Alex Raphaël

How could it be that the curve of a street near Washington Sq Park and an offset wall of a townhouse are clues to a buried creek the Lenape named Minetta? What artifacts of Dutch streets and farms are left behind by Manhattan's grid system? Walk with me around familiar neighborhoods and we'll begin to tell a story of NYC that stretches from that new bodega opening up back to the last ice age.

I've always pointed out fun, "did-you-know" tidbits on walks with friends, until wandering the clues of that buried creek led me to late nights looking up old maps, and New York's vast history began to illuminate itself. That passion became a walking tour for my friends, one of whom suggested I apply to lead a Jane's Walk. Professionally I work on film sets in NYC and beyond, and am very attuned to how place and setting help tell stories. I'm new to leading official tours, so come along with me for this new chapter!