With one of these tours, you can make the most of your stay in New York.
Even the most experienced traveler may find New York City to be too overwhelming due to its never-ending list of must-see sites. Why not use the services of locals to help guide you so that you may fit in as much sightseeing as you can? U.S. experts and travelers’ opinions were consulted. The best New York City tours, according to news, include bus tours, beautiful cruises, bicycle tours around Central Park, and helicopter flights over the city.
Central Park Bike Tour – Rent a Bike in NYC
Starting at $45
Time: two hours
The Central Park Bike Tour, led by Bike Rent NYC, takes riders through about 5 miles of Central Park in about two hours. Along the trip, there are various stops, including the Reservoir, Strawberry Fields, and Bethesda Fountain. The guides’ expertise and love for the park are frequently lauded in reviews. The first tour of the day leaves at 9 a.m., and visitors claim that they are not physically demanding.
Each ticket is about $45 in price. The ticket includes both the use of bicycles and the usage of helmets, which are required for riders aged 14 and under. Prefer to go independently? Additionally, the business rents out bicycles that are ideal for independent excursions.
Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest is being held by Ahoy New York Tours & Tasting.
Starting at $105
Time: three hours
On this three-hour walking tour, sample the cuisine of Little Italy and Chinatown. With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll stop for seven tastes of regional cuisine as you stroll through five famous New York City neighborhoods. Cannolis, homemade mozzarella, Chinese dumplings, and other foods may be sampled. Participants laud the interpreters’ historical expertise and the quantity of food served, however several caution that you should come hungry to get the most out of the tour’s offerings.
Tours start every day at 10:30 a.m. from Thursday through Monday, with an extra 11 a.m. Thursday through Saturday: the tour. A glass of wine or beer (for attendees 21 and over) may be added to the ticket price of roughly $105 per person, which also includes all meals at the seated tasting. Ahoy New York Food Tours also provides Mulberry Street tours if you’re still peckish.
“Sex and the City” Hotspots Tour with On-Site Tours
Starting at $66
Timing: 3.5 hours
Fans of a particular television program featuring four stylish women will find something to like in New York City, which caters to just about everyone. The “Sex and the City” Hotspots Tour from On Location Tours takes visitors by bus to more than 40 locales where Sarah Jessica Parker and her co-stars were photographed dining, shopping, and enjoying themselves. Famous neighborhoods including midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, SoHo, and the Meatpacking District are visited by tourists, who pause for pictures along the way. You don’t have to be a fan to enjoy the tour, according to tourgoers who gush about the knowledgeable and entertaining instructors. The 3 1/2-hour adult-only excursions are typically available from Thursday through Sunday at 2 p.m., however wintertime availability may be more constrained.
The cost of a ticket is $66 per person. If you’d like to walk, have a look at the company’s Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour, which also provides a range of different TV and movie-themed bus tours, including some that stop at “Gossip Girl”-related locales.
ExperienceFirst – Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
Adults start at $79; children start at $75.
Time: five hours
Join ExperienceFirst on this tour for an in-depth look at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The five-hour tour includes round-trip ferry tickets, entry to the Liberty and Ellis Island grounds, the Immigration Museum, and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Additionally, you will have preferential access to the ferry boarding line. Reviewers commend guides for their knowledge, entertaining style, and aptitude for negotiating crowds. Depending on the month, tours leave every day at 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. The tour’s guided segment begins at Castle Clinton in Battery Park and concludes at Ellis Island. You can either board the ferry again to head back to Battery Park or carry on your independent exploration for as long as you like after that.
Adult tickets start at $79 while children’s tickets start at $75. ExperienceFirst also offers walking tours of several New York City areas, such as Little Italy and Chinatown, in addition to three-hour “express” tours to the Statue of Liberty.
Broadway Up Close Walking Tours: The Origins of Broadway
Adults start at $40; children start at $35.
Time: two hours
Theater enthusiasts must not pass up the opportunity to join the Broadway’s Beginnings trip. You will pass by the theaters at the southern end of the Broadway theater area, from 41st Street to 44th Street, during the about two-hour, half-mile walking tour. Your knowledgeable tour guide will discuss how Broadway productions develop from the first rehearsal to opening night and share anecdotes about the history of Broadway along the way. Guides will also tell you legends about the phantoms that are said to haunt the theaters in the area. Reviewers gush about the guides’ love of theater and the insider information they provide. Tours are typically offered at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. A maximum of 15 people are permitted per tour.
Tickets cost about $40 for adults and $35 for children under the age of 12. Insatiable for Broadway? Other specialized tours are available from the company, such as those that concentrate on “Hamilton: An American Musical” and the Shubert brothers (best known for their theater empire in the 1900s).
Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tour by Top Dog Tours in New York City
Price: $35 and above
Time: two hours
On this two-hour ramble, learn everything about the spirits that are said to haunt Greenwich Village. You’ll pass by places like the Jefferson Market Library, a former courthouse, the Hangman’s Elm, a more than 300-year-old tree in Washington Square Park thought to be the site of numerous hangings during the American Revolution, and the Anne Charlotte Lynch House, where Edgar Allan Poe debuted some of his most well-known works. If you enjoy the paranormal and are curious about the history of Greenwich Village, travelers suggest taking this tour. The guides are praised by reviewers, who call them engaging and friendly. At 8 o’clock each night, tours begin.
Each ticket costs about $35 for those over the age of 12. Note that Top Dog Tours NYC states that children under the age of 12 should not participate in this activity. Check out the company’s Marvel & DC Superheroes of New York tour if you’re searching for a more family-friendly excursion.
9/11 Tour of Ground Zero
Adults start at $40; children start at $35.
Timing: 1.5 hours
With this 90-minute walking tour, led by New Yorkers with ties to 9/11, venture beyond the 9/11 Memorial. Tours start at St. Paul’s Chapel, a makeshift rescue facility used after the attacks, and then proceed to the 9/11 Memorial, a plaza located where the twin buildings once stood. Depending on your tour guide, your trip may also make a stop at the FDNY Memorial Wall, the “Survivor Tree,” or the Oculus at the World Trade Center transit hub. The tour participants appreciate the guides’ knowledge, respect, and enthusiasm. Daily tours start at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The price of a ticket is roughly $40 for adults and $35 for youngsters aged 4 to 12. There are various packages that include the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour and a trip to the 9/11 Museum or the One World Observatory.
9/11 Tour of Ground Zero
Adults start at $40; children start at $35.
Timing: 1.5 hours
With this 90-minute walking tour, led by New Yorkers with ties to 9/11, venture beyond the 9/11 Memorial. Tours start at St. Paul’s Chapel, a makeshift rescue facility used after the attacks, and then proceed to the 9/11 Memorial, a plaza located where the twin buildings once stood. Depending on your tour guide, your trip may also make a stop at the FDNY Memorial Wall, the “Survivor Tree,” or the Oculus at the World Trade Center transit hub. The tour participants appreciate the guides’ knowledge, respect, and enthusiasm. Daily tours start at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The price of a ticket is roughly $40 for adults and $35 for youngsters aged 4 to 12. There are various packages that include the 9/11 Ground Zero Tour and a trip to the 9/11 Museum or the One World Observatory.
Adventure Sightseeing Tour on the New York Media Boat
Adults start at $100; children start at $75.
Timing: 1.5 hours
Consider this 90-minute speed boat ride for a distinctive (and exciting) tour of New York City’s most popular attractions. You’ll fly across the Hudson River for views of midtown, downtown, and the Empire State and Chrysler towers after leaving North Cove Marina in lower Manhattan. Along with sailing around Governors Island and beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, you will also travel along Brooklyn’s coastline. Additionally, the tour provides close-up views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Reviewers praise the captain for his entertaining commentary and skillful navigation of the boat, saying that this is a memorable and enjoyable way to explore the sights.
Tickets cost about $100 for adults and $75 for kids under the age of 12. Boats go numerous times per day, but there aren’t as many in the winter. Private tours are also offered by New York Media Boat.
Lower East Side Tour by Nice Guy Tours
Starting at $75
Time: three hours
Come to this culinary tour hungry if you want to sample pickles, pastrami, and doughnuts, among other foods, at at least seven different restaurants. You’ll stop at renowned eateries like Katz’s Deli and Russ & Daughters during the three-hour walking tour while your guide regales you with tales about the Lower East Side’s history and culture. The guides are particularly well-liked by reviewers; they are praised for being amiable, educational, and amusing. Also praised by visitors is the plentiful food that is provided. Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m., tours are offered.
The cost of a ticket is $75 per person. Still famished? The business also provides tours of Greenwich Village’s restaurants.
Landmarks Cruise on the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
Adults start at $37; children start at $31.
Timing: 1.5 hours
You may enjoy breathtaking views of the New York City skyline from the ocean around Manhattan on Circle Line’s Landmarks Cruise. The 90-minute boat excursion passes by the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and other well-known buildings. It also goes beneath several of New York’s famous bridges. English-speaking tour guides offer a running commentary about the various sights, and critics describe them as knowledgeable and amusing. There are alcoholic and nonalcoholic food options and drinks for sale.
Adult tickets start at $37 and child tickets for ages 3 to 12 are $31. Everyday at 12:30 and 3 p.m., cruises depart. from Hudson River Park’s Pier 83. There are also specialty cruises to the Statue of Liberty and evening cruises.
Greenwich Village’s Heart and Soul: Foods of New York Tours
Adults start at $70; children start at $40.
Time: three hours
A feature of the Heart and Soul of Greenwich Village tour is the neighborhood’s broad array of restaurants. Reviewers rave about the wide variety of food tried throughout the three-hour walking tour, which makes seven stops at different cafés and specialized shops for sampling, six of which are done while standing up and one while moving around. Depending on the day and the hour, specific tastes can include artichoke pizza, fresh pasta, empanadas, or kati rolls. All year long, tours are available on Thursday through Sunday. Tours begin on Thursday at 2 p.m.; on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, tours begin at noon.
The tickets, which cost about $70 for adults and $40 for children 12 and under, include one bottle of water in addition to the food. There is a maximum of 16 individuals per excursion. In addition to Brooklyn, Foods of New York Excursions offers tours of other areas, including Chinatown and Little Italy.
Tommy’s New York: Candlelight Tour of the Catacombs
Adults start at $37; children start at $30.
Timing: 1.5 hours
With Tommy’s New York, explore the crypts beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and take a behind-the-scenes tour. The 90-minute walk will teach visitors about the catacombs’ history, which dates back to 1815, as well as the biographies of the bishops, priests, and families that were interred here. There are no visible bones, in contrast to the catacombs in Paris and Rome. Additionally, visitors can stroll into the cathedral and admire its Erben pipe organ. Reviewers appreciate the guides’ extensive historical knowledge, engaging style, and instructional content. From 10:30 a.m. on Friday through Monday, tours are offered. to 4:15 p.m.
Tickets begin at $37 for adults and $30 for kids under 12 years old.
Free Walking Tours: DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, and the Brooklyn Bridge
Cost: Free
Time: three hours
Consider taking this three-hour walking tour to get a local’s perspective on Brooklyn’s history. Your journey will begin with a mile-long stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. After that, you’ll see Brooklyn Heights, the first suburb in America, before stopping to take in the vistas of Manhattan and New York Harbor. The tour comes to a close in Dumbo. Participants laud guides for their knowledge, their kind dispositions, and their openness to answering inquiries. Participants decide whether to tip the guide at the end of the tour because it is a name-your-own-price tour.
Despite being free, reservations must be made through the business’ website. Every day at 9:30 am, tours depart from City Hall Park. The business also provides a range of additional themed tours, such as strolls through Little Italy, Chinatown, and Harlem.
Big City Helicopter Tour by Zip Aviation
Price: $290 and above
Exactly 20 minutes
On Zip Aviation’s Big City Helicopter Tour, you can avoid the crowds while taking in the panoramic views of New York City. The route runs from Liberty Harbor up to the Bronx, passing famous sites like Central Park, Yankee Stadium, the Statue of Liberty, and many of New York’s famous bridges and waterways. Reviewers frequently praise the extraordinary vistas, the unique flight experience, and the courteous service. Additionally, taped commentary is available in a variety of languages. Depending on the aircraft, Zip Aviation has a six-passenger maximum for tours. The tour, which starts at 9 a.m. on Monday through Saturday. 20 minutes from 4:30 or 6:30 p.m.
Each ticket costs roughly $290. (plus heliport fees). The company also provides evening skyline excursions and 15-minute flights that focus on the Liberty Harbor region.
Wall Street Insider Tour, part of The Wall Street Experience
Adults start at $40; children start at $35.
Approximately 75 minutes
The Wall Street Insider Tour offered by The Wall Street Experience travels through some of New York City’s oldest streets. The Federal Reserve and the closed-to-the-public New York Stock Exchange are both passed during the 75-minute walking tour, but they are not entered. Many of your guides, who are traders, investment bankers, and stockbrokers, will talk about the history, architecture, and interesting facts of the Financial District as you stroll through lower Manhattan. Travelers praise guides for being hilarious and very knowledgeable about both money and New York history. At 1:30 pm, excursions begin at Broad Street, which is located close to Wall Street. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Tickets start around $40 for adults and $35 for children aged four to twelve. The business additionally provides excursions that concentrate on the 2008 financial crisis.
New York City Harbor Lights Cruise is offered by Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.
Adults start at $44; children start at $37.
Time: two hours
The Big Apple sparkles at night, and viewing the sparkling skyline from the sea is a fantastic way to take it all in. The Empire State Building and the High Line, two of the city’s most famous sights, are among those you can admire during the two-hour evening voyage on the New York City Harbor Lights Cruise. The cruise is peaceful, and passengers enjoy the wide-ranging views, photo opportunities, and interesting commentary. The trips leave every night at 7 o’clock. narrated by English-speaking tour operators, from Pier 83.
Adult tickets are about $44 and kid tickets are about $37. Additionally, Circle Line provides daytime cruises and specialty trips to the Statue of Liberty.
Discover NY Bus Tour with USA Guided Tours
Adults start at $99; children start at $89
Time: six hours
Get on the Discover NY Bus Tour for a thorough overview of New York City. At 9 or 10 a.m., the six-hour trip leaves Times Square. daily and transport visitors to popular locations like Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Madison Square Park. At each stop, experts will lead the group out of the car for brief excursions while giving extensive explanations of the sites, such as the 9/11 Memorial, the Flatiron Building, and the Dakota building (where John Lennon briefly lived). Visitors frequently laud the engaging and amiable tour guides. The tour is well-organized, according to reviews, and an excellent choice if you want to see all the major attractions in a single day.
The price for the standard bus tour is $99 for adults and $89 for children aged three to twelve. You could expect to pay roughly $120 for each ticket if you choose the glass-topped bus. The Staten Island Ferry journey is included with each ticket. Consider the company’s evening bus trip if you want to see the city at night.
Discover New York’s Tenements, Tales, and Tastes with Intrepid Urban Adventures
Starting at $80
Time: three hours
This walking tour of Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side demonstrates how immigration influenced the history of New York’s cuisine and culture. You will try four ethnic cuisines during the three-hour trip, including knishes, prosciutto, and dumplings, while a skilled guide shares details about the local gastronomy and culture. Restaurants, bakeries, churches, and historical places are among the stops. Reviewers laud the knowledgeable guides and suggest doing this tour in conjunction with a visit to Ellis Island to better understand the history of early immigrants. Typically, tours start every day at 10 a.m.
Each ticket costs roughly $80. There can only be 14 persons in a group. In addition to organizing private excursions, Intrepid Urban Adventures also runs tours focused entirely on Alexander Hamilton.
The New Yorker Tour with HeliNY
Starting at $190
Time period: 15 minutes
On this about 15-minute helicopter ride, soar above the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chelsea Piers, Times Square, and more. Your pilot will point out locations and answer any queries while you take in the sights below. Former passengers have praised the flight as spectacular and a fantastic opportunity to explore New York City. The staff is praised for both warmth and professionalism by reviewers.
The additional $40 facility and fuel fees are not included in the initial ticket price of about $190 per person. If you want a flight that lasts longer, think about signing up for HeliNY’s Deluxe Tour, which can last up to 30 minutes.