Every place has a story. We think you should hear it.

Escapade began in the West Village, on the walks Rafaël kept giving to friends who came to visit New York. The same questions came up every time: why does this street bend, who lived in that house, is the line at that bakery worth it?

Guidebooks answered some of it. Group tours answered more, at 10 a.m., for two hours, in a crowd. What was missing was the friend who knows the neighborhood, available whenever you are, talking to you while you look up from your phone.

So that's what Escapade is. An audio walking tour that plays each story as you reach the place it's about — from locals who know the street, or built on the spot around the time you have and the things you care about.

We care about getting it right: real places, the history behind them, and honest opinions about what to skip. No "hidden gem" that's actually a chain store.