Oppenheimer in New York
Walk through the mind of a man, the making of an era, and the streets that shaped them both.
Why This Tour?
This walking tour connects the dots between radical ideas, world-shifting science, and the quiet streets of the Upper West Side, home to J. Robert Oppenheimer and the intellectual circles that helped shape the modern age. Against the backdrop of New Deal optimism and wartime urgency, explore how New York shaped the man who would become the “father of the atomic bomb.” Along the way, you'll encounter the residences, schools, and institutions that influenced not only Oppenheimer but the scientific and political figures around him.
More than just a scientist, Oppenheimer was a product of the cultural, philosophical, and political worlds of his time. Through stories of family ambition, academic brilliance, and the ethical weight of innovation, this tour explores the city’s deep influence on Oppenheimer’s evolution and the world-changing legacy he left behind.
What You'll Discover
Walk in Oppenheimer’s Footsteps
Explore his early life and childhood homes in the Upper West Side, tracing the origins of his character and worldview.
His Unusual Schooling
Learn how an unorthodox New York education sparked both scientific genius and deep philosophical inquiry.
The Oppenheimer Family’s Ascent
Follow the family's journey from European immigrants to members of Manhattan’s cultured and intellectual elite.
Echoes of the Manhattan Project
Visit sites connected to atomic-era science, shadowed by the political and ethical consequences of its breakthroughs.
Legacy, Morality & Fallout
Consider the questions that still surround Oppenheimer’s legacy, from patriotism and guilt to the boundaries of scientific responsibility.
Tour Details
Meeting point: OUTSIDE 94 Corner Cafe, 2518 Broadway, NY 10025 on the corner of Broadway and West 94th Street, beside the 94th St & 93 St East Side of Broadway exit to the 96th Street subway (Upper West Side, Manhattan)
Endpoint: Columbia University, Morningside Heights
Tour length: 2.5 hours
Distance covered: 1.7 miles
Meeting point: OUTSIDE 94 Corner Cafe, 2518 Broadway, on the corner of Broadway (east side) and West 94th Street (south side)
“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 occurring in both place and time. ”
“ 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.”
“We loved the Oppenheimer tour. It was compelling, eye-opening, and thought provoking. Our guide was brilliantly informed, and found 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!”