New York City Tours

 

Our biggest city, the Big Apple has activities for every person in your family, but the selection can be overwhelming. If you're on your first trip to New York City, look into a free visitor's service offering guided tours to spots perfect for your family - Big Apple Greeters.

 

People traveling to New York City can arrange for a Big Apple Greeter to help them on their trip by going to their website: http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/. Based on your party and your traveling interests, you'll be paired with a volunteer greeter who will meet you at your hotel and take you around the city.

 

Armed with fun facts, money-saving tips and a honed sense of NYC's vast layout, you'll learn more in the few hours you have with your greeter than you would in days on your own.

 

Big Apple Greeters aren't just volunteers - they're long-time residents of New York City who can share the ins and outs of transportation, high crime areas, hidden gems, wonderful restaurants and more. Greeters often have complimentary bus passes and the like for visitors, but this is not a given. Nor is their availability.

 

As wonderful as this free service is to use, the downside exists that volunteers may not always be available for your trip. Sometimes this news arrives after you reach the city as well, so you may be left scrambling to find other tour arrangements. But don't fear. This is New York City and you have many options.

 

OnBoard New York Tours (http://www.onboardnewyorktours.com/) provides an excellent overview of the city for $60 US per person. Most of the tour is spent on an air-conditioned bus, giving visitors time to rest their tired feet. There are stops at several points of interest, and there is a ferry ride included. A shorter night tour touches on different points of interest.

 

Circle Line Cruises (http://www.circleline42.com/) offers a variety of boat tours around the city. From the Statue of Liberty to Brooklyn Bridge and more, you'll hear knowledgeable commentary and have the chance to get really great photos. The 2-hr Semi-Circle Cruise costs $27 US for adults, $16 US for kids, and $23 US for senior citizens. Guests commented that it might be best to take a cruise tour first, and then get up close through a walking tour or bus excursion.

 

While getting first class, personalized treatment for no cost through Big Apple Greeters is a treat every traveler should shoot for, it doesn't hurt to have a back-up plan. Look over the touring options like the ones listed above, and see if any of them fit your party's traveling needs.

 

Find city breaks in New York at Lastminute.com

 

** Information accurate at time of writing. May be changed at sole discretion of service/product provider.