Top New York City Literary, Art & Music Tours

Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York like never before on this 1.5-hour Viator VIP tour. Head inside the Met before it opens to the general public and see its most famous exhibits with one of the museum’s own guides. Trace more than 5,000 years of human history and get up close to highlights such as Canova’s ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ and Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Wheat Field with Cypresses’ without the usual crowds.

Discover New York City’s gospel heritage on this spirited tour of Harlem, complete with a Sunday morning gospel choir service. See musical landmarks like the Apollo Theater and Cotton Club on a coach tour, and explore parts of this vibrant neighborhood on foot. Visit a local congregation to take part in a traditional Sunday gospel service featuring the soulful stylings of the choir. Upgrade to include a hearty soul food brunch at a favorite local restaurant.

Get a personalized introduction to New York City's legendary arts showcase on a private tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Housing more than 2 million objects, this renowned institution can be overwhelming to explore, so let a private art historian guide show you all the highlights, from Henry VIII’s armor and paintings by Vermeer to the Chicago Stock Exchange steps and pop culture memorabilia. Opt for an evening tour on the weekends to explore away from the daytime crowds.

Discover the vibrant history and musical legacy of Harlem with a midweek morning gospel tour. Stroll past beautiful brownstones while learning about Harlem’s famous former residents. Take part in an uplifting morning service featuring the talented ARC gospel choir, which supports drug addiction recovery programs within the community. Upgrade to include a delicious lunch at Sylvia’s, a local eatery renowned for serving up some of the best soul food in New York.

Visit the world-famous Madame Tussauds located in the heart of Times Square. With five floors and over 200 wax figures, it’s is one of New York City’s most popular attractions.

Stroll through the life of Alexander Hamilton in New York City and the Tony Award-winning 'Hamilton' musical on a walking tour that features songs from the hit Broadway show. Whether you have already seen the show, plan to see it soon, or simply love the cast album, this tour provides context to the story as you explore lower Manhattan from the perspective of Alexander Hamilton.

Get a renegade take on New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with an exciting 2-hour art tour through the Met’s weirdest, most wonderful and scandalous displays. Enjoy exclusive skip-the-line access, then follow your guide through the museum’s sprawling galleries to hear insider secrets about infamous artists and their creations. Make your museum visit a fun adventure with games, selfies and surprises as you experience the Met on your own terms.This is an unconventional tour of the Met. Not recommended for participants under 16 years old.

Spend a New York City evening on the water during this 2-hour jazz cruise. Listen to music from a live jazz trio, which typically features saxophone, keyboard, and drums, and admire views of Lower Manhattan landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Financial District. Select your preferred departure time when booking.

Hip-hop music began in New York City. There's no better way to explore the genre of music than by taking this entertaining and informative tour with one of rap's Grandmasters. The unique experience offers an interactive tour through Manhattan, Harlem and the Bronx, showing the origins and evolution of hip-hop and rap music.

Take the guesswork out of a visit to New York’s most acclaimed museum with a small-group tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Skip the line and see the most important pieces of the enormous collection—including European paintings, ancient Egyptian sculpture, medieval armor, and pop culture memorabilia—and learn the stories behind the art from an expert guide. Group size is limited to eight for a more personalized tour of this world-renowned institution.

Sports fanatics shouldn't miss the opportunity to go behind the scenes at New York's favorite sports arena: Madison Square Garden. On this all access tour, walk the storied halls of the Garden as your guide tells you the tales of this hallowed building. You'll enjoy different sights—you might see the ice, locker rooms, or even a music rehearsal. Best of all, you can book a convenient time in advance, since tours are offered multiple times a day.

Skip the long lines and crowds! Museums With Marisa provides exclusive VIP private tours with your very own archaeologist museum educator. Marisa's tour are engaging, lively and dynamic, using authentic ancient artifacts for hands-on discovery. Ages 5 to 95! Families, adult groups and couples all welcome.https://metropolitanmuseumprivatetours.com/ for details and further information.Please, if possible, allow one week advance scheduling to accommodate The Met's policies. Email info@musumeswithmarisa.com for immediate booking inquires.Tour Themes:Mummies and More! Discovering Ancient EgyptWhen In Rome: Discovering Ancient Greece and RomeThe ImpressionistsHighlights of The MetInterested in a specific gallery? Ask us and we will create a tour just for you!All tour fees include Met Museum admission tickets! Skip the lines and walk right into the Great Hall to meet Marisa and start exploring.

Comic book and movie buffs are sure to love this 3.5-hour superhero tour of New York City. Explore the city, and see more than 40 places where your favorite heroes have been filmed for TV and movies. From Spider-Man, to The Avengers, and Batman and Superman, visit some of the most well-known spots where these superheroes saved the world.

For everyone from divas to dance troupes, rappers to Rockettes, the stage at Radio City Music Hall is legendary. On this behind the scenes experience perfect for theatre lovers and pop culture fanatics, enjoy a guided tour of Radio City, America's favorite performance space. Learn about the legends that have performed on the Great Stage, experience the building's art deco interior, and even meet one of the famous Rockette dancers.

If museums are on your New York City bucket list, explore two of the finest in the world on this private combo tour. First, admire masterpieces by Vermeer and van Gogh, medieval armor, ancient Egyptian statues, and other artsy artifacts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After a lunch break, head over to the American Museum of Natural History for a tour through time and space on planet Earth, complete with lifelike dioramas, near-complete dinosaur skeletons, and 33 million other scientific objects.

Millions of travelers have passed through Grand Central Terminal, but most never know the stories and secrets behind this New York City emblem. Discover the origins and evolution of the Beaux Arts train station, from its glittering glory days to disrepair and modern quests to save it. A guide points out hidden features, design quirks, and more on this walking tour that's great for history and architecture buffs alike.

Devote a day to two of New York City's top museums with a guided combo tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History. Admire artistic masterpieces spanning ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe and postmodern pop culture at the Met, and then delve into the mysteries of the earth and cosmos as you explore T-rex skeletons, African mammal dioramas, and outer space exhibits. It's a great way to make the most of your time and ensure you see the highlights of both vast collections.

Explore the Metropolitan Museum on a 2.5-hour tour with a guide who puts a tongue-in-cheek spin on this celebrated destination in New York City. You'll hear vital facts and humorous commentary about both famous masterpieces and more unusual works in the museum’s collection, including pieces that are often overlooked, and get an entertaining look at one of the Big Apple's premier museums.

Watch Harlem come alive after dark with a 3.5-hour evening tour to historic churches, landmarks and one of the neighborhood’s best jazz spots. Walk with your guide along vibrant Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, and learn about the cultural heritage of Harlem’s night clubs and gospel churches. Spot some of New York City’s distinctive brownstone architecture as you walk, then finish your evening at a live jazz club, where some of today’s best artists play tunes by Harlem’s music greats.

Discover the three genres of music that helped form rock culture in New York City’s East Village on this guided, 2-hour rock walk. Rock, punk and glam helped introduce new music, rock ’n’ roll fashion and a way of life to the world. See where bands like the Ramones, the New York Dolls, the Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop and others wrote music and played gigs. Soak up the rich musical history and get to know the East Village rock scene on the Original Rock ’n’ Roll Walking Tour.

Sail around New York Harbor listening to soothing jazz sounds on this evening sail. "The Sounds Waves" will rock along with the lapping water, creating a relaxing experience backed by sights of the New York skyline lit up for the evening. Sip three drinks—Champagne, wine, beer, or a soft drink—and opt to purchase more. Food is for sale or you are welcome to bring your own picnic on board.

Immerse yourself in the history and hymns of African American gospel music on this unique experience that combines a walking tour with a live Sunday gospel performance. Ride the subway from Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights, the heart of New York’s gospel scene. Explore the history of the neighborhood and learn about gospel’s roots as you stroll past historic churches and admire spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. Conclude your tour with an uplifting church service and live gospel performance at the famous Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Manhattan's West Side has been transformed in recent years with a surge of development, with an eye toward design, accessible green space, and public art. Experience this renewed stretch of NYC on a guided walking tour of the High Line—a celebrated greenway build on an old freight line. Walk this lush urban park, enjoy views of the Hudson River, pass Chelsea Market, and visit Vessel—a public art project at the recently-opened Hudson Yards development.

Well before the Globetrotters and the “Harlem Shake” appeared, there was Harlem, the neighborhood that is the birthplace of hip-hop. Harlem’s contributions to hip-hop art and culture are unmatched. On this guided, 2-hour walking tour, led by a hip-hop historian, check out important landmarks like the Apollo Theater, the Graffiti Wall of Fame, Lenox Lounge, historic Harlem jazz clubs and more. See popular locations for hip-hop music videos and hear exclusive stories. Admission to the Museum of the City of New York is included.