8 Sightseeing Bus Tours in New York City Worth Booking

1.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5,863 reviews · 3 hours · from $44Our pick

Use Big Bus New York to get your bearings without driving or navigating subway transfers. Ride the Downtown and Uptown loops, listen to commentary in six languages, and hop off near the Empire State Building, Museum Mile, Battery Park, Wall Street, and the 9/11 Memorial. The app tracks buses in real time, while 48- and 72-hour tickets add digital walking tours.

“Good way to see the sights whilst having an audio commentary about what you are looking at”

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2.Big Bus NYC: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4,762 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

See Manhattan from an open-top double-decker bus, with Downtown and Uptown loops linking Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, SoHo, Wall Street, and the World Trade Center. Choose 24, 48, or 72 hours, listen to recorded commentary, and hop off to explore. The 72-hour ticket adds Brooklyn tours and self-guided walks.

“Great way to see the city!! You could definitely use a second day to see everything at all the stops. Staff is great and buses come fairly quickly”

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3.NYC: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 555 reviews · 6 hours · from $84

Ride through four New York boroughs with a live English-speaking guide. See the Apollo Theater, Yankee Stadium, Flushing Meadows, Bushwick murals, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Expect photo stops, an empanada break, skyline views, and guides such as Jim Q, Chris Lee, Tom, Ray R, or Emanuel, depending on the day.

“The driver was very skilled and Jorge was wonderful”

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4.New York City Sightseeing Bus Tour and Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · from $197Top rated

Spend six hours with a native New Yorker guide such as Bryant, Martin, or Frank, riding a small luxury bus through Manhattan and Brooklyn. Walk at Washington Square Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the 9/11 Memorial, and Grand Central, then take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

“Highlight of the day World Trade Center. Bryant gave a somber and thorough explanation of where we were and what it means to New Yorkers.”

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5.Big Bus New York: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 277 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $67

Ride a two-hour open-top double-decker through New York after dark, leaving from M&M’S World on Broadway. A live English guide, with recorded commentary in six languages, points out Times Square, the skyline, bridges, and neighborhoods. Seats are first-come, first-served, so arrive early and dress for the wind.

“Shelly was an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgeable and she even hopped off of the bus to retrieve a dropped cell phone! The tour covered a lot of ground and great recommendations were given if you have time to do more independent exploring. We had a great time!”

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6.NYC: City Skyline Sightseeing MiniBus Tour at Night

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 245 reviews · 4 hours · from $51

Spend four hours viewing Manhattan’s lights from New Jersey’s waterfront, with stops in Liberty State Park, Hoboken, Hamilton Park, and at Frank Sinatra’s statue. Your English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide, often Daniel, Millie, or Sebastian, shares city history and allows time for photos. Choose a shared, small-group, or private tour.

“Sebastián was an AMAZING tour guide. so kind, knowledgeable and professional. He knew all his history, engaged with all guests, offered suggestions of picture backgrounds and made the tour phenomenal.”

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7.NYC: Sightseeing Night Tour by Open-Top Bus with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 216 reviews · 2 hours · from $67

Meet at M&M’S World at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm departure on Big Bus Tours’ two-hour open-top night ride. A live English-speaking guide leads you past Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Little Italy, Manhattan Bridge, Macy’s, and Radio City Music Hall. You also receive one beer or wine at Planet Hollywood.

“This was a fun tour with lots of information! Our guide Shelley was fun and very attentive to everyone!”

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8.New York City Night Views – A panoramic hop-on-hop-off tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · 4 hours · from $45

Spend four hours seeing New York after dark from a small air-conditioned vehicle. With an English or Spanish-speaking guide, you’ll stop at Liberty State Park, the Empty Sky Memorial, Carlo’s Bakery, the Frank Sinatra Statue, and Hamilton Park, with views of the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and Empire State Building.

“It was an interesting and informative tour. Our guide was friendly and took the best photos for us.”

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