Guided tours vs. On Our Own?
Dec 10th, 2007, 11:42 AM
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Guided tours vs. On Our Own?
Do you NYC travel pros recommend taking a guided tour to see the sights or taking in the sights on our own, possibly by neighborhoods? We will be there 4 full days. Thanks for any advice.
Dec 10th, 2007, 11:49 AM
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In general, whenever we visit a new city, we like to take a guided tour the first or second day to get aquainted with the city, and then wander around on our own after that. If there are specialty tours or maybe additional neighborhood tours we want to do, we will do those after the main tour. Sometimes we do walking tours or biking tours, sometimes coach tours - just depends on the city and what we feel like.
Dec 10th, 2007, 11:50 AM
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Very personal decision depends not only on your style of travel, but when you're coming, whether you have specific interests etc. There are some very good walking tours-some even free if they coincide with your visit.
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/
If you're coming before the end of the year, hop on/off tours are, imo, a waste of time and money. You'll freeze on the top of the bus and get stuck in terrible traffic. If you want to do an overview tour, try nypartyshuttle.com
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/
If you're coming before the end of the year, hop on/off tours are, imo, a waste of time and money. You'll freeze on the top of the bus and get stuck in terrible traffic. If you want to do an overview tour, try nypartyshuttle.com
Dec 10th, 2007, 04:32 PM
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I do not reco bus tours in NYC - esp at this busy time of year - when you will spend HOURS just siting in traffic.
You're much better off doing brief walking tours of specific areas/topics and using the subway for fast, convenient transportation of longer distances. For shorter distances walk - to see as much of the real city as possible.
You're much better off doing brief walking tours of specific areas/topics and using the subway for fast, convenient transportation of longer distances. For shorter distances walk - to see as much of the real city as possible.
Dec 11th, 2007, 03:17 AM
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Head to your library and take out New York City travel books, there are many excellent ones.
I am never one to take extensive paid walking tours, but a couple hours can be very worthwhile. There is also Big Apple Greeters, if you want a specific area perhaps??
NYC, is a great city to get around and see on your own.
I agree, that the hop on hop off buses in the winter aren't a good idea. I see lines of people wasting time waiting at bus stops, stuck in traffic and freezing.
I am never one to take extensive paid walking tours, but a couple hours can be very worthwhile. There is also Big Apple Greeters, if you want a specific area perhaps??
NYC, is a great city to get around and see on your own.
I agree, that the hop on hop off buses in the winter aren't a good idea. I see lines of people wasting time waiting at bus stops, stuck in traffic and freezing.
