Top New York Music Tours in 2026

Immerse yourself in the music and food scene of Greenwich, one of New York City’s most storied neighborhoods, on this guided walking tour. Ideal for music lovers and foodies, this tour explores off-the-beaten-path attractions that you may not discover on your own, and includes stops to sample food. Along the way, hear stories about the folk music scene of the 1950s, jazz, and how this area got the moniker 'America's Left Bank.'

Take a stroll down rock and roll history on this private walking tour though Greenwich Village. See the venues where acts such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix launched their careers. Learn about the music clubs and institutions that shaped modern American music and the origins of punk rock. Visit the locations that were central to famous album covers for the Ramones and Led Zeppelin.

Experience parts of New York’s Madison Square Garden that most people never see on this exclusive backstage tour. Rather than stick to the public areas, go behind the scenes in this world-famous sports and entertainment venue and hear history you’d otherwise miss. Prebooking online allows you to guarantee a tour on your preferred day.

Discover the three genres of music—rock, punk, and glam— that helped form a new kind of music culture in the 1970s and beyond on this small-group walking tour of New York City’s East Village. With your guide in the lead, see where bands such as the Ramones, the New York Dolls, the Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, and others wrote music and performed, and spot sights that you'd otherwise walk right past on your own.

Discover the Harlem neighborhood on a Sunday morning, without getting overwhelmed by deciding what to priortize on this group tour. Let your guide lead the way as you pass local landmarks whilst learning about the area's rich history. Enjoy an itinerary that includes taking in the Cotton Club, the Apollo Theater, and Morris-Jumel Mansion, along with a gospel choir service.

Taylor Swift memorialized her love for New York in her album “1989.” Experience the city through her eyes in this walking tour of Manhattan, where Swifties of all ages can visit the places important to her life and art. Discover where she has lived, her preferred recording studio, favorite haunts, and more in this well-researched tour. Note that entrance fees are not included. Are you ready for it?

Your smart glasses bring back what's gone: the V-J Day crowds of 1945 layered over today's Times Square. The exact black-and-white frames of North by Northwest inside Grand Central — and the Hollywood secret of which shots were real. The $1 million morning in 2001 when a film crew emptied Times Square entirely. The moment Empire State of Mind bursts into color with Alicia Keys singing steps from where you stand. Lunch Atop a Skyscraper, photographed 850 feet above the sidewalk you'll be standing on. Your guide connects a century of it — cinema, television, music, news — from the ticker-tape era to the smartphone era, in the company of Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon, Will Smith and Jay-Z.

Experience multiple aspects of Harlem’s culture and history in this walking tour that combines sightseeing along 125th Street with a live gospel concert and brunch. Listen to an authentic, soulful black gospel music concert at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll eat brunch at a local restaurant on Lenox Avenue.

New York’s theater scene is world famous for good reason. Get to know the city’s theater district after a drink at The Independent on this fun evening tour. Learn about the beginnings of Broadway and 42nd Street's wild past as you walk around Times Square and the theater district. Keep your eyes open for celebrities!

Don’t settle for any average Broadway tour while you're visiting New York City. Instead, get an insider perspective of the glitz and glamor of the Big Apple's Theater District on this guided tour, led by a theater professional. Learn about the history and happenings of New York City’s most famous stages across the decades, and hear backstage stories about the stars of yesterday and today.

Follow in the footsteps of the Notorious B.I.G. on a Biggie Smalls-themed walking tour of New York City. Alongside a lifelong hip-hop fan guide, you’ll visit lesser-known places significant to the rapper's life and work, including his childhood haunts. Plus, a small group ensures you receive personalized attention and explore at a relaxed pace.

Step aboard the Grand Mariner for a 2-hour sunset cruise through New York Harbor, featuring breathtaking views of the city skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy live music from talented local performers, a vibrant atmosphere, and the option to purchase snacks and beverages, including cocktails. Includes indoor and outdoor seating, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and stunning scenery for an unforgettable evening.

Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood is a must-do for jazz fans, but if you’re visiting from out of town, it can be hard to know where to go. Leave all the planning and logistics to your guide—and gear up for an evening of swinging tunes—on this small-group tour. Follow in the footsteps of greats like Miles Davis and Billie Holiday when you explore local musical landmarks; then, visit at least two venues to attend live performances.

Take a deep dive into Beatlemania and tour New York City with the help of a private guide to tell you all about The Beatles and their time in the Big Apple. Learn fun facts about music history that don’t make it into the average guidebook, and follow in the footsteps of your favorite band—seeing where members of The Beatles performed, lived, and, in one case, tragically died.

Hip-hop music began in New York City, and there's no better way to explore this iconic music genre than this insider’s tour led by one of rap's Grandmasters. Visit more locations than you could possibly find on your own as you embark on an interactive musical journey through Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx to uncover the origins and evolution of hip-hop and rap music.

Watch Harlem come alive after dark on an evening tour that includes historic churches, local landmarks, and one of the neighborhood’s best jazz spots. Walk with your guide along bustling Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard without getting lost and learn about Harlem's vibrant cultural heritage. Guarantee your entry to a live jazz club, where some of today’s best artists play tunes by Harlem’s music greats.

Harlem is at the heart of hip-hop history. Learn all about it on this guided walking tour led by a local insider, checking out important landmarks like the Apollo Theater and historic jazz clubs. See popular locations for hip-hop music videos and hear insider stories that you wouldn’t get walking around alone. You’ll also pass the Museum of the City of New York if you want to return later alone.

Experience Harlem like a local and immerse yourself in its legendary gospel music scene on this unique Sunday adventure. Led by a licensed guide who is also a singer, you’ll explore historic landmarks, hear the inspiring story of gospel music’s evolution from spirituals to jazz, and gain insight into Harlem’s cultural heritage. The tour concludes with a live gospel service at a renowned church, where you can feel the joy and energy of a welcoming congregation. This is more than a tour. It’s a soulful, authentic cultural experience you won’t forget. Two-hour walking tour through Harlem’s iconic sites Live gospel service with a celebrated choir Learn about the origins of gospel music and its role in the Great Migration Perfect for travelers seeking meaningful cultural connections and local insight

Walk the streets that launched Bob Dylan and defined a generation. This small-group Greenwich Village tour covers the folk clubs, hidden history, and iconic landmarks that shaped American music and culture — with three classic food tastings included. Fans of A Complete Unknown will recognize many of these locations from the film. Over 20 stops in two hours at an easy pace, you'll visit the Bitter End, Cafe Wha?, the Gaslight Cafe, Stonewall Inn, the Friends building, Washington Square Park, and more. Your guide brings the neighborhood to life through stories, music, and a few great local bites from Village institutions that have been feeding New Yorkers for decades. Tastings include a falafel sandwich from Mamoun's (NYC's oldest falafel shop), arancini from Faicco's Italian Specialties (open since 1900), and a mini cannoli from Rocco's Pastry. No lectures. No big crowds. Just Greenwich Village the way it deserves to be experienced.

Break up the holiday stress with a classy and relaxing jazz cruise past the New York City skyline. Couples, families, and friends can enjoy a break from the city traffic and listen to live jazz while sailing past the Statue of Liberty and other classic Big Apple attractions. All the while, indulge in snacks and refreshments from the onboard bar, with a free hot chocolate (spiked or non-alcoholic) included.

Discover the rich culture, history, and musical legacy of Harlem on this Wednesday morning tour. Stroll past landmarks such as the Apollo Theater, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and beautiful brownstones while learning about Harlem’s famous former residents and take part in an uplifting Wednesday morning service featuring the Harlem Gospel Acapella Choir.

Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District only covers 15 blocks, but it spans decades of history and hundreds of shows. From the neighborhood’s early vaudeville beginnings to Tony Award-winning plays and musicals today, it takes an expert to unpack this storied district’s eminent history. Give your regards to Broadway on this in-depth walking tour, which pairs live narration with snippets from songs and shows, plus recorded stories from Broadway stars themselves.

One of the US’ most iconic symbols, the Statue of Liberty rises up from New York Harbor, welcoming the immigrants who once entered through nearby Ellis Island. Visit Lady Liberty and learn the stories of those who passed through Ellis Island on this convenient tour with options that let you choose how long you want to spend at each attraction. Opt to visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.