Patti Smith & Robert Mapplethorpe Tour

Patti Smith’s bestselling autobiography, Just Kids, recounts the story of Patti’s earliest years in New York, her first encounters with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, their lives together in the city, and their lifelong friendship. This tour aims to bring that story to life by placing Patti and Robert’s experiences in a broader geographic and social context. Whether or not you’ve read the book (though you should - it’s a great read!), you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding and insight into the lives and careers of these two major artists, and the circumstances that allowed them to thrive.

Locations include:
- Where Patti and Robert had their first substantial interaction, and recognized each other as kindred spirits
- The legendary Chelsea Hotel, where Patti and Robert lived among some of the most significant artists of the time
- Several residences from throughout Patti and Robert’s lives and careers
- The studio where Patti recorded her first single “Hey Joe,” and her albums Horses, Gone Again, and Banga
- The record store where Patti met Lenny Kaye, and the unconventional venue where they made their live debut together
- Robert’s longtime photo studio and darkroom, where many of his best-known pictures were taken
- Where Patti and Bruce Springsteen first performed “Because the Night” together
- Where Robert shot the album cover photos for Patti’s Horses and Wave
- Where Patti first met Allen Ginsberg
- Where Patti met Sam Shepard, and where they wrote Cowboy Mouth together
- Key venues from throughout Patti’s career, including Max’s Kansas City, CBGB, St. Marks Church, the Bitter End, the Village Gate, Gerde’s Folk City, and CBGB’s 2nd Ave Theater
- Sites related to key collaborators and peers, including Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, Television, Velvet Underground, Blue Oyster Cult, Jim Carroll, Sam Wagstaff, Todd Rundgren, and Jackie Curtis

Photo by Klaus Hiltscher via Wikimedia Commons

Details

- Begins in Chelsea and ends in Greenwich Village
- The tour lasts approximately three hours and covers three miles
- Comfortable shoes and bottled water are strongly recommended
- Gratuities are welcome but not mandatory

Check out this Tidal playlist to dive deeper into the music behind the destinations

Rates

$65/person

- two person minimum -
in the event that only one person books a tour, they will be offered the chance to cancel or have a private tour for an additional fee

Offered on Sundays. Private weekday tours and large group rates available by request