15 Best Walking Tours in New York City

Experiencing the unique neighborhoods, attractions, and landmarks in New York City through self-guided walking is one of the best ways. It can be something enjoyable to do with friends or as a couple, or even individually if you want to meet new people whilst exploring the city.

As one of the top experiences available in New York City, you can trust that there are various walking explorations ofNYC. There are themed walks in NYC for art devotees, music aficionados, food advocates, history buffs, and film fans, and that’s just the start! So, no matter your interests, I’m certain you can find a walking tour that engages you. Plus, it’ll be a fun way to get some exercise and perhaps view a distinct side of the city.

To summarize, these are the 15 best walking tours in New York City:

1. Free walking tour in New York
2. 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour on Foot
3. SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown Guided Tour
4. Insider tour of Wall Street
5. Walking Tour of Central Park
6. Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking View
7. High Line & Chelsea Walking Tour
8. Brooklyn Street Art Tour
9. Grand Central Terminal Self-Guided Tour
10. Greatest city`s costumed character walking tour
11. Sightseeing Tour of Manhattan at Christmas
12. Harlem Gospel Tour
13. Guided tour through Greenwich Village
14. Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour
15. St. Patrick’s Cathedral Crypt Guided Visit

While this guide focuses on NYC walking tours, we have another article on the best tours in New York City, so it’s worth reading that as well.

1. Free walking tour in New York city

If it’s your initial present in the city and you want a blanket outline of the highlights, this costless walking tour is a agreeable position to commence.

While it focuses more on a general overview of the most popular attractions, this tour does a nice job of introducing you to some intriguing city sites. Therefore, if you wish to participate in sightseeing and discover a unique part of NYC you’d like to explore further, this free Manhattan walking excursion will suffice.

During the two and a half hours, you’ll stroll past iconic landmarks like the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. You’ll also walk through the Financial District, home to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Charging Bull statue.

To conclude, your guide will take you to Battery Park, where you can obtain splendid perspectives of the Statue ofLiberty.

• • Price: $0
  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Number of participants: 6
  • Main Attractions: Wall Street, World Trade Center Memorial, Battery Park scenery

We have another article with more options on free walking tours in NYC.

2. 9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero walking tour

Among all the walking routes in Manhattan,this half-day tour of Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial is one of the best, which is why I recommend it even if you are only visiting NYC for 2 days. While the events of September 11, 2001, were devastating, that day is an important part of the history of New York, and the entire country.

To initiate your excursion, you`ll meet at St. Paul`s Chapel, a place of worship near Ground Zero that served as a refuge camp after the 9/11 attacks. Your guide for the tour will be someone who was directly impacted by that fateful day, so you`ll hear touching stories and gain insights from an individual who witnessed the immediate situation.

Next, you’ll visit the Firefighter’s 9/11 Memorial Wall and enter the solemn 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero, where you can see the reflective pools and the Survivor’s Tree.

If one selects the upgraded alternative, they will obtain a bypass ticket to the 9/11 Museum, considered one of the finest museums in NYC containing photographs, audio recordings, and artifacts from the 9/11 attacks and the 1993 bombing. Access will also be provided to the One World Observatory, where the viewer can admire all of Manhattan from 1,250 feet above the city.

• Price: $39+
• Duration: 1.5 – 5 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: St. Paul’s Chapel, Ground Zero, 9/11 Memorial, option to upgrade visits to the 9/11 Museum and One World Observatory

3. SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown walking tour

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Initially, a brief walking excursion of SoHo will be done, an artistic neighborhood renowned for its impressive cast-iron architecture. See the Cast Iron District, the E.V. Haughwout Building, and an old police station housed in a Beaux-Arts design from 1909. You’ll also stroll past the Ravenite Club, the primary setting in the account of the American gangster, John Gotti.

Then, you’ll head to strongLittle Italy/strong, making your way down Mulberry Street and learning about some of the most frequented dining establishments in the area. You’ll stop by Alleva Dairy, a cheesemaker established over a century ago, Umbertos Clam House, and the Italian American Museum.

You’ll also see some landmarks only found in NYC, including the National Shrine Church of San Gennaro and the last known opium den in New York, at the edge of Chinatown.

As you continue your walking tour into Chinatown, NYC, you’ll pass by dim sum and noodle houses, fish markets, and fresh produce stalls. Enjoy the aromas, sights, and sounds of this cultural neighborhood, then end at Columbus Park.

• Price: $39+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: The Cast Iron District in SoHo, Mulberry Street in Little Italy, and Chinatown

4. Wall Street Insider Tour, a walking tour through NYC’s financial district

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The tour visits the busy New York Stock Exchange and the historic Federal Reserve, which houses the world’s largest gold reserve in its vaults. Get a photo with the Charging Bull statue, then head to Trinity Church, an historic Episcopal temple, and the final resting place for Alexander Hamilton.

As you continue this walking tour through NYC’s Financial District, you’ll pass Trump Tower and renowned global banks like Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Lehman Brothers. You’ll also visit the Morgan House, an imposing brownstone building with numerous rooms and bathrooms. Constructed in the 1850s, the home still showcases wealth impressively in the city.

• Price: $39+
• Duration: 75 minutes – 1.5 hours
• Number of participants: 6
• Highlights: NYSE, Federal Reserve, Morgan House, Trump Tower, Trinity Church

5. Central Park, a guided walking tour in NYC’s most famous park

Central Park is one of the most popular green spaces in NYC, but due to its size, it can overload newcomers. If this describes your situation, take into consideration this walk around the park`s highlights that lasts 2 hours. It will introduce you to Central Park`s main attractions.

Spending a couple hours exploring some of Central Park`s most renowned attractions, like the Belvedere Castle architectural structure, the Central Park Carousel, the Naumburg Bandshell performance area, and Wollman Rink would prove worthwhile. One will also see lovely public art and sculptures throughout the park, such as representations of Alice in Wonderland,Balto the sled dog, the Delacorte Clock, the Dancing Goat statue, and the Egyptian Obelisk monument.

Traverse the Bow Bridge, which crosses The Lake, inspect the Bethesda Fountain, and see locals and visitors lounging in the Sheep Meadow and Great Lawn.

During this guided walking trip through Central Park, your guide will point out famous movie places, like the building fromGhostbusters and other sites that featured in Home Alone,The Great Gatsby, and other films. Also, it’s only 2 hours so it easily fits into a 3 day NYC schedule..

• Price: $27
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Key attractions: Central Park landmarks, monuments, fountains

6. Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO, a scenic New York City walking tour

Brooklynis among the best places to partake in a New York City walking excursion, and the one i suggest is this one. You’ll gain an intimate view of one of NYCs largest attractions, the Brooklyn Bridge. See the perspectives from the bridge and peer down at the East River and Brooklyn Bridge Park, an exceptional waterfront park to visit with loved ones.

Then, continue your exploration by visiting DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), one of the most appealing districts in Brooklyn with an arty ambiance. Saunter along the cobbled lanes, taking in the historic architecture, galleries, and trendy boutiques.

As revealed on this Brooklyn walking tour, the neighborhood is renowned for bookstores, shops, and cafes. Notable spots to notice include the Klompching and AIR galleries along with the famous DUMBO Archway landmark featured in several films.

Stop for a quick snack at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria or Ample Hills Creamery before continuing the tour through the well-known Brooklyn Flea market, one of the most famous markets in NYC selling used and vintage items.

• Price: $35+
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO neighborhood, Brooklyn Bridge Park

7. High Line & Chelsea Walking Tour, a fun NYC walking tour

The Meatpacking District is another popular area for artists and free-thinkers, so if that interest resonates with you, then you may enjoy this guided walking tour of Chelsea, NYC.

You’ll begin with a led walk along the High Line, an amazing feature, and the sole elevated park in the city. It stretches over a mile and passes notable places like Chelsea Market and The Vessel, one of the coolest viewing areas in NYC. Enjoy the High Line’s greenery while taking in views of the Hudson River.

After the walking scenic tour along the High Line, your group will continue exploring more of the Chelsea neighborhood. Listen as your guide provides details about how the Meatpacking District transitioned from an area consisting of slaughterhouses and warehouses to becoming one of NYC`s most trendy regions. Among the buildings constructed during the Art Deco era, artists` workshop spaces, and galleries, you`ll also see Chelsea Market. This food court and shopping center is the perfect place to pick up a quick snack or some momentos, or simply take in the sight of busy New Yorkers passing through the stalls.

• Price: $39+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Highlights: Chelsea Market, High Line, Meatpacking District

8. Brooklyn Street Art Tour, the most aesthetic walking tour in New York City

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This Brooklyn walking tour initiates at Meserole Street, a hub for foreign and local performers. Explore the dynamic urban blocks filled with graffiti art, wall murals, galleries, and tattoo parlors. Along the way, your guide will point out different art techniques and the history of public art in Brooklyn.

Then, make your way to the Bushwick Collective, an incredible showcase of contemporary street art. It’s like an open museum where you can admire the colorful graffiti artwork and murals that give Brooklyn such a lively persona. You may even meet an artist working on their latest piece!

• Price: $20+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: Brooklyn street artwork, Bushwick Collective

9. Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour, an historic walking tour in NYC

If you’re looking for a historic walking tour in NYC, you may be interested in this tour through Grand Central Terminal. As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Grand Central Terminal attracts millions of visitors annually, many of them commuting to and from work. This walking tour can offer you a new perspective of this famous rail and subway station.

To begin this self-guided walking exploration of Manhattan, participants will be provided with a traditional baked bread roll commonly eaten for breakfast in New York, helping them feel like locals. After this, the guide will lead the group through the transportation hub and reveal some hidden locales they may have otherwise overlooked.

Your guide will point to the Zodiac Ceiling in the Main Concourse, which is painted like a lovely celestial skyscape. Then, head to the Whispering Gallery on the lower floor, where you can stand under the acoustic archway and covertly share tales to others on the opposite end.

Another hidden gem at Grand Central Terminal is the Kissing Gallery, also known as the Biltmore Room. This room in the lower concourse was built under the Biltmore Hotel and was intended for long-distance commuters who would kiss their loved ones goodbye.

During the visit, you’ll also see Grand Central Market and other Art Deco components in the concourses. At the end of the tour, head outside and gaze up at the Terminal’s elaborate façade featuring an Art Deco clock, the Glory of Commerce sculpture, and two cast-iron eagles who keep watch over the city.

• Price: $40+
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• A primary focal point: Grand Central Terminal`s historical architecture and lesser-known areas.

10. NYC Superheroes Walking Tour, a NYC walking tour to do with kids

One of the most enjoyable activities that you can do with family in New York City is the Superheroes of New York tour. Led by an energetic guide, this tour will take you to famous places in the city’s history related to superheroes. So, if you’re looking for activities in NYC suitable for kids, this is a great choice.

You will see the location where Christopher Reeve took his initial flight as Superman, as well as landmarks that have surfaced in movies such as The Avengers and comic books, like the United Nations Headquarters. Your guide will also point out filming areas that have appeared in popular television shows like Gotham and Daredevil.

Diehard comic book enthusiasts will truly appreciate learning about the origins of Kryptonite and gaining fresh insights into how the comic book industry has evolved over time. You can even visit the Green Goblin’s NY apartment and explore the Daily Planet news building featured in Superman.

Finally, your guide will escort you to the locales and eating places where several notable comic book designers and writers used to congregate, making this tour enjoyable for both children and grown-ups.

• Price: $35+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Highlights: New York City locations featured in films and television shows, the Chrysler Building, and Grand Central Terminal

11. Christmas Tour Through Manhattan, a magical NYC walking tour

If visiting New York City during the festive season, one must undertake this special lights excursion. It represents one of the best approaches to witness the magical ambiance of NYC during the holidays and, alongside all the beautiful light shows, important attractions will be visited.

This walking tour of Manhattan begins with ambling along Fifth Avenue, one of the most renowned streets in New York City, to view the lovely storefronts and window displays. The upscale shops here have a tradition of decorating the windows with elaborate, themed displays, so there is constantly something new to see.

Then, spend some time at the Rockefeller Center, home to the magnificent Christmas tree of New York City. Watch pairs and families gliding on the ice rink, and appreciate the exterior of the nearby Radio City Music Hall, where the Rockettes perform their Christmas Spectacular show.

Your holiday stroll through Manhattan continues with a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is ornately decorated for the season. Finally, your guided tour will end at Bryant Park, which hosts its annual Winter Village, complete with activities, concessions, and a Christmas marketplace. Perhaps you’ll find a few gifts for your loved ones!

• Price: $25+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Highlights: Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, storefronts along Fifth Avenue

12. Harlem Gospel Tour, a lively walking tour in New York City

This Harlem gospel tour is one of the most distinctive walking excursions in NYC, and an exceptional spiritual experience for those seeking that. During this unique expedition, you’ll join a local church family and attend a Sunday gospel service at one of Harlem’s beautiful places of worship.

Attending Sunday ceremony is a strong Harlem tradition, and there are many houses of worship throughout the neighborhood. If taking this tour, more will be learned about Harlem’s history and robust Christian presence and see some consequential homes where significant figures in the Harlem Renaissance once resided.

During the one-hour worship service, you’ll share a cultural and spiritual experience with a local congregation, who will welcome you with warmth and open arms. You’ll also see Harlem residents dressed in their Sunday finest attire, as the church fashion in this area is quite elaborate. Without a doubt, it’s one NYC walking tour that you won’t find anywhere else.

• Price: $25+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: One-hour worship service with gospel music, historic homes from the Harlem Renaissance

13. Greenwich Village Walking Tour, another top NYC walking tour

Experiencing the essence of New York City through a walking tour of Greenwich Village is a wonderful option. This neighborhood was central to the development of alternative culture in NYC, and this two hour guided exploration provides unique access to places that defined the Beat Generation movement in the 1950s.

You’ll also learn about Greenwich Village’s LGBTQ+ history and visit the Stonewall Inn, the notorious site of the 1969 Stonewall riots. Some other highlights of the tour include New York University, WashingtonSquare Park, the apartment from the tv show Friends, and the earliest off-Broadway theaterin NYC, Cherry Lane Theater.

As you journey throughout NYC’s most progressive neighborhood, you’ll visit the old gathering places for some of rock music’s elite figures, including Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Check out the parks and coffee shops where Edgar Allan Poe and Jackson Pollack used to spend time and experience the café scene that’s still going strong in Greenwich Village.

Truly, this region of New York is renowned for its exceptional culinary offerings, so if you take pleasure in gastronomy, take into consideration participating in this cupcake bakeries tour. You’ll have the chance to taste some of the most delectable treats, so it represents one of the best food tours in NYC.

• Price: $35+
• Duration: 2 hours
• Number of participants: 10
• Highlights: NYU, Washington Square Park, Cherry Lane Theater, Friends apartment, Stonewall Inn

14. Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour, a historical walking tour in NYC

Another prominent historic walking tour in NYC that I highly recommend is this tour focusing on slavery and the Underground Railroad. Over the span of 2.5 hours, participants will delve into the world of refugee slaves who helped establish the Freedom Trail in New York.

You’ll also gain new perspectives into the history of NYC and how slaves helped to develop the city. As you walk through Lower Manhattan, your guide will point out important locations that played a key role in the growth of the city and the Black community.

Among the sites visitors will see and gain knowledge about are Wall Street,Trinity Church, and Fraunces Tavern, which was part of the New York Freedom Trail. The guide will point out other locations from the Underground Railroad and respond to any inquiries tour members may have regarding the lives of enslaved individuals and those who earned their freedom.

One of the more emotive parts of the tour is going to the African Burial Ground National Memorial and Museum. This is the ultimate resting site for over 400 Africans, who were buried there during the late 1600s and early 1700s. During that time, it was the greatest colonial-era graveyard for Africans, most of them held in bondage.

• Price: $35+
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Highlights: Fraunces Tavern, Trinity Church, African Burial Ground National Memorial & Museum

15. St. Patrick’s Cathedral Catacombs Tour, an eerie New York City walking tour

Finally, this catacombs tour at the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the best Manhattan walking tours to take in the evening. This offers a behind-the-scenes view of the oldest cathedral in New York and sections of the church usually closed to visitors.

You’ll explore the underground burial grounds and crypts of St. Patrick’s Cathedral known as the Catacombs where many renowned figures from the past were laid to rest. These maze-like vaults and tombs mostly shelter the remains of legal professionals, politicians, bankers, and religious leaders, but also inter a few generals from the American Civil War. The Catacombs additionally serve as the final place of rest for John Connolly, New York`s original bishop.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also an impressive building, so this is a fascinating NYC architecture walking tour with an eerie feeling. Moreover, this church has the only publicly-accessible underground tombs in New York City, so this is one of the best ghost tours to do in NYC if you’re interested in the sinister.

• Price: $37+
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Number of participants: 15
• Highlights: Underground burial sites and graveyards located under St. Patrick’s Basilica

You now have 15 great walking tours in New York City to check out! If you have any other questions or want to suggest a walking tour of NYC, feel free to leave a comment below. I`ll be sure to respond. For now, enjoy your trip!