Walks of New York Honors National Walking Day with Free NYC Tours, Now thru 4/7

In celebration of its formal launch and coinciding with National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 2, Walks of New York - the newest customized sightseeing tour and activities organizers in New York City - is offering free tours during its first week of operation.

From today, April 1 through April 7, New Yorkers and visitors alike can visit the website at https://walksofnewyork.com/ and sign up for the initial preview tours. A $5 donation is required, all of which will go to the American Heart Association to support its National Walking Day campaign and their ongoing efforts to promote good heart health.

These new small group tours are limited to 12 people and will provide a more personalized, small group experience with exclusive tours led by expert and passionate guides. With tour offerings for history and architecture buffs, as well as behind-the-scenes access to top food, theater and local culture, Walks of New York features several never-been-done and "skip the line" access to venues and institutions as well as memorable hands-on experiences.

Walks of New York is a brand extension of Walks of Italy, a well-known European tour experience started in 2009 providing small group tours with experienced, local guides to help travelers avoid long lines and gain special access to popular sites including the Vatican and Colosseum. Walks of New York also features a travel blog with information, tips and insight for tourists and locals alike.

"We are so excited to bring our concept of smaller, more personalized tours to New York," said Stephen Oddo, Co-Founder of Walks of Italy and Walks of New York. "Whether you've lived in New York your whole life or are coming to the city for the first time, we have tours that showcase the best New York has to offer from theater to dining; arts and architecture to history and local culture."

"While New York is one of the greatest cities in the world for walking and sightseeing, it can also be a bit intimidating for those who want to experience the city's many attractions, history and culture." added Jason Spiehler, Co-founder of Walks of Italy and Walks of New York. "Our goal is to make it easy for people to experience New York in a way that appeals to their interests and to eliminate the fear of being overwhelmed by all the things you can do."

Walks of New York's initial tour options will range from $35 to $59 per person. There are reduced prices for students (ages 15-24); kids (ages 6-14) and seniors (65+). Children and infants to age 5 are free.

Initial tours to include:

Highlights of New York Tour: Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central

Duration: 2 ½ hours Prices: $35/adults; $33 seniors; $31 students; $25 kids.

Walk through "the very heart of it" and see many of Gotham's most awe-inspiring sights on this NYC highlights tour. Highlights include the Grand Central Terminal, Chrysler Building, as well as secrets of the monumental New York Public Library. Participants will also tour the art deco treasures of Rockefeller Center, view soaring St. Patrick's Cathedral, and finally delve into the Crossroads of the World: Times Square. The tour concludes with the opportunity to enjoy a drink or snack with a stunning view of the bright lights of Broadway.

Meet the Met: Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Duration: 3 hours Prices: $49/adults; $46 seniors; $44 students; $39 kids.

The tour is designed to help make the most of a visit here, with expert guides transporting the visitor across five thousand years of visual culture. This includes pieces that are not just highlights of the Met, but also works that exemplify the collection's extraordinary diversity. The tour starts at the Egyptian Collection with stops in an ancient Roman bedroom, and the Met's collection of pre-Columbian gold. And, no trip to the Met is complete without seeing works by masters from around the world from Picasso, Monet, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The tour also includes pre-arranged museum entrance tickets in order to avoid any ticket lines.

Lower East Side Stories: Traditional New York Culture & Food

Duration: 3 hours Prices: $43/adults; $41 seniors; $39 students; $34 kids.

New York's Lower East Side has been home to immigrants for two centuries and played a significant role in shaping America. Today, it is a true melting pot of different cultures and generations. This tour will include a walk through this fascinating neighborhood starting at the Forward Building, once the printing press for the first Jewish-language newspaper and still a beautiful example of art deco architecture.

The tour also includes a visit inside one of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, one of the district's landmark synagogues. And no trip to the Lower East Side would be complete with tasting its classic, traditional foods, including fresh pickles, bialys, knishes and more.

B&H New York Photography Tour: High Line, Meatpacking, Chelsea Market

Duration: 2 ½ hours Prices: $59/adults; $57 seniors; $55 students; $49 kids.

In collaboration with world-renowned B&H Photo, this tour for photography lovers of all ages and levels begins in the Meatpacking District. Once filled with factories, slaughterhouses and packing plants, this is today one of the city's most desirable addresses. A professional photographer serves as a guide on how to make the best use of equipment from SLR cameras to those on a mobile phone as well as discussing the importance of light and shadow to create the perfect shot.

From there, it's on to The High Line. Once an abandoned railway track, an urban renewal project transformed it into a long catwalk lined with a beautiful garden. Myriad photo opportunities range from flowers to architecture to the skyline across the Hudson.

The tour culminates with a special presentation at B&H photo, world-famous for its incredible collection of photography equipment, advanced operating tools and family-run feel.

Express Access - Empire State Building Tour and Skyscraper Walk

Duration: 2 ½ hours Prices: $49/adults; $46 seniors; $44 students; $39 kids.

Starting at the aptly named Flatiron Building, one of New York's most unusual buildings and at the time of construction was one of its tallest, participants will learn about the clever engineering that went into constructing a 22-story triangular building before strolling along Fifth Avenue and Madison Square Park. One of the highlights of the tour includes a stop at number 230, where guests will access a rooftop garden for unbeatable views. Before heading to the Empire State Building, the guide will provide a detailed history of its art deco architecture, incredible construction and long and colorful history, as well as that of other icons such as the Chrysler Building.

Participants will be able to skip the majority of the long lines to enter the Empire State Building heading up to 86th floor observation deck offering 360 degree views over the city.

COMING SOON....

Broadway - Behind the Curtain

On this insider tour of Broadway, visitors will see what's behind the curtain in the world of Broadway Theater through stories of its most famous dramas (onstage and backstage). Guests will explore the famed Theater District, learning about the history of the theaters where legendary shows once played. There will also be exclusive access inside a historic playhouse, where guests will learn about the business of show business, from a show's creation to closing night. The group will also be joined by a Broadway insider who will share first-hand experiences of life in the theater. And, of course, there will be plenty of lively tales of Broadway lore; its stars, superstitions, ghosts, greatest hits...and infamous flops.

For more information on Walks of New York and to make reservations, visit www.walksofnewyork.com In order to view the special pricing on the tours, the tour must first be added to your cart, then click "Checkout."

Walks of New York is a brand extension of Walks of Italy, a well-known European tour experience started in 2009 providing small group tours with experienced, local guides to help travelers avoid long lines and gain special access to popular sites including the Vatican and Colosseum. Complementing its personalized small group tours, Walks of New York also features a travel blog with information, tips and insight for tourists and locals alike. For more information visit www.walksofnewyork.com or 1-888-683-8671.

About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases - America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

Pictured: Traveling back to ancient Egypt in the Met Museum. Photo by Stephen Oddo.