New York · SELF-GUIDED TOURS
The 7 best self-guided tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
Ride an open-top bus for about 90 minutes through New York after dark. You will see Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, both famous East River bridges, Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and more, with recorded narration in 11 languages.
“They don't leave on time, bad customer service, no heat on the bus. Took three hours to get back in to town.”
Spend about one hour exploring the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This self-guided visit has no live guide, but lets you study medieval-style stonework, stained glass, sculpture, woven works, and a Keith Haring altarpiece at your own pace.
“The scale is overwhelming - all the write ups describing were good- I think the contrast of the type was weak- I need a flashlight to read the text but the content was good”
Walk through the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue at your own pace. Learn about Jewish immigrant life, Moorish Revival design, and the building’s restoration while viewing 60 historic stained glass windows and a modern work by Kiki Smith and Deborah Gans. Allow about one hour.
“Koniecznie zobaczyć w N.Y Synagoga przepiękna plus historia narodu.”
Walk more than 2 miles through Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO with the Action Tour Guide app. You’ll hear 25-plus audio stories, follow an offline GPS route, pause for photos or food, and revisit the tour anytime with lifetime access.
“A++Great audio, easy to follow and good value for money. Very informative and easy to follow once started the trip.”
Use the Questo app to follow clues through Williamsburg, solve puzzles, and find seven street art related stops between 175 Broadway and 162 N 9th Street. The private, self-guided game takes about 70 minutes, works offline, and lets you pause whenever you like.
“Instructions not always clear, not up to date as some locations have changed and art is not visible. Also not that much art, more general area tour. And the adventure narrative that accompanies the guide is strange and not relevant.”
Use the Unlimited Biking app to explore Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Brooklyn at your own pace. GPS-guided stops include local history, movie sites, photo spots, food suggestions, and public restrooms. Bring your own bike, walk, or arrange a separate rental.
Follow a GPS-guided audio walk through Prospect Park, from the JFK Memorial and Grand Army Plaza to the Ravine, waterfalls, Boathouse, Concert Grove, lake, and Picnic House. You set the pace, listen offline, and can replay the tour for life.
“I used Apple Maps along side the tour to help keep me on track. It’s a wonderful, entertaining and educational tour and I highly recommend it to get the most out of a visit to Prospect Park. It’s quite a long walk and there are some stairs involved, so be aware if that presents a challenge for you. Wear comfy shoes and your Air Buds, and bring water and snacks. There are loads of photo ops! Also you will have to walk about 1/2 mi further to exit the park at the end of the tour.”
Pick a borough, a boat or a booking.
