Best Bus Tours to Explore New York City
Discover the best bus tours in New York City, offering sightseeing, cultural, and entertainment experiences. From hop-on-hop-off routes to themed tours like Gossip Girl sites, NYC’s bus tours provide an easy, fun way to explore the city’s famous landmarks, neighborhoods, and movie locations. Whether you’re interested in history, pop culture, food, or entertainment, these tours make sightseeing convenient and memorable for visitors of all interests.
Best Bus Tours to Discover New York City
New York City stands out as a vibrant cultural hub, full of history, energy, and iconic sights. One of the top ways to explore the city is through guided bus tours. These tours allow you to see the highlights without the hassle of navigating on your own, while giving you the chance to hop off and explore specific locations at your leisure. Plus, they provide a comfortable way to rest tired legs during long days of sightseeing.
Here are some of the most popular bus tours in NYC you should consider.
Big Apple Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour
Priced at $48 for a single-day ticket, this tour is perfect for first-time visitors eager to see major attractions at their own pace.
It offers a narrated journey covering thirty top NYC attractions across three routes—the uptown, midtown, and downtown loops. Passengers can choose to hop on and off at key spots like Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Chinatown, or Brooklyn Bridge, customizing their experience. Tickets can be purchased at Times Square for added convenience.
Multi-Borough Tour of NYC
This extensive tour covers all five boroughs, starting from Grand Central Station. At $64, it explores the Upper East Side, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and beyond. Highlights include Yankee Stadium, Williamsburg, and a scenic view from Brooklyn Bridge.
Gossip Girl Hot Spots Tour
If you're a fan of the TV series, this three-hour tour takes you through locations featured on the show. Visitors visit the Van der Woodsen family hotels, trendy shopping districts, and cultural sites like the Metropolitan Museum of Art—all for $56.
Pizza Lover’s Bus Experience
Once a week, Scott’s Pizza Tour combines bus travel with delicious pizza tasting. Traveling in a bright yellow school bus across NYC’s outer boroughs, this enjoyable food tour includes pizza-making insights and tastings, receiving rave reviews from foodies.
Quick City Highlights Tour
Short on time? This six- to eight-hour tour covers Manhattan's must-sees, including Central Park, Times Square, and Wall Street. An optional harbor cruise offers close views of Statue of Liberty and a Manhattan skyline panorama from Top of the Rock.
Hip-Hop Scene Tour
At $74.99, this tour dives into NYC's legendary hip-hop culture, visiting Rucker Park, Graffiti Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theater. Hosted by a Grandmaster, it includes a freestyle lesson and cultural insights.
Theatrical Experience: The Ride
For something different, this 75-minute theater-style bus tour features performers aboard a modern glass-walled bus. Limited to Times Square, it offers interactive entertainment and city views, costing $69 per ticket.
Nighttime Double-Decker Tour
Witness NYC’s dazzling cityscape at night for just $29. The double-decker bus tour routes through Chinatown, Times Square, and the Empire State Building, culminating in a stunning skyline view.
Classic Film Filming Locations Tour
For film buffs, this $56 tour takes you to iconic NYC filming sites from movies like "Rosemary’s Baby," "You’ve Got Mail," and "Seven Year Itch," offering a nostalgic look at the city’s cinematic history.
