All New York City Tours & Excursions in 2026

There are lots of high-quality NYC tours. Looking at recent ratings and reviews, here are the five most popular tours right now:

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options
• Private Central Park Pedicab Tour
• 9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket
• Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours

Yes. New York City is jam-packed with exciting things to see and do, which can make it overwhelming to explore on your own. NYC tours help you experience the things that make the city so famous, from walking tours through famous neighborhoods to sightseeing cruises, museum admission passes, and food tours.

Per one customer who booked the Private Central Park Pedicab Tour, “Jade was an excellent guide! It was chilly outside but the blanket was wonderful! Very knowledgeable and entertaining!”

Prices vary widely by activity. Self-guided tours can cost as little as US$4, while private sightseeing tours can cost over US$1,000. Most tours fall somewhere in between. In general, expect to pay more for tours that include admission tickets, food and drinks, or transportation.

On the lower end of the price range, you can book tours such as 3+ Hours of Friending & Fun as a Local New Yorker (US$4 per person), a social event that will help you make new friends through activities such as card games in a cozy café. Pricier options include VIP tours, such as a Private Driving Highlights Tour of New York (Full Day) at around US$2,500 per group (up to 12). The private itinerary is customizable but can include such highlights as Central Park, the Empire State Building, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, and Brooklyn Bridge.

NYC tours are as diverse as the city itself. Choose from sightseeing tours that highlight popular Midtown attractions like the Empire State Building and Chrysler Tower; walking tours through the cobbled streets of SoHo and Greenwich Village; or tours that take you into other boroughs like Brooklyn and Queens. You can also prebook admission tickets to top attractions like the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Edge Observation Deck, or SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. No matter what you choose, a tour can give you a better sense of all that New York has to offer.

Consider an all-day tour to visit as many attractions and landmarks as possible. For example, the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour takes you past the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and other attractions. Plus, you’ll ride the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

You could spend weeks in New York and never run out of new things to see and do, but for most travelers, five to seven days is the sweet spot. That gives you enough time to check out the highlights, explore a few different neighborhoods, and have some downtime to relax between activities.

Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) are nothing short of magical, when temperatures are mild and rain is unlikely. Though winter is cold, it’s worth bundling up for quintessential NYC events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade or ice skating at Rockefeller Center. Summer tends toward hot and muggy, but is ideal for visiting Coney Island, taking sightseeing cruises, or visiting rooftop bars.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in New York City:

• Statue of Liberty
• Empire State Building
• Central Park
• Ellis Island
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum

View Viator’s guide to all the best attractions in New York City.

There are tons of great trips to take from New York City. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Contrasts, Color, and Character
• Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island
• Washington DC and Philadelphia in One Day From NYC
• Washington DC Day Tour From New York City
• Excursion to Washington From New York in 1 Day

View all of Viator’s top New York City day trips.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time in New York City. Here are some of the best New York City activities under US$40:

• 9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket
• New York Catacombs by Candlelight
• New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise
• Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise
• Carriage Ride in Central Park (VIP - PRIVATE) Since 1964

There are tons of New York City activities to enjoy in the fresh air. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Private Central Park Pedicab Tour
• Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours
• New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour With Ferry
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour

View all of Viator’s top outdoor activities in New York City.

According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in New York City:

• Ellis Island
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• Intrepid Museum
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
• American Museum of Natural History

View all of Viator’s museum tickets and passes in New York City.

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in New York City. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• NYC Central Park Horse Carriage Ride (Up to 4 Adults)
• NYC Horse Carriage Ride in Central Park (50 Min. Up to 4 Adults)
• Carriage Ride in Central Park (VIP - PRIVATE) Since 1964
• Private Tour of Brooklyn Bridge and Neighborhoods With PhotoShoot
• A New York Date-Night Tour

View all of Viator’s top romantic tours in New York City.

New York City has enough activities to entertain every member of your family. Here are some of the top kid-friendly tours to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Central Park Pedicab Guided Tours
• American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket
• Carriage Ride in Central Park (VIP—PRIVATE) Since 1964
• NYC Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket
• Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway Ticket

View all of Viator’s top family-friendly tours in New York City.