Best Tours in New York City

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Recommended to visit in New York City
New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Ticket & Audio Tour + Central Park Stroll
New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Ticket &...

Begin your adventure with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exploring centuries of art and culture. This self-guided audio tour is perfect for art lovers eager to uncover the museum's highlights at their own pace. Experience iconic masterpieces and then, stroll through the Central Park's breathtaking landscapes while navigating this refreshing itinerary. The journey starts at The Met, where ancient artifacts and modern masterpieces await. This in-app audio tour will guide you through the selected 40 artworks: Egyptian artifacts, medieval sculptures, Renaissance innovations, and modern masterpieces. Walking along a planned route, you will learn about artistic techniques, cultural influences, and groundbreaking inspiration that defined these eras. After that, transition into Central Park’s serene green spaces, finding picturesque stops like Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere Castle. Stroll through Sheep Meadow and visit the Central Park Zoo for memorable experiences with nature and wildlife. Uncover New York City's artful side, applying new perspectives gained from historical and cultural discoveries. From timeless sculptures to tranquil park views, every stop adds unique layers of beauty and inspiration to your tour. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art but is provided by an independent creator. The ticket is included for the customer's convenience at no additional cost.

New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Audio Tour with the Central Park Stroll
New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Audio To...

This self-guided audio tour is perfect for art lovers eager to uncover the Met's highlights at their own pace. Experience iconic masterpieces and then, stroll through the Central Park's breathtaking landscapes while navigating this refreshing itinerary. Note! This tour DOES NOT include an entrance ticket but is valid for life. Buy a ticket in advance at www.metmuseum.org The journey starts at The Met, where ancient artifacts and modern masterpieces await. This in-app audio tour will guide you through the selected 40 artworks: Egyptian artifacts, medieval sculptures, Renaissance innovations, and modern masterpieces. Walking along a planned route, you will learn about artistic techniques, cultural influences, and groundbreaking inspiration that defined these eras. After that, transition into Central Park’s serene green spaces, finding picturesque stops like Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields, and Belvedere Castle. Stroll through Sheep Meadow and visit the Central Park Zoo for memorable experiences with nature and wildlife. Uncover New York City's artful side, applying new perspectives gained from historical and cultural discoveries. From timeless sculptures to tranquil park views, every stop adds unique layers of beauty and inspiration to your tour. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art but is provided by an independent creator.

New York's Crime and Death Scene: Uncover the City's Darkest Secrets
New York's Crime and Death Scene: Uncover the...

Welcome to New York and this bone-chilling tour that will take you through former mafia hangouts, crime scenes, and haunted buildings in the city! First, you will visit Finn Square, an area named after its resident who died in World War I that hides a terrible murder story once happened there. Next, you will see the Manhattan Detention Complex, a municipal jail, colloquially known as the Tombs, with its grim history for you to reveal. Then the tour will guide you to the heart of Little Italy, a lively neighborhood filled with cafes, restaurants, pubs, galleries, shops, and the story of the local mafia and gangs. Passing by the former Police Headquarters Building in the monumental Beaux-Arts style, you will learn about the only New York police officer ever to sit in Sing Sing prison's electric chair. Already frightening enough, but it's still not the end! Move further and find out about the devastating fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where workers could not escape the blazing building. After that, you will get to the location of the Limelight nightclub housed in the former Episcopal church, which walls witnessed a death caused by a ritual. Finally, you will visit the location of the original Madison Square Garden, a popular event venue where one revenge ended up with three shot bullets. Join the tour, get your goosebumps ready, and start exploring the dark side of New York City! Disclaimer: disturbing content. Recommended age: 18+

New York City: Public Library Hidden Gems Audio Tour
New York City: Public Library Hidden Gems Aud...

Step out of the hustle of New York's Fifth Avenue into the New York Public Library guided by your personal in-app audio tour! Note! Admission to the library is free—with this tour, you get audio commentary along a planned route. You can use this tour anytime during the opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Built in the late 1890s, the New York Library's Main Branch is a perfect example of classical architecture and a treasury of 2.5 million volumes and artifacts. The tour starts outside so you can examine all the details of this Beaux-Arts building: impressive columns, beautiful sculptures, and famous lions. Get to know their names and take a picture with these favorites of the public. Inside, you'll be carried away by the breathtaking interiors of Astor Hall. You'll be able to visit the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures and hear the stories behind artifacts such as Thomas Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Gutenberg Bible dating 1450, Charles Dicken's desk, and more. Next, ascend to the 3rd floor to hear the story of the McGraw Rotunda and marvel at its stunning murals celebrating the history of the written word. Holders of the Library Card may visit the iconic Rose Main Reading Room with its authentic atmosphere. Finish the tour in the shades of Bryant Park. There's always something interesting going around! This tour is not affiliated with the NYPL and is provided by an independent creator.

Bronx Zoo: Entry Ticket
Bronx Zoo: Entry Ticket

A day at Bronx Zoo will let you see everything from lions and zebras on the African Plains to the eagles and owls of the Birds of Prey exhibit. There's also a huge array of attractions for visitors of all ages. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Butterfly Garden, where colorful butterflies flutter around in a serene and magical setting! Let the kids have up-close encounters with prairie dogs, North American porcupine, fennec foxes, and pet the farmyard animals at the Children's Zoo, and step into the lush JungleWorld to encounter exotic creatures in a fun, tropical rainforest. Explore the vast grounds of the Bronx Zoo with ease on the convenient Zoo Shuttle, which lets you hop on and off at various stops to see different exhibits. And take a spin on the Bug Carousel with its intricately carved insect-themed figures. For an adventurous walk, set off on the Nature Trek, where you can explore nature trails and observe all kinds of wildlife in their natural habitats.

New York City: 9/11 Memorial Audio Tour
New York City: 9/11 Memorial Audio Tour

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City features a multifaceted and detailed exhibition that tells the story of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. The tour covers both the events leading up to the largest terrorist attack as well as those that occurred afterward. You will find yourself in an underground space where the Twin Towers once stood. Delve into the stages of designing and erecting skyscrapers that defined the external appearance of Manhattan. You will see the unique "Slurry Wall" - a structure that allowed designers in the mid-20th century to build the world's tallest buildings next to the Hudson River. Examine one of the staircases down which World Trade Center employees ran to escape the fire. Learn why a museum is a sacred place for the relatives of the victims of September 11. Special exhibitions tell the details of the lives of those who perished and dedicate themselves to the circumstances surrounding the tragic events. You can stroll between the waterfalls laid in the Twin Towers' foundations. Also, visit a neighboring park, where you will see contrasting memorials: the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, rebuilt after the attacks, and "The Sphere," which designers decided not to restore. This tour is not affiliated with the 9/11 Museum but is provided by an independent creator. The ticket is included for customer's convenience.

New York City: Superhero Saga Audio Tour
New York City: Superhero Saga Audio Tour

Welcome to Manhattan, New York City's living backdrop for Marvel's blockbusting comic book creations. Be ready to get a profound insight into how the entertainment plots reflect the course of history and why comics sometimes disappear from bookstores. This self-guided audio tour narrates the stories in a lively style and provides a captivating experience for comic buffs and newcomers alike. You will start the tour at the notorious Hell's Kitchen to discover historical trivia of the neighborhood where Marvel's first office was located and the first "Marvel Comics" came out. Then, you will see the Baxter Building, a.k.a. the headquarters of the mighty Fantastic Four that became Marvel's first superhero team in response to the "Justice League" by DC. Next, you will spot differences between the MetLife Building in real life and its silver screen rendering, the Tony Stark Tower, and later, the base of the Avengers family. Dwelling near the Grand Central Terminal, you will experience the grandeur of where the final battle in the namesake movie took place. After that, you will pass by the magnificent Chrysler Building and catch up with the Spider-Man character creation story. Finally, you will make it to the prestigious Tudor City area where his antagonist, supervillain The Green Goblin, used to lodge – be amazed by the price his apartment was sold afterward! Join the tour and tune into New York City's striking cinematic scenery of the iconic Marvel comics!

New York: a walk through Manhattan’s darker headlines
New York: a walk through Manhattan’s darker h...

This self-guided audio walk explores New York through crime scenes, scandals, disasters, and notorious true stories. It will especially appeal to travelers who enjoy hidden history, tabloid-era drama, and a darker side of Manhattan beyond the usual landmarks. The route begins near City Hall and Chinatown, then moves through Little Italy, Nolita, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Flatiron area before ending at Madison Square Garden. Along the way, you follow a line of places tied to gamblers, gang figures, journalists, radicals, nightclub legends, and public tragedies that left a mark on the city. Stops include the Manhattan Detention Complex, Umberto’s Clam House, John Jovino’s gun shop, the Old Manhattan Well, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Memorial, the former Weather Underground townhouse, Hotel Chelsea, and the old Limelight church-turned-club. The walk closes near one of New York’s most famous entertainment venues. Most memorable of all, you will stand where shocking headlines were born, trace the city’s uneasy mix of glamour and violence, and experience how ordinary streets in lower and midtown Manhattan can hold stories that are haunting, strange, and unforgettable.

New York City: Empire State Building Ticket
New York City: Empire State Building Ticket

Enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of New York from its architectural icon! Get a unique experience of observing New York's skyline from the 86th-floor observatory deck and exploring the famous skyscraper from the inside. Completed in 1931, the Empire State Building remains an Art Deco icon that exudes an irresistible charm. Upon arrival, a team of personnel dressed in burgundy uniforms will greet you with warm smiles and lead you into this classic city landmark. Admire the inspiring murals embellishing the walls and ceiling as you make your way through. The most renowned feature of this skyscraper is its 86th floor, where several movies, including 'Independence Day' and 'Sleepless in Seattle', have captured unforgettable scenes. With these Empire State Building tickets, capture aerial shots of Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the One World Trade Center. And don't forget to strike a pose, beating your chest like King Kong did when he scaled the building. See the most recognizable NYC landmarks from the 86th-floor observatory, take stunning pictures, and wander around the spectacular old lobby. You will also get access to the exhibitions on the 2nd and 80th floors exploring New York's history through interactive displays with augmented reality. Note! Last admission: 45 minutes before closing.

New York City: Dutch Roots of Manhattan Audio Tour
New York City: Dutch Roots of Manhattan Audio...

Take this in-app audio tour to reveal the glorious history of the city, founded by the Dutch colonists in 1625 as New Amsterdam, to become the cultural capital of America, and the whole world! With its rustic windmill, New York once took just a few blocks of today's city, from Battery Park to Wall Street, and left a legacy of street patterns and place names that is insightful to embrace. You will start the tour at the Friendship Monument to learn the New Netherland colony foundation plot in detail. Across the road, you will see the National Museum of the American Indian, a place where Fort Amsterdam was located to defend the colony. Then, you will promenade a riverfront of the time, Pearl Street, as a Dutch settler would. Here you will see the Fraunces Tavern, the oldest building in Lower Manhattan, built in 1719. From there, you will come to the first paved street in the city, the historic Stone Street, famous for its breweries. Around the corner, you will spot the flamboyant step-gabled houses of South William Street to reimagine traditional Dutch architecture. You will be amazed by what the busy Wall Street of today once was: a humble path along the defensive wooden fence. In its line, you will be allured with the statuesque landmark, Trinity Church, once the tallest building in the city. To round up, you will walk the main road of the colony, today's Broadway, used by the Native Americans long before the Dutch arrived and chartered it.

About New York City

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Insider tips for visiting New York City

Alexandra Sam

Alexandra Sam is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of New York City on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to New York City.

When I visit New York City, I always tell friends to skip the obvious chains and taste the foods locals actually argue about: a classic slice, a proper bagel with schmear, pastrami on rye, and a late-night bacon-egg-and-cheese from a corner bodega. New York City is also where I go for old-school appetizing shops with smoked fish, hand-rolled dumplings in Chinatown, and Caribbean patties in Flatbush. If you visit New York City, eating across neighborhoods is one of the best things to do in New York City. In my travel guide New York City notes, I always say the city’s flavor comes from the mix of immigrant traditions and tiny local institutions.

When I’m in New York City, I recommend mixing headline sights with neighborhood time. The classic things to do in New York City include walking Central Park early, taking the Staten Island Ferry at sunset for harbor views, and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan into DUMBO for skyline photos. For attractions in New York City, I love pairing a museum morning—like the Met or MoMA—with an evening downtown in Greenwich Village or the Lower East Side. If you’re deciding what to see in New York City, add a food crawl in Chinatown or Jackson Heights. Even the best tours in New York City feel richer when you leave time to wander a few blocks on your own.

When I’m choosing where to spend time in New York City, I usually send first-timers to the West Village, the Lower East Side, Harlem, DUMBO, and Astoria. Each shows a different side of New York City: brownstone streets and jazz bars, old tenement blocks and food spots, historic churches and soul food, waterfront skyline views, and some of the city’s best Greek bakeries. For attractions in New York City, neighborhoods often matter more than single landmarks. If you’re wondering what to see in New York City, I’d focus on street life, markets, and small museums. Even many tours in New York City miss the pleasure of simply walking these areas block by block.

In my travel guide New York City notes, I usually recommend at least 4 days, and 5 to 7 if you want New York City to feel less rushed. When I visit New York City for a short stay, 3 days covers the big essentials, but you’ll spend more time in transit and less time lingering in neighborhoods. The city opens up when you have enough time for both icons and small habits—an early walk in Central Park, a long Chinatown lunch, a ferry ride, a museum afternoon, then a late jazz set downtown. For me, the best things to do in New York City happen when your schedule leaves room to wander.

When I visit New York City for shopping, I usually head to SoHo for designer flagships and smaller labels tucked on side streets, then Nolita for independent boutiques, jewelry, and beauty shops that feel more local. In New York City, I also like Madison Avenue for polished luxury, Williamsburg for vintage and emerging designers, and the Lower East Side for cool specialty stores without the SoHo crowds. If you visit New York City, shopping is one of the most enjoyable things to do in New York City when you pair it with a neighborhood walk and lunch nearby. In my travel guide New York City notes, I always suggest weekdays for a calmer, more local feel.

When I want quieter attractions in New York City, I slip into places that many visitors pass right by: the elevated garden at the Ford Foundation, the tiny Merchant’s House Museum, the Cloisters in upper Manhattan, and Green-Wood Cemetery for incredible skyline views and history. In New York City, I also love Roosevelt Island for its tram ride and river perspective, especially near sunset. If you’re deciding what to see in New York City beyond the obvious, I’d look for tucked-away courtyards, community gardens, and small historic interiors. Even many tours in New York City skim past these places, but they reveal the city’s texture better than the busiest landmarks.

In my travel guide New York City advice, I usually recommend late April to early June or mid-September to early November. That’s when New York City feels most comfortable for long walks, park time, and ferry rides without summer humidity or winter wind tunnels. When I visit New York City in spring, I love the fresh green in Central Park and quieter mornings in neighborhoods before the day fills up. Fall brings crisp light, outdoor dining, and some of my favorite things to do in New York City, like walking the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or spending hours downtown on foot. December is magical, but it’s also the most crowded and expensive.

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