Location: New York City
Top Things to do in New York City
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What to do and see in New York City, New York (NY): The Best Historical & Heritage Tours
Conquering New York in one visit is impossible. Instead, hit the must-sees – the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art – and then explore off the beaten path with visits to The Cloisters or one of the city’s libraries. Indulge in the bohemian shops of the West Village or the fine dining of the Upper West Side. The bustling marketplace inside of Grand Central Station gives you a literal taste of the best the city has to offer.
Restaurants in New York City
1. Central Park Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
Your guide, Michael Hunt, is not only Central Park's number one tour guide, but also a passionate student of these 843 acres. From its history, wildlife, trees, and plants, statues and structures, he has immersed himself in all that makes the park a living work of art. Michael has led over 800 tours. He is constantly researching and studying to make each individual and family's two-hour tour the most memorable takeaway from their trip to this great city. Guaranteed five-star tour!
Inclusions: Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By valbramham
Walking tours are our favourite way to explore new places and this was one of the best. Michael is a great guide, who takes time to make the tour work for the individuals in the group. As well as great knowledge about the Park, we enjoyed his anecdotes on a range of subjects. The photographs he took and sent us were a great bonus, particularly as my ‘phone had run out of battery a third of the way round!
2. Lower Manhattan Tour: The Remnants of Dutch New Amsterdam!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Explore what is left of Dutch New Amsterdam in today's New York City! In this small group walking tour, you'll hear about New York’s founding myths and facts while standing in the very spots where they all happened. With Manhattan’s first map in hand and your experienced guide you will trace the streets of Manhattan in 1667. Physically touch history as you spend time finding out why Bowling Green has its name and why it’s been so important in our city’s history!
Inclusions: Guided walking tour with a licensed NYC tour guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Steven S
I took the hard-hat tour of the abandoned Ellis Island hospital. It was great. The tour guide was very well informed and the tour was fascinating. Everything Untapped NY does is awesome! I love it! I became a paid member because I like them so much!
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art Private Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art attracts nearly as many visitors as other leading galleries like the Louvre or the British Museum. On this 2 to 2.5 hour private guided museum tour, you’ll be able to skip the line and explore it’s most famous pieces with the help of an engaging guide who will lead the way. Evening tours are available on Friday and Saturday, for a more intimate experience.
Inclusions: Skip-the-Line Private Museum Tour, Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You, Duration 2 - 2.5 Hours, Wheelchair Friendly, All Entrance Fees
Exclusions: Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi), Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
Reviewed By D8382ZSshaunw
Request Matt. He was great! He was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly! He also took some great pictures of our group.
4. New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 99 reviews
Dig up Manhattan's spine-chilling past on this 2-hour walking tour of Greenwich Village, known as one of the city's most haunted neighborhoods. Together with a guide, you'll head to some of the village's spookiest spots, including Washington Square Park and NYU's Brown Building, and hear tales of lost children, celebrity ghosts, and park-dwelling phantoms.
Inclusions: Guide, Small-Group New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By DhavalCGandhi
I'm not one to get spooked easily or a firm believer of the spirits, but there were some pretty spooky parts. Alyssa, our tour guide, was great and extraordinarily knowledgeable about the history of Greenwich Village. As a new local to the city, it was the perfect combination of a history lesson and fascinating ghost stories that my partner and I were looking for. For me, it's especially surreal to know that I have passed by the house that John Wilks Booth stayed the night before he went on to make history without even knowing it dozen of times before I went on this tour. I would recommend it to anyone that likes any sort of dark history or paranormal activities.
5. Central Park Horse Carriage Ride - VIP Tour with photo stops (55 min)
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 1,694 reviews
NYC Horse Carriage Rides™ is a family-owned & operated business. My Father, Giuseppe started the business in 1979 after emigrating to New York City from Sicily. My name is Frank and as a child I looked up to my Father and fell in love with the family business and horses. I joined him in 2005 and I now manage the business. My Father and I book, lead the tours and over-look the carriages so there are no middle-men which allows us to offer the best prices, there are no surprises or hidden costs. We are voted #1 Central Park Horse Carriage Ride company in New York City. We are the most reputable company NYC Horse Carriage Ride company in Central Park. We have the most experienced drivers along with premium carriages in Central Park!
Inclusions: Fully-Guided & Entertaining Tours, Big Warm Cozy Blankets, Breathtaking & Picturesque Photo Stops , Guaranteed Horse Welfare
Exclusions: Gratuities, Tips
Reviewed By Fandalejd
Henry was a great driver and guide. He was very kind and took great pictures. I highly recommend this company.
6. See It All NYC Walking and Boat Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 22 reviews
This tour is unique because it is hosted by a college professor of the City University of New York who is also a fully licensed tour guide. He brings over 10 years of teaching experience as a college professor and 5 years of experience as a tour guide. You will learn about the history and culture of New York City and you will also learn "secrets" that you might not know or would not be able to find out on your own! The tour guide has dozens of 5 star reviews on AirBnb and is a native New Yorker. This tour is also unique because we cover a lot of ground. You will see more of New York City in 6 hours than most people see in 6 days! And you will have your own personal tour guide at your disposal.
Inclusions: Everything is included except cost of a "MetroCard" to get on the subway. It's 5.50 round trip.
Exclusions:
Reviewed By yahooforcocoapuffs
My tour with Tim was amazing! He took us all over Manhattan from Central Park all the way down to Wall Street and then a ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty. He was very informative and knows a lot about New York City history and you really learn a LOT! He also gives you lots of practical tips about fun things to do in New York. I would highly recommend his tour to everyone.
7. New York: Alexander Hamilton's Haunts and Hangouts Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 130 reviews
Stroll the streets of New York’s oldest neighborhood as you retrace the steps of one of our greatest locals and founding father, Mr. Alexander Hamilton. Discover how Wall Street, the Stock Exchange, and our financial system began with this young immigrant. We'll end at the historic Fraunces Tavern where you have the option of complimenting your stroll through history with a pint at this colonial New York landmark.
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By LassMinTraveler
Brian was a great tour guide as well as accommodating everyone's individual needs as well as diets if you didn't eat it or like it Brian went out of his way to make it happen. I truly enjoyed the tour as well as the other places he recommended after the tour I definitely recommend this tour ....Great job Brian we're still talking about it who knows you may see us soon something is in the works ????????????
8. Hamilton Musical Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 93 reviews
Take a song-by-song stroll through Hamilton’s rise and eventual fall as New York’s foremost Founding Father. This tour is designed for folks who have already seen or plan to see the 11 Tony Award winning Broadway production or those just addicted to the cast album. The tour puts the songs, history and lower Manhattan locations into perspective. The tour matches up individual songs with their actual location, including some bonus stops that help illuminate the time and place that Alexander Hamilton lived and died in. Each guest receives a Personal Listening Device to insure you hear every word and note, no matter how noisy the city gets.
Inclusions: Tour Conducted Using UHF Personal Listening Device - Never miss a word or song no matter how noisy the city gets., Local guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Wayne L
We did the tour the same day we saw the show and learned many interesting facts about Hamilton, the revolution and NYC -- even though we had read the Hamilton biography and were very familiar with the soundtrack. The tour uses radios with headsets that allow the guide to be easily heard as well as allowing for musical references to be played from his iPad. The tour meets at the Staten Island Ferry terminal and ends at Trinity Church. Very knowledgable and friendly guide. Well worth the money. Kudos to our guide Chazz.
9. Statue of Liberty with Pedestal and Reserve Access: Small-Group Afternoon Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 268 reviews
Come explore this New York icon. Expert guides will meet you at Castle Clinton, a historic fort in Battery Park and a onetime possible site for the statue itself. From there you’ll board a ferry carrying you to Liberty Island. Your reservation includes a guided tour of the Liberty Island grounds with an expert English-speaking guide as well as access to the Pedestal and New Museum at Liberty Island [Pedestal and Museum are closed temporarily in 2020 due to COVID].
Inclusions: Professional and entertaining guide, Access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island (time permitting), Ferry tickets to and from Liberty Island, Access to Pedestal and New Museum at Liberty Island
Exclusions: Gratuities, Guided tour of Ellis Island, Locker Fee on Liberty Island - $0.25, Crown access at the Statue of Liberty, Face mask available for a $1 fee.
Reviewed By 373lydiac
Our tour guide Kevin Lawrence was fabulous! We saw and learned SO much! This walking tour was a great way to see the high points of NYC, The pace was perfect with plenty of opportunities for photos. Kevin kept it interesting with a great mix of history and trivia in addition to answering all of our questions. He kept us safe & comfortable throughout the day. I highly recommend this tour and Kevin in particular.
10. A Day in Brooklyn Bike Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 29 reviews
A tour for cyclists & cyclists who tour! Spend the day with a local tour guide. An epic tour of Brooklyn with stops for lunch & tastings at distilleries, brewers, chocolate factories & pie bakers, covering over 25 Brooklyn Neighborhoods. There is no other experience like this - period!
Inclusions: Bike, Helmet, Tour Guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Drinks, Food and drinks
Reviewed By diltj
I was with my teenage son for one week in New York and I thought it was nice to start to go around by bike in Manhattan instead of for instance a bustour. Biking around is a active way to visit interesting places and gives the opportunity to spend some more time in the places you really like or in which you are really interested. Even my son, who is usually quite lazy, liked it! the pizza break he liked the most.
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