Marilyn Monroe first visited New York in 1954, when she was filming as “The Girl” for The Seven Year Itch. She’d later move to New York for the same reason many of us do: she hoped doing so would change her life. After years of grinding away in the Hollywood studio system, Monroe wanted to study with legendary instructors at The Actors Studio and launch her own production company. Her years in New York certainly did change her — over the next seven years of her life, Monroe married and divorced Arthur Miller; walked Lexington Avenue with Truman Capote, her friend and confidante; sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at Madison Square Garden; and launched that eponymous production company, making history when she did so.
This self-guided tour through Marilyn Monroe’s Manhattan doesn’t hit all the highlights, but you’ll walk the Midtown East streets made up her formative time in New York City. You don’t have to strictly adhere to the itinerary below, and you should feel free to walk at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll feel inspired to don Monroe’s New York disguise: a chiffon headscarf and “owlish black sunglasses,” as observed by Capote.
Accessibility
I've envisioned the walk occurring along major subway lines (Marilyn herself preferred riding the train to taking a cab!). Because the walk is self-guided, I'm hoping that allows for some greater flexibility; people can move at their own pace or adjust for mobility concerns.
