The Catcher in the Rye Walking Tour New York

Holden Arrives in New York

Holden retreats to a phone booth here after arriving from Pencey Prep, running through a mental list of people to call and finding a reason not to call any of them.

Drinks with Carl Luce

Holden works through several Scotch and sodas here waiting for Carl Luce, at the only hotel bar in the novel that's named after a real one, though the actual Seton is a budget hotel, not the swanky spot Salinger describes.

Holden's Morning

Holden lockers his bags here and eats breakfast at a sandwich counter, watching the morning commuters move through the concourse with a purposeful efficiency he finds both impressive and depressing.

Holden and Sally's Date

Holden takes Sally Hayes ice skating here, the most sustained attempt he makes at conventional social life during his two days in the city, at a rink that opened in 1936 as a temporary Depression-era attraction.

Where Do the Ducks Go

Holden's most persistent question in the novel, where the ducks go when this pond freezes over, has a simple answer: they come back every year, as they have since the park opened in 1858.

Holden and Phoebe's Walk

Holden follows Phoebe past the sea lions here in the novel's final chapters, and while they're still here today, the zoo's last polar bear died in 2013.

Phoebe Reaches for the Golden Ring

The novel ends here, with Holden sitting in the rain watching Phoebe reach for the golden ring, on the fourth carousel to stand on this spot since 1871.

Holden and Phoebe Explore

Two small boys ask Holden where the mummies are while he waits for Phoebe here, and he walks them to the Egyptian wing, describing the ancient objects with the same reverence he gives the Natural History dioramas.

A Museum Visit

Holden values this museum above almost anywhere else in the city because its exhibits never change while the visitors do, especially the 63-foot cedar canoe that has hung in the Northwest Coast Hall since the late 19th century.

The Catcher in the Rye Walking Tour
New York

Every Stop Has a Story

Holden Arrives in New York

Drinks with Carl Luce

Holden's Morning

Holden and Sally's Date

Where Do the Ducks Go

Holden and Phoebe's Walk

Phoebe Reaches for the Golden Ring

Holden and Phoebe Explore

A Museum Visit

Ready to live the story?

The Catcher in the Rye Walking TourNew York

Every Stop Has a Story

Holden Arrives in New York

Drinks with Carl Luce

Holden's Morning

Holden and Sally's Date

Where Do the Ducks Go

Holden and Phoebe's Walk

Phoebe Reaches for the Golden Ring

Holden and Phoebe Explore

A Museum Visit

Ready to live the story?

The Catcher in the Rye Walking Tour
New York