Take a bite of the Big Apple in this tour to New York City, known by some as the Capital of the World! In this whirlwind tour of NYC, you’ll spend time in the major neighborhoods of Manhattan and enjoy exploring some of the lesser-known nooks of the city with a seasoned New Yorker to guide you. Visit the famed locations of major movie dramas, the skyscrapers that make up the world’s most iconic skyline, and sit back for a Broadway show. You’ll taste authentic New York pizza at Grimaldi’s without waiting in the world famous line around the block and cruise on the Hudson River to the tunes of a live band while sipping wine as the sun sets. Enjoy the ultimate cosmopolitan experience (in the city that invented the Cosmopolitan!)
Degree of Difficulty –
Upon arrival at one of New York City’s major airports, your group will be met by your Classic Escapes representative and transported to your hotel in the theater district, just one block from Times Square. You’ll have some free time to relax and settle into your hotel room before meeting your group in the lobby for a welcome dinner on the town, where you’ll get your first exhilarating look at the Big Apple by night in an area lit by countless Broadway marquees, larger-than-life billboards, and the glitter of the surrounding skyscrapers. ROW NYC HOTEL.
(Welcome D)
After breakfast, load up into your tour vehicle for the ultimate guided drive around Manhattan. With an expert tour leader on board to point out every site of interest, you’ll pass by some of the major landmarks of the city this morning, including Grand Central Station and the United Nations and coast through some of the most iconic neighborhoods in Manhattan, including the markets and colorful decor in Chinatown and the hip epicenter of East Village. You’ll disembark at the 9/11 memorial site at the location of the old World Trade Center buildings, where you will have time to explore the museum and grounds and pay your respects to those lost in the attacks in 2001. Afterward, your drive will continue through the Financial District, where the New York Stock Exchange and the iconic bull statue live. Drive along the sparkling Hudson waterfront and up through cozy and quaint Greenwich Village (known to locals simply as “the village” to reach the legendary Chelsea Market, a bustling cluster of shops and restaurants where you’ll be free to wander, shop, or stop for lunch within. Your guide will briefly meet you outside of the market to escort you to the High Line, an elevated park built in the remainder of a defunct over-head rail line, now covered in exotic greenery and chic enclaves to sit and enjoy the magnificent views that surround the park. You you will be free to wander the High Line at your leisure, marking the beginning of a free afternoon to explore wherever your heart might take you! Of course, if you’re in need of suggestions, your guides are always happy to point you toward the best fit for your particular interests int his city that truly has something for everyone. ROW HOTEL.
(B)
Today, you’ll start in the famous Union Square Park before heading off to Brooklyn for the NY Pizza Tour. Brooklyn is the southernmost of New York’s five boroughs and home to many iconic sights. Start in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) where you’ll get special early access to the most popular pizza restaurant in NYC, Grimaldi’s, before it opens. This pizzeria is known for having a line that wraps around the block, full of pizza lovers anxious to have a bite of famous brickoven goodness, so it’s a special privilege to skip ahead! Afterwards, head further into Brooklyn for a driving tour to some famous spots from iconic films, including The French Connection, Saturday Night Fever, and Goodfellas. Stop by the Coney Island boardwalk for a walk down past the amusement park and be back in Manhattan to spend the remainder of the day as you wish by 3:30pm! This evening, head down to Broadway to take in one of its world renowned theatrical performances. ROW HOTEL.
(B, L)
This morning, enjoy another guided drive through the city, this time exploring uptown, where you’ll see landmarks like the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the Lincoln Center. Stop off for a stroll through Central Park, one of the most important landmarks in the city. A guide will take you through the winding trails of Central Park and past many of the famed landmarks, including Strawberry Fields and Belvedere Castle, while regaling you with the history of the area. Afterward, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in the United States, which you will be free to explore at your leisure after a quick introduction of the many collections on display. Spend the afternoon on your own, exploring New York at your own pace before meeting back at the hotel for a farewell dinner cruise aboard a luxury vessel with live music and gourmet dining, all set against a backdrop of lazy river waves and the spectacular New York City skyline. ROW HOTEL.
(B,D)
Spend the morning in Queens, the easternmost borough and home to many vibrant communities and landmarks. In the up-and-coming neighborhood of Astoria, you’ll visit the Museum of the Moving Image, America’s largest collection of artifacts relating to art, history, and technology of moving images and the film industry. Afterwards, enjoy authentic Greek food in New York’s “Little Athens,” where you’ll meet Classic Escapes president and Greek native, Stacy Fiorentinos to share in spectacular food and a fond farewell toast before you head back home. You’re free to bid a fond farewell to the Big Apple in the late afternoon, taking with you the larger-than-life experiences you had in the City That Never Sleeps.
(B,L)
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
Maximum group size: Although there’s no limit we suggest a maximum of 35 travelers.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- All ground transfers and tours in air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of a local guides on transfers and sightseeing as noted.
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- All meals as specified above.
- Admission and highlights tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Admission and behind the scenes tour at the Museum of the Moving Image.
- Orchestra seats for a Broadway show.
- Brooklyn pizza tour.
- Farewell dinner cruise.
- All applicable hotel taxes.
- Hotel porterage.
- Complimentary baggage tags.
New York City has a temperate climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters, but generally above freezing temperatures. Precipitation is fairly even throughout the year, with thunderstorms quite common in the summer months. The ‘Big Apple’ is a destination that can be visited year-round. Many festivals take place in the city, Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the most festive holidays, July 4th offers some spectacular fireworks, and the theater is welcoming no matter when you visit. This applies to our NYC based programs. The Finger Lakes are best visited between May and September when outdoor pursuits can be accommodated, and the Summits program can only be offered during May and September because of the snows that can close down the various mountains.
