Best Tours in New York City

Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one app

Top sights in New York City

All self-guided activities

Activities found:60
Sort by:
Your free New York City sightseeing self-guided audio tour is waiting.
Get free audio tours, travel Spotify playlists, and other goodies in your email.
By signing up, you agree to receive promotional emails on activities and insider tips. You can unsubscribe or withdraw your consent at any time with future effect. For more information, read our Privacy statement.
Recommended to visit in New York City
New York City: Guggenheim Ticket & Carnegie Hill Audio Tour
New York City: Guggenheim Ticket & Carnegie H...

This in-app audio tour will tell you the story behind the masterpieces of the most iconic collection of Solomon Guggenheim Museum, and take you through the old-fashioned streets of the historic Carnegie Hill neighborhood. The tour starts outside the museum, an architectural gem and one of the most "instagrammable" places in Manhattan. Inside, you will be guided through its permanent collection of ground-breaking modernist artists. Hear about the tragic fate of Vincent van Gogh, get impressed by the artwork of Édouard Manet, and, of course, learn about Pablo Picasso, whose life and work were closely connected with the founder of the collection. With the entry ticket included, you may choose to explore special exhibitions as well. Next, set off on a journey through the Carnegie Hill neighborhood, which has preserved its classical European-like atmosphere and charm. You will see refined mansions and townhouses and hear about their notable residents like Gwyneth Paltrow. A filming location for many movies, Carnegie Hill offers scenic views of Central Park waterside, old churches, and vibrant avenues. For the perfect end to a great tour, enjoy delicious food in one of the recommended French or Italian eateries. This tour is not affiliated with the Guggenheim Museum but is provided by an independent creator. WeGoTrip is not re-selling tickets but is giving its customers assistance in ticket purchasing at no charge.

New York City: Grand Central Terminal & Around Audio Tour
New York City: Grand Central Terminal & Aroun...

Why would someone visit a train station not for the purpose of going on a journey but solely to see the station itself? Well, if you're interested in the Grand Terminal, the answer is right here! This magnificent Beaux-Arts building happens to be one of the largest train stations worldwide, boasting a unique interior and holding great significance for New York. We cordially invite you to explore the station accompanied by an audio guide made by a local resident named Linda. Linda will provide you with a New Yorker's perspective of the Grand Terminal, focusing less on historical facts and dates but more on highlights from the most important spots and hidden gems within the station. The tour consists of approximately 15 steps and lasts for about an hour. Please keep in mind that many of the locations we discuss are not accessible to the public, as they are restricted to staff or reserved for special occasions. Nonetheless, we will talk about these secret places but also see the exquisite ceiling, elegant chandeliers, and numerous other intriguing aspects of the station. Take advantage of this opportunity. Join the tour now.

New York City: Audio Tour of  Soho, Chinatown and Little Italy
New York City: Audio Tour of Soho, Chinatown...

If you have a vivid interest in history and culture but, at the same time, you do not want to miss the unique gastronomic experiences in NYC, this tour is entirely dedicated to you! You will start your walk next to Green Street Park in Soho, where you will see the world’s best collection of cast iron buildings. In Little Italy, be ready to explore a twisted but inspiring history of immigration that will show you the true origins of New York. During the tour, you will learn how the former suburb of New York became its industrial center, then an abandoned area for poor artists, and later one of the most expensive and luxurious places on the planet. The walk ends in Chinatown, but before that, you will try authentic Chinese food and understand how Chinese cuisine has taken over all of the US. The tour stops at Columbus Park, so all those who love cinema can visit the famous Five Points. Your expert guide will not forget to mention the most interesting and hidden places for your dinner and share some criminal and legendary stories about Manhattan. Although these districts are located in the very heart of the city, most people pass them by without knowing the incredible history of those places. Discover the heart of New York!

New York City: Museum of Ice Cream Ticket & Sights Audio Tour
New York City: Museum of Ice Cream Ticket & S...

Unlock the magic of New York City with this self-guided audio tour, perfect for the solo explorer or anyone seeking to experience the city's illustrious landmarks and hidden gems. Included in your journey is a ticket to the Museum of Ice Cream New York, where your adventure will commence amidst a palette of playful installations and sweet surprises. Please note, an audio guide inside the museum is not provided, offering you the freedom to explore at your own pace before beginning the outdoor portion of the tour. From the dessert-inspired halls to the heights of the Empire State Building, traverse the historic streets where gothic meets Art Deco, and tales from America’s past come alive. You'll witness majestic structures like the Woolworth Building, and the stately Brooklyn Bridge, stroll past the echoing whispers of history at Federal Hall, and gaze upon the financial titan that is the New York Stock Exchange. Your path will also unveil the tranquil Trinity Church and end with the heralded art deco spire of the Empire State Building. This route is a celebration of New York's architectural grandeur and storied avenues. Along the way, prepare to be astonished by the skyline's evolution and inspired by the legacy of icons. Capturing the essence of the Big Apple, you will delve into an audio experience that transforms every step into a discovery of sight, sound, and sensation.

New York City: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Ticket & City Audio Tour
New York City: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Ticket &...

This tour is designed for anyone with a curiosity for New York City's historical and architectural highlights. Included in the ticket is access to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, where the adventure begins. With this self-guided audio tour, travelers will navigate through a curated selection of New York's most remarkable landmarks, each with its own story to tell. Structured as a linear journey, the tour guides through Manhattan's avenues, from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to Pennsylvania Station. Commencing with a stunning view from SUMMIT's observation deck, the route encompasses Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, and Times Square, among other iconic sights. Along the way, admire the Chrysler Building's Art Deco crown, the Flatiron Building's unique shape, and the New York Public Library's majestic lions. Revel in the vibrant atmosphere of Macy's Herald Square and feel the artistic pulse of Broadway. Travelers will immerse in the dynamism of the city, viewing massive electronic billboards and historic sites that tell the story of New York. The experience is enriched by the liberty to explore at one's own pace, delving into each location's narrative through immersive audio commentary. Though an audio tour inside SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not included, the sweeping views from the top provide a perfect prelude to the architectural treasures awaiting discovery below.

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: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through the West Side
New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through...

This self-guided audio walking tour explores New York City’s West Side, from historic food halls to bold new architecture. It is a great fit for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Manhattan’s mix of old industry, waterfront parks, public art, and contemporary design. Your route begins inside Chelsea Market, where brick walls, steel beams, and the smell of fresh bread and seafood set the scene in a former factory building. From there, you step into the Meatpacking District, a neighborhood once shaped by warehouses and meat plants, now known for cobblestone streets, fashion storefronts, and nightlife. The walk continues to Little Island, where planted gardens rise above the Hudson River on sculpted concrete tulips, then climbs to the High Line, the elevated rail line turned park with grasses, benches, and framed views of the streets below. As you head north, the tour brings you to The Shed, Vessel, the High Line Plinth, and the Moynihan Train Hall Connector, ending in Hudson Yards. Along the way, you will experience the contrast between rough old brick and gleaming glass towers, river breezes along the waterfront, striking public spaces, and the unforgettable sight of a park floating above the water and a railway transformed into one of the city’s most distinctive walks.

New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through Midtown Icons
New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through...

This self-guided audio walk explores Midtown Manhattan through landmarks of diplomacy, design, transit, culture, and faith. It will suit first-time visitors who want a clear route and a lively introduction to one of New York’s most recognizable districts. Your route begins at the United Nations Headquarters on the East River, where the long row of member-state flags and the sleek glass Secretariat Building set an international tone. From there, you continue to the Ford Foundation Building, known for its striking indoor garden atrium, then head deeper into Midtown toward Grand Central, the Diamond District, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue. The walk ends at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where pale marble, bronze doors, and soaring spires create a dramatic finale amid the towers of Midtown. Along the way, you will move from riverfront views to busy avenues, from polished stone facades to shady lawns, and from quiet reading rooms to glittering shop windows. The most memorable moments include seeing the UN flags ripple in the wind, standing beneath Grand Central’s celestial ceiling, passing the library’s stone lions, stepping into Bryant Park’s green calm, and finishing between Rockefeller Center’s bustle and the cathedral’s Gothic grandeur.

New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through Lower Manhattan
New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk Through...

This self-guided audio walking tour explores Lower Manhattan, where New York’s early history, financial power, immigration story, and remembrance all meet within a compact stretch of streets. It will suit first-time visitors who want a clear introduction to the city through landmarks you can easily recognize and stories grounded in the places before you. The route starts in Lower Manhattan, among narrow streets, busy sidewalks, and towers of glass and stone. From there, you follow the harbor story to the Statue of Liberty, the copper monument unveiled in 1886 as a symbol of freedom and arrival. Back in the Financial District, the tour brings you to the Charging Bull, then along Wall Street, the short street whose name became a global shorthand for American finance. You continue to Trinity Church, a Gothic Revival landmark with a churchyard where Alexander Hamilton is buried. The walk ends at the 9/11 Memorial Pools, set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Along the way, the most memorable moments include seeing Lady Liberty rise above the water, standing beside the bull’s massive bronze form, looking up at Wall Street’s canyon of buildings, and hearing the sound of water falling into the memorial’s deep reflecting voids.

New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk of Fifth Avenue Grandeur
New York City: Self-Guided Audio Walk of Fift...

This self-guided audio walk explores the grand edge of Central Park and the stately mansions of Upper Fifth Avenue. It is ideal for first-time visitors who enjoy New York history, architecture, gilded landmarks, and the city’s old social world. The route begins at the General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument at Grand Army Plaza, where a gold-glowing equestrian statue catches the light beside the trees of Central Park. From there, you pass the lively Pulitzer Fountain and the famous Plaza Hotel, then continue along Fifth Avenue to private clubs with imposing stone facades, including the Metropolitan Club and the Knickerbocker Club. The walk then leads deeper along the park to the Arsenal and the Richard Morris Hunt Memorial. In the final stretch, you head uptown past the Consulate General of France and into the former mansion district, where Albertine fills a Beaux-Arts interior with books and the American Irish Historical Society adds another layer of cultural history. The tour ends at the Benjamin N. Duke House. Along the way, you will remember the shimmer of Sherman’s gilded bronze, the rush of water at the fountain, the polished elegance of Fifth Avenue, and the contrast between Central Park’s greenery and the row of palatial houses facing it.

About New York City

The best tours to do in New York City with kids are:

See all family friendly tours in New York City

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.

Want to discover all there is to do in New York City
Click here for a full list