The 15 VIP Experiences in New York That Are Worth the Money

1.Carriage Ride in Central Park (VIP – PRIVATE) Since 1964™

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,074 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Settle into a private horse-drawn carriage for an approximately 50-minute loop through Central Park. Drivers such as Oscar and Matt share park history and film-location details, with stops for photos and carrots for the horse. The route passes landmarks including Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and the Dakota. Blankets are provided, but dress for the weather.

“Overall, we had a good time. I was under the impression that central park has Christmas lights up during Christmas. They do not. The company did not suggest they did in their ad, so I'm not suggesting they did. That was just a bad assumption on my part. We had a very peaceful, very dark, tour of the park with Matt. The tour got off to a rough start, with enough awkward silence and one word answers that my girls felt a little uncomfortable going into the dark park. Shortly enough, our guide woke up and gave us a good tour. I think he was just very tired, so we…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112

Board at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, for a two- to three-hour cruise on a climate-controlled dining vessel. Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner, enjoy a three-course meal and live music, then step outside for photos of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline. Dinner is semi-formal, and children under six are not permitted on the Premier Dinner Cruise.

“The brunch cruise was so much fun! This was my families favorite activity on our NYC trip. The crew and wait staff so cheerful and accommodating. Food was great and bottomless mimosas on Sunday! Great views! Five Stars!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Statue and Skyline Cruise Aboard a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 540 reviews · 1h 30m · from $60

Board a 1920s-style yacht at Chelsea Piers for a 90-minute cruise on the Hudson River and New York Harbor. Expect assigned tables, one included drink, a climate-controlled observatory, open decks, and captain’s commentary as you pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan landmarks. Crew names vary by sailing.

“Amazing value for money, the guides were very knowledgeable. The boat its self was lovely, the drinks available on board were amazing too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Luxury Tour of NYC With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 472 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $2,175Top rated

In about six hours, a private guide and air-conditioned vehicle connect Rockefeller Center, Manhattan neighborhoods, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, and Times Square. You also take a guided ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Guides named Tom, Ray, Kevin, Marc, Jared, and Chris have led tours, with a reputation for lively local stories.

“Ray R. was the best guide ever!! I wish I will get him next time! His knowledge was amazing and kept us entertained the whole tour! Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.NYC at Night: 3-Hour Luxury Bus Tour of Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 448 reviews · 3 hours · from $42Best value

Take a three-hour English-language bus tour from Midtown past Rockefeller Center, Grand Central, Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and Times Square. You’ll cross the Manhattan Bridge for skyline views and stop in DUMBO for photos. Guides have included Jared, Bryant, Garrett, Percy, and Sofia, though the team varies.

“Tour guides are amazing!!! Very knowledgeable and so very nice! Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Half-Day Luxury Bus Tour of Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 281 reviews · 4 hours · from $60

This four-hour Manhattan sampler pairs a climate-controlled bus with a local guide and brief stops at Rockefeller Center, the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Liberty viewpoint and Brooklyn Bridge. Guides on different departures have included Jared, Garrett, Tom and Bryant. It’s a practical first look at the city, not a substitute for exploring its neighborhoods on foot.

“Our guide Garrett was superb - so knowledgeable and he gave us first-hand insights, especially re 911. Best bus tour we have ever been on. With Victor the highly skilled driver and Moni to assist us, we had a great team looking after us. Very kind and patient and we learnt so much! Excellent route meant we saw all the major sites and stopped T the most appropriate ones. Consiration of bathroom needs on this four hour+ tour was also excellent. Thank you so much, highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Luxury Tour of NYC With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 231 reviews · 6 hours · from $2,175

Cover more than a dozen Manhattan highlights in six hours with a private English-speaking guide and a separate driver. Ride in a leather-seat vehicle with AC and surround sound, then walk at the 9/11 Memorial and Central Park. The Staten Island Ferry adds views of the Statue of Liberty. Guides named in guest feedback include Ray, Tom, Chris Lee, Jared, and Marc.

“We found it to be an excellent tour, full of information, fun and Tom's jokes ! I am sure we wouldn't have enjoyed our visit to New York half as much had we not had the tour with Tom. The rest of our stay was very much based around the information we were given by Tom and we have thoroughly enjoyed NY. Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.4-Hour Christmas Lights Luxury Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 222 reviews · 4 hours · from $95

From Greeley Square Park, ride a heated bus with an English-speaking licensed NYC guide through Manhattan and Brooklyn to Dyker Heights. Walk the neighborhood’s glowing blocks for about an hour, then pause at Brooklyn Bridge Park for skyline photos. The four-hour tour costs $95 per person and ends near Rockefeller Center.

“The tour was excellent, the bus was comfy and warm. Ray, our guide gave a continuous commentary on the journey to Dyker Heights, about the history of the areas we travelled through and pointed out landmarks. Once at the Heights, we walked as a group and Ray once again was able to provide a commentary about the houses and their histories. Ray is obviously very proud and passionate about the City he grew up in, and this enthusiasm showed during this tour. Would highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.3 Hour Luxury Bus Tour of NYC Night Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 204 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $49

This three-hour NYC night tour uses a luxury coach to link Midtown, downtown Manhattan, and Brooklyn, with a 20-minute photo stop in DUMBO. Expect commentary from a local guide and landmark views through the windows. Guides have included Bryant, Sophia, and Garrett, but the lineup can change.

“Very good tour, guide lady (Percy) and tour director were very nice and friendly, guide lady was very informative, great views”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.New York City Airports Luxury Arrival or Departure Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 161 reviews

Arrange a one-way private transfer between JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia and an address in one of New York’s five boroughs. Your English-speaking driver tracks your flight, and you call the dispatcher after collecting your bags for meeting directions. Mohammed is one driver praised by name, though assignments are not guaranteed.

“Mohammed is kind, professional and always willing to make your trip the vest ever! My family enjoined a lot! Great pics!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.45 min Long VIP Central park carriage ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews

Take a private horse-drawn carriage through Central Park for about 40 to 45 minutes, passing Bethesda Terrace, Strawberry Fields, the carousel, and other landmarks. Your driver shares facts and trivia, with a short photo stop at Cherry Hill. The ride costs $189 for up to four people, and winter blankets are provided.

“Great tour guide, smooth ride. Beautiful carriage ride through a snowy Central Park. Night time experience, a believe it was the right choice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Top Rated Luxury Private VIP Tour by vehicle, Select 3 or 5 hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.)

Explore Manhattan and Brooklyn in a private SUV or minibus with a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in Manhattan, and time for photo stops. Choose three or five hours and tailor the route to your interests. Guides named in guest feedback include Isaac, Jim, Laurie, and Nancy, though your assigned guide may differ.

“We took a tour with Laura and Muhammad on Friday. We have been to New York several times and taken tours each time and this was the best by far. They shared the typical information and so much more. We learned about the architectural and culture history of the city. The role of the city in the social and entertainment history of the city and country was invaluable. We will do their tour again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Dyker Heights and NYC Holiday Lights Luxury Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 42 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

Spend four hours seeing New York’s holiday lights, with a guided visit to Dyker Heights and photo stops at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Washington Square Arch. The route passes landmarks from One World Trade Center to Rockefeller Center. Group tours use a luxury bus; private tours use an SUV. Guides Percy and Moni led one snowy departure, though guides vary.

“Me pareció muy apresurado, se pudo disfrutar más el área iluminada, hubo mucha aglomeración y fue muy carrereado sin oportunidad de ver el área iluminada y de tomar fotografías, había muchos grupos de turistas al mismo tiempo”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Luxury Beach Bonfire and Picnic Dinner at Town Line Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

At Town Line Beach in Wainscott, Hampton Beach Service sets up a private dinner with full-size tables, candlelight, seating and a bonfire. You choose a Montauk restaurant in advance; the team delivers the food, provides rosé or prosecco and tends the fire. Expect a self-serve meal, then s’mores by the shore.

“This was beyond perfect! So romantic for couple. My husband and I had an amazing evening. If you want to do something different and special go ahead and book this bonfire dinner, you will love it. 🤩”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.VIP Rockefeller Center Tour with Observation Deck Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 15 reviews · from $245

Meet your English-speaking guide in Rockefeller Center’s VIP Lounge for a 90-minute tour, then visit the rooftop garden and Top of the Rock. Your pass also includes The Beam, Skylift, a photo package, and a drink at The Weather Room. Guillermo has led tours here, though guide assignments can vary.

“Great tour and guide. Not too long and was willing to cater it to our pace. We were even able to visit the Rainbow Room which is almost always off limits even to this tour. So that was a great bonus.”

Check availability →Read our full review