New Amsterdam Walking Tour: Launching the TimeSpots in NYC
On Thursday 22 October 2026, we launched the eleven New Amsterdam TimeSpots in lower Manhattan with a New Amsterdam walking tour of the places featured in the app. More than a dozen members of the Guides Association of New York City joined dozens of other attendees, and together we looked at the city as it was in 1660, right where it once stood.
A walking tour with TimeLens in hand
The best part was seeing it happen. A large group of people went from spot to spot through the streets of Manhattan with TimeLens in hand, all using the app together. They pointed in wonder at what the city used to look like, and took historical selfies at their favourite spots. It was just as good to see so many New York City tour guides using the app enthusiastically for their own city.
Where the TimeSpots come from
The reconstructions were made together with the New Amsterdam History Center and are based on careful research around the 1660 Castello Plan. Each TimeSpot includes narration by Russell Shorto. The reconstructions at the base of the experience are the work of Eduard Van Dijk.
Thank you
Our thanks go to Toya Dubin of the New Amsterdam History Center for being our guide for the day and for organising it all with Vanessa Bezemer Sellers. Thank you also to Eduard Van Dijk, to Russell Shorto, to the guides of the Guides Association of New York City, and to everyone who joined us.
See New Amsterdam in 1660 yourself
All the New Amsterdam TimeSpots are live in the TimeLens app. You can see them in Manhattan, at the spots where it happened, or from the comfort of your home. Read more on our New Amsterdam page.
We build these reconstructions together with museums, historians and supporters who believe the past deserves to be seen again. If you represent a museum or heritage site, we would love to hear from you.
