Top 5 Must-Experience City Tours in New York City

Exploring New York City is an exhilarating experience, especially for first-time visitors. The city's vibrant streets and iconic landmarks can be overwhelming, making guided tours an excellent way to discover its charm. Hop-on hop-off bus tours are among the most popular options, allowing flexibility to explore at your own pace. These tours cover key attractions across Manhattan, with options suited for different interests and schedules, giving travelers the comfort and convenience to enjoy the Big Apple fully.

What is a hop-on hop-off bus tour?

Hop-on hop-off bus tours are guided routes that take visitors through popular areas of NYC, stopping at major sights to allow exploration. Ticket purchase can be made online, selecting routes and duration—typically one or two days. The key benefit is the freedom to hop off at any stop, linger, and then reboard later. Different bus companies operate on various circuits, enabling tourists to customize their experience and revisit favorites or explore new neighborhoods beyond the tour itinerary.

These tours are ideal for maximizing sightseeing time and ensuring you don’t miss must-see landmarks. Some top operators include:

The Ride
Known for its interactive elements, The Ride features side-facing seats and panoramic windows, offering an immersive experience. Inside, you’ll find numerous screens, dynamic lighting, and compelling commentary, all combined with street performances and vibrant visuals. This 75-minute tour highlights landmarks such as the Chrysler Building and Carnegie Hall, blending entertainment with storytelling.

Big Bus Tours
Adorned in iconic red, Big Bus offers open-top double-decker rides along two main routes — Downtown and Uptown — with frequent stops at famed locations like 9/11 Memorial, Chinatown, Central Park, and the High Line. The open-air design provides a genuine NYC experience from street level, perfect for sightseeing and photo opportunities.

Gray Line's Night Light Tour
Experience New York by night with Gray Line's dazzling lights tour. This three-hour journey showcases the city’s illuminated skyline, including highlights like Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Times Square. The night tour reveals a different, enchanting side of NYC that’s not visible during daytime.

Open Loop City Tours
Leveraging modern tech, Open Loop offers real-time bus location tracking and multilingual audio guides, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. With flexible tickets for one to five days, guests can enjoy unlimited rides across uptown and downtown routes, visiting key sights with maximum convenience.

On Location Tours
For movie enthusiasts, On Location Tours specializes in celebrity and filming location hunts. Popular options include NYC TV & movie tour, Sex and the City hotspots, Gossip Girl sites, Sopranos locations, When Harry Met Sally spots, and The Real Housewives of New York City tour. Guides share insights on the filming history and neighborhood stories during the rides.