The energy of New York City is found in its streets. One of the best ways to experience this vitality while covering serious ground is with a bus tour, rolling between Manhattan neighborhoods, one beautiful block at a time. From themed tours to hop-on, hop-off options that provide direct transportation to top landmarks, here are the five best bus tours that NYC offers.

Big Bus New York

The Big Bus is easy to spot: bright red, open top, and double-decker. This classic bus tour provides a thorough introduction to Manhattan, featuring two routes: the downtown red loop and the uptown blue route, complemented by hop-on, hop-off service at top landmarks. Enjoy the open-air top deck, allowing you to experience New York’s famous street life as you travel between the Financial District, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea.

The Ride

Climb aboard The Ride, where the bus transforms into a theater with the streets of New York City as the stage. This 75-minute tour merges sightseeing of landmarks like the Chrysler Building and Carnegie Hall with live entertainment from onboard guides and street performers, creating a uniquely engaging experience.

Gray Line CitySightseeing Holiday Lights Tour

Witnessing New York City at night is essential when visiting Manhattan. The streets buzz with energy, heightened by spectacular lights illuminating landmarks and bridges. This after-dark excursion lasts between two and three hours and includes sights like Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and more.

Open Loop New York

Open Loop provides an intuitive experience with its “Where’s My Bus?” webpage feature. This bus tour offers an uptown and downtown route, enhanced with an audio guide available in multiple languages. Tickets are offered for one, three, or five days, providing flexible transportation across Manhattan.

Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

During this 3.5-hour bus trip from On Location Tours, fans can walk the streets as Carrie and shop where Samantha did. This tour starts at the Plaza hotel and explores various neighborhoods featured in the series, including the Meatpacking District and SoHo, wrapped up with a drink at a notable bar from the show.