In lower Manhattan’s financial district, a niche walking tour dedicated to spotting New York City’s famed rats offers an unusual glimpse into the urban wildlife and sanitation history of the metropolis. Priced at $45 for a two-and-a-half-hour experience, the tour traverses areas known for rat activity but has recently encountered fewer live sightings.
New York rats trace their origins to Europe, arriving on ships during the 18th century, and have long thrived in the city’s dense environment and waste. Despite ongoing efforts over centuries to control the estimated three million-strong population, the rodents remain a persistent feature of city life.
Recent administrations have differed in their approaches to rat control. Former Mayor Eric Adams, in office from 2022 until last year, aggressively targeted the issue, declaring a “war on rats,” appointing a “rat tsar,” and instituting a “trash revolution” aimed at modernizing waste management through the introduction of wheelie bins. His successor, Zohran Mamdani, has taken a less vigorous stance but has pledged to implement a comprehensive “trash containerisation plan” by 2031, aiming to install large, lockable bins across all five boroughs.
Signs suggest some progress may be underway. Rat sightings reportedly declined by 22 percent during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. This trend corresponds with observations from tour guide Suzanne Reisman, who leads the rat tours and noted fewer rats in usual hotspots. Reisman, who transitioned from a career in social services to guiding these tours in April 2025, balances enthusiasm for rodents with public health concerns. She acknowledged that the scarcity of live rats is positive from a health perspective but poses challenges for the tour’s appeal.
The tours blend urban history with rodent ecology, highlighting sites of past incidents, such as a notorious 1979 rat attack near Wall Street. Participants encounter various remnants of rat populations, including droppings, burrows, and carcasses. Despite limited live sightings during a recent tour, Reisman and other enthusiasts emphasize the enduring presence of rats due to persistent waste management challenges.
Interest in rats as urban figures has grown beyond tours. Social media personalities like Kenny Bollwerk, known as “Rat Daddy,” have amassed substantial followings by livestreaming rat observations, contributing to a somewhat pop culture status for the creatures.
Tour attendees often come from diverse motivations. For instance, Kaitlyn Needham and James Seir, visitors from New Zealand, included the rat tour among cultural experiences during their visit, with one partner expressing particular fascination with the animals.
Looking ahead, experts warn that rat populations could rebound if efforts to improve waste containment stall or weather conditions become more favorable for rodent survival. Nevertheless, guides like Reisman are confident that interest in the city’s rat dynamics will endure, whether through tours focused on rodents or broader sanitation issues, noting that garbage—and its associated wildlife—remains a defining feature of New York City’s urban landscape.