Things to do / Travel Guide
The “Big Apple Greeters,” an organization of volunteers, have made it their mission to help tourists discover the wonder, the beauty, and the hidden treasures of their city. Approaching a greeter for information is a good way to be introduced to what New York City has to offer.
Walking Tours in New York City
If money and the making and investing of money are of interest to you, consider taking a tour around the Financial District. The Alliance for Downtown New York offers a free walking tour of Wall Street, while the Museum of American Financial History offers a financial walking tour on Fridays at 10 a.m.
If your interests are more in line with history and architecture, there are a number of tours that can guide you through the wealth of historical buildings in New York City. The Municipal Art Society and the Grand Central Partnership offer free walking tours of Grand Central Station on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The Municipal Art Society also offers unique, intellectual walking tours designed to give you insights into the architectural and historical significance of buildings and full neighborhoods. These inexpensive tours are led by knowledgeable and highly-qualified tour guides and are focused on diverse areas all around the city, not just Manhattan. As most of these tours aren't given with regularity, you should call beforehand for a schedule.
If you prefer to go at it alone, get an audio, self-guided tour CD from Soundwalk, offering an insider's peek at Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Times Square, the Meat-Packing District, the Bronx, and some places in Brooklyn. You'll need a portable CD player, a map, a MetroCard, walking shoes, and an adventurous spirit.
Bus Tours in New York City
NYC Discovery Tours offers more than 70 tours, each one about two hours long. Some of these are based on neighborhoods (“Central Park” or “Brooklyn Bridge and Heights”), others on themes (“Gotham City Ghost Tour” or “Art History NYC”), and still others on biographies (“John Lennon's New York” or “The Charles Dickens Tour”).
For a quick overview of New York City's sights and sounds, take a Gray Line New York narrated bus tour on a double-decker bus. Tickets are good for two consecutive days, during which you can hop on and off the bus an unlimited number of times. This classic tour includes Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn, a night tour, and a one-hour ferry cruise to Ellis Island.
Scenic Cruises in New York City
Another way to look at and admire the city is by taking a scenic Circle Line cruise around New York Harbor. See the Empire State Building, the United Nations Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. Cruising around the city at twilight is a perfect appetizer or dessert for your night on the town. As the sun sets, you can watch the lights begin to flicker on as the city transforms itself into a vibrant visual experience. Thousands upon thousands of lights individually contribute to the world's greatest dynamic light show. This picturesque representation of the hustle and bustle of the “City that never sleeps” is a vision you will not soon forget. The varieties of cruises last anywhere from 75 minutes to three hours and are relatively inexpensive. Schedules vary, so contact the company for accurate information.
Helicopter Tours in New York City
Touring New York City via helicopter, you can breeze past the skyscrapers and flit above the buildings. Get an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty, and wave a quick hello to the crowds atop the Empire State Building. This is an extraordinary experience for anyone, especially as you'll be able to see the Manhattan skyline from angles usually seen only in photographs. Tours, however, are short and expensive, lasting between five and 17 minutes and costing anywhere from $70-$180.
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