World Trade Center Tour Of New York

After you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by your guide, who will help you get transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you’ll meet with your group for an orientation and a discussion of the adventures to come over dinner at one of the city’s unbeatable restaurants!

Start your day at the 9/11 Memorial, reflecting on the terrible events of that day and the thousands who were tragically taken from their loved ones. Be sure to treat the location with respect and avoid smiling selfies or trampling the flowers and other items left in remembrance for loved ones. After, you’ll walk down to Wall Street a few blocks away and see the New York Stock Exchange, the beating heart of all finance in the United States.

After lunch, head down to Battery Park where you’ll see The Sphere, a metal sculpture recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center, and catch the Staten Island Ferry which will take you to the Statue of Liberty where you’ll be able to access the statue’s pedestal and enjoy an in-depth audio tour. Once you’re back on the ferry, it’s only a short journey to historic Ellis Island, where more than 12 million immigrants were processed between 1892 and 1954. Afterward, you’ll head up to the Empire State Building and end the day on a high note with spectacular views of the city!

Today you’ll start the day at St. Paul’s Chapel near the site of the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. This is where friends and family gathered to await news of their loved ones who were trapped in the towers when they fell. After, you’ll head over to the Woolworth Building, built in 1910 and one of New York’s first skyscrapers, and still a beautiful example of early 20th-century architecture today.

Next, it’s over to Chinatown for lunch and a visit to the bustling, iconic neighborhood. Bring cash if you hope to avail yourself of some bargains from street vendors, but beware: there’s a reason that “Louis Vuitton” handbag is so cheap! While you’re there, visit the Tenement Museum and get a closer look at what life was like for immigrants coming to America just 100 years ago.

Now it’s time for another iconic New York experience with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The views along the way are incredible, and once you reach the other side, a stroll along the Brooklyn Promenade offers fantastic views of Manhattan. For dinner, grab a slice at a pizzeria then head up to hipster hub Williamsburg for drinks.

Today it’s over to Greenwich Village, the trendy neighborhood full of quirky shops and a ton of NYC history. Stop by The Stonewall, the infamous bar where the modern gay rights movement was born in 1969 when groups of gay men and drag queens rebelled against police harassment and anti-gay laws with sometimes-violent protests. Stop off at Washington Square Park for a breather and perhaps a game of outdoor chess before walking over to The Highline, an elevated park boasting magnificent views of the city built from reclaimed train tracks.

Then it’s up to the historic Chelsea neighborhood for lunch and shopping among the area’s boutique shops. The neighborhood was once a meat-packing district, but today boasts some great antique shops, not to mention the historic Chelsea Hotel, haunt to writers, musicians and poets over the years, including Dylan Thomas, Sid Vicious and Allen Ginsberg. Well worth a visit.

Now it’s time to head up Broadway! You’ll definitely want to get some pictures of Times Square at night, with its massive advertisements, and taking in a Broadway or off-Broadway show is an experience like no other. Also worth seeing is the legendary Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Beatles first played when they came to America, and where The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is filmed today.

Today you’ll visit some iconic New York spots, starting with the New York Public Library. This massive structure features beautiful architecture and glorious ceiling art and with its history on display as well as a fully-functioning library.

Next, head over to nearby Grand Central Terminal, with its grand high ceilings and bustling crowds that were the scene of countless movies and television shows. It’s a great place to do some people watching and take in the massive scene. After lunch, it’s time for some more culture with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art, featuring works by artists ranging from Van Gogh to Warhol. A visit to the museum’s sculpture garden is a nice respite from the bustle of the city as well.

You’ll want to spend at least a few hours at the MOMA, but after you’re just a short walk away from Central Park. Your guide will show you to the Belvedere Castle and the Bethesda Terrace, and if you’re there in summer, you might even get to catch a free concert in the park!

You’ll get a chance to bring out your inner child today with a visit to the wondrous Natural History Museum, one of the finest in the world. Visit massive dinosaur bones to exhibits on outer space at this classic New York site, with special exhibits just for kids. Another option is to head over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with over 2 million exhibits ranging from ancient Egypt to modern day. Don’t forget to visit the famous rooftop gardens for an incredible view and a relaxing moment in the middle of Uptown.

After lunch, head over to iconic New York landmark St. Patrick’s Cathedral with its twin spires and rich history dating to 1879. Afterward, head over to Rockefeller Center, home to NBC and other television studios as well as the famous skating rink in winter.

As evening falls, it’s back to Greenwich Village to visit one of the area’s many speakeasy bars, places where gangsters rubbed shoulders with high society during the Prohibition. Make sure you dress up or you might not be admitted! Over dinner and drinks with your group you can discuss all the amazing sights you’ve gotten to see on your New York trip!

After an early breakfast, it’s time for goodbyes to your new friends and this unforgettable city. Your guide will direct you to your transfer van and get you to the airport for your trip home. But you’ll always have memories of this unique place – and plans for a return trip to The City That Never Sleeps!