14 ideas for guided tours in New York

You plan to stay at the Big Apple and don't want to miss anything? Discover our selection of the best guided tours in New York!

To visit New York is to penetrate the abyss of all possible. No matter what your profile, New York is a breathtaking city that will delight you more than others. When one evokes the fact that she never sleeps, it is not exaggerated. At any time of day or night, the Big Apple lives, frogs, illuminates and breathes. To experience an unforgettable experience, we offer a selection of the best guided tours in New York. So you can find out all about this world city, symbol of freedom and lust. These guided tours are the safest and easiest way to discover a city of this magnitude.

So to help you during your stay, Wanderlix concocted a guide to guided tours in New York.

New York in a few words

New York City is a wonderful tourist. The surprises are numerous and very varied. So it is very easy to get lost in the list of all the must-sees that the city reserves. Time Square , Empire State Building , Central Park, Fifth Avenue... So many famous places you will have to discover. Therefore, why not learn to live as a true New York City city and stroll through the smoking streets of the city as in the movies? Don't you see it already? New York welcomes you with open arms!

It is the world city that adapts to everyone. In family, between friends, as a couple or as a solo, she is made for you. Don’t be afraid to venture into it. This is why guided tours in New York are perfect. Indeed, according to your choices, you will go to the conquest of the most famous American cities and let it unveil to you. Follow and listen to a guide gives each visit an aspect of authentic odyssey to New York... Why do you deprive yourself of it?

Note, however, that an error is frequently committed: reducing the city of New York to one of its neighbourhoods. Indeed, it is common to see the neighbourhood Manhattan as representation of the entire city. The films and the series that take place there are for something. Yet, New York is also the neighbourhood Wall Street Staten Island, Bronx or Queens. Separated from Manhattan by the Hudson or the East River, there are no less interesting areas to visit.

Visit New York in French

There are many sites on which there are guided tours in French. It is the advantage of a city that makes many Frenchmen fantasize: many settle there. The opportunity for French tourists to discover the city that never sleeps in their mother tongue.

Similarly, some American natives speak Molière's language and are therefore able to create guided tours in French in New York. Let yourself be guided, and immerse yourself in the heart of the city of freedoms!

The immanquables of New York

New York monuments

New York is a city whose dizzy buildings and other skyscrapers have forged reputation. The skyline of New York is well known, just like that of Paris the east, thanks to his Eiffel Tower or his Arc de Triomphe. In New York, it is the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Flatiron or the Top Of The Rock which make up this skyline. This is why it is truly interesting to visit them.

Each of them has a history that is unique to him and often dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Except for New York One World , highest building in the city, built following the attacks of September 11, 2001. It will be possible for you to climb to the Observatory, and enjoy a 360° view of the entire city and its surroundings.

Small specificity for Statue of Liberty who will ask you to cross a part of the Hudson aboard a small ferry to visit the island.

Central Park

If there’s a visit to enjoy, it’s Central Park. Indeed, in the middle of the tonitruant tumult of the city, this green space is a natural parenthesis. Some of the buildings bordering it have a beautiful history, as well as some areas of the park. This is the case of Bow Bridge , one of the emblematic bridges, or The Sheep Meadow , where New Yorkers love to stroll the days of good weather.

Also, it is a very cinematic place, it is the world’s most filmed park. It is not impossible that you visit the site at the same time as a shooting takes place...

Museums in New York

Concretely, New York without its museums is no longer itself. As culture is essential in this city, New York museums are real gems that must be missed for nothing in the world. And you already know a number of them:

• Metropolitan Museum (MET)
• Natural History Museum
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Guggenheim Museum

Four museums selected from a long list. However, these are the ones we highly recommend. On the one hand, they are completely part of the city, and on the other hand, each of them certainly reserves surprises. Guided tours in French are obviously available. With a guide, an audio guide provided by the museum or a free application, you will not be delivered to yourself!

Finally, for those who manage to overcome their emotions, a museum of September 11, 2001 opened in May 2014. National September 11 Memorial & Museum exposes in the basement to the exact location of the tragedy, under the outer memorial itself very moving. »

Street Art in New York

It is directly on the street that you can find some of the best works of Street-Art. It's all in the name, actually. New-York artists, professional or amateur, give themselves to heart-joy and offer passers-by beautiful pieces. That’s why some guided tours in New York focus on Street-Art, to give you an insight into what’s best. You can also visit galleries specialized in street art, such as that of Bushwick Collective .

Would you like to go further? Attend a graffiti course to bring your room to the building that becomes Street-Art!

Guided tours as in films and series

Since many films and series are shot in New York, it has become a fantasy city. This is also why many tourists choose to discover the filming places of their favorite movies and series. It is fascinating to find yourself in a place that has always been known through the small or large screen.

Thus, rediscover the mythical places seen in the successful series Sex and the City, Friends, Person of Interest... Or in some films like American Bluff or Spiderman . Immerse yourself in a visit between fiction and reality where in addition to discovering the city, you will learn many anecdotes about shootings.

Special and original visits

How about visiting New York in an original way to mark your mind forever? Don’t hesitate, and enjoy your discovery of the city with a little special atmosphere.

New York haunted

You like ghost stories? So, visit the haunted theaters of Broadway, looking for wandering souls.

Otherwise, walk through the streets Greenwich Village Once she is dived into the dark... Perhaps you will cross these lavish spectra attached to the present by the tragic history experienced in the past? Ghosts haunt New York, and is not new!

Follow those who know the city and its tragedies. Are you ready to shudder or over-water?

New York of gangsters and criminals

At the evocation of the gangsters in New York, the music of the cult film The Godfather should already resonate in your ears. The mafias present in New York were part of his fame throughout the twentieth century. A rich and sometimes surprising story, but still captivating.

Revisit the Big Apple, rediscover it through its past: prohibition, criminal stories... Everything was not pink! Indeed, the city has seen all the colors to be what it is today!

The New York Comics

Do you know superheroes? It falls well, New York is the cradle of many of them. If Batman is connected to Gotham City, Spider-Man lived in New York. We were able to see it in the films of the Marvel franchise, which took place in this city with multiple skyscrapers.

Des guided tours are organized with the aim of making you discover the universe of superheroes. Anecdotes, secrets, unusual places, you will know more about your favorite characters and their authors!

New York gastronomy

In North America, food is a real institution. Therefore, there are some guided tours in New York , focused on tasting, discovery and American flavours. These are rich and amazing moments to live, to become an expert in food ! So you're ready to taste New York life?

Pizza Tour

First of all, pizza is often associated with the Americans, who knew how to take it. So they are the first consumers.

To experience an amazing and tasty experience, guided tours offer you the best pizza in the city of New York. It is through an optimised path that a guide will reveal all the secrets of the city. Embark on an unforgettable ride!

Chinatown

The history of Chinese in New York is a veritable sword. Then discover the Chinatown neighbourhood, whose reputation is no longer to be made. Antre of the Asian community, many restaurants are there and offer specialities. There are visits that cross Chinatown, tell you the story and stop there to make you taste the cuisine.

♪ local guides will immerse you in an unusual atmosphere, for an immersive experience!

Sugar towers

For sweet mouths, no worries! Indeed, guided tours are prepared especially for you too! In Greenwich Village, walk the streets to the pursuit of the best culinary treats. Gelato, cupcakes, biscuits and cookies, there will be for everyone!

By delecting everything that New York has to offer you, let her also reveal her non-Culinary secrets. Thanks to your guide, you will feed your stomach and your mind!

Music in New York

Whatever your musical tastes, you will find your happiness in New York. Enjoy guided tours in New York on the theme of music.

• For example, offer a concert gospel in a church (free out of supplementary visit).
• Otherwise, why not a documented excursion on the origin of hip-hop or a moment of jazzy relaxation in the neighbourhood Harlem ? New York has everything to offer, you just need to know when to listen to it.

Going further

• Follow a guided tour Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
• Visit Brooklyn Brew or Brasserie for Dogs
• Trying New York by night
• Browse the Hudson or the East River

Free visits

In fact, New York's free visits are very numerous. To begin with, the street and exterior views of the buildings are free of charge. An important first point, knowing that even from the outside, buildings, skyscrapers and other monuments are very impressive. That said, note that there are those that are accessible free , from the entrance.

• Like the Grand Central Station, large New York train station, which constantly frogs from the world, but deserves the detour.
• Also, bridges are points of interest to see: Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan Bridge. So don’t miss the opportunity to cross them in both directions.
• Also, you can enter into a Comedy Club (for bilingual people), to attend the very famous American booth-up. Very common, you will find many establishments that organize this type of evenings. Immersion and guaranteed emotions.
• To reconnect with nature or pause with concrete, Central Park is not paying, so you can enjoy it. Just like High Line, in the east of Manhattan, green trail nestled between buildings.

The different ways to visit New York

On foot

Although New York is a huge city, it is very accessible on foot. It is very pleasant to move there. The multicultural and very vibrant atmosphere of the city directly impregnates you. We feel almost new-Yorkese, just along Broadway to Time Square.

You don't have to be afraid to lose yourself, take a street or a random avenue. You will necessarily fall on a point of interest in the city, because New York is rich in attractions.

Bike

The adventurers and athletes will be eager to try the cycling experience in New York. Central Park, Harlem or Lower Manhattan, roll and let the city unfold.

Accompanied by a guide, go for one to several hours of personalized visit. Saddle!

In pedicab

The pedicab, kesako? In other words, it is the cyclist version of the old carriole. Let yourself be transported through Central Park, near monuments or in the streets of New York, by a cycling guide. It is a different way, much more fun, to visit the city.

Take the air without getting tired! The pedicab is the alternative solution between the bike and the car, why not?

By bus

As in many other cities, guided tours in New York are provided on tourist buses. Indeed, on open or on-storey skies, these buses walk through the streets of New York to make you discover it.

In all cases, these visits are commented by experienced local guides which do not harm any detail.

By metro

New York Metro is a must-see to get around. You can take this means of transport and mix with the crowd. In fact very simple, the metro plan is quickly understandable. He will help you visit New York without taking your head. However, it is not underground that most of the attractions are located.

Helicopter

For the bursaries that follow it, the overflight of the city by helicopter is an ideal idea. From the air, watch skyscrapers, streets, New York life and the horizon. Easily and uncommonly discover the best sites in New York and their history.

For those who wish, you can opt for an even more complete experience: piloting the helicopter ! In the eyes of your pilot, and after a mini training, take the commands of the gear. Surprise and surprise your family or friends!