Tours for Getting to Know New York City

You can live a lifetime in New York City and still not see everything. With Liberty Helicopters Big Apple tour, however, you can come close, at least when it comes to the big picture. From Ellis Island to Freedom Tower, from Governor’s Island to the Empire State, you get to see most of the city landmarks from the perspective normally reserved for picture books or business tycoons. Everything looks different from above, and for about 15 minutes you will see New York City from a completely new perspective.

All tours start at the downtown Manhattan heliport. Check for combo packages that will take you on a continuing tour of the city by bus or boat after you land or that will allow you to do other interesting things to do once your flight is over.

Coming to New York City for the first time can be a bit intimidating. If you do not have a friend or a relative to take you around and show you the ropes, you might feel lost. Seeing the city with a Big Apple Greeter is like having your favourite uncle or a cousin showing you around. There are about 300 of them, true New Yorkers, people who volunteer their time to help visitors enjoy their favorite city more. They are not professional tour guides, but they have life-long experience in the city and will show you parts not mentioned in any guide book.

They will take you to their favourite bagel shops or hot dog stands, and by the end you will fall in love with the place and see it the way they do: as a bunch of neighbourhoods, each unique, fun, diverse, full of history and culture, and full of people who, like your greeter, want you to feel at home and come back. Phone: 212-669-8159

No visitor will be able to take the 911 Ground Zero Tour and stay emotionally uninvolved. Depending on the tour you decide to take, you will visit Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial, the 9/11 Museum, and the Freedom Tower Observatory. You will also visit St. Paul’s Chapel, the site of a rescue center on the day of the event.

You will see the Firemen’s Memorial Wall and hear the stories of acts of extraordinary heroism and overwhelming tragedy that happened on that day. You will be able to see the new World Trade Center towers and the Freedom Tower rising into the sky, the tallest structure in the Western world. Phone: 646-801-9113

Head out onto the water with a Circle Line Cruises. See the New York Skyline in style as you cruise past the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and the famous Yankee Stadium. Take their landmark cruise and see the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and much more in one easy cruise. There is nothing more beautiful than New York by night so if your schedule permits, take their Harbor Lights Cruise which departs at dusk.

Watch the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty during this magical hour and a half tour. Children under three cruise free, making a Circle Line Cruise a must do for the entire family.

For those on a budget, check out SANDEMANs New York Tours. They offer a free two hour tour around New York which will take you through Wall Street, Broadway and many other must see sites. Hear the history of New York and local stories that will remind you of just how special New York truly is. See old and new combined, in the city that never sleeps, with a local New Yorker as your guide.

SANDEMANs offers tours that are highly informative and entertaining. These tours are suitable for the whole family, making it a low cost family day out. Phone: 347-853-5713

No trip to New York would be complete without a visit to Rockefeller Center. Take the tour and learn the history of one of New York’s most recognized landmarks. Hear the story of founder John D. Rockefeller Jr, and his vision for Rockefeller Center. Marvel at the one of a kind art and architecture that you will find at every turn.

Head up to the Top of the Rock and stand 259 meters above the city where the views are unrivaled. Shop, skate and eat during your visit; it’s a perfect day out for the whole family.