New York
Kickstart your trip to New York
City Essentials: First Day • 3 hours
5.0
(30)
Kickstart your trip to New York
The perfect 3-hour experience for your first day in NYC. Get oriented and gain tips from your host to make the most of the rest of your visit.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Choose your pace - a casual stroll or grand tour of the inner city of NYC and its surrounds, asking as many questions as you’d like along the way
- Visit some of New York’s iconic spots, neighborhoods, and high rises as you map out the city
- Take the experience at whatever pace suits you - a leisurely stroll or squeezing in as much as possible
- Get a taste of New York through an inspiring lens and acquaint yourself with the briefest of histories, some general city info, how to get around and where (and when!) you should visit
- Your host will reveal recommendations for things to do during the rest of your trip, and feel free to ask anything you’d love the inside scoop on!
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Meet your host at a location of your choosing- within a reasonable distance.
A private and personalised experience
3 hours with your host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s not included
Food and drinks
Transportation costs
Tickets to any attractions
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
Your hotel/apartment or any other central locationCancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat to bring
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
- Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.
How your day could unfold
A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you mostWhat you’ll do
Whether it's your first time in the city that never sleeps or you’re a return visitor whose in-built New York GPS is a little rusty, you’ll join one of our local New York hosts to get your trip off to a great start!
You’ll choose a neighborhood to explore; then you’re off. Learn how to navigate the tangle of lines on the subway or hail a yellow cab like a local - whichever is your style.
Get the low-down on great places to eat, drink and hang out (things pop up here so fast, only a local could keep up) and ask any of the 101 questions we know you’ve got about exploring the city.
Whether you’d like some advice on seeing iconic sights like the Empire State without wasting your day in a nightmare-ish queue or tip-offs on some great restaurants near Times Square (they do exist, it’s not all tourist traps), our host has got you covered.
Just show up, and we’ll take care of the rest.
1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?
Real Stories, Real Connections
See our hosts and guests creating memories
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17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of this experience
Richard,
Nov 2024
We had a great time on a private walking tour of Brooklyn with Olga. Olga was prompt, very friendly and knowledgeable about the area of our tour. Olga also showed us a great way to get around via water taxi and helped us navigate the schedule and ticketing. She gave my wife and I a great tour and a memorable experience.
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Deaneane,
Nov 2024
I would highly highly recommend Olga, she was so informative and just a wonderful guide. Highly recommend booking a tour with Olga!
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Anita,
Sep 2024
Great walking tour with Maurita, she was very knowledgable and took me to some very interesting sights in New York. The tour was tailored based on what I wanted to see and do. A really enjoyable afternoon. I would recommend Maurita and definitely book her again for another tour.
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Karen,
Aug 2024
Denise made a tour that was interesting for the 3 generations. We got a good explanation how to use the subway so we knew how to use it ourselfs. As she said herself she is not so good in dates and numbers( of historical things), but that was no issue for us.
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Cathy,
Aug 2024
Mei was very professional, friendly and customised the tour for me. I wanted to see Art Deco buildings but also needed to take breaks to sit down. Mei was very accommodating, caring and fun. She recommended other parts of the city and outer areas to visit too. Mei knows the city like the back of her hand, having been a resident for 30 years. I would recommend Mei highly and look forward to more tours with her.
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Serena,
Jul 2024
It's been wonderful. Thank u so much for putting up with us and guiding us. Your knowledge is worth so much. I truly hope to meet again n stay n touch. Ty Serena
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