New York Magazine

     
     
    Views From the Top
  A Taste of New York
    See the city streets from a vantage point even higher than the top of the Empire State Building. These five-to-seven-minute helicopter tours fly over it all.
    • Meeting point: Downtown Manhattan Heliport, 12th Ave at W. 30th St., 212-967-6464, libertyhelicopters.com. See website for schedule.
     
    Cruise Control
  Adirondack Sunset Sail
    Cruise on a schooner while taking in daytime, sunset, or evening views of the city.
    • Meeing point: West 23rd and the West Side Highway, 800-701-SAIL, sail-nyc.com. Daily, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 6 pm and 8:30 pm.
     
    Suds and Stuff
  Brooklyn Brewery
    Head to one of New York's oldest and most popular breweries for a free Saturday tour, tasting and a ride. Stick around for their daily happy hour.
    • 79 North 11th St., Brooklyn, 718-486-7422, brooklynbrewery.com. Tours Saturday, 1 pm, 2 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm; Happy Hour, daily 6 pm- 10 pm.
     
    Pedal Power
  Central Park Bicycle Tour
   

Cruise through Central Park on a guided bike tour covering Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Shakespeare Garden and much more. The $35 fee includes bike rental, helmet and tour guide.

    •Meeting Point: 2 Columbus Circle, 58th St. and Broadway, 212-541-8759, centralparkbiketour.com. Daily, 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm.
     
    On the Edge
  Circle Line Cruise
    Looking to cram in as many landmarks as possible? Grab a seat on the deck of the Circle Line, the renowned New York cruise that travels around the perimeter of Manhattan. Full island tours, trips to the Statue of Liberty and other itineraries are available.
   

• Meeting Point: Pier 83, West 42nd St. at 12th Ave., 212-563-3200, circleline42.com See website for schedule.

     
    Around Town
    The Classic New York Tour
    Hop on and off this big red double-decker tour bus. To really see the city, you'll need to leave your seat. The complete guided tour of Manhattan (hundreds of thousands served) lasts three hours.
    • See website or call for meeting points and schedule information, 800-669-0051, newyorksightseeing.com.
     
    Cheap Thrills
    The Elegant Tightwad Tour
    There's more to city shopping than ritzy boutiques and luxury department stores. This tour sets out to explore classy yet not-so-expensive shopping destinations.
    • See website or call for meeting points and schedule information, 800-808-4614, theeleganttightwad.com.
     
    Lip-Smacking Good
    The Enthusiastic Gourmet
    Eat Dim-Sum and visit a local herb shop in Chinatown or scarf a bagel and lox on the Lower East Side. Where there is good food, the Enthusiastic Gourmet goes.
Plan B: Learn the history of New York's neighborhood's while sampling the foods they have to offer. Noshwalks provides food tasting tours of cuisines from around the world from the restaurants, bakeries and food stores all around New York.
    •See website or call for meeting points and schedule information, 646-409-4724, enthusiasticgourmet.com.
• See website for meeting point and schedule information. 212-222-2243, noshwalks.com.
     
    The Green Scene
    The Federal Reserve Bank
    The Fed's free tour takes you five stories underground into their gold vaults, demystifies how the Bank functions, and lets you test your new knowledge at Fedworks, an interactive, multimedia center. You'll even pocket some (shredded) money at the tour's end. Call to make a reservation at least a week in advance and don't be late, as security procedures are lengthy.
    • Meeting point: 33 Liberty St., 212-720-6130, newyorkfed.org. Mon-Fri, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm
     
    Treats and Trains
  Grand Central Terminal Tour
    Don't just gawk at Grand Central's celestial ceiling—learn about it. Take note of symbolic mythological figures, sculptures, and other architectural details lurking throughout the Beaux Arts landmark. The Municipal Art Society's long-running tour is light on gossip, heavy on design, urban planning, and historical preservation.
    •Meeting point: Grand Concourse Information Booth, Grand Central Station, 212-935-3960, mas.org. Wednesday, 12:30 pm.
     
    Uptown Sights
  Harlem and The Heights Cultural Tour
    See the architectural treasures and lesser-known wonders that Harlem has to offer. Each tour offers a historic and cultural overview of this vibrant neighborhood.
    • Meeting point: Lenox Lounge, 288 Lenox Ave., 212-369-4241, myharlem.org. Daily, 1pm.
     
    Into the Groove
  Hip-Hop Look at New York
    Hip Hop has come a long way from its underground NYC roots. This tour explores three decades of musical history.
    • Meeting Point: Hush Tours Office 292 Fifth Ave., 212-714-3527, hushtours.com. Daily, 11:30 am.
     
    Bright Spots
    Holiday Lights Tour
    The city streets may be cold in winter, but the city lights sure heat things up. Check out some of the brightest displays: Macy's, Grand Central, Rockefeller Center and all along Fifth Avenue (during the holiday season).
    • Meeting Point: Gray Line Visitors Center, 8th Ave. btwn 47th & 48th Sts., 800-669-0051, newyorksightseeing.com. Daily, December to January, 5:30 pm.
     
    Heated Moments
  John J. Harvey Fireboat
    Tthis historic fireboat has been helping to put out flames since 1931. Keep an eye out for the boat's brass cannons that shoot out water at a rate of 18,000 gallons per minute.
    • Pier 63 Maritime at W. 23rd St., 212-267-9700, fireboat.org. See website for schedule.
     
    Flick Picks
    Manhattan TV and Movie Sites
    New York is the stage for hundreds of blockbusters, indie films and TV shows, but where exactly are all of these locations? The Manhattan Movie tour reveals many of the spots made famous on the big screen. See the restaurant that was used in Spiderman or where Holly Golightly always dreamed of having her morning meal in Breakfast At Tiffany's.
    • Meeting point: Ellen's Stardust, 1650 Broadway at 51st St., 212-209-3370, sceneontv.com. Daily, 11am.
     
    Where the Stars Are
    New York Celebrity Homes Tour
    Celebrity homes tours aren't just for L.A. visitors any more. Sneak a peek at the homes of east coast celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Couric. Who knows, maybe you'll catch one of them heading out the door.
    • Meeting point: Times Square Visitor's Center, 1560 Broadway at 46th St., affiliate.viator.com. Daily, 10 am.
     
    Art Adventure
    New York Gallery Tours
    Overwhelmed by the number of galleries in Chelsea? Let the New York Gallery tour point out some of the best galleries in the area. The selection of galleries frequently changes, so check the website for tour information. Private tours of other art-laden neighborhoods are also available.
    • Meeting point: 526 W. 26th St., 212-946-1548, nygallerytours.com. One Saturday per month, 2pm.
     
    Sure Shots
    Photo Trek Tours
    Photo Trek tours take you to the city's most popular photo op spots and then take the picture-perfect shots for you. All Photo Trek tours are private and must be booked in advance.
    •Call for more information and booking, 212-410-2514, phototrektours.com .
     
    Underground
    Radical Walking Tours
    Radical walking tours will take you where no other tourist will go. We promise...well not really, but you will go to spots that aren't your average tourist attractions but shouldn't be missed.
    • See website or call for meeting points, 718-492-0069, he.net. Sundays, 1pm
     
    Sights in the City
    Sex and the City Hotspots
    Jimmy Choo, The Rabbit, cupcakes and a friar. What do these have in common? They're all stops on the Sex and the City Walking Tour. You've seen them on TV, now's your chance to see them in person.
    •Meeting point: The Pulitzer Foundation, Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-209-3370, sceneontv.com. Mon-Fri, 11am & 3 pm; Saturday, 10 am, 11am & 3pm; Sunday, 10 am & 3 pm.
     
    An Unrefusable Offer
    The Sopranos Tour
    Tony Soprano may have to sneak in and out of his favorite haunts to hide from the FBI, but no such precautions are needed for law-abiding citizens who want to check out locations in New York and New Jersey that have been made famous by the hit mob show.
    • Meeting point: The Garment District "Button", Seventh Ave. at 36th Street. , 212-209-3370, sceneontv.com. Sat-Sun, 2pm.
     
    Do-It-Yourself
    Sound Walk Tours
    It's a solo tour with a soundtrack. Purchase a Soundwalk Tours CD and you'll have your very own guided tour to play, pause, fast- forward and rewind at your own pace.
    • Order a CD: 212-674-7407, soundwalk.com.
     
    Signs of the Times
    Times Square Tour
    Times Square wasn't always the overwhelming, Disney-laden spectacle it is today. This free tour looks back at the neighborhood's colorful, gritty past.
    • Meeting point: Times Square Visitors Center, 1560 Broadway btwn. 46th and 47th Sts., 212-869-1890, timessquarenyc.org. Fridays at noon.
     
    Search and Enjoy
    Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts
    See the city and figure out how to get around on these exciting scavenger hunts that take participants through New York. How quickly can you make it back with everything on the list?
    • See website or call for meeting points and schedule information, 212-726-1529, watsonadventures.com.
     
    Learn All About It
    NYC Discovery Tours
    This sophisticated tour company offers numerous neighborhood tours along with thematic and seasonal ones such as Historic Taverns at Christmas, Civil War New York, and Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill History and Tasting Tour.
    •Call for meeting points and schedule information, 212-465-3331.
     
     
     
     
 
 
Photo Ops
Movie Moments
Art Scenes
City Tours

   
 
Federal Reserve Bank
   
 
  Grand Central Terminal
   
 
 
Harlem's Apollo Theater