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Katherine Louie, Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
There’s always plenty to see, eat and experience in New York City, from shopping on Fifth Avenue to the serene walking trails of Central Park. The best New York City walking tours are led by locals who know the area well and can offer additional insight into famous landmarks and historic streets. If you’re planning a trip, booking one of these tours can be a great way to orient yourself in the city that never sleeps.
Foodies will love the Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour, which offers a taste of New York delicacies, from pizza to arancini. Musical theatre lovers will enjoy the Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour or the Broadway Theaters And Times Square Tour. And for lush greenery in the heart of the Big Apple, you can’t go wrong with the Central Park Walking Tour. Below, the best New York City walking tours in 2024.
Editor’s Picks:
- Best New York City Walking Tour For Scenery: Central Park Walking Tour
- Best New York City Walking Tour For Active Travelers: New York Small-Group Tour (Plus One World Observatory Ticket)
- Best New York City Walking Tour For Foodies: Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
- Best New York City Walking Tour For History Buffs: New York Catacombs By Candlelight
- Best New York City Walking Tour For Musical Theater Lovers: Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour
Best New York City Walking Tour For Scenery: Central Park Walking Tour
Central Park Walking Tour
Who Will Love It: Nature lovers and history buffs
What Not To Miss: The picturesque Bethesda Terrace
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: General William Tec*mseh Sherman Monument 764 Doris C Freedman Pl, New York, NY 10019
A sanctuary of greenery in the middle of the hustle and bustle, Central Park is a historic landmark and an unmissable destination for visitors to New York City. In this well-reviewed walking tour, a guide will take you through the park's highlights, from Strawberry Fields to Bethesda Terrace, and explain the park’s storied history. There are many walking trails throughout the 800-acre park, so this tour is ideal for nature lovers and history buffs who want a better understanding of the park’s storied past.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Active Travelers: New York Small-Group Tour (Plus One World Observatory Ticket)
New York Small-Group Tour (Plus One World Observatory Ticket)
Who Will Love It: Those who are visiting the Big Apple for the first time and want to take in the most prominent landmarks, such as Times Square, Broadway and more
What Not To Miss: The impressive views from One World Observatory
Duration: 6 hours
Meeting Spot: 1552 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
If it’s your first time visiting New York City, or you have relatives and friends in town who have never experienced many of the city’s biggest attractions, this tour is a great option. A guide will walk you through some of the city’s most famous landmarks, from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Times Square to the Brooklyn Bridge. The tour ends at One World Observatory, located on floors 100-102 of One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States. This tour is limited to 15 people, so you can ask plenty of questions and move at a pace that’s good for the entire group. You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes, as this tour has six hours of walking at a moderate pace, but it’s an excellent way to experience the city that never sleeps. There’s also a lunch stop with options for most dietary restrictions.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Locals: SoHo, Little Italy And Chinatown Walking Tour
SoHo, Little Italy And Chinatown Walking Tour
Who Will Love It: Travelers or locals looking for a deep dive into three of the most famous New York City neighborhoods
What Not To Miss: Strolling down the cobblestone streets of SoHo
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: 155 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown are steeped in history, and this two-hour tour takes you through cobblestone streets, bustling blocks and more as you learn about these iconic areas. Your guide will begin in SoHo, known for its upscale boutiques and vibrant art scene, and you’ll learn about the stunning cast-iron architecture preserved since the 18th century. From there, your guide will take you through Little Italy, where you’ll be captivated with stories of the many Italian immigrants who settled there. The tour is only two hours long, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the shops, restaurants and bars in Chinatown, where the tour ends.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Foodies: Greenwich Village Walking And Food Tasting Tour
Greenwich Village Walking And Food Tasting Tour
Who Will Love It: Families and food lovers seeking different types of foods and an engaging guide
What Not To Miss: An artichoke slice at Artichoke Basille's Pizza
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: Molly's Cupcakes (228 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014)
Greenwich Village is a popular section of Lower Manhattan that includes Washington Square Park, the West Village neighborhood and many New York University buildings. On this culinary adventure, a lively guide will take you through the picturesque streets to experience select New York delicacies, from pizza to arancini to mouth-watering center-filled cupcakes. You’ll be able to sample plenty of tasty morsels throughout the tour, so make sure you bring an appetite. This tour is limited to 12 travelers, so you’ll get plenty of one-on-one time with your guide and be able to ask questions along the way. Vegetarian options are also available, so inform your guide of any allergies or dietary restrictions at the beginning of your tour.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Families: Chelsea Market And High Line Guided Food Tour
Chelsea Market And High Line Guided Food Tour
Who Will Love It: Foodies who don’t mind doing a bit of walking
What Not To Miss: Enjoying a pastry sampler at Las Delicias Patisserie before exploring the rest of the Chelsea Market
Duration: 3 hours
Meeting Spot: Buddakan (75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011)
Chelsea Market, located in the Meatpacking District, is a bustling food hall and shopping mall where you can find everything from artisanal cheeses to hand-pulled noodles to lobster rolls. The building was formerly the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) building and was renovated to accommodate the many food and retail vendors there now. In this three-hour walking tour, groups will explore the market while sampling plenty of food along the way before heading to The High Line and Hudson Yards. The High Line, an elevated rail line converted into a park, offers stunning views of the West side and city streets below it. The tour wraps up at Hudson Yards, where you can stay and enjoy luxury shopping, a selection of delicious eateries and events such as live music performances.
Best New York City Walking Tour For History Buffs: New York Catacombs By Candlelight
New York Catacombs By Candlelight
Who Will Love It: History buffs
What Not To Miss: Exploring the only Catholic catacombs in New York
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Meeting Spot: 266 Mulberry Street (Corner Of Mulberry St. And Jersey St.)
This walking tour introduces you to the rich history and hidden areas of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll start in the church and then explore the catacombs and cemeteries, dating back to 1801. With a maximum of 30 people on the tour, this is one of the larger excursions on this list, but it’s an excellent option for history buffs who want to learn more about the storied history of the first Catholic cathedral. There’s also free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts. After the tour, grab a slice of pizza at the nearby Prince Street Pizza or head to the Tenement Museum for even more history.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Art Lovers: Fifth Avenue Gilded Age Mansions Walking Tour
Fifth Avenue Gilded Age Mansions Walking Tour
Who Will Love It: Architecture and art lovers
What Not To Miss: Perusing a small bookshop in a Fifth Avenue mansion
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
New York is home to many legendary mansions that date back to the Gilded Age, and on this tour, you’ll get a glimpse of many of these buildings. On the tour, you’ll get to see one of the last single-residence mansions on Fifth Avenue and stroll down Millionaire’s Row, which was home to extravagant mansions from tycoons like John Jacob Astor and George W Vanderbilt. Art lovers will especially appreciate learning about the Frick Collection, which Henry Clay Frick curated.
Best New York City Walking Tours For Musical Theater Lovers: Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour
Hamilton Musical Themed Guided Walking Tour
Who Will Love It: Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton
What Not To Miss: Strolling through Bowling Green, New York City’s oldest park
Duration: 3 hours
Meeting Spot: Staten Island Ferry Terminal, New York, NY 10004
Fans of the musical “Hamilton” won’t want to miss this walking tour that takes you all over Manhattan to gain a better understanding of the musical and Alexander Hamilton’s life. Although Hamilton was one of the lesser-known founding fathers, he greatly impacted the nation and U.S. government. On this tour, you’ll get to see historic locations such as Trinity Church, Federal Hall (the first capital of the United States), the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and more through the lens of Hamilton’s life. Even if you’ve never seen the musical, expect to learn plenty of interesting and surprising facts about American history. Keep in mind that this tour may not be appropriate for younger children, as it touches upon some adult themes.
Best New York City Tour For Broadway Enthusiasts: Broadway Theaters And Times Square Tour
Broadway Theaters And Times Square Tour
Who Will Love It: Aspiring thespians
What Not To Miss: Exploring Times Square after the tour ends
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: 1556 Broadway, New York, NY 10120
Broadway buffs and thespians will be delighted by this walking tour, which gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the theater district, with insights from a real Broadway performer. While the tour is mostly outdoors, you’ll make the rounds through some of the most important theaters, and get to admire the bright lights in Times Square. You’ll also get to hear fascinating backstage stories, tales of auditions and great success stories from performers like Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Julie Andrews and more.
Best New York City Walking Tour For Music Lovers: Harlem Hip-Hop Walking Tour
Harlem Hip-Hop Walking Tour
Who Will Love It: Hip hop lovers and history buffs
What Not To Miss: The legendary Apollo Theater, a historic venue for African-American entertainment
Duration: 2 hours
Meeting Spot: 1220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
New York City is often credited as the birthplace of hip-hop, with legends like Run D.M.C, Biggie Smalls, Salt-N-Peppa, Jay-Z and more starting off in one of the city’s five boroughs. On this family-friendly tour, visit landmarks like the Apollo Theater, which first opened in 1914, and one of the oldest record shops in Harlem. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as this tour will take you to various clubs, shops and more during its two hour duration.
About Katherine Louie, Your New York City Walking Tour Guide
I am a commerce editor for Forbes Vetted covering topics in beauty, fashion, travel and home. Prior to joining Forbes, I held positions at BuzzFeed and Dotdash Meredith, where I was responsible for curating lifestyle content and testing products for real-world insights. My work has appeared in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Everyday Health and more. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Creative Writing from Marist College and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.
