Top New York City Historical Tours

Get up close and personal with Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on a tour that covers two NYC landmarks. Listen to the live narration from your guide. Enjoy priority access to the ferry and get the best views of Manhattan as you cross New York Harbor by boat.

Discover New York City's storied past with a gangsters and ghosts walking tour. Meet your guide for a history tour with a twist and learn about the city's crimes, gangsters, back room deals, and haunted buildings. Stroll between several downtown neighborhoods including Little Italy, Chinatown, and the West Village while listening to spooky stories and mob tales.

One of the most iconic symbols of America, the Statue of Liberty rises up from New York Harbor, welcoming the immigrants who once entered the United States through nearby Ellis Island. Pay a visit to Lady Liberty and learn the stories of those who passed through Ellis Island with this convenient and flexible tour that lets you choose how long you want to spend at each attraction.

Lower Manhattan has a rich history going back more than 400 years. From Battery Park to Wall Street, you can take a deep dive into the past on this walking tour. Stop by landmarks like the Charging Bull statue, see Federal Hall, and pass by Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried. Refuel with a slice of classic New York pizza, included in the tour.

Go behind-the-scenes at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, and see parts of the church that are otherwise off-limits to visitors, during this catacombs tour. Meet your guide at a convenient location in Lower Manhattan, and follow them into the church. As you explore, learn all about the landmark’s place in New York history and discover the final resting place of famous New Yorkers past.

Take a break from Manhattan’s major tourist zones on a day trip through Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Coney Island. Avoid the hassle of planning logistics, and enjoy the views as your guide navigates the way through neighborhoods often missed by visitors. Going with a guide also ensures you spot hidden landmarks and leave with an insider’s understanding of New York’s outer boroughs.

Take a bite out of New York City’s hippest borough on this half-day Brooklyn food and culture tour. From traditional ethnic eateries to culinary hotspots that spark national dining trends, your guide will show you where to eat like a local. Snack on kielbasa and pierogis in the Polish enclave of Greenpoint, satisfy your sweet tooth in DUMBO, and get a taste of farm-to-fork freshness in trendy Williamsburg. Vegetarians can be accommodated.

Experience two of the US's capital cities—the current one in Washington DC and the former in Philidelphia—on a full-day trip from New York City. Perfect for busy travelers with just one day to spare, this tour covers all the logistics and transportation so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the sights.

This walking tour through Brooklyn's trendy Williamsburg neighborhood offers a brief look at Brooklyn history and its influence on contemporary culture, with an insider guide leading the way. Meet-up just steps from the subway, and begin your adventure uncovering trends and traditions—from the urban street art scene to hip local businesses. Venture past historical buildings, chic boutiques, and neighborhood cafés reflecting the area's laid-back vibe. Then be sure to capture the iconic Manhattan skyline from the scenic Brooklyn waterfront.

Pedal to Central Park’s most iconic destinations on a bike tour with an experienced guide. Set a leisurely pace as you cruise alongside your guide to spot the angel atop the Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, and the moving Lennon Memorial at Strawberry Fields. Learn the history of the park while exploring, spot the filming locations of beloved movies and TV shows, and discover the tranquil park at the heart of New York City.

Don't waste precious hours on your NYC vacation at the Statue of Liberty when you can try this speedy Lady Liberty cruise that's perfect for travelers with limited time. Just hop aboard and soak up the sea breeze as you're whisked past Lady Liberty. You can marvel at the statue from the water, learn about the landmark from your guide's live narration, and snap a few up-close photos with unobstructed views of this must-see NYC attraction.

Learn more about the tragedies and triumphs of 9/11, one of the darkest days in NYC history, as you explore the 9/11 Memorial with a native New Yorker guide. Visit significant sites such as the 9/11 Memorial, St. Paul's Church, and the Fireman's Memorial on a walking tour, see the recently built Oculus, and upgrade to include admission to the 9/11 Museum.

In remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001, take this guided tour of Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial. Walk through the space of the former World Trade Center in NYC, and get a deeper understanding of the events that took place on that day. Your ticket includes skip-the-line access to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, as well as the One World Observatory for panoramic views of the city.

Hop aboard a pedicab—a bicycle-powered cab—for a private ride around New York City's Central Park. Enjoy the undivided attention of your guide and the chance to customize your itinerary to include four stops of your choosing among more than 20 local attractions. Riding in a pedicab will get you around the 843-acre (341-hectare) park much more efficiently than you ever could on foot.

Pack highlights of New York City’s most interesting neighborhoods—SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown—all into one day with this walking tour. In SoHo, visit the Cast Iron Historic District and learn about 19th-century architecture. In Little Italy, see mob sites and hear about John Gotti, an American mobster. In Chinatown, soak up the sights, smells, and sounds of the neighborhood.

2.5 hour sails for up to six passengers from Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, One15 Brooklyn Marina, 159 Bridge Park Drive. Views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, Ellis Island, Governor's Island and Manhattan skyline. Guests are welcome to bring any food or drink--please no red wine or anything that stains or is messy.

Prebook your admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in lower Manhattan, and guarantee your entry to the center that documented the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Museum artifacts include first-person accounts of what happened on that September morning in 2001, multi-media displays, and exhibits on history, which commemorate nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks.

It’s possible to spend an entire day inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art and still not see everything, but this guided Met tour is the best way to take advantage of the riches that are inside one of the world’s greatest art museums. See the highlights of the collection and get special insight into the works of art on display, all within a small-group atmosphere.

Step into the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows with this guided tour of New York City’s famous filming locations. A guide helps you to recognize the buildings, shops, landmarks, and parks that have been featured in famous shows and movies such as ‘Friends,’ ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘Girls,’ and ‘Spiderman.’ Plus, TV buffs can get the inside scoop most tourists miss by exploring the sites with a guide/local actor.

Sex and the City is one of New York City's most iconic TV shows and this tour lets you follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters. Visit memorable locations from the TV show and movies; stop by the bars where Charlotte, Carrie, Miranda, and Samantha sipped on cosmos and gossiped about guys; see where they bought cupcakes and sex toys; and visit shops seen on-screen.

One of New York’s most recognizable landmarks, Grand Central Terminal has served as a portal to the city for more than a century. Learn all about the rich history of the train station on this guided walking tour, which will cover the city’s early railroad barons, the building’s architecture, and the fascinating secrets and myths surrounding the station.

Enjoy a 3-hour, 3-mile stroll with a 30-year resident of Brooklyn. I'll lead you to the most picturesque photo ops and find corners that only a local would know. Learn about the history of the people, eras, and technology that defined Brooklyn's rise. We'll pass by the homes of some very famous stars of TV and film, as well as through shoot locations you will almost certainly recognize from pop culture. You'll end up in NYC's hottest neighborhood, Dumbo, home of NYC's best pizza. Make time for lunch and, during warm-weather weekends, to browse Brooklyn Flea for a bespoke, vintage souvenir. This is a walking version of my popular, five-star rated bike tour, also listed on Viator.

See New York City at your feet with admission to the One World Observatory, a 3-story destination on top of the western hemisphere’s tallest building. Ride to the 102nd floor and watch the virtual city skyline transform across centuries of history. Learn about the construction of the skyscraper, which has sweeping views across the city, enjoying New York from a whole new perspective.

Discover the Statue of Liberty from the water’s edge—and enjoy a comfortable alternative to crowded ferry transit—when you book this yacht tour of New York Harbor. Perfect for time-pressed travelers, this tour via well-appointed yacht departs multiple times daily from Pier 36. Once you hop aboard, pick from indoor and outdoor viewing areas, listen to live narration, and get within just 100 feet (30 meters) of Lady Liberty.