Manhattan, Queens, Bronx & Brooklyn- City of Contrasts

6 hours

Duration

English, Español

Languages

New York City, NY

Location

Experience the best of NYC in this guided half-day tour that goes beyond the sizzling sights of Manhattan, as we visit the most famous landmarks in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Get a sneak peek into the local lifestyle of these diverse and vibrant boroughs, including jazz, theater, street art, beautiful parks, and two of America’s favorite baseball stadiums! The picturesque contrasts are what life in NYC is all about, and there is truly something for everyone to enjoy during this inspirational tour of the Big Apple.

Although images of Manhattan spring to mind when we think of NYC, there is so much more to be experienced within the Big Apple! This half-day tour will take you on a culturally enriching journey through The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, as you ride in our comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to visit some of the most treasured sights and historical landmarks in these popular NYC boroughs.

Our first stop will be in the prominent Jazz neighborhood of Harlem, including a stop at the renowned Apollo Theater. Some of the most celebrated performers in America’s history began their legendary careers on this very stage, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, and Lauryn Hill.

The experience continues as we head North out of Manhattan into the Bronx, straight to the famed Yankee Stadium. Within these walls, some of the most legendary Yankee players of all time have left a lasting legacy, including Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and of course, the one and only Babe Ruth. The stadium is grand, modern, and impressive, yet with a deep sense of honor and tradition that can be felt from the moment it comes into view.

We’ll continue our exploration of The Bronx with a visit to the “Joker Stairs”, an iconic landmark from the 2019 film Joker. You’ll also see a number of wall murals painted by creative street artists, including the “I Love The Bronx Mural”, an artistic interpretation of the history of the Bronx from past to present. As we ride along, our experienced tour guide will provide details about this famous street art and the fascinating history of The Bronx.

Next up is Queens, where we’ll take a peaceful stroll through Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which has many remnants from the 1964 World’s Fair, including the UniSphere. This unique steel sphere is surrounded by cascading waves of water that create the illusion of it being suspended in the air! You may also recognize it from the movie Men in Black.

Sports fans will love our sights of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the heart of the US Open, and Citi Field, the home of the NY Mets. Both of these amazing sports landmarks are located in Queens.

We’ll round out this half-day tour in Brooklyn, where we’ll explore the Williamsburg neighborhood, which is well-known for its large population of Hasidic Jews. Then we’ll head to Brooklyn’s waterfront, featuring world-famous panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline that will take your breath away. Strolling through Domino Park, you’ll be able to admire the gorgeous New York Bay, and capture stunning photos of landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and One World Trade Center.

The tour will end with 2 drop-off options:

Brooklyn Bridge (walk this famous 1.8-kilometer NYC bridge back to Manhattan)
Little Italy / Chinatown (Downtown Manhattan)

Departure

We meet all our travelers at the meeting points

8:10 AM – Seven Penn Plaza (370 7th Ave)

8:25 AM – Manhattan at Times Square Hotel (790 7th Ave)

Upper East Side

Rich residents, upscale dining options, and luxury stores along Madison Avenue are all hallmarks of the Upper East Side’s upscale residential neighborhood. It’s a lovely area with a blend of high-rises and traditional brownstones.

Drive Through

Harlem

Harlem has long been recognized for its African-American roots, soul food establishments, and small jazz clubs. An exciting evening environment is created by fashionable pubs, chic clubs, and trendy restaurants. Modern high-rises and brownstones from the 19th century.

Drive Through

Apollo Theater

One of America’s cultural treasures is the Apollo. People from all around New York, the country, and the world come to see this lively theater in the Harlem neighborhood. Black artists and voices from around the African Diaspora have been at the forefront of the Apollo’s creations, celebrations, and presentations since 1934. Additionally, it has sparked civic and social advocacy. The Apollo is currently the biggest performing arts organization dedicated to Black innovation and culture.

Stop 20 minutes

Astor Row Houses

Astor Row was one of the earliest speculative townhouses constructed in Harlem, with 28 three-story homes. The single-family, three-story brick homes have an interesting architecture as they are set back from the street. They all have wooden porches and front and side yards, which is unusual in Manhattan.

Stop 20 minutes

The Bronx

Although the Bronx has a rich history, it is most known for being the home of the New York Yankees, and for being the cradle of rap and hip-hop music.

Drive Through / Hop on – Hop Off

Joker Stairs

Both the 2019 movie Joker and its 2024 follow-up Joker: Folie à Deux were filmed in part at the Joker Stairs. Joker Stairs are now a part of the list of famous film locations.

Stop 15 minutes

Yankee Stadium and Old Yankee Stadium Field

The Old Yankee Stadium, which was in operation from 1923 to 2008, was replaced by the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in April 2009. From 1923 to 2008, the New York Yankees called Old Yankee Stadium home. The Old Yankee Stadium was the biggest and most impressive baseball stadium when it was open in 1923.

Stop 20 minutes

Typical Bronx Bodega

A small, independent grocery store, featuring ethnic foods or regional cuisine. Bodegas are renowned for their special charm and individuality, often featuring distinctive signage and a wide array of products.

Stop 20 minutes

I Love The Bronx Mural

One of the South Bronx’s most active graffiti artists are Tats Cru, also known as The Mural Kings. The Bronx’s history and culture are preserved by Tats Cru’s community murals. Every letter in the I Love the Bronx mural represents a unique characteristic of the Bronx.

Stop 10 minutes

South Bronx Neighborhoods

From the 1960s to the 1990s, the South Bronx came to represent urban decay, but it is also known for being the cradle of hip-hop and graffiti.

Drive Through

Amadou Diallo Mural

A photograph of Amadou Diallo is painted on a building on Wheeler Avenue in the South Bronx, near the location where he was shot and murdered by 41 police bullets.

Drive Through

Queens

Named for the English Queen and Portuguese royal princess Catherine of Braganza, Queens is the largest and easternmost of New York City’s five boroughs.

Drive Through / Hop on – Hop Off

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

One of the city’s most famous parks, it hosted two World’s Fairs in the 20th century. There is always plenty to do here, including sports, activities, picturesque trails, and historic hikes. Additionally, the park is a well-known filming location: Manifest, Evil, Summer of Sam, Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, FBI: Most Wanted, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Men in Black, and Power: Book III

Stop 20-30 minutes

Citi Field

A well-known sports and entertainment complex in Queens, New York City, is Citi Field. Most famously is known as the home of the New York Mets.

Drive Through

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The US Open Tennis Championships are held in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a stadium complex in Queens’ Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.

Drive Through

The Unisphere

Designed, constructed, and shown at the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, this 12-story stainless steel replica of the planet Earth is a symbol of the event. Man has never created a larger depiction of the earth than the Unisphere. It weighs 900,000 pounds with its tripod-like base, and it is 140 feet high and 120 feet in circumference.

Stop 10 minutes

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the most populated borough of New York City and one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods with sizable populations of Hasidic Jews, Caribbean-Americans, Latinos, Italians, and others it showcases a diverse range of cultures.

Drive Through / Hop on – Hop Off

Domino Park

Domino Park is a five-acre public park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that runs beside the East River. This charming waterfront walkway is the ideal location for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful break providing stunning views of the East River and the Manhattan skyline.

Stop 20 minutes

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

With its stylish shops, hip cafés, and popular eateries, Williamsburg is a trendy area in Brooklyn that attracts the young and stylish. The Hasidic Jewish community, on the other hand, is among the world’s most observant.

Stop 20 minutes

Return

Brooklyn Bridge – Walk this famous NYC bridge to head back to Manhattan
Little Italy – The most authentic Italian food in NYC

INCLUSIONS:
• Driver/guide
• Professional licensed guide
• Hop-on hop-off tour
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle

EXCLUSIONS
• Food and drinks. Cash is recommended the tour does allow time for refreshment not included in the price of the tour.
• Gratuities (recommended)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide (English/Spanish)
• Royal City Tours reserve the right to cancel booking for a full refund in case of bad weather and/or not enough travelers
• Vehicle size depends on the number of reservations
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Itinerary can be subject to traffic and weather conditions
• Tour can be modified according to situations such as parades, the New York City Marathon, national holidays and more

Book now

Reviews

4.84 based on 364 reviews

Sviatlana

July 10, 2022

Absolutely wonderful experience!!!! This tour opens one’s eyes to the side of NYC that reaches far beyond the lights and excitement that Manhattan has to offer. It offers a different flavor compared to all other yours we have taken. An absolute must!!!
Our guide was amazing! She did not bore us with reciting all dates and events corresponding to a site we were visiting. She trickled them through the tour while really focusing on the authentic flavors of each neighborhoods.

edlindamartinez

July 7, 2022

I enjoyed The Apollo and The Bronx Murals. My only comment is that she only showed/spoke about the negative of The Bronx, while gushing about how great Queens is. The Bronx has some very nice areas as well as run down areas. It left a bad taste in some if the Europeans, even scared them into asking if we could please leave the area. My recommendation is to conclude the Bronx portion of the tour with a tour of the nice areas: Fordham University, the Bronx Botanical Gardens for example.

Neus

July 2, 2022

La pena es no haber hecho el tour justo cuando llegamos a NYC. Nos ha encantado conocer la ciudad de la mano de Mili y que nos cuente detalles sobre la ciudad. Sin duda, recomendamos el tour a todo el mundo!

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