Botánica La Abundancia, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Juan Pablo Duarte School, Yeshiva University, the United Palace, and other neighborhood landmarks.

You will hear stories about Dominican immigration, political exiles, Malcolm X, Dr. Rafael Lantigua, local businesses, religion, music, food, and community life. This tour does more than point out buildings—it brings Washington Heights to life through the people, struggles, traditions, and dreams behind them.

The experience finishes near La Casa del Mofongo, where guests can enjoy authentic Dominican food at their own expense.

This tour is ideal for visitors, families, students, history lovers, and New Yorkers who want to discover a vibrant community beyond Manhattan’s traditional tourist attractions.

Come walk with me through the heart and soul of the neighborhood known today as “Little Dominican Republic.”

Scheduled Tour
Times
By appoiments only
Tour Length
150 minutes
Languages
English Russian Spanish
Tour Presented By
Emiliano Perez As an official New York City Tour Guide with a license from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, I would like to share my experiences in New York and compare them with other cultures and places around the world. In the early 1980s, I studied (BA and MS) in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), USSR—an experience that allowed me to discover dozens of countries and cultures.

Since the late 1980s, I have lived and worked in New York (DOE and UN), where I also pursued my studies (BA and MS). My personal journey enabled me to acquire proficiency in both Russian and English; in addition to my mother tongue, Spanish. Drawing upon this life path, I would like to share my experiences in New York and compare them with other cultures and places around the world.


Como licenciado oficial de guia turistico por el departamento del consumidor de la ciudad de New York. Me gustaria compartir mis experiencias de New York y compararlo con otras culturas y lugares del mundo. Estudie (BA y MS) a principios de los anos 80, en Leningrado/Sanpersburgo, URSS, esto me permitio conocer decenas de paises y culturas.

Desde los finales de los 80, Resido y trabajo en New York (DOE y UN) , donde tambien estudie( BA y MS) . Mi realidad personal, me permitio adquir el Idioma Ruso y el Ingles. Gracias a ese recorrido de vida, me gustaria compartir mis experiencias de New York y compararlo con otras culturas y lugares del mundo.

Как официальный гид по Нью-Йорку, имеющий лицензию Департамента по делам потребителей города Нью-Йорка, я хотел бы поделиться своим опытом жизни в Нью-Йорке и сравнить его с другими культурами и местами по всему миру, Однако в начале 1980-х годов я учился (бакалавриат и магистратура) в Ленинграде (ныне Санкт-Петербург), СССР — этот опыт позволил мне открыть для себя десятки стран и культур.

С конца 1980-х годов я живу и работаю в Нью-Йорке (DOE и ООН), где также продолжил своё образование (бакалавриат и магистратура). Мой жизненный путь помог мне свободно овладеть русским и английским языками, помимо моего родного испанского. Опираясь на этот богатый опыт, я хотел бы делиться своими впечатлениями о Нью-Йорке, сравнивать его с другими культурами и уголками мира.