New York City is one of the most vibrant cities on the planet, and visitors from all over the world flock to it in order to experience its diverse array of attractions. Given its immense size and complexity, as well as the tremendous number of things to see and do, New York can be intimidating to wrap your mind around. As a result, many visitors decide to go on a tour of New York City. They’re a terrific way to get to know New York’s neighborhoods, people, attractions, and more.
If you’re new to New York—or even if it’s just been a while since you’ve been in town—a bus tour is a great way to become acquainted (or refamiliarize yourself) with the city. The least-relaxing thing you could do while visiting New York is get stuck behind the wheel of a car trying to navigate the city’s notorious traffic jams and one-way streets. Bus tours let you sit back, relax, and actually enjoy your sightseeing. Many bus tours let you hop-on and hop-off when and where you want. This means that not only will they teach you about the rich history of the city, they’ll get you where you want to go, comfortably and safely and without the hassle of looking for parking. These sorts of tours are available in themed formats, too. Food, drink, culture: you name it, there’s a tour here that’ll cover it.
Of course, there’s so much more to the New York guided tour scene than just buses. You’ll also find boat tours that take you out into the Hudson River, East River, and New York Harbor for stunning views of the skyline, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, and bike tours that cover inimitable New York neighborhoods in an ecofriendly manner. Walking tours are an excellent option for those visitors who want to slow things down and really get to know an element or two of New York on a more intimate level. Broadway tours, architecture tours, tours about popular television shows that were set in New York—it’s all here, and then some!
Regardless of what you want to see and do while in New York, you’ll be able to find a tour there that caters to your interests. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular kinds of tours in New York.
Boat Tours: One of the most unique ways to experience New York City is from the water. A variety of themed tours are available from multiple cruise operators. A sightseeing cruise will grant you a whole new perspective on NYC’s many world-famous attractions.