13 best New York City Tours
The best way to get around the city without missing anything is with a professional guide who will accompany you on the tour.
Listening to the guide's indications | ©Hellotickets
New York is much more than Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. It is its squares, avenues and neighbourhoods. Get to know the history of the Big Apple and the New York lifestyle in the most authentic way with a selection of the best tours of New York in English.
1. The quintessential favourite: the New York contrasts tour
With the New York Contrasts Tour you will get a complete overview of New York City and discover the city's five boroughs (Manhattan, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn) with an English-speaking guide.
As the name suggests, you'll be introduced to the diverse cultural identity of New York's boroughs. You'll discover the true essence of each borough and you'll get a more complete view of the city thanks to the comments and anecdotes of the local guide.
It's also suitable for anyone, as part of the tour is by public transport. On this Contrasts Tour you can choose where to end: in Chinatown or under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, to continue with your next plan on your travel agenda.
What you will see
- Harlem: The first stop is this Manhattan neighbourhood to learn a bit about its history and take a break to photograph the Brownstones. You'll also see the Apollo Theatre and the Cotton Club, two institutions of New York jazz music in the 1920s, a time of great cultural effervescence in Harlem.
- The Bronx: This stop will take you on a tour of iconic Bronx landmarks such as Yankees Stadium including film locations and some of New York's most famous street art. In fact you'll visit an entire outdoor art gallery, known as the Graffiti Universe.
- Queens: New York's largest and most multicultural borough. On this part of the tour the group will enter the upscale Malba neighbourhood and continue on to Flushing Meadows Park where you can see the stadium of the Mets, rival team of the Yankees. Also the US OPEN venue and the globe from the movie Men In Black. Among other points of interest you will also explore the Little India neighbourhood.
- Brooklyn: The borough with the most identity in New York. You can explore the Jewish quarter of Williamsburg, the industrial charm of DUMBO under the Brooklyn Bridge and finish in Manhattan, in Chinatown and Little Italy with its rich gastronomy.
Why I like it
Doing the Contrasts Tour will take you just one morning to see many different parts of New York that would take you a day or two to see on your own, so you'll save time.
2. A Bird's Eye View of New York: the Helicopter Tour
A helicopter ride over New York is an experience you can't miss on your trip, especially on a sunny day. Seeing the city from a bird's eye view makes a huge impression and you'll have an unforgettable memory to tell you when you return home.
From the heights you can enjoy the best views of Manhattan's most iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the One World Observatory, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge and the vast natural expanse of Central Park, among others.
Get ready to admire the towering skyscrapers from their very height and fly over the Big Apple on a thrilling 15-minute helicopter tour. For more information on this experience, check out this article on the best helicopter rides in New York.
What you'll see
- Downtown Heliport
- Ellis Island
- Statue of Liberty
- Governors Island
- Ground Zero and One World Observatory
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Empire State Building
- Madison Square Garden
- Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Building
- Times Square and MetLife Building
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Central Park
- Washington Bridge
Why I like it
Whether it's your first time in the city or you're a regular, this bird's eye view tour will give you the best views of the city as well as a good dose of adrenaline - you'll never forget it!
3. Tour the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn by bus
Like the previous one, this Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn Contrasts Tour allows you to get to know other boroughs and neighbourhoods beyond the touristy Manhattan in the centre of the city, where many travellers are tempted to stay.
Again, on this tour you will get to know the multiculturalism and contrasts of the city, the different architecture of its neighbourhoods, its people? In short, a complete tour that in my opinion is perfect for kicking off our trip.
What I would highlight about this bus tour of the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn is that it takes you away from the city centre to show you scenes of daily life in other boroughs of New York such as Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx in a comfortable 4-hour sightseeing tour aboard a bus. You'll explore the areas less visited by tourists and get to know the authentic side of New York.
What you'll see
- The Bronx: This stop will take you around the Bronx to see the outside of the world's most famous baseball stadium, Yankees Stadium. You'll also pass through Little Italy where you can soak up New York's Italian heritage and grab a coffee.
- Queens: New York's most multicultural and sprawling borough. In this part of the tour the group heads to Flushing Meadows Park where the stadium of the Yankees' rival team, the New York Mets, is located. It is also home to the US OPEN and the popular Men In Black's Unisphere.
- Brooklyn: The borough with the most identity in New York. You can walk into the Jewish quarter of Williamsburg and admire the panoramic view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge in the charming bohemian neighbourhood of DUMBO.
Why I like it
I think it's a good opportunity to get to know the city and the best neighbourhoods of New York if you want to enjoy it like a New Yorker, with the advantage of being accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you the curiosities of each neighbourhood in Spanish, which is great if you don't speak English well. And with a bonus: he'll show you parts of New York that many tourists never explore.
If you're visiting the Big Apple for the first time, it's a good first contact. While you listen to the guide's explanations, you can contemplate the city through the coach window, get off at the stops and walk around each neighbourhood to discover some of the places that have shaped the history of New York. All in a matter of hours.
4. Discover the soul of New York with a tour of Harlem and a gospel mass
The best way to experience the cultural diversity of New York and discover the roots of the African American community is to immerse yourself in the culture of Harlem with a full Harlem tour with gospel mass.
What you'll see
On one of the many Harlem tours you'll discover iconic sites of the neighbourhood such as the Morris-Jumel Mansion (the oldest house in Manhattan dating back to the 18th century), Sylvan Terrace (a peculiar cobblestone street of identical houses), the Cotton Club (a famous nightclub opened during Prohibition) and the legendary Apollo Theatre (where music stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Diana Ross and The Jackson 5 were famous), among others.
If you complete your visit with a Gospel Mass in the Harlem Churches, you'll stop being a tourist for a moment and become a neighbour of the neighbourhood.
The tour of Harlem ends with a visit to the Malcolm X Mosque and a look at the area's eye-catching graffiti celebrating African-American culture - you won't stop taking pictures! You'll also discover the best places to listen to jazz in Harlem.
Why I like it
A neighbourhood with so much culture and contrast is worth discovering with a guide who will give you an insight into the customs and way of life of the locals. He will take you to discover the most emblematic places in the area and give you the best recommendations if you want to continue exploring on your own.
5. Say hello to the Statue of Liberty and visit Ellis Island
There are many ways to see New York: at street level, walking among its skyscrapers, flying over the city in a helicopter or on board a ferry, gazing at the Manhattan skyline and heading to Liberty and Ellis Island.
To visit the Statue of Liberty, you can buy tickets and take the ferry to the Statue on your own or take a tour that takes you to the Statue of Liberty to learn about the history behind America's great icon, the Statue of Liberty, along with the Liberty Island Museum and a guided tour of the grounds of Liberty Island.
What you will see
The tour is accompanied by a professional guide with whom you will embark in Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan to avoid the crowds. As the Statue of Liberty is one of New York's main tourist attractions, it tends to be crowded so my advice is to take the first ferry in the morning if you want to avoid them, as the wait time for the following ferries is usually much longer and can be up to an hour.
During the trip, the guide tells the story of Lady Liberty and how she came to the United States from France to become the symbol of freedom she is today.
Some tours include a visit to Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum, where photographs, letters and personal items from the era are on display. Reading the true stories of those immigrants in search of a better life is awe-inspiring.
Why I like it
As well as getting up close and personal with the symbol of the city, look out for the incredible views from the Statue of Liberty during your visit:
- One World Observatory
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Manhattan Bridge
- Empire State Building
- Hudson Yards skyscrapers
6. Discover film locations on a "movie" tour
If you're looking for a fun excursion during your stay in New York, take a tour of the best movie and series locations. How many times have you seen the Big Apple as a great TV set? Now you can walk its streets and feel like you've stepped into a movie during the almost 3 hours of this tour through the locations that have appeared in shows like 'Friends', 'Seinfeld', 'Girls' or 'Glee', among many others.
If you're a film buff you'll really enjoy it because the guide knows a lot about the entertainment industry and tells some great anecdotes about 'Ghostbusters', 'I Am Legend', 'How I Met Your Mother' or 'Spiderman' to name a few titles. For this, you can take a guided tour or head out in search of the sets on your own.
What you will see
- Central Park
- Wollman Rink
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- Fifth Avenue
- GhostBusters Firestation
- Macy's Herald Square
- Friends Building
Why I like it
One of the main factors that makes New York New York is its appeal as the setting for thousands of films. Going out and about the city in search of its most iconic locations will force you to wander the streets and discover New York's secret spots.
7. Cycle through Central Park
If there's one famous park in New York, it's Central Park, the most visited urban park in the world and a true green lung for the city. It is considered one of the best parks in New York and is ideal to visit at any time of the year.
What you will see
Given its size, a walk through Central Park will take several visits as there is so much to see and it is huge. It was created in 1857 in the centre of Manhattan for New York's elite to enjoy nature in an ever-expanding city.
By renting a bike or riding through the park on your own, you'll discover the area in a fun way and see some of the movie locations that have been filmed here, as well as several of the celebrity homes.
Why I like it
During autumn in New York, cycling through Central Park is one of the best things to do when the sun is still warm in the morning. The landscape is tinged with shades of ochre, red, brown, orange... It's an explosion of colour to admire! Grab your camera and get ready to take the most beautiful pictures of your trip.
8. Hudson River Cruises: the best tour of New York, by boat
Night falls and you feel like relaxing, but you don't want to miss anything in New York City. The solution? Continue to enjoy the illuminated skyline as you take a relaxing boat ride on the Hudson around the island of Manhattan. Can you imagine dining aboard a luxury yacht? Or would you prefer to watch the last rays of sunset from a romantic sailboat?
What you'll see
New York offers several Hudson River cruises to suit all tastes and (most importantly) all budgets, so whatever time you have available or budget you want to invest in this tour, it's worth taking a look at the options and choosing your own.
If you want to cross the Brooklyn Bridge from the water and see Manhattan lit up, you'll want to choose one of the best dinner cruises on the Hudson. Dust off your best clothes and set sail!
Why I like it
It's one of the most relaxing attractions in the city and believe me, you'll need it after a few days there. You'll enjoy magnificent views while you feast under the stars.
9. The most comfortable: the sightseeing bus tour of the city
With the New York sightseeing bus you will have the opportunity to explore the Big Apple in total comfort and freedom: you will cross the city aboard a double-decker bus with a live guide who will tell you all its secrets and anecdotes. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 day sightseeing bus tickets.
The tour has more than 40 stops and allows you to explore the city at your own pace.
Downtown Tour
The downtown tour lasts 3 hours and operates between 8AM and 6PM every 15 - 20 minutes. This guided tour of downtown New York City can start at any of the 18 stops on this route. Some of the sights on the downtown tour include:
- Statue of Liberty
- Empire State Building
- Rockefeller Center
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Fifth Avenue
- Times Square
- Radio City Music Hall
- SoHo
- Chinatown
- Madison Square Garden
- Top of the Rock Observatory
- Lower Manhattan
- 9/11 Memorial
- One World Observatory
Uptown Tour
This tour of Uptown New York operates between 9 AM and 4 PM every 20-30 minutes. It lasts 2 hours and the tour can be started at any of the 20 stops. Some of the sights that are part of the Uptown Tour include:
- Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial
- American Museum of Natural History
- New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
- Museum of the City of New York
- The Jewish Museum
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- Central Park Zoo
- Rockefeller Center
- Radio City Music Hall
Night Sightseeing Bus
The New York City Night Sightseeing Bus also has its advantages. You'll tour the city while enjoying the incredible lighting and taking a break after a long day of sightseeing. They are available for about 2 hours and operate between 6 PM and 9 PM usually.
These night tours are not hop-on hop-off, meaning you do not have the option to get off and get back on at any part of the tour. You have 2 stops and this tour can only be taken once. Best of all, you'll get the gist of the city:
- Times Square
- Empire State Building
- Greenwich Village
- SoHo
- TriBeCa
- Chinatown
- Manhattan Bridge
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- Lower East Side
The Ride Experience
If you want to get away from the more traditional bus tours and get a different view of the city, I recommend you get these tickets for The Ride Experience, an interactive ride through the best streets of Manhattan.
The guide will give you a new perspective of the city that you didn't know before and you'll spend a different kind of night. In New York, anything is possible!
Why I like it
It's a great way to tour the city from top to bottom without having to worry about public transport: you'll move quickly and comfortably between the city's main sights while still enjoying the sights and taking the best photos.
10. The most cherished souvenir of your trip: Brooklyn's Christmas tour
If you're visiting New York at Christmas time, you'll probably be familiar with the neighbourhood of Dyker Heights: it's the Brooklyn neighbourhood where locals compete every year for the best Christmas decorations and lighting. When you visit, you'll see some of the most incredible decorations and lighting in New York, beyond anything you've ever seen before.
What you'll see
On Brooklyn Christmas tours you'll stroll through the Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge neighbourhoods, see all kinds of Christmas decorations, Father Christmas, reindeer, Christmas elves, Nutcracker soldiers, and other stars of the American Christmas imagination.
Of course, this is a night tour to enjoy the lights in all their glory, and with you will be a local guide who will tell you the amazing stories behind the decorations of each house, and there are some that will honestly melt your heart.
If you are travelling to New York with children, this will be the tour they will remember forever, as it will be like being transported to a fairytale world. A great way to discover Brooklyn at this special time of year. If you want to continue discovering the best of the city at Christmas, don't miss the best Christmas trees and the Rockefeller Center at Christmas, a dream location.
Why I like it
Beating the winter cold in New York isn't always easy, but these Christmas tours will make you feel the warmth of the lights and the unique atmosphere that characterises New York at this magical time of year. It's truly a movie experience.
11. Gay Pride Tour
Are you familiar with the Stonewall Uprising and cosmopolitan New York's relationship with the LGBT movement? On this tour you'll discover why New York is one of the biggest cities in the world, and not just in terms of the size of its skyscrapers.
What you will see
Mythical places of the city, but from a different point of view: that of a guide who tells you how the Stonewall uprising that took place in New York laid the foundations for the entire LGBT movement. Included in the tour are the Stonewall Inn, the Axis Theatre Center and the Gay Liberation Monument.
Why I like it
Because it is a necessary tour, even today, to keep in mind what was the seed of the rights we have today and also to remember how much we still have to do in places that are not New York.
12. Slavery History Tour
Taking this tour is a new way of looking at the city, not all the important places in New York are in the guide books and this is an opportunity to discover a different side of the city of skyscrapers.
What you'll see
The places in New York that are historically linked to slavery, such as the African Cemetery or the Underground Railroad. Of course, you'll also discover how the liberation of slaves took place in the 1800s.
Why I like it
Because it deals with a part of New York's history that is often ignored when we climb the Empire State Building or walk through Central Park. Cities are also about the people who have lived, suffered and struggled in them and that's why a visit to New York would not be complete without this tour.
13. New York Pub Crawl
Still in the mood to party after a busy day of sightseeing? This is the pub crawl you've been looking for, and if you want to meet people, this is your chance too! The classic pub crawl also has its New York version.
What you'll see
Four historic taverns in the centre of New York where you 'll taste the best quality beers and cider. Not only is this not just a pub crawl, but an expert guide will also tell you about the history of New York's legendary Stone Street and take you back to colonial times.
Why I like it
Because of all the tours, this is the one where you are most likely to meet other travellers with whom you can exchange experiences. Besides, it's not easy to get to know the nightlife in an unfamiliar city; if they show you around, you'll get to know a part of New York that you won't be able to discover on your own so easily.