15 1-Day Tours in New York to Build a Day Around

1.New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13,166 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Cover New York’s big sights in about six hours with a guide and driver. Ride through Midtown, Central Park, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, and the Financial District, then take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty. Guides such as Rachel and Kevin add local stories and practical tips.

“We absolutely LOVED it!!! Walter was fantastic! So informative and kind!! My mom, daughter, and myself are first time visitors from Atl, GA and we were very impressed with his hospitality!!!”

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2.Guided Day Trip to Washington DC by Van or Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,418 reviews · 15 hours · from $104

Travel from NYC to Washington DC by air-conditioned bus or van with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. See Arlington Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, White House, Capitol, and major memorials, then enjoy 90 minutes for lunch, photos, or a museum visit.

“Brilliant trip from start to finish, our tour guide David was fantastic, he was so patient and knowledgeable, he made the day for us! Our driver Enrique was fantastic he was also very patient and brilliant for the long spin to and from Washington, I would recommended this trip to anyone thinking of doing it, it was fantastic thank you!”

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3.Washington and Philadelphia 1-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,877 reviews · from $104

Leave Times Square at 5:00 AM for a bilingual guided day trip to Washington, DC and Philadelphia. Visit the Lincoln Memorial, White House, Capitol, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and Rocky Steps. Guides such as Carlos, Jay, and Diego are praised for clear commentary and warm service.

“It was a really nice trip but the weather was awful which has nothing to do with the tour guide or service. Our tour guide was Carlos who was funny, down too earth, very attentive, knowledgeable, and extremely patient. There were some people on our tour bus who were very rude to him and he was nothing but nice to them. He was great!”

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4.Washington DC Highlights, 1-Day Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,607 reviews · 11 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $129

Leave New York at 6:30 am for a guided Washington DC highlights tour with stops at Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, White House, Smithsonian, and major National Mall memorials. Guides such as Carlos, Ben, and Oscar are praised for lively history talks. Expect a full, 11 to 13-hour day.

“Great trip was able to flex around the government closures and Ben was great with the history and touring us around”

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5.Washington DC & Philadelphia 1-Day Guided Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,109 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $128

This 15-hour Amigo Tours trip links Washington DC and Philadelphia by coach, with English and Spanish guiding. You’ll see the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Rocky Steps. Guides such as Carlos, Jay, Diego, and Jacinto have earned especially strong praise.

“What an absolute amazing day! Carlos was outstanding and made the whole experience more memorable and enjoyable. Not forgetting also the driver Mejia who if it wasn’t for him we’d of not got to our destinations so thank you both for such a wonderful day.”

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6.Niagara Falls One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,138 reviews · 22 - 23 hours · from $180

Travel from Manhattan to Niagara Falls with a live English, Spanish, or Italian guide. See American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls, visit Goat and Luna islands, and ride Maid of the Mist when operating. Guides such as Brian, Richard, Joel, and Daniel are praised for useful facts and good group care.

“Everything perfect! I don't understand why the people complain”

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7.Niagara Falls 1 Day Tour from NYC with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,049 reviews · 19 hours (approx.) · from $69Best value

Leave Times Square at 4am for Niagara Falls on a bilingual coach tour with rest stops, guided viewpoints, and free time in the state park. Choose the seasonal Maid of the Mist boat ride or an interactive audio guide. Guides such as Arturo and Roberto are known for clear instructions and friendly help.

“Roberto was knowledgeable and professional. It was a long day but worth it to see the beautiful Niagra Falls. Our driver Charlie did an awesome job as well.”

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8.Day Trip to Philadelphia and Amish Country

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 805 reviews · 14 hours · from $149

Leave Manhattan at 6:30 AM for a guided day in Philadelphia and Lancaster County. Visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Square, Elfreth’s Alley, and the Rocky Steps, then enjoy an Amish buggy ride and market stop. Guides speak English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese.

“Iris was very informative and supplied non-stop great information. The transport had a charger which was helpful. Also loved the stops, especially the final one in Lancaster. Loved that we could also have a joke about the way I ate a Philly cheese steak with just lettuce. Lovely guides, Iris and the man who spoke many languages. Would recommend.”

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9.Philadelphia and Amish Country, 1-Day Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 734 reviews · 11 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $139

Leave NYC at 6:30 a.m. for Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and Rocky Steps, then continue to Lancaster for an Amish buggy ride, farm visit, and shopping. Multilingual guides may include Oscar, Brian, Sharon, Carlos, or James. Expect a full 11 to 13 hours.

“Fabulous city, lots of history, amazing time at an Amish farm, got to drive the team of horses and our guide was Andres was great”

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10.Washington DC Day Trip by Bus from New York City

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 600 reviews · 14 hours · from $129

Travel from New York to Washington DC by air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide such as Steve or Alan. See Capitol Hill, the White House, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with free time at Union Station.

“I wanna thank "Santa" Alan for the most amazing trip ever!!! He's been so knowledgeable of everything, a true encyclopedia! Highly recommend him. Greetings from Bucharest!”

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11.Washington Highlights Guided One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 418 reviews · 14 - 15 hours · from $98

Ride from Manhattan to Washington with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, stopping at Arlington Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial, the National Mall, the White House, and the Capitol. Guides such as Juanita, Agustín, David, and Nando add history and practical help. Expect a long, fast-moving day.

“It was great!! The trip exceeded our expectations. The program is really well planned, we saw many sights without getting tired. Our guide Maria Juanita told us many interesting stories, answered all of our questions, all with a smile, and our driver Mario drove us safely through our itinerary.”

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12.Excursion to Washington from New York in 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $110

Leave Manhattan early for a 15-hour Washington DC tour by air-conditioned coach. A bilingual guide such as Carlos, Juanita, or Nando leads you through Arlington Cemetery, the National Mall, major memorials, the White House, Capitol, and Air and Space Museum before returning to Times Square.

“This tour was absolutely incredible, starting with our tour guide Carlos he was so informative, descriptive and entertaining and made it very engaging. The drivers Enrique and Mario were very friendly and cautious. The places they took us too were what we really wanted to see in this tour for example the White House, Arlington cemetery, Lincoln Monument, the Capital we even had a glance to the house where Lincoln actually died. This tour trip was beyond what we expected 10/10 thank you!”

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13.Boston and the Freedom Trail, 1-Day Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 350 reviews · 11 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $139

Leave Port Authority at 6:30 am for a coach ride to Boston with stops at Harvard, MIT, Copley Square, the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, and the Boston Tea Party site. Guides such as Moses, Carlo, Carlos, and Benjamin add plenty of historical context, but the packed schedule leaves little free time.

“The driver of the van was smoking weed the whole duration of the trip. Each time we stopped somewhere and returned to the van the whole vehicle was smelling of weed. We were also in the middle of a snowstorm and the journey was long. I since checked and note this behaviour is illegal. Travel company deny this happened but we and the other 2 travellers noted it. Completely unacceptable and have been given no apology or compensation and simply told to send more evidence... I have none but feel this is not correct that their driver can operate a vehicle with people in it this way. By the time…”

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14.Day trip to Washington from New York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 348 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $119

Leave Midtown Manhattan at 5:50 a.m. for a guided Washington day trip with an air-conditioned coach, free time at the National Mall, and stops at Arlington Cemetery, the White House, Capitol, and major war memorials. Guides such as Juanita, Agustin, and Mario add history and practical help.

“Great trip. Augustine and Mario were great and gave plenty of time to do your own thing. Very long day, but worth the trip to see the sites.”

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15.Hamptons, Sag Harbor & Outlet Shopping, 1-Day Tour from NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 190 reviews · 11 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $179

Leave Midtown at 6:30 a.m. for Southampton, Cooper’s Beach, Sag Harbor, a complimentary tasting at Duck Walk Vineyards, and Tanger Outlets. You’ll travel by van or bus with an English-speaking guide, with multilingual departures available. Expect a full 11 to 13 hours and plenty of time on the road.

“A great trip with a lovely guide who had lots of knowledge and jokes. Just needed longer than the 2 hours at the outlets as it was spread over a large space so didn’t allow much time to visit a variety of shops.”

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