Tim Keller famously wrote, Cities, quite literally, have more of the image of God per square inch than any other place on earth.

But we know that for many people, whether they’re from a faith background or not, New York City seems like someplace to avoid. We’ve seen the headlines: rats, corruption, increasing crime. But are those headlines really true? Or is there a beautiful renewal happening in this city that sits at the center of many industries? Let us show you what’s really happening in New York City—or what can happen when people choose to serve and love the city and its inhabitants.

At Get A Glimpse Tours, we offer a unique way to experience New York City through a city-positive, renewal-minded, community-focused lens. Our tours give a local's perspective on the city’s iconic landmarks, rich history, and vibrant culture, all while reflecting on the deeper values that shape our lives. Whether you're a visitor or a local, we invite you to discover the stories and connections woven into the fabric of this incredible city.

About Us

Tours

Experience NYC through local insights, rich history, and vibrant culture with our unique tours.

Lungs of the City: Central Park

As in all our glimpses, we’ll reflect on what we can learn from this park — and why any of it matters. How did Central Park happen? Who is it for? How does it contribute to human flourishing? And what does this mean for how we think about this park, New Y

Central Park, upon its inception, was famously pitched as the “Lungs of the City.” It’s a place where New Yorkers go to exhale, and a place that gives its oxygen back to New Yorkers. It’s more than just a spot for weekend picnics and morning runs — it was crafted for respite, for community, for belonging.

Join us for this glimpse of the park’s iconic beauty, hidden gems, and famous landmarks, while learning about its rich history and intentional design. Learn what makes this park an essential part of New Yorker’s lives, and how it has shaped the great city it calls home.

As in all our glimpses, we’ll reflect on what we can learn from this park — and why any of it matters. How did Central Park happen? Who is it for? How does it contribute to human flourishing? And what does this mean for how we think about this park, New York City, and our own communities?

Highlights include:

• The Mall and Literary Walk

• Bethesda Terrace and Fountain

• The Bow Bridge

• Sheep Meadow

• The Ramble

• Belvedere Castle

• Plus More

Dry Bones Walking: High Line, Hudson Yards & Penn/Moynihan Station

On this tour we’ll explore this area’s past, present, and future as a transportation and cultural hub. And as in all our glimpses, we’ll reflect on what we can learn from this area — and why any of it matters. How did it happen? Who is it for? And what do

In Ezekiel 37, God says he will cause breath to come into dry bones, that he will breathe life into what had become lifeless. Perhaps there’s no better illustration of this in New York City than the High Line, Hudson Yards, & Penn/Moynihan Station, which have been completely transformed in the last twenty years.

The High Line, once the lifeline of the meatpacking district, had become an abandoned and unstable eyesore. And today, it’s a glorious, iconic park — the very backbone and impetus of revitalization for several neighborhoods spanning some 25 blocks.

Moynihan Train Hall rose from the old James A. Farley Post Office. Penn Station and Madison Square Garden famously came about from through the contested destruction of Old Penn Station. And Hudson Yards, literally built on top of a rail yard, is the largest mixed-use private development in American history, adding an entire zip code, an arts center, a school, and new landmarks like The Vessel.

On this tour we’ll explore this area’s past, present, and future as a transportation and cultural hub. And as in all our glimpses, we’ll reflect on what we can learn from this area — and why any of it matters. How did it happen? Who is it for? And what does this mean for how we think about this area, New York City, and our own communities?

Highlights include:

• The High Line

• Penn Station

• Moynihan Train Hall

• Madison Square Garden

• The Vessel

• Hudson Yards

• Neighborhood Transformation

Dive deep into the history of the NYC subway system on this tour that reveals how the transit network has shaped the city's growth and diversity. From its origins to present day, you'll explore how the subway connected neighborhoods, fueled economic expansion, and made New York the melting pot it is today, bringing together people from all walks of life.

Arteries of the City: NYC Subway

Additional tours and a calendar of bookable dates coming soon.
In the meantime, you can book us directly using the form below.

Get in touch

We are at work setting up a bookable calendar. In the meantime, please use this form to inquire about booking a tour.

Chris Dolan

Founder & Tour Guide

Chris Dolan is not a native New Yorker, but every generation of his family has lived in the New York City area since his ancestors immigrated to the United States. Chris has lived in the city for fifteen years with his wife, and he's now raising his own son here. Chris loves architecture, infrastructure, adaptive reuse, and third spaces. He's interested in how cities work and how communities flourish. Most of Chris' career has served churches and nonprofits from an operations and technical angle, with one of those roles being under the leadership of Tim Keller — the C.S. Lewis of our time, whose known vision for loving the city continues to inspire Chris.