Sightseeing Tours in New York City

New Trips Focus on Famous Landmarks, Pubs, Filming Sights

May 12, 2009

With so much to see and do in the Big Apple, it's not a bad idea to pay for a sightseeing tour to pack in several landmarks in a short amount of time.

Sightseeing tours in New York City run the gamut from harbor cruises and bike treks to foodie excursions and helicopter rides. No matter what a visitor's activity level or interest, there is like a sightseeing trip for him or her. Here's a peek at just some of the newest offerings from sightseeing companies in New York City.

NY SKYRIDE's "New York From Up Down and Sideways"

First, visitors get a virtual intro to New York City at the Empire State Building's attraction called NY SKYRIDE. Narrated by Kevin Bacon, the attraction takes visitors all over the city virtually, while they are seated in a specially designed theatre with an 18-foot screen. Then, guests get to bypass up to 75 percent of the waiting public to speed up to the cloud-level observation deck of the Empire State Building. The escorted tour ends with area attractions including Herald Square and Macy's department store, continuing up Broadway to Times Square.

NY SKYRIDE'S "Empire State Pub Crawl"

This over-age-21 tour also includes the NY SKYRIDE virtual experience and FAST TRACK express passage to the top of the Empire State Building observation deck. Plus, participants visit a midtown brewery and enjoy a guided pub crawl to some historic taverns in the area. The group then experiences a real brewery in Midtown Manhattan and then proceeds on a guided pub crawl to authentic historical taverns for a magical New York City night. For more information about these tours, priced from $70, visit the NY SKYRIDE website.

On Location Tours' Gossip Girls Sites

The hit teen TV show Gossip Girls has been filmed throughout New York City, and this tour takes visitors to more than 40 locations, including the hotel that is home to the Bass and Van der Woodson families; the Upper East Side mansion that was the site of the Bass/Van der Woodsen wedding; Blair Waldorf's Fifth Avenue home; and Henri Bendel, where Blair and Serena love to drop some cash. This tour takes place Fridays and Sundays at noon, lasts about 3.5 hours and costs $40. Learn more at On Location Tours' website.

The Central Park Dog Tour

Introduced at the end of last summer, this dog-centric tour is just too cute not to mention. Humans are welcome to take the tour of this iconic location by themselves, but furry friends are highly encouraged and welcomed to share in the beauty (and wide open space) of Central Park. The tour includes a hot dog (of course) from Gray's Papaya, as well as a doggie treat. Guides point out landmarks such as Belvedere Castle, Tavern on the Green and Delacorte Theatre. This tour is offered on Thursdays and Sundays at 6 p.m., lasts about two hours and costs $30. For more information visit New York Dog Tours.

The copyright of the article Sightseeing Tours in New York City in New York Travel is owned by Kara Williams. Permission to republish Sightseeing Tours in New York City in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.