Bite into the Big Apple With These 5 Gotta-Take Tours

Before you visit the Big Apple, make a list of the sights you want to see and book a tour that covers all your bases. Don’t know where to start? Try these tours on for size.

For Shutterbugs

If grabbing some stunning photos of the city is a must on your vacation agenda, book a Citifari Photo Tour. Get familiar with your camera’s manual settings and follow a professional photographer tour guide to the city’s most stellar vantage points. Capture unique perspectives of the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building and more on the City Landmarks tour.

Adrenaline Junkies Welcome

Zip to within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty aboard The Beast, a 70-foot speed boat that delivers thrills as well as sightseeing. Enjoy views of Lower Manhattan and the Chelsea Docks as the boat twists and spins its way along the Hudson River. If you prefer something a little tamer, take Circle Line Sightseeing's Harbor Lights Tour. Watch the city light up as the sun sets, all from right on the water.

The Center of Attention

No New York tour is complete without exploring one of New York's most iconic destinations—Central Park. Take a horse-drawn carriage to visit sights such as Wollman Rink the antique carousel, Strawberry Fields and more. For a more intimate perspective, take a walking tour with the Central Park Conservancy. Each tour focuses on a special aspect of the park, such as scenic vistas or woodlands. Book a 4-hour pedicab tour to visit all the park's attractions if you want to see it all.

Learn From a Local

Get acquainted with NYC from the perspective of a local with Big Apple Greeter. You’ll be paired with a greeter who lives in the area you’re visiting, and learn things like insider hacks for getting around, your greeter’s favorite restaurants and attractions and what it’s like to live in the city. There’s no charge for the tour and Big Apple Greeter has a strict no-tipping policy, but you can make a tax-deductible donation to the organization on their website if you like.

Savor Arts and Architecture

Take a walk with the Municipal Arts Society to see NYC from a perspective that emphasizes its architecture and art. Learn about the city's historic buildings and neighborhoods. And, you don’t have to be a train lover to marvel at the architecture and artwork of Grand Central Station! Delve into the old terminal’s history and lore on a 75-minute tour departing daily from the station’s main concourse.

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