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Last updated: 30 May, 2023

Tourists call it the Big Apple, New Yorkers call it the Capital of the World and that audacity, energy, wealth, power, humour and cosmopolitan pizzazz makes the ‘city that never sleeps’ one of the most exciting destinations on Earth. Few places rival its skyline views, culture and dynamism.

Relieved of much of its previous street crime, New York now inspires city-loving travellers of all ages and tastes, who thrill to its sights, sounds, museums, arts scene, and shopping. It’s unique in the sheer density of skyscrapers crammed into Manhattan and its heritage as a magnet for ambitious immigrants.

Orientation

Manhattan is the heart of New York and where most visitors spend all their time. It supports spectacular skyscrapers where geologically feasible and distinctive, often-beautiful lower-rise buildings elsewhere.

The city centre is on a grid system with numbered streets running East-West, avenues North-South, making navigation easy. The three main sections are uptown, midtown and downtown, encompassing contrasting ‘neighbourhoods’ linked by the ubiquitous Subway system. The West Village and Lower Manhattan evolved as labyrinths before the grid.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Superheroes in New York Walking Tour

New York City

Superheroes in New York Walking Tour
Calling all true believers!  Take an in-depth look into the superhero and comic world in a way that only New York City can deliver. Check out iconic superhero movie sites, see where the writers  and artists created your favorite characters, stroll down publishers row and see some of the most recognizable sites in New York City. Learn the answer to the age old question: Is New York Gotham or Metropolis? Excelsior!

Price: $39

Min age: 0

Rating 4.85 / 5 [471 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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New York City at Night Bus Tour

New York City

New York City at Night Bus Tour
See New York City sparkle, on an evening panoramic tour of the city! Experience awesome New York City sites at night, as you hop aboard our comfortable tour bus for a comprehensive, fully-guided bus tour of NYC at night. Your tour guide will accompany you and will get off with you at each stop, helping you see a different side of New York City! (optional) add Top of The Rock Observation Deck tickets and experience magnificent 360° views of New York City!

Price: $59

Min age: 0

Rating 4.60 / 5 [566 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Hamilton Musical Walking Tour

New York City

Hamilton Musical Walking Tour
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. 

Price: $63

Min age: 0

Rating 4.88 / 5 [231 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Sex and the City Hotspots Bus Tour

New York City

Sex and the City Hotspots Bus Tour
Follow in the fancy footsteps of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda on a 'Sex and the City' private tour! You'll conquer New York City and drink where the girls drink, shop where they shop, and gossip where they gossip. Depending on the size of your group, your tour might be in a coach bus, mini bus, Sedan, SUV, or sprinter.

Price: $66

Min age: 0

Rating 4.55 / 5 [1064 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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New York City Sightseeing Tour by Coach

New York City

New York City Sightseeing Tour by Coach
Aboard a comfortable van or mini-bus, enjoy a comfortable 5-hour sightseeing tour designed to offer a comprehensive and entertaining experience of New York City. This tour, narrated by a professional tour guide, includes some of the most iconic spots of New York City.

Price: $69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.29 / 5 [44 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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4-Hour Sopranos Sites Bus Tour

New York City

4-Hour Sopranos Sites Bus Tour
Bada-bing, bada-boom! Follow in the footsteps of Tony Soprano during a private tour of 'The Sopranos' filming sites. If you couldn’t get enough of the hit series, you won't want to leave New York without joining this informative tour through New Jersey. See Pizza Land, the Muffler Man and other sites used in the opening credits; stop at Father Phil’s parish; and sit in the restaurant booth where the final scene was filmed. Depending on the size of your group, your tour might be in a coach bus, mini bus, Sedan, SUV, or sprinter.

Price: $82

Min age: 18

Rating 4.79 / 5 [334 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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New York "Must See" Small-Group Half-Day Tour

New York City

New York "Must See" Small-Group Half-Day Tour
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind Big Apple experience. On this 6-hour guided tour, enjoy an authentic New York experience. With a small group (less than 15 people) you will be able to move fast and see more. Walk, subway and ferry to see New York’s must-see attractions in one action-filled day!

Price: $89

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [244 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

New York City

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
Get accompanied by a licensed NYC tour guide, who will hop off at each stop to provide you with a comprehensive & more private sightseeing experience Ride in climate-controlled tour buses that offer a comfortable and pleasant touring experience, as well as protection from weather elements. Glass-top or closed-top bus options available. Enjoy 15-minute guided walking tours of NYC's iconic places - Central Park, Rockefeller Center, 9/11 Memorial and more! Take a ferry ride for breathtaking views of the NYC skyline from the water!

Price: $99

Min age: 0

Rating 4.77 / 5 [7901 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full-Day New York "Must See" Small-Group Tour plus One World Observatory Ticket

New York City

Full-Day New York "Must See" Small-Group Tour plus One World Observatory Ticket
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind big apple experience. On this full day guided tour, enjoy an authentic New York experience. With a small group (less than 15 people) you will be able to move fast and see more. Walk, subway and ferry to see New York’s “Must See” attractions in one action-filled day.

Price: $129

Min age: 4

Rating 4.88 / 5 [1208 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private tour by stretch limousine or minibus , choose 3 or 5 hour

New York City

Private tour by stretch limousine or minibus , choose 3 or 5 hour
Forget subways and overwhelming guidebooks — take a chauffeured journey by limousine around Lower Manhattan on this private 3 or 5 hour tour. Enjoy personalized attention from your native New Yorker guide and get an eye-opening look into historic neighborhoods, listen to in-the-know commentary and capture marvelous city views. Travel in style as you hit the top attractions. The more you discover, the more you’ll want to see: Consider an upgrade to a 5-hour tour to include Upper and Mid-Manhattan, the perfect way to get to know New York in a day.

Price: $875

Min age: 0

Rating 4.48 / 5 [78 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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NYC Private Tour with Local Guide by SUV or Van

New York City

NYC Private Tour with Local Guide by SUV or Van
Explore New York City in style and on your own terms! Book a private SUV or Van to accommodate your group's size and let an expert, local tour guide take you around and introduce you to NYC. Your private tour will allow you to enjoy sightseeing while surrounded with family and/or friends. Enjoy the freedom, flexibility, and convenience you don’t get on public sightseeing tours. Request your own itinerary, pick-up and drop-off location, pick-up time, tour duration, and explore NYC on your terms!

Price: $1,200

Min age: 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [63 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Custom New York City Tour by SUV

New York City

Private Custom New York City Tour by SUV
Explore New York City in a luxury SUV on a private, customized tour. This 4-, 5-, or 6-hour tour of the Big Apple is geared to match individual or group interests and preferences. Whether an architecture buff, celebrity hound, or sightseeing aficionado, the tour will be unique. Travel in a luxury SUV with a native New Yorker and licensed tour guide. Endless possibilities include: Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or lesser known areas of NYC like Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx.

Price: $1,400

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [369 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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When to go

Most of New York’s draws – world-class theatre, food, nightlife, and museums – are available all year around of course (and are mainly based inside), but New York has extreme weather that it will still have an impact on your stay and experience.

January and February’s winter weather is brutal, with freezing winds blowing up New York’s avenues, while July and August are unbearably hot and crowded. Come in winter or summer and you’ll spend your entire visit indoors.

May, September and October are glorious times to visit; pleasant sunshine, fewer crowds – it’s when New York’s rooftop bars and sidewalk tables come alive.

Getting there and away

New York has three primary airports: John F Kennedy and Newark for international arrivals, LaGuardia for domestic. Fixed taxi fare from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan is about $50, with a tip of 15% and up expected. Other fares not fixed, expect about $70 from Newark, $30 from LaGuardia plus extras. From JFK it’s easy to take the Air Train monorail, linking up with the subway into Manhattan – more walking, takes longer but about $10.

Getting around

Manhattan is surprisingly easy to navigate, being laid out on a grid system. ‘Avenues’ run north to south, starting with 1st Avenue on the eastern edge, to 10th Avenue on the western edge. 5th Avenue runs down the centre. ‘Streets’ run east to west, starting with 10th Street on the southern, up to 218th street in the far northern tip of the island.

Walking the quickest way to get around – and to discover its many secrets. The subway is cheap, safe and efficient if you don’t want to walk, while the ubiquitous famous yellow taxis are fast, easy to flag (except sometimes rush hour/rain/wee hours), although more expensive.

The subway is efficient and fairly easy to understand too. The hardest part is exiting. It’s often hard to tell, which direction is east, west, uptown or downtown amid the skyscrapers. New Yorkers love giving directions – do ask.

Where to stay

Where you should stay in NYC depends on the experiences you are seeking. For hip and cool restaurants, nightlife and shopping, head to Soho or Meatpacking, both of which are central to most of the best attractions. For an edgier, alternative scene, plum for the East Village. For Central Park and 5th Avenue shopping, the Upper West side, home to the city’s young professionals, or Midtown East are your best bets.

Avoid anywhere near Times Square, and even better centrally between 26th and 46th streets. These are horrid parts: dark, dirty, noisy and crammed with bad restaurants and cramped hotels.