Urban Oyster - NYC Walking Tours

Do I need to purchase my ticket in advance? 
Yes, advance ticket purchase is required for all Urban Oyster tours. Since tours tend to sell out quickly, please book well in advance to increase your chances of getting the date, time, and number of tickets you prefer.  Tickets can be purchased with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express.  If you would rather not purchase your ticket online, please call us at 347-599-1842 or send us an email at info@urbanoyster.com.

Will I need to show proof of my ticket purchase on the day of the tour?
Yes, you must bring a valid ticket confirmation or admission code to participate in Urban Oyster tours.   After you make your purchase, print out your ticket confirmation and bring it with you the day of your tour.  If you purchase tickets over the phone, you will receive a confirmation code that you should bring with you.   No tickets will be sold just before or during the tour.  To purchase tickets, please go to the Tours pageon this website.

If the tour is sold out, can I get on a waiting list?
If a date and time is sold out but there is enough additional demand, we will do our best to add an additional tour. Please send us an e-mail at info@urbanoyster.com to let us know which date/s you are interested in and we’ll get back to you if we plan to add more tours or if space opens up.

Do you offer discounted rates for tours?
Yes, we offer discounts to the following partner organizations:
10% off discounts are available for:
Members of the Brooklyn Historical Society for all Brooklyn-based tours
Members of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum for all Urban Oyster tours
Members of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative for all of our Brooklyn Navy Yard Tours and;
Tenants and Employees of the Brooklyn Navy Yard for all of our Brooklyn Navy Yard Tours. 
Each institution has a designated discount code. Discounts are only valid if you provide the institution's designated discount code when purchasing your ticket/s online or by phone.

All Cultour Card holders of the World Federation of Tour Guide Associations (including the Guides Association of New York City members) receive complimentary ticket/s if they call our office at 347-599-1842 to make the reservation and show the Cultour Card when checking in for the tour.
   
What is included in my ticket price for the tour?

• All food tastings and beverages
• Transportation during the tour
• Tour guide
• Neighborhood map with additional tour related info
  

Gratuity is not included in the ticket price nor is it required but it is always greatly appreciated.

What is Urban Oyster's cancellation policy?
Because we limit the number of people on our tours to provide a more interactive experience and we pre-arrange your food, beer tastings, and other accommodations, we will not refund tickets that are canceled within 72 hours of the tour start time.  If you cancel prior to 72 hours (3 days) before the tour, there will be a service charge of $10 per ticket.  If you have to cancel due to an emergency, please call us at 347-599-1842 or send us an email at info@urbanoyster.com. 

Do you offer private tours for groups?
Yes, of course!  If you book well enough in advance, we can usually adapt our content, route, and timeline to accommodate the needs of your group.  To inquire about and/or schedule a group tour, please write us at info@urbanoyster.com or call us at 347-599-1842.  If we do not answer the phone, please be sure to leave a message with your name, number, and we’ll get back with you within 24 hours.

Are children welcome on Urban Oyster tours?
Absolutely!  With the exception of our beer-related tours (see next question), we welcome people of all ages on the Brooklyn Navy Yard tours and Food Cart Tour.  While everyone is welcome, these tours are most appropriate for children who are eight and older.

May I go on the Brewed in Brooklyn tour or Fermented NY Crawl if I am under 21 years of age?
No.  Because the both tours include visits to a bar and a brewery, we can not be responsible for individuals under the age of 21. Proper identification will be required and checked at both the bar and brewery.  Although this tour is for individuals 21 years of age and older, we do have a wealth of experience in working with younger audiences and offer other tours that are age appropriate for families with children.  Click here for more information about those tours and how to reserve tickets.

Are tours offered only in English?
For the time being, our tours are only offered in English but we do hope to offer tours in other languages in the future, so stay tuned!   If you need a tour in Russian, German, or Italian, please let us know as we may have near fluent speakers available.

What does this tour offer for a tourist from out of town versus a native New Yorker?  If you've never been to New York City, then this tour will provide you with an off-the-beaten path perspective and a chance to learn about the people and places that make our neighborhoods tick.  If you're a native New Yorker, this tour will provide you with an in-depth look at one neighborhood and explore the history of beer through that neighborhood.  If you love the city, enjoy history, and are looking for something fun and interactive to do with family, friends, or a date, then this is perfect!

May I bring my dog?
You may bring your dog along on the Food Cart Tour, but otherwise we're very sorry...  We are indeed dog lovers but since our other tours go into establishments where food is being served, dogs are prohibited due to health department restrictions.

Where do we meet up for my tour?
When you make your reservation online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation that will include a map with directions about the designated meeting place for the tour.

What happens if there is inclement weather on the day of my tour?
Urban Oyster gives tours rain or shine, so please plan ahead and dress for the weather. In extreme cases, however, we do reserve the right to cancel tours if the weather conditions are dangerous and would call you at least 2.5 hours before your tour if this were the case. 

What should I wear? 
Be comfortable! Don’t carry anything heavy and please make sure to wear comfortable shoes.  If it’s raining outside, please make sure to dress appropriately and bring an umbrella.  If it’s cold, bundle up! 

How far will we walk on the tour?
The tours all involve approximately one mile of walking.

Will there be opportunities to use the restroom during the tour?
Yes, there are at least two stops where you will be able to use the restroom.

Will there be opportunities to sit down during the tour?
Yes!  There will be at least two opportunities to sit down during the tour.

May I shop on the tour?
Since we have so many things to see and do during the tour, we ask that you refrain from shopping until after the tour, however we encourage you to visit our partners following the tour or at a later date.

Are cameras allowed on the tours?
Yes, of course!  Please bring your camera and share your photographs afterward on our Flickr page or on facebook.

What about tips?
Tips are never required but always appreciated.