MeanWhether you are soaking in the neon splendor of Times Square or want to travel back to the 1800s at the Statue of Liberty, New York City tours make mastering the Big Apple easy. So follow along as we uncover the very best walking tours in New York City!
Enjoy guided walking tours of Hamilton's stomping grounds, or spend an afternoon sampling luscious homemade mozzarella and dim sum.
Strap on those comfy shoes as we hit the NYC streets, sights, and landmarks in style.
Food and Drink Tours
Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest
The best way to discover the true spirit of a city? Through your stomach! Enjoy an animated epicurean experience when you reserve your Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest tour.
Hosted by an expert guide, this small-group walking tour gives you a first-hand look and taste at two of New York City's top foodie neighborhoods. Spend three hours sampling and savoring the flavors of both Chinatown and Little Italy as you ixnay the tourist traps in favor of off-the-beaten-path eateries.
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Moan over mouthfuls of dumplings, dim sum, and ravioli with red sauce as you learn about this area's fascinating history and heritage. Then, skip the stress of reservations and long lines and leave the legwork to your fellow foodie tour guide.
photo credit: Alex Haney via Unsplash
Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
Pizza, bagels, and pommes frites oh my! Take a giant bite out of the Big Apple food scene when you book a Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour.
Come hungry, as you'll want an empty belly to devour bites of artisanal cupcakes, Mamoun's famous falafel, savory soppressata, and more. Marvel at the scenic charm of Greenwich Village and soak in iconic landmarks such as the Friends' apartment, Washington Square Park, and the Stonewall Inn.
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Let your conversational guide serenade you with insider knowledge, fun facts, and cultural observations as you waltz through this beautiful locale.
photo credit:
Lower East Side Food Tour
Delicious immigrant eats, rich cultural diversity, and plenty of Chutzpah make this Lower East Side Food frenzy a slam dunk. And did we mention it's free? Join Free Tours by Foot for this pay what you want* Lower East Side Food Tour.
Dive into the colorful tapestry of one of New York City's most vibrant neighborhoods as you sample cuisines from every culture. Get ready to nosh all day as you taste mouth-watering bites of knishes, dumplings, bagels, pickles, donuts, and more. This thoroughly unique foodie adventure features visits to historic synagogues, tales of tenements, struggling immigrants, and a Bulgarian punk discotheque.
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Truly a masterful melting pot of the Empire City, the Lower Eastside is just bursting with history. Listen up as you learn all about the generations who came to New York from Eastern Europe, Russia, Germany, and Puerto Rico to chase the American dream.
*Suggested amount is between $7-10
NYC Revolutionary Pub Crawl
Can't stop singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack? Combine your two great loves of history and beer when you spend an afternoon sampling suds with an NYC Revolutionary Pub Crawl. This over two-hour crawl expertly mixes craft beer, colonial history, and NYC lore for an unforgettable Empire experience.
Stroll down the same storied streets as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, as you imbibe local NYC beers not found elsewhere. Visit four historic taverns located on the charming cobblestoned Stone street and raise a glass to the rousing American revolution.
Dive into the influence of beer on major American events and sample sublime ciders and ales.*
*Happy Hour ticket includes four beers or ciders. The Dry Run ticket does not
Landmark and Sightseeing Tours
New York Growing Up: Lower Manhattan and Midtown Guided Walking Tour
Appreciate the history of the financial district, pay your respects at the 9/11 memorial, and say hello to the famous New York Public Library lions on this 5.5 hours guided walking tour. Your New York Growing Up: Lower Manhattan and Midtown Guided Walking Tour lets you engage with NYC history in an immersive and intimate way.
This semi-private guided tour takes you through famous sights and attractions such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Empire State Building, and Grand Central Terminal. In addition, you will explore lesser-known landmarks such as Bowling Green and Castle Clinton in Battery Park.
Engage in passionate discourse over the most common NYC architecture themes, snap a selfie in front of the famed Charging Bull statue, and locate Hamilton's grave at Trinity Church.
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Post lunch break, travel to Midtown for a merry sojourn through Madison Square Park and the Morgan Library. Let your eyes drift upward as you take in the staggering height and heralded significance of the Met Life Tower and the New York Life Building.
photo credit: via Facebook
Self Guided Times Square Tour
Sky-high billboards, flashing lights, costumed characters, and of course, the Naked Cowboy! Times Square hardly needs an introduction. However, this mecca of theater, retail, and art can be quite overwhelming for first-time New York City visitors. So, if you are looking for some Times Square pointers, you are in luck.
Save your change for a famous soft pretzel, and enjoy a free self-guided walking tour of Times Square. Saunter past the famous Conde Nast building, learn all about the original name for this rowdy locale and marvel at the Beaux-Arts style of the Knickerbocker Hotel.
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People watch at the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza, then check out the Ed Sullivan theater. Or try your luck scoring tickets at the TKTS booth. Don't forget to recreate your favorite superhero movie moments here. True fans will surely recognize familiar facades from both The Amazing Spider-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films.
photo credit: Inkahustler via Facebook
Secrets of the Statue of Liberty Tour & Ellis Island
No trip to the Empire City is complete without stopping at Lady Liberty. Linger at this monument of freedom and American opportunity when you spend a day on the Secrets of the Statue of Liberty Tour & Ellis Island.
Prime yourself for four hours of harrowing history, captivating stories, and spellbinding views on this all-inclusive tour. For generations, this green gift has captured the hearts and minds of visitors from all over the world.
Embrace the scintillating secrets and fascinating facts regarding this beloved monument's origin, design, and construction. Your tour will kick off at the Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park and lead you through an exhilarating ferry journey to Ellis Island. Soak in sweeping vistas of the New York Harbor before exiting onto Liberty Island.
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Have your camera and tissues handy, as you can't help but be moved by the unforgettable immigrant stories and outstanding scenery.
One World Observatory
Sweeping skyline views, skypod elevators, and heart-pumping audiovisual accessories make the One World Observatory a can't miss tourist attraction.
Also known as One World Trade Center or the Freedom Tower. This staggering edifice of steel and glass towers 100 stories above the street. Savor 360 views from the comfort of an indoor climate-controlled space. Or stop by the onsite cafe for an exquisite cold brew or cappuccino.
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Walk down pop culture memory lane as you observe the Horizon Grid. This multimedia extravaganza is powered by 145 screens and features memorable moments, famous faces, and iconic places viewable from One World Observatory. Be sure to locate your place of origin in the dazzling Global Welcome Center, which is presented on the largest curved indoor LED in the world.
photo credit: ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY via Facebook
Nature and Outdoor Tours
Hudson Yard, The High Line & The Vessel Tour
Stretch those legs and relish the natural beauty of Manhattan's most renowned elevated park when you tackle 1.45 miles of the High Line. Your Hudson Yard, The High Line & The Vessel Tour is a riveting 1.5-hour trek through lower Manhattan's streets, gardens, and iconic landmarks.
Step above the city's sidewalks and enter a world of perennials, birch, and serviceberry trees when you meander through the lush flora of the High Line Park. This distinguished green public space derives its name from being built on a historic freight line. Post park frolicking, your small group will head to the eye-catching 'Vessel' also known as "New York's Staircase."
Be sure to capture this fridge-worthy photo op, which features 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,500 individual steps, and 80 landings. Located in Hudson Yards, this arresting art structure is built with bronzed steel and can hold up to 1000 people at a time.
photo credit: Gettyimages
Central Park Walking Tours
Inhale that fresh park air, toss a coin in the Bethesda Fountain. Or sing along to the Beatles at Strawberry Fields. Covering 840 acres, Central Park is the largest park in Manhattan. Housing many of the city's most quintessential landmarks and sights.
Sign up for a Central Park Walking Tour and cultivate your curiosity for the most filmed place in the world. First, skip through the lush rolling hills. Or make your way to the wild and rugged Ramble. This preserved green space is truly the city's own slice of paradise.
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From the fairytale features of the Belvedere Castle to the Loeb Boathouse. There are untold treasures to uncover in designer Olmsted's creative oasis.
Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tours
Get swept up in the romance and history of one of the Big Apple's most ubiquitous sights when you cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
Completed in 1883, this monument to modern architecture was designed by John A. Roebling and, at the time, was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tours allows you and your intrepid gang to observe the most arresting sights of lower Manhattan from the bridge.
As you complete a two-hour guided tour on foot, you'll relish such views as
- The Statue of Liberty
- The Sphere
- The New York City skyline
Meanwhile, harness the magic of Manhattan's colorful past as you delve into its time as a maritime trading empire. You'll even learn about its role in the American Revolution.
First, touch real colonial artifacts. Then snap photos of the New York Stock Exchange. Finally, even leave a touching lock of love tribute to the Bridge.
photo credit: Yasuhiro Yokota vía Unsplash
In a New York state of mind? With an instantly recognizable skyline and more museums than you can count. Plus an array of world-class theater and dining options, the City that Never Sleeps can never be overlooked.
Whether you visit in winter or spring, NYC is home to hundreds of attractions, landmarks, and sights. So pack those supportive sneakers because the best way to see Empire City is by foot.
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Sign up for a delectable Greenwich food tour. Then enchant your tastebuds with samplings of cheesy slices and crispy falafel. Those craving more classic NYC signatures will be left in awe by the views of One World Observatory and Ellis Island.
Ham it up in front of the Friends apartment. Or let your ears linger over the sweet musical stylings of the street performers in Washington Square Park.
Whatever walking tour you choose, you are guaranteed to fall in love. The energy, passion, and creativity of the concrete jungle are undeniable.
Tell us, which New York City walking tours will you take?
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