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Oppenheimer Walking Tour: Discover Manhattan's Atomic Legacy
5.0
12 Ratings
New York
Uncover the fascinating story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb on a walking tour of Manhattan. Explore his early years, immigrant roots, and the sites of the Manhattan Project.
Uncover the fascinating story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb on a walking tour of Manhattan. Explore his early years, immigrant roots, and the sites of the Manhattan Project.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Upper West Side - We will visit the premarital home of Ella Oppenheimer, Robert Oppenheimer’s mother, to discuss J. Robert Oppenheimer’s immigrant ancestry.
- Upper West Side - We will visit the site of Oppenheimer’s birth to discuss his parents’ life in New York.
- Upper West Side - We will visit the former home of Edwin R. A. Seligman to…
- Upper West Side - We will visit the premarital home of Ella Oppenheimer, Robert Oppenheimer’s mother, to discuss J. Robert Oppenheimer’s immigrant ancestry.
- Upper West Side - We will visit the site of Oppenheimer’s birth to discuss his parents’ life in New York.
- Upper West Side - We will visit the former home of Edwin R. A. Seligman to discuss Oppenheimer’s education at the Ethical Culture School.
- Upper West Side - We will visit the Clarendon, the former home of William Randolph Hearst, who was the talk of Oppenheimer’s childhood neighborhood and had ties with the world leaders who would be forever connected by WWII and Oppenheimer.
- Riverside Drive - We will visit the childhood home of J. Robert Oppenheimer to discuss his childhood and adolescence.
- Soldiers’ and Sailors Monument New York - Visitors will learn about the history of Riverside Drive that coincided with Oppenheimer’s formative years.
- Riverside Drive - We will visit the Master Apartments to discuss FDR’s New Deal and the various ideologies of that era that prospered and informed Oppenheimer as a young man.
- New York Buddhist Church - We will look at the Shinran Statue to discuss the cause and the effect of the atomic bomb.
- Riverside Drive - We will visit the home of Isidor Rabi, a pioneer in 20th-century physics, a Nobel Prize winner, and a close friend of Oppenheimer.
What's Included
- All applicable fees and taxes included
- All applicable fees and taxes included
Additional Information
Explore the thoughts of a visionary, the creation of a significant era, and the streets that influenced them both.
This walking tour links the connections between groundbreaking ideas, transformative science, and the serene streets of the Upper West Side—home to J. Robert Oppenheimer and the intellectual communities that contributed to shaping the modern…
Explore the thoughts of a visionary, the creation of a significant era, and the streets that influenced them both.
This walking tour links the connections between groundbreaking ideas, transformative science, and the serene streets of the Upper West Side—home to J. Robert Oppenheimer and the intellectual communities that contributed to shaping the modern world. Set against the backdrop of New Deal optimism and the urgency of wartime, discover how New York influenced the man who would become known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” As you journey, you’ll discover the homes, schools, and institutions that impacted not only Oppenheimer but also the scientific and political figures surrounding him.
Location
94 Corner Cafe
Broadway
Outside 94 Corner Cafe on the corner of Broadway (east side) and West 94th Street (south side).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Jacobl879
Mar 25, 2025
A jem in New York - This is an extensively researched tour given by a professional historian that should not be missed on a visit to New York. The tour is both educative and enlightening in that it contextualizes Oppenheimer & Co. as part of the broader revolutions in thought occuring in both place and time. The tour leader is highly entrepeneurial and a pleasure to spend an afternoon with.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paular2778ut
Jan 24, 2025
Informative tour that draws interesting connections. - Tour started on time, directions for the meeting place were clear and simple. Content-wise I thought this was very well crafted. Many interweaving connections into Oppenheimer's life and the people and ideas that influenced him that I never heard or read before. Very informative and the guide was knowledgeable. A few stops took me by surprise, and all of them are very close to each other, so there is little idle walking time or long treks. This was my first Purefinder tour and I now plan on seeing the other tours they have to offer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tom
Jan 24, 2025
New York insight - I think by this point I have attended every Purefinder tour. All have been exceptional, including Oppenheimer, the most recent. Fascinating insights into the man and the people and places that made him what he became. The tour was well-researched, beautifully constructed, and made even better by Krombie’s clear and enthusiastic presentation. Like every other Purefinder tour, it is totally unique and a joy to experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S5308afkarim
Jan 21, 2025
AMAZING! - This tour is amazing. The connections made between different contemporaneous people made the story make so much sense.
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Adventure733183
Jan 19, 2025
Excellent tour - On this Oppenheimer tour, you don’t just learn about the relevant people and places. K. Krombie colorfully weaves into the history all of the ideas of the time, the philosophical and political movements, so you begin to understand the how’s and the why’s of Oppenheimer’s life and legacy. We got both the big picture and the finest detail - macro and micro, all in one experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissafm2872lf
Feb 11, 2024
Such a fun afternoon!! - I think I’m addicted to walking tours now thanks to this experience. I’ve done all the Purefinder tours and emphatically recommend each! Perfectly paced, entertaining as they are informative. You get to explore one of the most exciting cities in the country with a vibrant, witty, and engaging host. Worth every penny, do them all!!!
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H41ommaggiek
Jan 27, 2024
Excellent! - A wonderful tour! Krombie is so knowledgeable and funny, she carefully curated this tour to showcase the various circles of society that influenced Oppenheimer's upbringing, moral philosophy, and career. We heard about the thriving expat Jewish community on the Upper West Side, along with the intellectual, scientific, and artistic circles that influenced him. Even though this is a relatively new Purefinder tour, Krombie seems like she already has an excellent grasp of material and was happy to answer questions or elaborate further. Highly recommend, looking forward to another tour with her soon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annietippe
Dec 31, 2023
A delightful and thought provoking idea for a date or tour with friends! - We loved the Oppenheimer tour. It was compelling, eye-opening, and thought provoking. Our guide was brilliantly informed, and find ways to tie so many different movements of the time into the conversation. So while it was Oppenheimer focused, you really got a sense of society, politics and the city at the time!
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Rodeonyc
Nov 30, 2023
Purefinder is a great find! - Second tour with Purefinder . Highly educational walking tour filled with Krombie’s endless knowledge and theatrical delivery. My partner is a lifelong New Yorker and we have both lived on the upper west side for many years. We had no idea that Oppenheimer, his ancestors, and his children had such a presence and influence here. Many cool factoids about the man and his contemporaries who resided here. These tours are the best in NYC for sure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ellar1997
Nov 8, 2023
A Fantastic Tour. - I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! I have done all of Krombie's other tours and I was so excited to embark on this one and I had a fantastic time. I did not know much about Oppenheimer before the tour but I now know so much more. Krombie is so knowledgeable and her tours are so cleverly and carefully put together. You get to see parts of NYC that you don't normally notice or see when you're just walking around normally. I would highly recommend this tour, especially if you like tours that are different to the normal walking tour you would get in NYC. It was honestly so interesting and I had no idea about some of the hidden things that lay where I have previously walked past without giving a second thought. I would highly recommend you do this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
