Secrets, Lies & Grand Designs
The buildings that lied to your face. Walk two and a half miles from the Flatiron to the Waldorf and discover the unhinged decisions behind New York's most iconic stretch of real estate — a secret spire raised in ninety minutes, a librarian who burned her own diaries, and a hotel built entirely out of spite.
View in App — $9.99What You'll Experience
Plan your walk
Know the route before you buy
- Starts at
- Introduction
- Ends at
- The Reveal
- Walking plan
- 2h 30m · ~1.8 miles
- Schedule
- Start, pause, and resume anytime
Included in the app
- Professional narration
- GPS-triggered stops
- Downloadable tour audio
- Ask the Historian Q&A
- Optional end-of-tour reveal
- All 9 story stops
A taste of what you'll hear
9 stops, each with its own story. Here's a preview.
"Midtown Manhattan has a problem. It's full of buildings that are lying to you. That dome you're about to see? Cast iron painted to look like marble. The ceiling at Grand Central? Backwards."
"Bryant Park. Nearly ten acres of green chairs, French plane trees, and the world's most aggressively pleasant public space. It was not always this pleasant. Stand where you are and picture this."
"All right. You made it. Seven stops. Two and a half miles. Some of the most ambitious, eccentric, stubborn people who ever lived in this city. Now let's talk about the lies. I told you eighty percent of this tour was true."
Tour itinerary
Every stop on this walk
Explore the route before you go. Each stop has its own story preview, location details, and place in the larger tour.
- 1Introduction Read this stop
- 2The Flatiron Building Read this stop
- 3The Morgan Library & Museum Read this stop
- 4The New York Public Library Read this stop
- 5Bryant Park Read this stop
- 6Grand Central Terminal Read this stop
- 7The Chrysler Building Read this stop
- 8The Waldorf Astoria Read this stop
- 9The Reveal Read this stop
Stories first
Every stop is built around people, conflict, ambition, and consequences—not a plaque read aloud.
Most of it is true. The extra mischief is just a wink at the end, but the story is what carries the walk.
Have questions? Just ask.
Curious about something you heard? Want to know more about a place? Ask us anything — we have a lot to say. It's more fun when it's a conversation.
Ready?
Download the app, head to the starting point, and press play. The stories start themselves.
Get the AppBefore you go
Quick answers
How much is this tour?
$9.99 as a one-time purchase in the iOS app. The New York City city pack is $14.99 and includes every currently available tour in the city.
Can I use it with spotty cell service?
Download the tour audio on Wi-Fi before leaving. Cached narration plays without streaming; map tiles and other online features may still need a connection.
Do I have to start at a specific time?
No. Start when it suits you, pause for a detour or meal, and resume later. Check the opening hours of any venue you personally plan to enter.
Are admission tickets included?
The purchase covers the Bad Historian audio experience. Transportation, food, and admission to third-party attractions are not included.
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One-time
$9.99