7 Sightseeing Tours in New York City, Ranked by What You Get

1.New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13,166 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Cover New York’s biggest sights in about six hours by climate-controlled bus and Staten Island Ferry. Guides such as Rachel, Kevin, Albert, and Susan add local stories as you pass Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Statue of Liberty. Lunch is at your own cost.

“It’s a great experience, it was our first time to New York, & this tour took us around New York in a couple of hours. Very informative and fun time.”

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2.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5,863 reviews · 3 hours · from $44

Ride Big Bus New York’s open-top double-decker through Lower Manhattan, Midtown, and the Upper East Side. Use the digital audio guide in six languages, track buses in the app, and hop off near the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park, Broadway, Wall Street, the Empire State Building, and Museum Mile. Longer passes add digital walking tours.

“I bought the 72-hr ticket and I wish it was more clear or told to us when that tour happened. We got on the uptown not realizing it didn’t go to Brooklyn.”

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3.Manhattan Sightseeing Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5,826 reviews · from $299

Take a 15 to 30-minute helicopter flight over Manhattan, with floor-to-ceiling convex windows, Bose headsets, and live English commentary. You may see Central Park, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and more. Flights may leave Manhattan or New Jersey, so check your departure point carefully.

“Absolute must do,HeliNY were fantastic,great members of staff,explained everything,made my wife who was nervous feel right at ease.Worth every penny spent,highly recommend”

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4.Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4,762 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Use a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour Big Bus pass to see New York from an open-top double-decker. The 24-hour ticket covers Downtown, while longer passes add Uptown, Brooklyn, and digital walking tours. Listen to English commentary, watch the live bus tracker, and hop off near Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Wall Street, and more.

“It was my first time solo trip easy to follow the first time in my thoughts. Great experience 👍 try.”

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5.Starship Landmark 90 Minute Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,666 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34Best value

Cruise New York Harbor and both rivers from Pier 78, with views of Hudson Yards, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Bridge. English-speaking guides such as Molly, Darius, Al, and Ryan add facts and humor. You get indoor and outdoor decks, restrooms, a snack bar, and a digital photo service.

“The cruise was amazing very memorable and the guide was brilliant with the information he gave out. I would highly recommend this cruise.”

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6.Starship Landmark 90 Minute Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,073 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Cruise the Hudson from Pier 78 for about 90 minutes, with close views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, and South Street Seaport. Live guides such as Darius and Molly add history and humor. Seating, window cleanliness, and VIP upgrades can vary by boat.

“Great staff for the boat tour...great people! The tour guide had good comments on all the sights and they played music the whole time.”

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7.Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 555 reviews · 6 hours · from $84

Spend six hours crossing New York’s outer boroughs by sightseeing bus with an English-speaking guide. See the Apollo Theater, Yankee Stadium, Flushing Meadows, Bushwick murals, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Guides such as Jim Quinn, Chris Lee, Tom, and Ray R bring local stories, while short walking stops and an empanada break keep the day moving.

“Great trip.Our tour guide Ray R was fantastic.He was friendly,funny and very informative.”

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