Best Tours in New York City
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in New York City
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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.
Enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of New York from its architectural icon and stroll through bustling Midtown Manhattan. Get a unique experience using this self-guided audio tour that provides a ticket to the 86th-floor observatory, where you will hear not-so-obvious facts about the famous skyscraper. This tour then takes you on a journey around the city's heart at your own pace. 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. After visiting the Empire State Building, follow the self-guided route tailored for you to discover the must-sees and hidden gems of Midtown Manhattan. You will find yourself inside the greenery of Bryant Park and amid the bustling Times Square. You will learn how the most prominent buildings (Grand Central Terminal, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, etc.) appeared in this area. Finally, rest in the hidden garden, and embrace the moment in New York, the one and only. Note: 1. To avoid the crowds, plan your visit at 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m. on a weekday; 2. The ticket lets you skip the counter line and go directly to the elevators after the security check. This tour is not affiliated with the ESB but is submitted by an independent creator. Tickets are provided for customers' convenience.
Experience the sights of early American immigrants without the stress of relocating! Take a boat cruise to Liberty Island for a moving meditation on American ideals, combined with a pleasant boat ride. Standing tall over New York Harbor since 1886, Lady Liberty was a gift from France in celebration of the US's abolition of slavery. Marvel at her monument as you sail from Battery Park to the three-acre Liberty Island. Once you step onto the island, walk around the statue and listen to the audio guide sharing the history of this monument. You can observe that Lady Liberty is in mid-stride, breaking free from her chains. Look up at her imposing figure and down at the broken shackles by her feet, and feel the power of the gesture. Take in these landmarks up close and reflect on the inscription in Lady Liberty's book: "Give me your tired, your poor / Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free..." This experience will remind you of the freedoms and opportunities you enjoy and leave you grateful for your visit. Note that tickets to enter the Statue of Liberty are not included.
Celebrate the joy of color and human connection in New York, voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience by USA Today readers in 2024. Fun for all ages, guests take a bright and colorful journey that inspires joy and human connection, encourages play, and engages the senses in unexpected ways. The experience is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators.
Just across the street from Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History represents an enormous collection of plants, minerals, meteorites, animals, fossils, dinosaurs, and human artifacts. This entrance ticket gives you access to the magical world of natural history. You will enter the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda and witness the battle of Barosaurus and Allosaurus. Then, you will take a journey through the African savannah, and meet fascinating elephants. Enforce your African experience in the Hall of African Peoples, and witness the incredible traditions of the Pokot and the Yoruba peoples. On the first floor, you will feel the power of nature standing by the Giant Sequoia, dive into the ocean with the blue whale, and see the mighty Alaskan brown bear. The third floor will bring you to the fascinating world of reptiles and primates. You'll also visit the dwelling of the Indians and admire the iconic Moai statue. The museum's brightest experience is offered by the halls of dinosaurs on the fourth floor — Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, and more are waiting to welcome you with their charming smiles!
Just across the street from Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History represents an enormous collection of plants, minerals, meteorites, animals, fossils, dinosaurs, and human artifacts. Take this in-app audio tour of the best natural museum in the world to explore its highlights and must-sees. Enter the museum through Central Park West (upstairs) at 79th Street. The tour starts in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda on the 2nd floor. Here, you will witness the battle of Barosaurus and Allosaurus, take a journey through the African savannah, and meet fascinating elephants. Enforce your African experience in the Hall of African Peoples, and hear about the incredible traditions of the Pokot and the Yoruba peoples. Continue by walking down to the first floor to feel the power of nature. Stand by the Giant Sequoia, dive into the ocean with the blue whale, and see the mighty Alaskan brown bear. The 3rd floor will bring you to the fascinating world of reptiles and primates. You'll also visit the dwelling of the Indians and admire the iconic Moai statue. Finish the tour with the brightest experience offered by the halls of dinosaurs on the 4th floor — Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, and more are waiting to welcome you with their charming smiles! Note! This tour is not affiliated with the AMNH 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.
Just across the street from Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History represents an enormous collection of plants, minerals, meteorites, animals, fossils, dinosaurs, and human artifacts. Take this in-app audio tour of the best natural museum in the world to explore its highlights and must-sees. NOTE! This tour DOES NOT include a ticket! Buy it at www.amnh.org Enter the museum through Central Park West (upstairs) at 79th Street. The tour starts in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda on the 2nd floor. Here, you will witness the battle of Barosaurus and Allosaurus, take a journey through the African savannah, and meet fascinating elephants. Enforce your African experience in the Hall of African Peoples, and hear about the incredible traditions of the Pokot and the Yoruba peoples. Continue by walking down to the first floor. Here you will feel the power of nature standing by the Giant Sequoia, dive into the ocean with the blue whale, and see the mighty Alaskan brown bear. The 3rd floor will bring you to the fascinating world of reptiles and primates. You'll also visit the dwelling of the Indians and admire the iconic Moai statue. Finish the tour with the brightest experience offered by the halls of dinosaurs on the 4th floor — Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, and more are waiting to welcome you with their charming smiles! Note! This tour is not affiliated with the AMNH but is provided by an independent creator.
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. 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.
Welcome to Fifth Avenue, New York City’s premier thoroughfare in the heart of Manhattan. This tour invites you to march up this grand street of iconic landmarks that are certainly worth a walk through. Washington Square is where both the tour and the Avenue begin. A block away, you will discover the easy-to-miss Washington Mews, a gated historic street lined with tiny photo-op cottages. Up the Avenue, you will pass by the fancy-shaped Flatiron Building, which is one of the city's oldest skyscrapers. Between 33d and 34th Streets, you will get a chance to see up to five states from the 102nd floor of New York’s first supertall, Empire State Building. Next, you will take in the sublime beauty of the New York Public Library, a largest marble edifice ever created in the United States. Later, the exquisite emblem of Art Deco-era Manhattan, Rockefeller Center, will draw you in with the postcard view of its Channel Gardens. Steps away from there, you will be jolted into the past as you see the ornate medieval architecture of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Closer to Central Park, you will notice the glinting Trump Tower standing out from its storied peers with the modern glitz and glam. Finally, you will stroll through the hallmark Central Park, an elaborate work of landscape art of the 19th century. Join this tour of Fifth Avenue to be amazed by the way its skyline rears upward to various heights and how the historical and iconic are mingled with the modern.
Join this in-app audio tour to experience one of the best parts of Manhattan, and make your time in New York memorable! You will sense the spirit of this great city and see its diversity while walking through the most famous places of the northern part of Manhattan and a little of its central portion. Start the tour enjoying the quietness and beauty of Central Park, and then lose yourself among the skyscrapers like the Trump Tower, the city's symbol of wealth, and the Empire State Building, the tallest building in New York. Next, this tour will bring you to the famous Museum Mile. Choose to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is often compared to the Louvre, the Guggenheim Museum housed inside one of the most famous buildings on the planet, and other museums. You will learn how the genre of the Broadway musical emerged, the places New Yorkers like to meet and sit, and the mistake on the fresco at the Grand Terminal Station. Your must-do will be to walk on 5th Avenue, an elegant, legendary, longest, and most expensive street in the city, and to come to Times Square visited by millions of people over the course of the year. Last but not least, you will come to the Dakota, a well-known building where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived their happy moments until a crime that shocked the entire world occurred.
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About New York City
The must-see attractions in New York City for a first visit are:
The best indoor tours in New York City for rainy days are:
The best tours in New York City are:
- New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Ticket & Audio Tour + Central Park Stroll
- New York's Crime and Death Scene: Uncover the City's Darkest Secrets
- New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art Audio Tour with the Central Park Stroll
- New York City: Audio Tour of Soho, Chinatown and Little Italy
- New York City: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ticket & Audio Tour
The best walking tours to do in New York City are:
The best tours to do in New York City with kids are:
Insider tips for visiting New York City
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.