New York in 5 days: quirky tours and hidden gems adventure

Learn about stock market crashes, aggressive economic growth and the rebirth of Lower Manhattan following the events of 9/11. Your tour calls at stacks of interesting sights that relate in some way or another to Wall Street’s financial and political roots, or to the many pioneers who helped shape its history.You’ll hear about the robber barons who played the system to line their own pockets and discover sites with links to George Washington, including the Fraunces Tavern, Washington’s headquarters while America fought to break free from British rule.

Explore one of NYC’s most unique attractions on a guided walk along The High Line, the elevated park that turned an old freight railway into a green, art-filled escape above the streets. Along the way, your expert guide will share the stories behind the High Line’s clever design – plus insights into the Meatpacking District and Chelsea.Starting at the ever-popular Chelsea Market, you’ll move from a lively food hall into the calm, elevated walkways of the High Line, where gardens, public art, and river views create a completely different perspective on the city. Expect fascinating history, standout skyline views, and a relaxed stroll through one of New York’s most impressive urban reinventions.

Strike a pose in front of the new One World Trade Center from a New York rooftop. This private photoshoot comes from the ‘Masters of the Camera’ series created by American fashion photographer, MACKY, who has shot for major magazines as well as celebrity portraits.Inspired by his hometown and a unique perspective on the city’s architecture, MACKY is an expert at capturing New York at its finest. You’ll take home professionally edited images ready for you to share and print within 7 days. After your session, explore the surrounding Meatpacking District to see the beautiful High Line park and Chelsea Market eateries.

New York is renowned for being a melting pot of delicious food and cuisines and promises a dizzying selection of tasty treats. A Food On Foot tour will help you find your way through the options and find the best and most authentic NY eats.Discover New Yorker’s favorite areas and get a true taste of the city with your expert guide. Plus, you’re in control as where to stop is up to you.

Central Park is the most-filmed public park in the world, taking the spotlight in over 300 TV shows and movies.On this tour, you'll stroll through the gorgeous green space and tick off at least 40 top locations that you'll recognize from Christmas classics, action movies, and famous rom-coms. There's the ice skating rink from Serendipity, the bridge from Home Alone 2, and Conservatory Water hollow from Breakfast at Tiffany's.Your walking tour guide will be an actor or actress with plenty of insider secrets and trivia about the films and shows. They'll provide entertaining commentary along with some Central Park history while you explore and there'll be plenty of opportunities for photo stops and recreating some of those iconic scenes.

Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn, Governors Island is a world away from the hustle and bustle of NYC - it boasts green spaces, car-free paths, and stunning views.Pedal around all 172 acres and explore the sights with a two-hour surrey rental. You’ll don your helmet and hit the cycle paths with your detailed map to ensure you don’t get lost.

You’ll learn all about the nine-month recovery after the events of 9/11 and the people involved through insightful exhibits and images.At this unique workshop, you’ll also be able to handle some of the artifacts from the recovery operation.Take a 90-minute BOSE audio tour around the exhibits for an in-depth explanation of everything you see, plus a short introductory video and walk through of artifacts with your tour guide. Audio guides are available in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. Images and artifacts on display include the largest piece of surviving WTC window glass in existence and rare images taken by official Ground Zero Photographer Gary Suson. You’ll see firefighters in action, the K-9 recovery dog and the Ground Zero cross. As you explore, you’ll also hear detailed BOSE audio stories and sound effects from 9/11 plus rare footage of the recovery operation. This exhibit holds the attention of even the youngest of children. The collection is also non-graphic. 

Hudson Yards, once a largely vacant industrial district, has been transformed into a glimmering new precinct for shopping, dining, and luxury living. Encircled by futuristic skyscrapers, intersected by the illustrious High Line, and dominated by the striking Hudson Yards Vessel, this brand new neighborhood is teeming with things to see and do.With ExperienceFirst Tours, you’ll learn more about the area’s industrial heritage and get an insight into its vast redevelopment. You’ll also find out all about the mindblowing technology involved in its construction and what’s to come for the future of this upscale new neighborhood.The neighborhood’s centerpiece is its most inviting feature: The Vessel, a bronze-coated, honeycomb of staircases soaring 150ft (46m) into the sky giving visitors a myriad of new perspectives to view the city from. The Vessel cost an eye-watering $200million to build and is a striking new installation of contemporary, climbable architecture.What’s more, you’ll also take a stroll part-way along The High Line. This stunning green artery is laid over an elevated railroad, renovated and planted with flowers and trees, that gives gorgeous views over the new development.When you’re done ogling this brand new section of skyline, head into The Hudson Yards mall and lose yourself in a vast shopping mecca.

See the best of the city with this three-hour bike tour of New York. Led by a highly-rated professional guide, you'll cycle along an expertly-curated 9-mile cycle, allowing you to tick off top NYC spots and learn about the city along the way. Starting right by the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side, this tour takes you to Battery Park, Little Italy, Chinatown and Washington Square Park. From there, you'll go along the Hudson Greenway. Then, you'll check out the newly constructed Vessel and Highline, before biking towards Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and the Empire State Building!

Few suspension bridges boast National Landmark status like New York City's Brooklyn Bridge. Hop on your bike and see its best bits on this two-hour tour.First, you’ll get your legs pumping with an uphill climb to the City Hall area. Then you'll make a stop at the Brooklyn-side tower of the bridge to get a selfie-worthy view of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Staten Island.Descending into Brooklyn, you’ll see the Financial District and the historic Brooklyn houses in the ‘Heights’ before returning over the bridge to visit the South Street Seaport.

Kickstart the holiday season with this incredibly Holiday Markets & Christmas Lights Walking Tour by Inside Out Tours. Embark on a 1.7-mile journey through New York City’s best Christmas markets, holiday displays, craft markets, and winter-inspired food stalls. Get into the holiday spirit and get ready to get all of your Christmas shopping out of the way in one shot.