Purefinder New York
Purefinder New York
Purefinder New York: Dark History Tours Through NYC’s Buried Past
Discover what the city doesn’t want you to see.
As Featured In
“Forget Hamilton singalongs and ghost stories. Purefinder New York offers something far more provocative.”
“Purefinder New York shows off a different part of the city.”
“Get a glimpse into the city’s macabre history.”
Our Tours
Purefinder New York leads walking tours into the city’s hidden past, places and stories most guidebooks ignore. From burial grounds and psychiatric wards to radical politics, scandal, and early science, our tours explore the truths that shaped New York beneath the surface.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime local, you'll experience a side of the city that’s often erased, avoided, or forgotten. We also offer private tours and lectures. Get in touch to learn more.
About
Purefinder New York uncovers the city’s hidden history, stories of death, mental health, epidemics, reform, and the institutions that shaped urban life. We’re part of the growing world of dark tours in NYC, but unlike ghost tours, our walks are grounded in real history, not legends. These overlooked truths made New York what it is today.
Led by experts and grounded in research, our tours offer a bold, thoughtful alternative to surface-level sightseeing, designed for curious visitors, lifelong locals, and anyone who wants to see the city differently.
Our Story
Purefinder New York was founded by journalist and author K. Krombie as an independent, woman-run project committed to uncovering the city’s overlooked truths. Inspired by her book, , Death in New York, Purefinder brings forgotten voices, erased histories, and untold stories back into the streets where they happened.
Recognized for Excellence
Purefinder New York is recommended by 100% of travelers on TripAdvisor and has earned Viator’s Badge of Excellence. We’re also featured on KAYAK as a top-rated tour provider.
Our unique walking tours have been praised by major outlets including Time Out New York, NPR, Fox 5, and the New York Post. Time Out named us one of their top 10 quirky NYC events and described our tours as uncovering “the ‘forbidden’ parts of NYC you won’t find in a guidebook.”
See more media mentions.
Recognized for Excellence
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Officially featured on KAYAK