New York Feline-Themed Walking Tour

Discover the untold cat history of New York on the only feline-themed walking tour of the Lower East Side. Led by Peggy Gavan, historian and author of The Cat Men of Gotham, this experience uncovers real stories of heroic cats, local legends, and the surprising role cats played in shaping the neighborhood’s past.
You’ll hear about tavern cats at McSorley’s, punk rock cats at CBGB, immigrant tenement mousers, and the rise of modern rescue efforts. It’s a walking tour that blends gritty local history with stories you won’t find anywhere else—perfect for history lovers, cat people, or both.

Group sizes are kept small to keep the experience personal as you explore the hidden corners of this iconic neighborhood.

Meeting Point

Cooper Square & East 7th Street

Cooper Sq & E 7th St, New York, NY 10003, USA

Your guide, Peggy, will be holding a “Cats About Town” sign!

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Peter Cooper Village

New York City, New York

Meet at Cooper Triangle where your guide will introduce you to the tour. You'll hear the first cat tales focused on McSorley's Old Ale House and learn about the tavern cats of the 19th century that kept this historic establishment mouse-free.

15 minutes

McSorley's Old Ale House

15 E 7th St, , New York City, 10003-8291, New York

NYC's oldest continuously operating saloon and discover stories of its famous feline residents who witnessed decades of history while keeping the establishment rodent-free. Learn how these cats became part of the bar's storied legacy.

10 minutes

CBGB Club

315 Bowery, New York, NY 10003, USA

Stand outside the former location of the legendary CBGB music venue while hearing tales of the cats who lived among punk rock royalty and became mascots for musicians and fans during the neighborhood's most influential musical era.

10 minutes

Eldridge Street Synagogue

12 Eldridge St., New York City, 10002, New York

Visit this historic district to hear fascinating tales of police station cats, neighborhood mascots, and the beloved eccentric Rosalie Goodman, known as the Lower East Side's famous "crazy cat lady" who cared for dozens of strays in this area.

10 minutes

Chinatown

Canal Street to Bayard Street, , New York City, 10013, New York

Stand at this cultural intersection where the Lower East Side meets Chinatown and learn about the cats that bridged these diverse communities. Discover stories of shop cats and community felines that became neighborhood fixtures.

10 minutes