The 3 Best Tours of New York City to Take, All Within Walking Distance!

The Best Viator Tours New York City to Take, All Within Walking Distance!: New York City is an expansive labyrinth of neighborhoods, each with its distinct personality. From the fast-paced bustle of Midtown to the hidden green spaces of Central Park and everything in between, there’s no denying this city has a lot to offer. But what if you could experience it all without having to go through the hassle of finding parking and dealing with public transportation? 

That’s right; we’re talking about taking a walking tour! These guided excursions are accessible for all ages and fitness levels. They can take you to some of New York’s most exciting and lesser-known sights. Please keep reading for our list of the top tours in NYC that are all within walking distance.

Top Viator Tours New York City Within Walking Distance:

1. Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Tour –

This tour is a perfect way to get acquainted with the vibrant neighborhood of DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and some of the main attractions in Brooklyn. The tour begins at the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park entrance, where you’ll learn about the history of this iconic structure, which was completed in 1883. Then you’ll head to DUMBO, which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, 

See some of its most famous sights, such as local murals and buildings from architects like Frank Gehry and Norman Foster.

2. Roosevelt Island Tour –  Viator Tours in New York City

Roosevelt Island is one of New York’s most unique neighborhoods; it’s accessible only by tram or cable car and boasts spectacular views across Manhattan and Queens. The island is home to many historical sites, such as Fort Jay, where George Washington once made his headquarters during the Revolutionary War. 

You can also check out other points of interest on your own time during this tour, such as Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthplace, which is now a national park; you can even take a photo with his statue!

3. Lower East Side Tenement Museum Tour – Viator Tours in New York City

A walking tour through this museum will give you an in-depth look into what life was like for immigrants living in New York City from 1860-to 1924. You’ll walk through recreated tenements that show

What is the best way to tour New York City? – Viator Tours New York City

Many people choose to use a New York tour bus since these buses will take you to all major attractions in one short trip. These buses are also a great way to save time and money! They will drop you off at all the major attractions so that you do not have to worry about transportation while you are on your trip.

The best way to save time is by using the Hop-on Hop-off bus Viator Tours New York City. This bus tour will allow you to leave and enter wherever you want. You can stay on the bus as long as you want, then hop off and explore wherever you want in New York City. When it is time to get back on the bus, wait for one of them at any stop along their route.

One last option is to rent a car while in Viator Tours of New York City. This may be a good idea if there are certain attractions that you want to see up close, such as the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. A car also lets you go where ever else you might like without having to rely on public transportation or other people’s schedules.

Viator Tours in New York City – Walking Tour of Greenwich Village

This walking tour of Greenwich Village will take you to some of the most popular attractions in this area. This is a great way to see the Village and learn about its rich history.

The first stop on your walking tour should be Washington Square Park. This is a great place to sit down and relax while taking in some of the local scenery. In addition, there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, so you can grab a bite to eat or maybe pick up a souvenir for someone back home (or yourself).

After you have finished exploring Washington Square Park, walk over to MacDougal Street. This street has many shops that sell unique pieces of art and handcrafted goods from around the world. You could also walk over to Bleecker Street for more shopping options.

It would be best if you also visited The West 4th Street Basketball Courts. These are one of New York’s best places for pickup basketball games and other activities that involve sports or fitness training, such as yoga classes or boot camps. You will also find many other people who are happy to practice their skills here!

Another place you should stop at on your walking tour is the famous music venue, CBGBs. Hilly Kristal initially opened this place in 1973 as an alternative music club where bands like Blondie, 

The Ramones and Talking Heads performed their first shows before becoming famous rock stars (before they were bands!). 

Viator Tours in New York City – Walking Tour of the Bronx

There are a lot of great walking tours in the Bronx that you can take. One of the best is the Bronx River ArtWalk, which takes place on Saturday afternoons every month from May to October. The Bronx River Alliance organizes this tour, and it features a variety of fun events, exciting art galleries, and fascinating historical sites along the Bronx River.

The tour begins at 3:00 p.m. at Crotona Park. You will walk to The Bronx Museum of the Arts at 1040 Grand Concourse (between 165th and 166th Streets). The museum was founded in 1971 by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger (the publisher of The New York Times) as an alternative to other museums in Manhattan that were only interested in showing art from Europe and America’s elite artists. The museum has a fascinating collection that includes work from many famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, and Willem de Kooning!

After exploring The Bronx Museum of Art, walk over to Poe Park, located on Grand Concourse between 173rd and 174th Streets. This park was named after Edgar Allan Poe (who lived in New York City for many years before his death) because it has one of New York’s most extensive collections of Poe memorabilia! There are also some beautiful gardens here with paths that lead up to a scenic overlook where you can enjoy some spectacular views.

Viator Tours New York City – Walking tour of Lower Manhattan

Head down to Battery Park and walk down to the South Street Seaport. This area is an excellent place for shopping, dining, and exploring the many sights in Lower Manhattan. The South Street Seaport has been the center of New York’s maritime commerce since 1702. It was once the busiest port in America, with more than 2,000 ships docking here every year! The area is now filled with restaurants, shops, and markets that sell antiques, clothing, and souvenirs.

As you walk around Lower Manhattan, you will notice that many streets are named after famous explorers such as Hudson, Fulton, Columbus, and Livingston. You can find some interesting historical plaques on buildings along these streets that explain how these explorers helped shape New York City into what it is today.

After you have finished exploring Lower Manhattan, make your way over to Bowling Green, which is located at Broadway and Whitehall Street (next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal). This park was created in 1733 when a group of British settlers built their first fort on this spot! Today Bowling Green has several statues, including a statue of King George III (the king who ruled England during the American Revolution). Some very interesting old cannons are also used as flower planters here!

After having lunch at one of the many restaurants next to Bowling Green, make your way to Federal Hall National Memorial, located at 26 Wall Street (between Nassau & William Streets). This memorial

Viator Tours New York City – How many days do I need in New York? 

This is a tricky question because New York is such a large city. However, you can easily spend two full days in NYC and not even be close to seeing everything. Most people visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in one day (which I would recommend). On your second day, try to visit some of the top highlights and then some of the off-the-beaten-path sights. If you have more time, I recommend visiting Coney Island, taking a walk on the High Line, or visiting one of the museums or attractions on 5th avenue (MOMA, Guggenheim, Museum of Art, etc..)

The Statue of Liberty The ferry ride over to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is costly but well worth it! The views are unique, and there’s nothing like seeing these historical landmarks from the water. The nice thing about this tour is that there are two options for getting to Ellis Island (either by ferry or by boat). They are both great ways to get over there, but I recommend taking the ferry with Manhattan skyline views rather than by boat.

Viator Tours New York City – What should I avoid in NYC? 

There are a fair amount of tourist traps in NYC, but there is no reason to visit them. The main attractions are spread out across the entire city, so you shouldn’t have to pay too much attention to these places when planning your trip. Times Square – A huge tourist trap with overpriced souvenirs and lousy food. Times Square is small, crowded, and has too many people trying to sell you stuff.

Don’t go here! Shopping on 5th Avenue – I don’t know why this particular strip of Viator Tours New York City is the most popular shopping spot in the world, but it’s terrible! The stores all have exorbitant prices and the area is extremely crowded (especially during holidays).

If you want to take a walk downtown, aim for Broadway instead of 5th avenue; I promise it will be more enjoyable! Ground Zero – This isn’t a tourist trap, but there are some things that you don’t want to see when visiting Viator Tours New York City. For me, Ground Zero was an incredibly depressing sight. Even though I appreciate what it symbolizes, it won’t be on any of my future NYC trips (not worth seeing).

While the 9/11 memorials at Ground Zero were essential things to see, they weren’t enjoyable activities for me. What should I eat in NYC? There are plenty of incredible culinary options in Viator Tours New York City! There are plenty of different cuisines (Mexican, Chinese, Italian, etc.) that you can check out. However, I would recommend trying some.

Viator Tours New York City – Which is the best area to stay in, New York? 

I would recommend staying in a hotel near Central Park, a central area with subway stations in every direction, and it’s nice and quiet at night. The cost of hotels near Central Park is extremely high (especially during peak season). Still, there are plenty of great options available throughout Manhattan.

Viator Tours New York City – How do I plan my first trip to New York? 

Planning your first New York vacation can be pretty overwhelming; there are so many different things you should see and do. While I recommend spending at least three days in the city, here are some tips to help you get started on your first visit.

You don’t need to plan every single day of your trip. Still, suppose you have limited time (like I did). In that case, you want to make a list of what you want to see The best way to tour the city quickly is by using the subway system; make sure you buy a visitor pass for unlimited access. However, walking between attractions should not be overlooked. It won’t feel like it, but New York is a relatively safe city; don’t overthink it!

I hope my NYC travel tips will help you plan a fantastic trip! If you missed my previous post about my time in Niagara Falls, then check that out next!

Cheers

Viator Tours New York City – What is the best time to visit New York? 

Viator Tours New York City has something to offer everyone and can be visited year-round! Unless it’s a winter holiday season or summer vacation, you’ll find many off-season discounts, and it will feel less crowded in the Big Apple.

April-May: Spring is in the air & spring flowers everywhere

Summer (June-August): life in New York is going at full speed with outdoor markets, a lot of festivals & outdoor activities

Fall (September, October): colorful trees and leaves on the streets of Manhattan, bargain shopping sales, and special events like Art Basel 

December: Christmas markets all around the city, festive decorations

January-March: cold but beautiful New York winter days with the best shopping sales (Uggs for 50% off!)