Hell Gate: New York’s Forgotten Islands Walking Tour

Learn the history behind one of New York City’s most dangerous waterways. This guided walking tour explores the Hell Gate section of the East River between Manhattan and Astoria, Queens, an area once feared for its powerful currents, hidden reefs, and shipwrecks. Participants walk along Randall’s Island to hear stories of river pirates, bridge conspiracies, maritime disasters, and the nearby islands that once held quarantine hospitals and prisons. The tour offers an in-depth look at how this small stretch of river influenced New York’s maritime past and urban development.