nyc harlem bus tour

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Renaissance Walking Tour in New York

Truly understand this historical time

Visit churches, ballrooms, and much more!

Delicious local lunch included

Find out why the Renaissance period was so important to this neighborhood

Welcome to Harlem offers an enriching Renaissance tour in New York that delves deep into the artistic and cultural legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.  Embark on a journey through present-day Harlem – see the people and places of the Harlem Renaissance, and discover why this time in American history was so magical and vital for African-American culture.

Welcome to the best Harlem Renaissance Tour New York with Welcome to Harlem! Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of this iconic New York neighborhood. Experience the Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal moment in African-American cultural and intellectual life, as we take you on a journey through its highlights and landmarks. Visit the legendary Apollo Theater, where music legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington once graced the stage. Explore the

Delve into the depths of this time in American history with our extremely knowledgeable guides

Experience some of the most beautiful theaters, ballrooms, and churches in Harlem

Visit the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Alhambra Ballroom, Hotel Theresa and many more

Learn about the numerous jazz clubs , speakeasies and people associated with them along the way uptown

Learn about the importance of the 135th Street area to African-Americans in Harlem

Find out where Langston Hughes is buried and the location of Swing Street/Jungle Alley

Click the tabs to find out more

Trip details, the specifics, price (usd).

$75 per person

Meeting point

145 West 122nd Street, Suite 1 (between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and Lenox Avenue)

Availability

Fridays, all year-round

Exceptions: December 24-25, December 31-January 1

A delicious lunch

Not included

Transportation

What to bring

Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring an open mind and heart, camera, and a smile on your face

Good to know

Tours must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

What you'll do

“We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame.” — Langston Hughes, The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain

The Harlem Renaissance, or the “New Negro” movement, began in the early 1920s and was described as a social and artistic explosion. On this tour, you’ll embark on a journey through present-day Harlem to see the people and places of the Harlem Renaissance and discover why this period in American history was so magical and vital for African-American culture. Did you ever wonder where Swing Street/Jungle Alley was, or why 135th Street was such a crucial area during Harlem Renaissance? Now is the time to lace up your sneakers and bring your imagination.

On this Harlem Renaissance walking tour, discover some of the most beautiful theaters, ballrooms, and churches in Harlem that were jumping during the Renaissance. Throughout our journey, you will hear about, see, and feel the history of some of the most influential individuals who helped to cultivate this magic era known as the Harlem Renaissance — Langston Hughes (a leader through the Harlem Renaissance), Pig Foot Mary, Duke Ellington, Madame CJ Walker, Jacob Lawrence, James Van Der Zee, Zora Neale Hurston and many others.

Once the walking tour comes to a close, you will be treated to a delicious lunch at a local Harlem restaurant — an opportunity for you to try some of Harlem’s treats!

Welcome to Harlem takes pride in showing off our beautiful city and sharing the history of the Harlem Renaissance.

Check out what our guests are saying

Jackielk12 | 2022.

This is high in my list of tours ever!

Our guide, Doris, was extremely knowledgeable. She had wonderful information about almost every street in Harlem. Our lunch was a great experience as was a short trek thru an outdoor market and the Apollo Theater was high on the list. I highly recommend this tour when in NYC. I will definitely use Harlem Renaissance for another tour when I return.

Monique A | 2022

Amazing Tour!!

I’ve always loved Harlem. But now, I love it even more. This tour is a must. Simply the best planned tour from start to finish. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. but why wouldn’t she be? She was born and raised in Harlem. From 125th to Sugar Hill we learned and saw so much. We had lunch at a Caribbean & Soul food restaurant that’s been a staple of Harlem since the 1970’s. My mouth waters at the mere thought of how delicious the food was. Amazing!!

BPhly77 | 2022

Harlem Has My Heart

A wonderful and enlightening experience. This tour was culture rich with plenty of sites to see. We experienced Harlem from a person born and raised in that great city. Enjoyed food from a local restaurant (which was delicious). So glad we decided to go on this tour. Definitely would recommend it to anyone interested in experiencing Harlem from the inside.

AdrienneDM | 2021

The most enlightening experience of Harlem that is worth more than time or money

OUTSTANDING! For my sister and I, we were thoroughly impressed, and we can truly appreciate the hard work of research that she has done to make this an invaluable experience. She knew the history behind the architecture, the events in the buildings of the community, the back story on both the famous and infamous people in Harlem from to 1900’s, through the Renaissance to present day. Best of all is that she is an excellent storyteller. You could truly envision being right there where history was made. This tour is worth booking a weekend trip to NY for.

Jeffre W | October 2019

My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed our Harlem Renaissance Walking Tour with Lunch conducted by Cheryl. Our tour with Cheryl was by far the best neighborhood tour we have experienced in many years. As a long time resident of Harlem, Cheryl was able to introduce us to life in Harlem over the years. She shared her insights and helped us understand just how culturally significant Harlem has been and remains. Read more

Kathy M | May 2019

Cheryl was an exceptional tour guide with extensive knowledge of the Harlem community and changes over time. Great tour and delicious lunch! Read more

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• Private Harlem Soul Food & Jazz Tour

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New york city sightseeing tour, nyc african american heritage tour.

• Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Walking Tour
• Private Triboro Tour of Bronx, Brooklyn & Queens
• NYC Private Graffiti Workshop
• Private Williamsburg and Bushwick Walking Tour
• NYC Attractions
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All Harlem and NYC Tours

Welcome to Harlem Spirituals where we offer a range of exciting and unique tours to explore the best of the Big Apple. From the bustling streets of Manhattan to the charming neighborhood of Harlem, our tours provide a glimpse into the diverse culture and history that make New York City one of the most iconic cities in the world.

We offer both private and public Harlem tours . Harlem is a vibrant neighborhood in Upper Manhattan known for its rich cultural heritage and significant contributions to African-American history. Some of our offerings include a Sunday and Wednesday Gospel Tour with an optional brunch, a Food Tasting Tour, and a Jazz Tour, each showcasing the unique flavors and sounds of this historic neighborhood.

In addition to our Harlem tours, we offer a range of NYC tours that cover the city’s most popular attractions and landmarks. Our Dumbo & Brooklyn Heights Tour provides stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, while our NYC Sightseeing Tour takes you on a comprehensive journey through the city’s most iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

For those who want to explore the lesser-known parts of the city, our Triboro Tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden gems of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. And for those interested in African-American history, our African American Tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and contributions of some of the city’s most prominent African-American figures.

Join us on one of our tours and experience the energy and excitement of New York City like never before.

Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Walking Tour

Private Harlem Soul Food & Jazz Tour

Private Triboro Tour of Bronx, Brooklyn & Queens

Harlem Gospel tour le dimanche en Français à New York

Additional information.

• Wheelchair lifts are 49″ X 28″ and can carry a maximum weight limit of 700 lbs. We kindly ask that you submit the dimensions and model of the chair. A maximum of one person in a wheelchair can be accommodated per bus.
• For passengers with no mobility or non-foldable wheelchairs, we recommend giving us at least 3 weeks’ notice.
• With advance notice, wheelchair-bound customers with some mobility can be accommodated in the front rows of the tour bus with their wheelchairs folded away in the luggage compartment. Someone must accompany customers with special needs to assist them on the coach.
• Child seats are not available.
• The tours are not suitable for pets.
• Check out our terms & conditions for more information.

Do you have more questions? Visit the Harlem and NYC FAQ to find out what you are looking for!

Contact Us for other questions or requests.

Check Out What Our Guests Say!

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African American & Black Heritage NYC Tours

Inside Out Tours is an award-winning, certified minority and women owned business that is dedicated to presenting the histories of people of color in an engaging, sensitive and in-depth manner. Our African American Heritage tours are carefully researched to highlight the hidden history and contributions of black people in New York City.

African American Heritage Tour of New York City

Discover the African American Heritage of Lower Manhattan and Harlem in this comprehensive tour from the establishment of New York to present.

African American Heritage Tour of Brooklyn

Brooklyn has long been one of the great centers of African-American culture in the United States, boasting the largest black population in New York City. Explore the legacy of iconic figures like Spike Lee, Jay Z, Shirley Chisholm, David Ruggles and Frederick Douglass.

NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour

Learn the exciting history of the enslaved people who built the foundations of New York City and the brave band of freedom fighters who formed the networks that became the Underground Railroad. This tour is featured in the New York Times!

Harlem Renaissance Bus Tour

Learn about the Harlem Renaissance including its musical, artistic and literary achievements while exploring Harlem on this bus-guided experience.

Heroes of Harlem Tour

Discover the iconic literary, political and artistic heroes that made Harlem the capital of Black America.

Need individual instead of group tickets?  See individual tours here .

Interest in a Group tour?

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Take a memorable Harlem bus tour in New York City on a Sunday morning and visit the heart of New York’s Afro-American community and witness the history and current Renaissance. From early Dutch farms and historic sites of the American Revolution, today Harlem has evolved into a Afro-American political and cultural center rich in history and tradition. 

See historic Hamilton Grange and the Morris Jumel Mansion, used as military headquarters during the American Revolution. Learn about the Harlem Renaissance, where Black writers, intellectuals and musicians flourished and political movements were born. See the landmarks of Harlem including the townhouses of Strivers Row, and Sylvan Terrace, the Abyssinian Baptist Church and 125th Street, Harlem’s commercial center. Of course, no trip is complete without a stop at the world famous Apollo Theater, where some of the best African- American performers graced the stage and where many got their start. A huge mainstay of American television with their nationally syndicated show, “Showtime at the Apollo”. But, the highlight of our morning will be a local church service to hear the inspirational & soul stirring sounds of Gospel music known throughout the world. What better way to spend a Sunday morning!?

• Once you’re picked up from the bus stop, we'll head uptown to Harlem, to the famous sights, landmarks and its people that truly make up this historic neighborhood.
• Some of the sights we'll see are Columbia University, The Cathedral of St. John The Devine, City College, Morningside Heights, the Morris Jumel Mansion, Sylvan Terrace, Strivers Row and the Abyssinian Baptist Church, the Cotton Club, the Apollo Theater, and the famous 125th street named after Dr. Martin Luther King.
• And to top it off, you'll join a local congregation for the Sunday worship service and experience the soul-stirring power of gospel music!
• Depart back to the bus stop of origin. 
• See "Departure and Return Details" for more information.
• Apollo Theater - in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is a music hall which is a noted venue for African-American performers. It was the home of Showtime at the Apollo, a nationally syndicated television variety show.
• Columbia University - (officially Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private, Ivy League, research university in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It was established in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of George II of Great Britain. Columbia is the oldest college in New York State and the fifth chartered institution of higher learning in the country, making it one of nine colonial colleges founded before the Declaration of Independence.
• The Cathedral of St. John the Divine ,  is the cathedral of the  Episcopal Diocese of New York .  Designed in 1888 and begun in 1892, It’s the fourth largest Christian church in the world.
• Strivers Row - is a historic district located in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is both a national and a New York City district, and consists of row houses and associated buildings designed by noted architects and built in 1891-93 by developer David H. King, Jr.
• Morris-Jumel Mansion - in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is the oldest house in the borough. It was built in 1765 by Roger Morris, a British military officer and served as headquarters for both sides in the American Revolution. The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.
• The Cotton Club - was a New York City night club located first in the Harlem neighborhood on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue from 1923 to 1935 and then for a brief period from 1936 to 1940 in the midtown Theater District. The club operated most notably as a hip meeting spot for celebrities during America's Prohibition Era.
• Sugar Hill - Sugar Hill got its name in the 1920s when the neighborhood became a popular place for wealthy African Americans to live during the Harlem Renaissance.
• 125th street - It is often considered to be the "Main Street" of Harlem, and is co-named Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Notable buildings along 125th Street include the Apollo Theater, the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, the Hotel Theresa, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Mount Morris Bank Building.

Duration: 9:00am - 12:30pm

Check In: 15 minutes prior to departure

Departure: Sunday

Price Includes

• Comprehensive guided Harlem tour
• Harlem Gospel church service
• All taxes and fees included

Price Excludes

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and beverages, unless otherwise stated above

Confirmation

All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 2-3 business days after booking. Please do not book the airline tickets until you received the confirmation.

Complete operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your e-ticket. You must print and bring e-ticket(s) on your trip, as they serve as proof of purchase.

Terms & Condition

Please read the Standard Cancellation and Refund Policy prior to booking your ticket. Prices may vary and are subject to availability by season, weekend, and/or holiday. While we will make every effort to maintain a regular operation, we reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip and issue a full refund to affected customers under special circumstances.

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Explore NYC with our top-rated New York bus tours. Our hop on hop off bus tours are designed to take you on a journey through some of the most iconic spots in New York while allowing you to see the sights at your own pace. Each tour is designed to showcase the best of New York City, from its bustling streets to its towering skyscrapers. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, our NYC tours provide a unique perspective of the Big Apple. Get ready to experience New York like never before! From Times Square and the Empire State Building to Central Park, our hop on hop off bus tours in New York offer an unforgettable sightseeing experience.

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The 10 best bus tours in NYC

From superhero movie sets to a Sex and the City excursion, these are the best NYC bus tours for sightseeing

Want to take in all the best bits of NYC without tiring yourself out? That's what these New York bus tours are all about. There'll be plenty of time to explore the restaurant and bar scene come the evening, but make sure you spend your days right by riding around all the landmark-laden hotspots and lesser-known neighborhoods that house some iconic filming locations from the silver screen. 

Whether you’re looking for the classic hop-on hop-off experience that stops at all the major attractions, a themed TV and movie route spotlighting popular filming locations or a spirited excursion to the outer boroughs, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the best bus tours in NYC. Read on, then hop on!

RECOMMENDED: 🚶 Find more New York City tours 🏨 The best hotels in New York City 🗝️ Michelin Key hotels in New York City

This article was written by Dan Q Dao , a commercial editor for Time Out New York. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best NYC bus tours

1.  big bus new york hop-on hop-off tour.

First time exploring the wonderful city that is New York? This comprehensive, fully narrated tour allows you to customize your itinerary to just how you want it, boarding and leaving whenever it’s convenient for you. Vouchers can be redeemed in Times Square, where the tour begins. Choose from two circuits: the 90-minute Downtown Loop, which visits neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Chinatown and attractions like the Stock Exchange and the World Trade Center; and the 75-minute Uptown Loop, which includes classic New York spots like Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center and the Apollo Theatre. 

Don't miss: Pay tribute at the 9/11 Memorial and explore the original Twin Towers site. 

2.  THE RIDE New York City

Double-decker bus tour not your thing? Amp up your usual sightseeing excursion with this dynamic part-show, part-city tour. Yes, it’s as wild and wonderful as it sounds. The multi-million-dollar bus (yep, you heard that right) offers outward-facing stadium seating with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Billed as a “traveling theater,” the uniquely designed bus allows riders to take photos of top attractions like  the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal.

Don't miss:  I nteract with street performers during the 75-minute ride. 

3.  New York Bus Night Tour

If New York is the city that never sleeps (which it totally is, btw), it makes sense to experience it in all its nighttime glory. This after-hours tour starts in midtown Manhattan, then drives past iconic and illuminated landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square and Chinatown, with expert commentary on the city’s history and celebrity residents along the way.

Don't miss: There will also be time to stretch your legs during the four-hour excursion, with guided walks in High Line Park and Grand Central Station. 

4.  Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

Has there been a better unofficial NYC spokesperson than Carrie Bradshaw herself? This bus tour pays homage to the New York-loving sex columnist by spotlighting all of the hotspots from the original stint of the hit HBO show. (Alas, locations from the  And Just Like That  reboot aren’t featured, so no Che Diaz sightings here!) B oard the bus and get reacquainted with some of your favorite Sex and the City settings, like the location of Carrie and Big's wedding rehearsal dinner;   the Pleasure Chest, where Charlotte bought her 'Rabbit' vibrator; and Carrie’s iconic stoop. Jimmy Choos optional!

Don't miss:  Grabbing a Cosmo at Steve and Aidan's bar, Scout. 

5.  Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens Coach Tour

Manhattan may get a lot of the glory, but this comprehensive tour (it lasts for four-and-a-half hours) takes you through three equally deserving boroughs that made New York, well, New York. (Sorry, Staten Island!) Board in midtown and drive north through the Upper East Side to Spanish Harlem and the Bronx. Check out Yankee Stadium and the Italian enclave on Arthur Avenue before crossing into Queens. You’ll drive through Astoria and Long Island City before entering Brooklyn, where you’ll explore trendy ‘hoods including Greenpoint and Williamsburg. 

Don't miss:  Taking one last look at the New York City skyline as the tour ends with a drive over the Brooklyn Bridge. 

6.  Birthplace of Hip Hop Tour - Harlem & The Bronx

Like R euben sandwiches, eggs Benedict and Martin Scorsese, hip-hop was born right here in New York City. Discover the origins of the groundbreaking musical genre on this bus tour of Manhattan, Harlem and the Boogie Down Bronx . Led by a grandmaster —no, not Flash, but similarly legendary emcees like Kurtis Blow, Johnny Famous, Roxanne Shante and Reggie Reg — the excursion starts at the location of the first hip-hop party in Manhattan before heading uptown to iconic spots like the Apollo Theater, the Graffiti Hall of Fame and Yankee Stadium.

Don't miss: You’ll get to watch a real b-boy and b-girl dance session, snap photos in front of famous murals dedicated to Big L and Kool Herc, and even learn how to freestyle!

7.  Superhero Film Tour of New York

From Spider-Man to Batman to Jessica Jones , New York City has played home to many a superhero. On this sightseeing tour, you’ll see around 40 locations featured in your favorite super-powered TV shows and movies, from The Daily Planet building from the Superman franchise to the exact spot where Danny Rand flips over a cab in Iron Fist . This is one fascinating exploration that will make superhero fans and comic-book buffs very happy indeed.

Don't miss:  Relive the Battle of New York along Park Avenue from The Avengers.

8.  Sunday Harlem Gospel Guided Tour

Explore the culture of Harlem, one of the meccas of Black-American identity, on this guided tour. The tour visits both iconic and lesser-known attractions, such as  Columbia University, the Cotton Club and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. You'll also visit  the Apollo Theater, where Michael Jackson once performed, and the famous stretch of 125th Street, where Duke Ellington lived.

Don't miss: Guests will be welcomed by a local congregation to participate in a Gospel mass as the end of the tour. 

9.  Gossip Girl Bus Sites Tour

“Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand” is the opening line of the New York-centric hit show Gossip Girl . And this is a big “XOXO” to the city and its super-elite, showcasing a number of memorable locations from the hit teen drama. Follow in the footsteps of Blair Waldorf , Serena van der Woodsen and the rest of the Constance Billard crew and explore many of the show’s glamorous locations on this three-hour bus tour.

Don't miss: Top stops include the Empire Hotel (where Chuck Bass lived and worked), the Vera Wang boutique where Blair tried on her wedding gown and, of course, those iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where you can take a photo op.

10.  The Sopranos Filming Locations Bus Tour

First thing’s first: yes, we know that The Sopranos largely takes place in New Jersey. But just like Jersey residents proudly tout “NJ/NYC” in their Instagram bios, we’re going to lovingly co-opt the crime drama as our own. Starting in midtown Manhattan and crossing over into the Garden State, this Jersey-set tour will feature key locations from the Mafia-inspired HBO series, including the diner where Chris was shot, the spot where Big Pussy spoke with the FBI and the booth in Tony’s restaurant where the final episode was filmed.

Don't miss: You’ll also catch a glimpse of Satin Dolls (the Bada Bing bar).

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Review: The Big Bus Tour in New York City

I absolutely loved the Big Bus Tour in New York City. It’s the best way to go sightseeing in an open-top, hop-on hop-off, top-rated tour and explore the best New York attractions !

If this is your first-time visiting New York and you want to see all the top landmarks, this double-decker tour bus will take you there.

The Big Bus Tour in New York

You may be wondering if a hop-on hop-off bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!

If you consider the time and money spent on transportation costs, waiting for buses, navigating the subway (which can be confusing for visitors), and getting from one point of interest to another, it is worth every dollar!

I had a great visit to New York City on Big Bus Tour. My goal was to show the city to some friends from Italy who were visiting the US for the first time.

Since we only had about two days to spend together, the hop-on hop-off was undoubtedly the best decision.

From our experience, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus while visiting New York City.

Google Reviews

Why take the big bus tour in new york.

While seeing New York from the open-top deck of the double-decker bus, the city unfolded block by block with panoramic views from every angle.

As we traveled through the streets, the sights were unobstructed and new visual backdrops were revealed.

The towering skyscrapers and colorful billboards filled the air with excitement and as the cityscape continued to change, it gave a grand feeling to the experience.

I especially enjoyed being able to relax from the upper deck of the bus while taking in the energy of city scenes.

Because I also live in a large city, the rhythm felt familiar from the elevated vantage point .

Car horns were honking, crowds traversed through the streets and there was an endless hum of activity.

Best of all, the tour gave me the chance to interact with other travelers who were seeing New York while waiting for the tour to began.

We struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations during our stay in New York.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The regular price of an adult and child ticket is $60.00 and $50.00, respectively. However, you can use the link below for discounted fares.

Get discounts for the Big Bus Tour NYC  here .

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The round-trip New York City Big Bus Tour takes about two hours from start to finish.

The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because they offer pre-recorded audio narratives and translations in five languages — French, German, Spanish, Italian, and English.

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

No. Unlike charter buses, you won’t travel long between stops. So the best thing to do is exit at a stop, find a public restroom, see an attraction, if desired, and then catch the next bus.

If you are not sure where to find one, ask a Big Bus guide on the street. The driver may also have some suggestions.

Charter buses come equipped with a bathroom because travel is expected to be for a much longer period.

How Does the Big Bus Tour Work in New York City

The tour offers three options for purchase — 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day.

When you decide the number of days of your tour and purchase your ticket, the clock starts when your ticket is scanned while boarding the bus for the first time.

The ticket is good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. So, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, it can still be used until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

We found a ton of touring options for sightseeing in New York.

Aside from the extended period, the 2 and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run every 20 minutes on average. However, the first stop at the M&M store can be a long wait during peak season.

You can exit or board at any of the designated stops as much as you want.

The only exclusion is the one-loop tour Night Tour which is a panoramic non-stop tour.

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in New York City

During the tour, the buses only stop at designated stops.

Your ticket is good for as long as the buses operate during the day and it may be used on both the red and blue routes.

When you board, make sure you get a hop-on hop-off New York bus route map!

Big Bus NYC Red Route

The red route sightseeing tour covers lower Manhattan and you’ll see many landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and General Grant’s Tomb.

You can catch a tour at any one of the following bus stops and you can get your tickets in advance of boarding.

1 – M&M’s World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)

2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)

3 – Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)

4 – Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)

5 – SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)

6 – Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)

7 – Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)

8 – Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)

9 – Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)

10 – Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)

11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Big Bus NYC Blue Route

The blue route covers upper Manhattan, and half of the ride is mostly views of Central Park. You can switch to the blue route at red stop #2.

We recommend changing routes at stop #11 (the Majestic Deli) where you can take a break and have a nice lunch.

12 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)

13 – Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)

14 – Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go

The bus has two levels, the upper level offers panoramic views of the city but be careful of overhanging traffic lights and trees. Don’t stand while the bus is in motion.

• After you find a seat, check the audio to confirm it is working.
• Snacks are allowed. Bring a frozen bottle of water and protein bites to keep you energized.
• When on the upper deck, cover up with sunscreen to protect your skin on hot sunny days.
• If you are a family of 3 or more, take seats across from one another so you’ll have views and photos from both sides of the bus.

Tourists were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before departure and the line extended the entire block and rounded the corner.

We decided to see other points of interest and returned around 11:00 AM.

The wait to board the bus was about 20 minutes. It was a relaxing ride and there we saw so much!

By the time we reached stop #9, we were pumped and ready to exit the bus so that we could explore the city! And you probably will be too.

Here’s the secret sauce that really made the experience memorable. Exit at stop #9 and take a FREE ferry to Staten Island.

To see the Statue of Liberty, stand on the left side of the boat. When returning, stand on the right side.

Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel !

Final Thoughts About the Big Bus Tour in New York City

Overall, the tour was a pleasant way to see New York city and when you are on the upper deck, you hardly notice the traffic.

Some other advantages of seeing the city by bus include:

• Avoiding parking hassles. I mean, who actually drives in New York?!
• Photo opportunities. With the open-top or large windows, you have excellent photo opportunities as you pass by iconic landmarks and cityscapes.
• Comprehensive sightseeing of major landmarks and attractions within two hours.
• You can get local recommendations from the guides who operate the bus.

I usually opt for a hop-on hop-off bus when I am short on time or to get my bearings in the city before deciding what to do.

Either way, when you take the tour bus, it doesn’t appear impossible to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Happy Travels!

NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens in English

Beyond manhattan to the heart of new york.

• When 9 AM daily
• Duration 6 hours
• Meeting Point At the corner of 8th Avenue and 51 Street in Manhattan

$84 per adult €77 per adult £66 per adult C$116 per adult A$127 per adult

$79 per child, €72 per child, £62 per child, c$109 per child, a$120 per child, local experts, worry-free booking.

Check Availability

$84 per adult

€77 per adult, £66 per adult, c$116 per adult, a$127 per adult.

• Meeting Point
• Travel Tips

• Explore four of NYC’s boroughs from the comfort of your bus with an entertaining, expert guide.
• Learn about Harlem’s African-American history at the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame.
• Contrast the evocative graffiti murals of the Bronx with Brooklyn's colorful street art.
• Soak up the culture of two of Manhattan's favorite neighborhoods: Chinatown and Little Italy.
• Travel back in time to the World’s Fairs of 1939 and 1964 and marvel at the surviving Unisphere.
• Enjoy waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Pass by the city’s two baseball stadiums, home to the Yankees and the Mets.
• Discover the culture and traditions of Brooklyn’s Hasidic Jewish community.

What you'll see and do

You’ll see more of New York than most New Yorkers. Are you ready?!

Your tour begins in the heart of Manhattan near Times Square. Board your air-conditioned bus and head north to the historic Harlem neighborhood, famous for its African-American roots, food and more.

After a stop at the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame, we’ll continue north into the Bronx, birthplace of hip hop and rap and home to the New York Yankees. Fill up on baseball lore at Yankees Stadium . Then head off to see incredible graffiti murals unique to this borough.

Next up: Queens, the largest borough of New York City. We’ll stop at Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, originally developed to host the 1939 World’s Fair, then the 1946 World’s Fair, with some monuments remaining you can still glimpse. The park has a lot more, including the Queens Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, and the Queens Museum of Art, plus Citi Field, which we’ll see when we visit the park — it’s the home of the Mets!

Leaving Queens behind, your next stop is the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn, currently NYC’s most prolific neighborhood for street art and graffiti murals . It’s a foodie destination, too, so we’ll break to grab some food.

Within Brooklyn, the Hasidic Jewish community is thriving in Williamsburg. You’ll get a chance to appreciate their distinct shops, fashion and eateries when we visit.

Finally, see the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge , the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built, and enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline. Our tour ends in Manhattan’s Little Italy and Chinatown, where you can enjoy this lively cultural district on your own. It’s a great place to wander, do some shopping and eating, or stay for dinner!

NYC bus tour itinerary

Apollo theater.

Legendary music hall for African-American music

Yankee Stadium

For America’s favorite baseball team

Bronx Graffiti Murals

Hip-hop history and the memorials to its artists

"The Hamptons of Queens"

Gorgeous mansions overlooking the water as you drive by this posh enclave

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Featuring Citi Field and the magnificent Unisphere from the 1946 World’s Fair

Bushwick Street Art Collective

Street art at its finest and a stop for lunch

Williamsburg

Steeped in Hasidic Jewish culture

DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park

Great Manhattan views while exploring this vibrant neighborhood

Manhattan’s Little Italy and Chinatown

Lively cultural districts with great food

Plan your trip

Tour ending point.

This tour ends in Little Italy at the corner of Lafayette and Canal streets.

Refund policy

We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

NYC bus tour reviews

We loved the tour. It was as we expected and more. Our guide, Solange, was a very professional and amazing person. The best way to start our trip.

Meeting point

At the corner of 8th Avenue and 51 Street in Manhattan. The closest address is 840 8th Ave.

How much walking is there?

At some stops, we’ll be getting off the bus to walk around the neighborhood for an immersive experience. These stops usually last up to 20 minutes.

Do I need a seat for my toddler?

There are no reserved seats for children 2 and under (and no charge for their ticket). If you’d like a seat for your toddler, please purchase one at the child rate. Children 3 and older require their own seat.

What is the rescheduling policy?

We understand plans change. You can always change your tour 24 hours or more before you tour. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. Within 24 hours of your tour, we would have incurred hard costs and therefore cannot allow rescheduling or cancellation without costs.

When should I get there?

Plan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you won’t be able to catch up once it begins. Please keep in mind there are no refunds or rescheduling if you miss the tour.

What if it rains?

Our tours run rain or shine. If there’s extreme weather and we have to cancel, you’ll get a full refund.

Are gratuities included?

Tips aren’t included. If you think your guide did an outstanding job, a tip is a great way to show that.

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Soho, little italy, chinatown walking tour.

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High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour

Watch CBS News

NYC's Broadway Week returns. How to get 2-for-1 tickets to "Stereophonic," "Hell's Kitchen" and more.

By Katie Houlis

Updated on: August 13, 2024 / 9:22 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK – New York City's Broadway Week returns this September, offering two-for-one tickets to some of the hottest shows.

Broadway Week runs Sept. 3-15. Discounted tickets went on sale Tuesday.

Among the participating shows this year are:  "Stereophonic," which won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Play; long-running hits like "Hadestown," "Hamilton," "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" and "Wicked," and the new revival of "Once Upon a Mattress" starring Sutton Foster and Michael Urie.

What Broadway shows are offering 2-for-1 tickets in September?

Twenty-three shows are offering two-for-one tickets for Broadway Week:

• " & Juliet "
• "Back to the Future"
• "The Book of Mormon"
• "The Great Gatsby"
• " Hadestown "
• "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"
• " Hell's Kitchen "
• "The Hills of California"
• " The Lion King "
• " MJ the Musical "
• " Moulin Rouge! The Musical "
• " The Notebook "
• " Once Upon a Mattress "
• "The Roommate"
• "Six the Musical"
• " Stereophonic "
• " Water for Elephants "

A limited number of discounted tickets are available for certain performances of each show, and not all seats are eligible.  

How do you get tickets for Broadway Week?

Tickets can be purchased  through the NYC Tourism website using the code  BWYWKF24 .

When is the next Broadway Week?

This will be the final Broadway Week of the year, but Off-Broadway Week will be held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Discounted tickets to participating shows will be released on Sept. 17.

Theater fans can expect tickets for the next Broadway Week to go on sale in January or February.

• Featured Stories & Web Exclusives

Katie Houlis is a digital producer with the CBS New York web team.

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How One Harlem Block Became a Symbol of Urban Despair and Hope

In a hub for drugs and disarray, some see New York at its worst. Others see a community doing its best to help.

Commuters mix with drug users on 125th Street in Harlem where several major transit lines converge. Credit...

Supported by

By Sharon Otterman

Photographs by David Dee Delgado

• Aug. 4, 2024

Thousands of people walk along 125th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues each day and most do not linger. Commuters race to catch trains to Westchester, climbing up to the elevated Metro-North tracks. Others hurry down to the subway, bound for Midtown Manhattan or the Bronx.

They pass through a scene that conjures up all the worst stereotypes of urban disorder: closed storefronts, litter, public drug use, people nodding out. But on a deeper look, the block also reveals an ecosystem filled not just with despair, but fortitude and empathy, too.

Drug dealers. Drug users. Teachers. Doctors. Counselors. Police officers.

Some come to the block for help; others to help them. Some prey on the vulnerable. Others are just trying to make a few bucks and survive. Some have come to accept people addicted to drugs as part of their community; others wish the block was cleaner, safer — and would make them disappear if they could.

Every borough in the city has a place like this one, where urban woes seem to cluster. In the Bronx, it’s the commercial hub around 149th and Third Avenue. In Queens, parts of Jackson Heights.

But the scene around 125th draws particular attention because it is on a major commuter corridor and in the center of rapidly gentrifying Harlem.

There is also something new to blame for the chaos. One block off 125th Street, there is now one of the first officially sanctioned supervised drug consumption sites in the country.

The site, OnPoint NYC , offers people addicted to street drugs, like fentanyl or crack, a place to use their drugs more safely. The staff there reverse overdoses if necessary, and OnPoint provides other forms of help, including medical care, food and counseling.

The safety and acceptance it offers extends like a kind of circle outside its front door on East 126th Street, between Park and Lexington. In the shade of nearby sidewalk trees, drug users and low-level dealers exchange tiny clear envelopes for a few dollar bills, lingering to chat. OnPoint sets out garbage cans and helps clean up the litter left behind.

“Sometimes people are acting out on the street,” said Dr. Michael Pappas, a physician who treats wounds and prescribes addiction medicine at OnPoint. “But I think most of the time people, even a lot of our participants, are looking out for each other.”

Still, the block can be chaotic and, in that sense, it embodies a national conflict over what to do about street drug addiction. Fights break out, and feuds can turn violent. People overdose and OnPoint workers rush out to revive them. They save lives, but not everyone likes how OnPoint seems to have made the area, long a hot spot for drug use, even more of a draw now.

No one asked the neighbors before OnPoint’s injection site opened here. In late 2021, when he was mayor, Bill de Blasio approved it on his own in an effort to relieve the ballooning overdose crisis.

Right across the street, parents drop off their children each morning at the Graham School , a beloved day care and preschool. OnPoint workers stand around in yellow safety vests to help quell their anxieties, but parents still worry about what their children encounter.

“My kids can’t run down the block by themselves anymore,” said Francesa Barreiro, who has sent all five of her children to the school over the course of a decade. She said she was relieved that the school had stopped taking the children on neighborhood walks. The day care, she noted, also put bulletproof glass in its first-floor windows.

She gestured at the cluster of men and women hanging out in front of OnPoint. “You know how many times, just with them hanging around, we’ve had gun violence, too?”

Is OnPoint making the neighborhood better or worse? It depends on who you ask.

Gretchen Buchenholz, 88, founded the day care and runs it through the Association to Benefit Children, a nonprofit. She has been working in the community helping poor children and families since 1985 and said the situation had always been bad.

“Before there was OnPoint, that bodega there was the center of all the drug traffic,” she said, pointing to a store on 126th Street. Detectives, she said, would sometimes observe the action from a window in the day care’s bathroom.

But, she said, it makes sense to locate her school there, where the need is great.

“And it makes sense to me that they’re here,” she said of OnPoint, for the same reason.

Overall, she said, she thinks of the block as “a marvelous block, because it has, and has continued to have, much discourse, much action, and much work together.”

Now, OnPoint workers help keep her doorstep clear of drug users, whom she used to shoo away herself. OnPoint workers also come to clean up when people use an alcove outside of one of her classroom’s emergency doors as a toilet, she said.

The police are around but often keep to the perimeter of the action, sitting in cars or standing in clusters near the subway station. They are ready to respond in case anything unusual or violent happens, like a shooting, which happened one Tuesday afternoon in June.

On that sweltering day, a man was shot in the leg, right in front of the day care, resulting in a lockdown. The police called an ambulance and asked the day care for its surveillance video.

Police statistics show a total of 74 major crimes so far this year on the square block bounded by 125th Street and 126th Street and Lexington and Park Avenues. That tally includes three shootings and a man shoved to his death at the subway station in March, making it one of the most violent blocks in the precinct, where there have been a total of six murders and seven shooting incidents so far this year.

A variety of drugs are said to be bought and sold on or near the block: crack, pills, fentanyl, K2, methadone. But the police do not make arrests very often, people on the block say.

The reasons are complicated. In part, it is because the city’s legal system focuses on bigger fish than low-level drug activity. A state law passed in 2021 that decriminalized the sale or possession of syringes and hypodermic needles also makes it more difficult to justify some arrests.

But the approach of the police on 126th Street also likely reflects an effort to help OnPoint, as they try to connect drug users to treatment and assistance.

Jason Beltre, OnPoint’s director of community outreach, said the organization regularly asked the police not to “poach people who are using drugs” — meaning arrest them on the way on and off the block — and instead to “make sure they make it to OnPoint so they can get help.”

Some neighbors disagree with this philosophy, sometimes angrily. One morning in early July, as an OnPoint needle-cleanup crew came by his house on 126th Street, Abasi Owens came outside and started yelling at them. He grabbed the yellow safety vest of one of workers. They told him he was being “weird.”

“You know what’s weird?” Mr. Owens responded. “To have to deal with crack heads from OnPoint in front of your house while I’m trying to raise children on this block.”

OnPoint is not the only draw for drug users. The block also is home to one of the city’s largest methadone clinics. At a nearby bus stop, people arrive from homeless shelters on Wards Island.

Samuel Cruz has been a pastor of the Pentecostal church on the block for nearly two decades. He said the crime was worse years ago, but now, police officers are around day and night.

Mr. Cruz tries to be kind to the people who need help, he said. On a recent Sunday, a young woman he knows, Olivia, came into the church to find him. She was dirty and wearing no shoes. He gave her a dollar and she left.

“It’s the devil,” he said. “They don’t want to be like that.”

Ali Ngiaya, a Senegalese immigrant who has been selling perfumes and incense from a street stand on 125th Street for the past seven years, calls it the “worst block.” But it is also a good place for his business.

The commuters and residents who buy his products are here, and he has a shady spot. People nod to him and call out “Ali” as they walk by. “Hey, my brother, God bless you,” he says in return.

Bigger businesses have not survived. The Duane Reade and the McDonald’s across the street have closed down, leaving empty storefronts.

But a gleaming hub for a new subway extension is eventually planned for an empty lot at 125th and Park. The construction of modern rental buildings to the west and east gets closer each year.

It is not clear yet if the changes will uproot or merely add to the mix of people who make the street what it is now: hair-braiding ladies sitting outside their salon, disturbed people yelling at no one in particular, parents pushing children in strollers.

Like any other New York City block, it has become its own kind of community, maybe, at times, even a family. That is the lesson that Matthew Kane, a teacher at the 126th Street school, teaches his students, some of whom are homeless or just arrived as migrants.

“You have your family at home and then you have the Moose Room family,” he told them, referring to his preschool classroom. “There are lots of different ways to make a family. It just takes love.”

Sharon Otterman is a Times reporter covering higher education, public health and other issues facing New York City. More about Sharon Otterman

Around the New York Region

A look at life, culture, politics and more in new york, new jersey and connecticut..

Tragic End to an Instagram-Perfect Hamptons Life: A couple showed the public a world of glittering parties and vacations. The money to sustain it did not exist .

Brooklyn’s Great Goldfish Heist: In Bedford-Stuyvesant, an animal lover thought she was doing the right thing by freeing fish from a sidewalk pit. But was it a rescue or a robbery ?

Zombie Pharmacies: Over a million square feet of prime real estate is collecting dust across New York City. It could stay that way for years .

Street Wars: Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan is a grand thoroughfare of vendors, tourists and commuters. It’s also crowded, dirty and sometimes dangerous .

Sunday Routine: Jackie Chang, a subway mosaic artist, spends her Sundays  designing in her studio, making Taiwanese breakfast and practicing violin.

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