Here's what some past attendees have to say about Susan's Fab 4 NYC Tour!
Recently, my childhood friends and I gathered in New York City to see if we could bring back a little of our youth. See, we're all 65+ and lived through Beatlemania in the mid-60's. We were looking to do something special and came across Susan Ryan and her Beatles walking tour in Manhattan. We all met at Radio City Music Hall and the tour began. For the next 2 1/2 hours, we were regaled by Susan's stories and small factoids that even we Beatles nuts had no clue about. It was a fascinating journey back in time, with so many wonderful stories and more importantly for us, an instant transport back in time to when every day meant listening to WABeatleC with Cousin Brucie and Big Dan Ingram, and waiting for the next single to be released. Susan brought all of us back to this wonderful time in our lives and it was a very special day for us. I want to thank Susan for an absolutely wonderful day in New York City. If you are looking for something special to spend half a day in New York, you will not find a better thing to do but to sign up for this Beatles tour. I highly recommend Susan Ryan and her Beatles tour. -- Chris Forte, Brooklyn, NY
I've enjoyed multiple Beatles themed tours of Liverpool and London but I’d never considered one based in New York City. Being less than three hours away from The Big Apple, I decided it was high time. On Friday, June 6th, 2014, I traveled to NYC for a Beatles walking tour, hosted by renowned Fab Four expert and guide, Susan Ryan. Susan not only adores The Beatles, she grew up in New York City and still lives there. In other words, she talks the talk and really does walk the walk. Our group of ten began our jaunt on West 48th Street at the site of Manny's Music (which is currently closed and will soon be torn down). The expedition concluded about two hours and forty five minutes later at John Lennon’s final residence (and Yoko Ono’s current NYC digs), The Dakota. The numerous ports of call along the way included The Ed Sullivan Theater, Allen Klein's former office, Carnegie Hall, Strawberry Fields in Central Park, The Plaza Hotel, Radio City Music Hall and Paul McCartney's understated New York City business headquarters. Susan had interesting and insightful remarks and stories (many of them anecdotal) regarding each of these significant Beatles NYC landmarks. There were also several cool, creative people on the tour including Jackie Spencer, one of Susan's tour guide counterparts from Liverpool, who happened to be visiting the States that week. Jackie added “color” to Susan’s “play-by-play” and it was a real treat. Also in our flock that day were Ed, a DJ and Beatles tribute band promoter from New Jersey, Lanea, a rock and roll chef from Indiana, and Al, an author with a brand new book about 101 days in the 1960s that changed the world, also from New Jersey. Susan’s tour is concise, professional and enthusiastic. The perfect weather didn't hurt either. I can't think of a better way for a Beatles fan to spend a half day in New York City than to spend it walking with and listening to Susan Ryan. Remember to wear comfortable shoes. You’ll cover so much ground that you won’t need to go to the gym the next day! Thanks for a fab Friday, Susan! -- Rick Bedrosian, Delmar, NY (Rick is the bass player and leader of the band Hair Of The Dog, and he portrays George Harrison in the Beatles tribute band Hey Jude.)
How is your bucket list coming along? Well, mine is getting shorter, thanks to Susan Ryan! Yes, indeed, this spring I finally got into NYC without being part of an organized group! My time was my own for five days, and I scheduled myself up to the hilt! Susan was a real doll and communicated with me back and forth to do her best to find me a block of time when I could piggy-back on a walking tour with 4 other people. The meeting place could not have been more convenient. Away we went! The best parts were the personal scenarios and reminiscences of her experiences on these very streets when there was Beatle action of any kind. And if she had not been on site, she certainly knew details of occurrences and dilemmas that she had heard through the local grapevine. She has a wealth of information which a Beatle fan of 50 years (like myself) grew up with, devoured, and digested over and over; and even these details were seen in a different light when observing the reactions of a second generation Beatle fan. It was all quite a delight. I learned a little more about the Dakota. Central Park is never the same twice; it is the people there that change the atmosphere every time I am at the Imagine Mosaic. My eyes and ears were taking in so much, I am sure my endorphins were fairly dancing in my head. Don't we all need some of that from time to time? -- Elizabeth Brett Smith, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Susan Ryan does an excellent job as a Beatles tour guide in New York City. She is well versed in Beatles history and shares her information generously. She maximizes her time and the walking route to show guests a multitude of Beatles-related landmarks. I am an "original fan" from the 1960s who is knowledgeable about the Beatles, and I found it refreshing to discuss my favorite subject with a tour guide who could share so much new insight and information about the Fab Four. I completely enjoyed seeing New York from a Beatles perspective. It was my first time visiting the city, and my tour with Susan was definitely the high point of the trip! -- Jill Kasel, Dubuque, IA
I wanted to treat my daughter Madalyn to a very special “Beatles” weekend in New York City, as she was beginning to discover the Beatles and John Lennon in particular, via books and videos. Susan’s Fab 4 walking tour was excellent! Susan was totally charming, she was a true fan but also a New Yorker who really knew her material and subjects. The tour was about 2 1/2 hours, but the pace was just perfect, with Susan providing unique insights into the Beatles and Lennon’s history all along the way. Susan shared some incredible insights, even personal nvolvement with some major players in the Lennon and Beatles circle, all tied to Manhattan and totally fascinating. I was thoroughly charmed and won over by Susan and her Fab 4 walking tour of Manhattan. I would highly recommend this for any novice or hardcore Beatles or Lennon fan. I now consider Susan as a personal friend of mine in NY -- Brian O’Malley, Dallas, TX
Thanks to Susan for guiding us on our recent Beatles walking tour of NYC. her enthusiasm and Beatles-related knowledge of the great sights we visited provided a great backdrop for the start of our NYC weekend. Although we booked the tour on short notice, she was extremely accommodating and giving of her time and we are grateful to her. I highly recommend the tour for first generation fans like myself as well as families. My wife and I were accompanied by our 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son on the tour and everyone in our small group had a great time. Susan is a wonderful person and a terrific Beatles tour guide. Thanks again! -- David Pogue, Pittsburgh, PA
My husband David and I have for many years attended New York Metro The Fest For Beatles Fans in the Meadowlands and have long known of the Fab 4 Tour in NYC. We had always said it sounded neat and something we should do, so we finally did it. On October 1st, 2011 we had a wonderful 2 1/2 hour conducted tour of Beatle history through New York City by Susan of the Fab 4 NYC Walking Tour. From our first meeting point to the last stop of the tour, Susan’s thorughness of all the events of the Beatles’ visits to NYC, along with her personal encounters and scrapbook kept us both entertained. We stopped at several famed highlights remembering the Beatles; i.e., Ed Sullivan Theatre, The Plaza Hotel, Manny’s Music, etc. We would both highly recommend this tour. Susan brings such a personal touch to this experience that if you are Beatles fans like we are, you are sure to love this tour! -- Kathy Gabrielle, Wyckoff, NJ
Recently, my childhood friends and I gathered in New York City to see if we could bring back a little of our youth. See, we're all 65+ and lived through Beatlemania in the mid-60's. We were looking to do something special and came across Susan Ryan and her Beatles walking tour in Manhattan. We all met at Radio City Music Hall and the tour began. For the next 2 1/2 hours, we were regaled by Susan's stories and small factoids that even we Beatles nuts had no clue about. It was a fascinating journey back in time, with so many wonderful stories and more importantly for us, an instant transport back in time to when every day meant listening to WABeatleC with Cousin Brucie and Big Dan Ingram, and waiting for the next single to be released. Susan brought all of us back to this wonderful time in our lives and it was a very special day for us. I want to thank Susan for an absolutely wonderful day in New York City. If you are looking for something special to spend half a day in New York, you will not find a better thing to do but to sign up for this Beatles tour. I highly recommend Susan Ryan and her Beatles tour. -- Chris Forte, Brooklyn, NY
I've enjoyed multiple Beatles themed tours of Liverpool and London but I’d never considered one based in New York City. Being less than three hours away from The Big Apple, I decided it was high time. On Friday, June 6th, 2014, I traveled to NYC for a Beatles walking tour, hosted by renowned Fab Four expert and guide, Susan Ryan. Susan not only adores The Beatles, she grew up in New York City and still lives there. In other words, she talks the talk and really does walk the walk. Our group of ten began our jaunt on West 48th Street at the site of Manny's Music (which is currently closed and will soon be torn down). The expedition concluded about two hours and forty five minutes later at John Lennon’s final residence (and Yoko Ono’s current NYC digs), The Dakota. The numerous ports of call along the way included The Ed Sullivan Theater, Allen Klein's former office, Carnegie Hall, Strawberry Fields in Central Park, The Plaza Hotel, Radio City Music Hall and Paul McCartney's understated New York City business headquarters. Susan had interesting and insightful remarks and stories (many of them anecdotal) regarding each of these significant Beatles NYC landmarks. There were also several cool, creative people on the tour including Jackie Spencer, one of Susan's tour guide counterparts from Liverpool, who happened to be visiting the States that week. Jackie added “color” to Susan’s “play-by-play” and it was a real treat. Also in our flock that day were Ed, a DJ and Beatles tribute band promoter from New Jersey, Lanea, a rock and roll chef from Indiana, and Al, an author with a brand new book about 101 days in the 1960s that changed the world, also from New Jersey. Susan’s tour is concise, professional and enthusiastic. The perfect weather didn't hurt either. I can't think of a better way for a Beatles fan to spend a half day in New York City than to spend it walking with and listening to Susan Ryan. Remember to wear comfortable shoes. You’ll cover so much ground that you won’t need to go to the gym the next day! Thanks for a fab Friday, Susan! -- Rick Bedrosian, Delmar, NY (Rick is the bass player and leader of the band Hair Of The Dog, and he portrays George Harrison in the Beatles tribute band Hey Jude.)
How is your bucket list coming along? Well, mine is getting shorter, thanks to Susan Ryan! Yes, indeed, this spring I finally got into NYC without being part of an organized group! My time was my own for five days, and I scheduled myself up to the hilt! Susan was a real doll and communicated with me back and forth to do her best to find me a block of time when I could piggy-back on a walking tour with 4 other people. The meeting place could not have been more convenient. Away we went! The best parts were the personal scenarios and reminiscences of her experiences on these very streets when there was Beatle action of any kind. And if she had not been on site, she certainly knew details of occurrences and dilemmas that she had heard through the local grapevine. She has a wealth of information which a Beatle fan of 50 years (like myself) grew up with, devoured, and digested over and over; and even these details were seen in a different light when observing the reactions of a second generation Beatle fan. It was all quite a delight. I learned a little more about the Dakota. Central Park is never the same twice; it is the people there that change the atmosphere every time I am at the Imagine Mosaic. My eyes and ears were taking in so much, I am sure my endorphins were fairly dancing in my head. Don't we all need some of that from time to time? -- Elizabeth Brett Smith, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Susan Ryan does an excellent job as a Beatles tour guide in New York City. She is well versed in Beatles history and shares her information generously. She maximizes her time and the walking route to show guests a multitude of Beatles-related landmarks. I am an "original fan" from the 1960s who is knowledgeable about the Beatles, and I found it refreshing to discuss my favorite subject with a tour guide who could share so much new insight and information about the Fab Four. I completely enjoyed seeing New York from a Beatles perspective. It was my first time visiting the city, and my tour with Susan was definitely the high point of the trip! -- Jill Kasel, Dubuque, IA
I wanted to treat my daughter Madalyn to a very special “Beatles” weekend in New York City, as she was beginning to discover the Beatles and John Lennon in particular, via books and videos. Susan’s Fab 4 walking tour was excellent! Susan was totally charming, she was a true fan but also a New Yorker who really knew her material and subjects. The tour was about 2 1/2 hours, but the pace was just perfect, with Susan providing unique insights into the Beatles and Lennon’s history all along the way. Susan shared some incredible insights, even personal nvolvement with some major players in the Lennon and Beatles circle, all tied to Manhattan and totally fascinating. I was thoroughly charmed and won over by Susan and her Fab 4 walking tour of Manhattan. I would highly recommend this for any novice or hardcore Beatles or Lennon fan. I now consider Susan as a personal friend of mine in NY -- Brian O’Malley, Dallas, TX
Thanks to Susan for guiding us on our recent Beatles walking tour of NYC. her enthusiasm and Beatles-related knowledge of the great sights we visited provided a great backdrop for the start of our NYC weekend. Although we booked the tour on short notice, she was extremely accommodating and giving of her time and we are grateful to her. I highly recommend the tour for first generation fans like myself as well as families. My wife and I were accompanied by our 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son on the tour and everyone in our small group had a great time. Susan is a wonderful person and a terrific Beatles tour guide. Thanks again! -- David Pogue, Pittsburgh, PA
My husband David and I have for many years attended New York Metro The Fest For Beatles Fans in the Meadowlands and have long known of the Fab 4 Tour in NYC. We had always said it sounded neat and something we should do, so we finally did it. On October 1st, 2011 we had a wonderful 2 1/2 hour conducted tour of Beatle history through New York City by Susan of the Fab 4 NYC Walking Tour. From our first meeting point to the last stop of the tour, Susan’s thorughness of all the events of the Beatles’ visits to NYC, along with her personal encounters and scrapbook kept us both entertained. We stopped at several famed highlights remembering the Beatles; i.e., Ed Sullivan Theatre, The Plaza Hotel, Manny’s Music, etc. We would both highly recommend this tour. Susan brings such a personal touch to this experience that if you are Beatles fans like we are, you are sure to love this tour! -- Kathy Gabrielle, Wyckoff, NJ