Best Tours in New York City
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Top sights in New York City
All self-guided activities

Learn how color can not only be seen but also felt, tasted, heard, and even touched as you explore the extraordinarily colorful and photogenic Color Factory curated by your own audio guide! You will be surprised to learn how easy it is to trick our brains by improvising with different shades in everyday life: the audio guide will explain to you the benefits of wearing "pink glasses" and why it is better not to use yellow dishes when eating. Immerse yourself in the world of color through stories about scientific experiments, the history of the emergence of rare shades, and acquaintances with contemporary artists and designers. Don't be afraid to eat too many sweet treats at the museum, as a 'workout' awaits you here: you'll find a dance floor, a music venue, and dive into a pool of hundreds of balls. A special test will reveal the secrets of your particular color, and you may discover a synesthete in yourself! What? Have you never heard of such a concept? Then head to the Color Factory, turn on the audio guide, and start your journey through the universe of color. Note. This tour is not affiliated with the Color Factory but is provided by an independent creator. Tickets are included for customers' convenience at no charge.

This in-app audio tour is designed for those interested in the cultural rebellions and creative explosions that have taken place in the iconic Greenwich Village. You'll walk the same streets where artists and activists paved the way for folk music and LGBTQ rights. As you move from site to site, your ears will be filled with stories of pride, protest, and performance that have echoed through these historic streets. Your journey begins at the defiant Hess Triangle, a symbol of resistance, and concludes with the Provincetown Playhouse, the cradle of off-Broadway theatre. Your journey will take you past charming cafés and bustling squares, through the intimate streets that Bob Dylan once walked, and to the very spots that witnessed pivotal moments in LGBTQ and music history. The route will immerse you in the struggles and triumphs that happened along 2.5 kilometers of culture-rich cityscape. You'll experience Greenwich Village through a kaleidoscope of narratives and stand where history was made at the Stonewall Inn. You'll peer into the windows of folk legend Woody Guthrie and grasp the legacy of Jimi Hendrix at the Electric Lady Studios. This tour isn't just a walk; it's a tribute to the indomitable spirit of creativity and change that Greenwich Village represents.

Experience unmatched 360° views of New York stretching out for 50 miles at One World Trade Center, standing tall at 1,776 feet as the tallest building in the Western hemisphere! Zip to the top on a deluxe SkyPod elevator with LED screens showcasing the evolution of New York. Once you reach the 102-nd floor, take your time admiring three stories of breathtaking views. If you're feeling daring, step out onto the vertiginous Sky Portal platform and look down at live video projections of the city below. Elevate your experience even further with the One World Explorer Augmented Reality iPad. Grab one of our supplied tablets and take a virtual helicopter tour of the NYC skyline, or scan the horizon and watch dynamic multimedia content bring it to life. Treat your senses to handcrafted local favorites at the restaurant, or enjoy a drink with a view at the bar. Note! Last admission: 45 minutes before closing Bags, packages, and luggage cannot exceed 25"x17"x9"(63x43x23cm) – no lockers available. All visitors must undergo security screening prior to entering. No food, beverages, animals, or firearms.

This self-guided audio walk introduces first-time visitors to the many faces of Manhattan, from finance and remembrance to immigrant neighborhoods, grand avenues, and famous skyscrapers. It suits travelers who want a clear route through some of New York City’s most recognizable streets and landmarks while hearing the stories behind what rises around them. Your route begins on Wall Street, where stone facades, flags, and narrow streets reveal the city’s old financial core. From there, you continue to the 9/11 Memorial Pools, where water slips into vast square voids set within bronze parapets engraved with names. The walk then moves through Chinatown and Little Italy, where storefront signs, hanging lanterns, pastry windows, and restaurant aromas show how close distinct worlds can stand together in Lower Manhattan. The tour continues north through the Flatiron District and Lower Manhattan viewpoints, then up celebrated 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center, Grand Central, and Times Square, where glowing billboards and theater crowds create a constant rush of motion and light. Near the end, you pause at the Flatiron Building’s sharp triangular edge before finishing at the Empire State Building. Along the way, the moments most likely to stay with you are the hush of the memorial pools, the street energy of Chinatown, the glitter of Midtown, and the first close-up look at New York’s legendary skyline.

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. 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. Note! This tour DOES NOT include a ticket. Buy it at www.guggenheim.org This tour is not affiliated with the Guggenheim Museum 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. 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.

The 1993 World Trade Center bombing and 9/11 terrorist attacks affected not only the Ground Zero area but America and the whole world. This audio tour is narrated by Linda, a real person who experienced the first event and eyewitnessed the latter, to show you the WTC Complex from a unique and intimate perspective, as well as to invite you to a personal story about life and death. The tour begins underground, at the WTC subway station used by thousands of people to commute. From there, you will enter the new 1 WTC and be terrified by how Linda fled from the 65th floor of the old one veiled with heavy smoke on Feb. 26, 1993. As you explore the local working people's routine before the 9/11 events, you will get to the Winter Garden, the tour creator's healing place. Then, you will walk the off-radar sky bridges and observe the results of the Ground Zero recovery efforts from above. Next, you will approach the FDNY Memorial Wall to pay tribute to the 9/11 firefighters and share Linda's moving respect for them. Finally, Linda's vivid memories of the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 will horrify you as you reach the point she saw it from. On your way there, you will see a few more landmarks and be impressed with the soaring architecture of the Oculus Center space. Despite the dismay, this audio tour conveys the yearning for the life that Linda carries within. Join it to walk around the World Trade Center and beyond while listening to meaningful and healing stories!

Celebrate with the whole family this holiday season at the Bronx Zoo. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration includes festive entertainment, seasonal treats, the Holiday Train, and classic holiday music. The walk-through experience is a beloved tradition, enchanting and fun for all ages.

Learn how color can not only be seen but also felt, tasted, heard, and even touched as you explore the extraordinarily colorful and photogenic Color Factory curated by your own audio guide! NOTE! This tour does not include a ticket but is valid for life. Buy the ticket in advance at colorfactory.co/new-york-city. You will be surprised to learn how easy it is to trick our brains by improvising with different shades in everyday life: the audio guide will explain to you the benefits of wearing "pink glasses" and why it is better not to use yellow dishes when eating. Immerse yourself in the world of color through stories about scientific experiments, the history of the emergence of rare shades, and acquaintances with contemporary artists and designers. Don't be afraid to eat too many sweet treats at the museum, as a 'workout' awaits you here: you'll find a dance floor, a music venue, and dive into a pool of hundreds of balls. A special test will reveal the secrets of your particular color, and you may discover a synesthete in yourself! What? Have you never heard of such a concept? Then head to the Color Factory, turn on the audio guide, and start your journey through the universe of color. This tour is not affiliated with the Color Factory but is provided by an independent creator.

Welcome to one of the world's most famous and most visited sights of all time, the Statue of Liberty. The symbol of freedom for all nations and a welcoming monument for millions around the world, "Liberty Enlightening The World" is truly a must-see attraction in New York. This self-guided audio tour offers an unforgettable historical experience, giving you an insight into what it was to be an immigrant in America 100 years ago, and what it took to start a new life. This tour has two different parts: 1. The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Island Grounds with a museum; 2. The Ellis Island Museum of Immigration located on nearby Ellis Island. You will get to Liberty Island from Manhattan's Battery Park via ferry with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. The same ferry will take you later to Ellis Island, and you will have comprehensive audio guidance throughout the whole journey. The Ellis Island Museum tells the story of more than 12 million immigrants that entered America between 1886 and 1924 through New York and how the Statue of Liberty was a reassuring sign that they had arrived in the "promised land". NOTE! This tour DOES NOT include ferry service and tickets! Purchase them at www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue This tour is not affiliated with the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration but is provided by an independent creator.
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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:
The best walking tours to do in New York City 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.











