Top New York City Outdoor Activities

Climb aboard a pedicab—a bicycle-powered cab—for a private ride around New York City's Central Park. Sit back and relax as your guide pedals you past top attractions in the park. Riding in a pedicab will get you around the 843-acre (341-hectare) park much more efficiently than you ever could on foot.

Don't waste precious time in New York City at the Statue of Liberty when you can view the iconic landmark on this speedy Lady Liberty cruise, perfect for travelers with limited time. Soak up the sea breeze and views as you're whisked past Lady Liberty. You can marvel at the statue from the water, learn about the landmark from your guide's live narration, and snap a few up-close photos with unobstructed views.

Book your New York Winter Wonderland Adventure at Wollman Rink before tickets sell out. Skate at the iconic rink in Central Park’s southeast corner, near 5th Avenue and the Plaza Hotel, and experience the magic of winter in New York. This famous rink has appeared in movies like “Love Story,” “Night at the Museum,” and “Home Alone 2” and plays fun background music. Enjoy timed entry tickets, with skate rentals available on-site for $12 USD + tax, or bring your own. Skate with a backdrop of towering trees, glistening snow (weather permitting), and the stunning city skyline. Wollman Rink welcomes all skill levels, providing a perfect surface for every twirl. Enjoy food and drink at the onsite Wollman Cafe, offering fresh options, vegan choices, and a hot chocolate bar.

See the sights of New York City from up in the air on this nighttime helicopter tour of the city. Take off, and soar over the NYC as you take in aerial views of some of the most famous sights. See the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, and Times Square all lit up, and then pass over the George Washington Bridge. This adventure is a shared experience with other travelers.

Glide down the Hudson River, viewing New York City’s iconic landmarks and soaring skyscrapers, on this 90-minute cruise. Marvel at sites including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building, with opportunities to stop and pose against the city’s timeless backdrop. An on-board photographer will capture photo opportunities, creating souvenirs to cherish.

Experience the lights of New York City at sunset on this twilight cruise along Manhattan Skyline. Book your ticket in advance online to spare any fuss on the night and set sail to enjoy the illuminated landmarks while learning about the city from a guide’s informative commentary. This tour is a great way to end a day of sightseeing or kick off a night on the town.

Get one of the best views in all of New York City from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center. Soak up three indoor and outdoor viewing areas and admire the Big Apple’s popular landmarks, such as One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Chrysler Building, and more. Booking in advance guarantees your entry to this always-popular attraction.

See New York City at your feet with admission to the One World Observatory, a 3-story destination on top of the western hemisphere’s tallest building. Ride to the 102nd floor and watch the virtual city skyline transform across centuries of history. Learn about the construction of the skyscraper, which has sweeping views across the city, enjoying New York from a whole new perspective. Choose from three different experience packages to suit your style.

Go behind-the-scenes and deep underground at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, with the only Catholic catacombs in New York City. See parts of the church that are otherwise off-limits to visitors. As you explore with the help of a guide, learn all about the landmark’s place in New York history and discover the final resting place of some famous New Yorkers.

Explore enormous Central Park without getting tired when you hop into a private pedicab. See more of the leafy oasis while listening to stories about its history from your guide. Glide past highlights such as the Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields John Lennon memorial from a guide, and stop for photos in beautiful spots. Warm blankets will even be provided in winter.

Get a bird's-eye view of New York City on a helicopter tour that soars over the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and Central Park. While helicopter tours can become expensive quickly, this flight is just long enough to see all the top sights without spending extra time in the air, making it ideal for budget-minded visitors who want to get a comprehensive view of the city.

Some of the best views of New York City's iconic skyline are from the water. This extended cruise goes all the way around Manhattan Island, affording views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and more. Choose between standard seating or upgrade for access to the premium seating area. While on-board, learn about the history of the city through live commentary, and choose to purchase drinks and snacks.

Enjoy the classic New York City experience of a horse-drawn carriage ride on this private tour of Central Park. You’ll travel through the park like a Gilded Age aristocrat as your guide leads you to landmarks including the Central Park Carousel and the Plaza Hotel, providing informative commentary if you wish. This is a perfect romantic outing for couples, or a fun activity for families.

Prebook your admission to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in lower Manhattan, and guarantee your entry to the center that documented the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Museum artifacts include first-person accounts of what happened on that September morning in 2001, multi-media displays, and exhibits on history, which commemorate nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks.

Discover the natural beauty and main attractions of Central Park during a horse-and-carriage ride. Perfect for a romantic occasion or fun-loving families, the tour is the ideal way to see the landmarks of the world-famous park without getting worn out. Set a leisurely pace on the 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) trail, which includes views of Cherry Hill, the Wollman Rink, Bethesda Fountain, Sheep Meadow, and more.

Put your feet up and explore New York City without getting tired on a yacht tour of the harbor. Discover the Statue of Liberty from the water’s edge and enjoy a comfortable alternative to crowded ferry transit. Perfect for time-pressed travelers, this tour departs multiple times daily. Pick from indoor and outdoor viewing areas, listen to live narration, and get close to Lady Liberty and the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge.

Forget trying to snag a hard-to-get reservation at New York's hottest restaurants du jour. Instead, indulge in a delicious 3-course dinner during the cruise around New York City that offers you an up-close look at the Statue of Liberty and other famed sites. As a live pianist plays relaxing music for you, take in the immense view of one of the world's great cities and enjoy a delicious pre-set dinner by the on-board executive chef.

See the highlights of New York City from the water on this sightseeing cruise along the Hudson River. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to see as much as possible and avoid waiting in traffic, this cruise offers views of the Manhattan skyline, One World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building, plus close-ups of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Don’t peer at New York City through a fogged bus window—take in the highlights of the Big Apple like a local on this one-of-a-kind full-day tour. You’ll move through the city on foot and by subway and ferry. Discover engineering secrets in Grand Central Terminal, reflect on 9/11 at Ground Zero, and see the bright lights of Broadway, with a private guide to answer questions along the way

New York City is so big, it can be difficult to fit everything into one visit. This tour makes seeing NYC’s most interesting neighborhoods—SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown—in one day easy. In SoHo, visit the historic Cast Iron District, and learn about 19th-century architecture. In Little Italy, see mob sites, and hear about John Gotti, an American mobster. In Chinatown, see top highlights and where get the best bargain.

Get the New York CityPASS and enjoy great discounts at some of the Big Apple’s top attractions. Your CityPASS mobile tickets are valid for nine days from the date of first use and includes admission to The Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History, plus choose admission to three more attractions of your choice out of these attractions: Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, or Guggenheim Museum.

See the highlights of New York City without the hassle of navigating traffic or public transportation with a hop-on hop-off tour. This tour enables busy travelers to relax and enjoy the sights from a double-decker bus; depending on the option you pick, you can access both Uptown and Downtown routes . Along the way, choose to disembark to see the attractions that interest you most, rather than being caught up on a group tour.

Experience the best of the Big Apple with ease during this half-day tour with a small group. Rather than trying to do it all yourself, let a local guide lead you through the vibrant streets, colorful neighborhoods, and past top landmarks on foot, subway, and ferry. Travel like a local, get the full New York City experience and see iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, and Wall Street.