Experience New York City by joining free walking tours. Check out these tours that cover a variety of neighborhoods, as well as two of New York City’s great parks — Central Park and the High Line.
The Grand Central Neighborhood Tour
Experience a wonderful tour of Grand Central and the surrounding neighborhood led by Justin Ferate or Peter Laskowich. In addition to exploring some of the highlights of Grand Central terminal, Pershing Square and the Chrysler Building.
- When:Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
- Length:90 minutes
- Where:Sculpture Court at 120 Park Avenue (southwest corner of East 42nd Street)
- Sponsor:Grand Central Partnership
- Details:The Grand Tour
Tours of The High Line
Built upon an abandoned elevated railway on Manhattan’s West Side, it can’t be denied that The High Line is remarkable. The park runs from Gansevoort to 34th Street. The tours are led by High Line Docents who share information about the Park’s history, design and art.
- When:check schedule for dates/times
- Length:45-60 minutes
- Where:High Line at West 14th Street
- Sponsor:Friends of the High Line
- Details:Tours of The High Line
Big Apple Greeter Tours
Experience a private, guided tour of New York City for free! Seems hard to believe, but that’s exactly what Big Apple Greeters offers visitors to New York City. Since 1992, this non-profit organization has connected visitors with local volunteers who want to share their know-how and favorite neighborhoods with the city’s visitors. They even have a no-tipping policy, but if you love what you experience, you should make a donation to Big Apple Greeters to keep their services available. Please note: tours are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so book well in advance to have the best chance of getting a tour.
- Website:Big Apple Greeters
- Request Your Tour:Tour Request Form
- Tips?Guides cannot accept tips, but you can make a donation to Big Apple Greeters
Free Tours by Foot
Free Tours By Foot offers a variety of New York City walking tours, most of which are free (on their food tours you pay for your own samples). Most tours are 2 hours and cover a single neighborhood, but they also have an All-In-One-Tour that is 6-hours long and covers many areas of New York City.
- Website:Free Tours By Foot
- Schedule:Free Tours By Foot Schedule
- Tips?:Guides work exclusively for tips, so please tip them appropriately
Central Park Conservancy Guided Tours
Join free guided walking tours covering many different areas of Central Park. Tours range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and are led by volunteers from the Central Park Conservancy Walking Tour Program. Understand Central Park and learn about its history and design. Tours are rated for difficulty, and some are handicap-accessible.
- Website:Central Park Conservancy Walking Tours
- Calendar:Central Park Conservancy Calendar
- More:Central Park Visitors Guide
- Tips?:No, but consider making a donation to the Central Park Conservancy
“Crossroads of New York” Walking Tour
Learn about this neighborhood with a rich political and social history on a walking tour created with the help of the experts at Big Onion Walking Tours. Learn about the people, events, and architecture of this wonderful neighborhood.
- When:Saturdays at 2 p.m.
- Length:90 minutes
- Where:Abraham Lincoln Statue at 16th Street transverse
- Sponsor:Union Square Partnership
Free Lower East Side Historic Tours
This three-hour walking tour of the Lower East Side explores both the history and modern side of this dynamic neighborhood.
- When:Sundays (April-November) at 11 a.m.
- Length:3 hours
- Where:Katz’s Delicatessen (corner of East Houston and Ludlow Street)
- Sponsor:Lower East Side BID
- Details:Lower East Side Historic Tours
