NYC tour guide with tour guests — One of our New York guides with guests

Our story

ExperienceFirst was founded in New York City in 2009 with a simple idea: the best way to understand a place is to explore it with someone who loves it. We started small, with a handful of guides and a few routes through Manhattan, and we built every tour the same way: by walking it over and over, listening to what guests loved, and cutting anything that didn't earn its place.

More than fifteen years later, we lead tours in over ten cities across the U.S. and Europe, and our guests have left more than 85,000 five-star reviews along the way. But New York is where it all began, and it's still where we do our best work.

Why a New York-only site?

New York deserves its own address. There is more to see in the five boroughs than in many whole countries, and we wanted one place that brings together everything we do here: walking tours through the city's oldest neighborhoods, tickets to its highest observation decks, drives through the outer boroughs, and premium experiences you won't find anywhere else.

New York Experience is that place. Every tour on this site is run by ExperienceFirst and led by our New York team, so you get the same guides, the same standards and the same customer support as on any of our tours, with a sharper focus on the city we know best.

ExperienceFirst Broadway tour guide with guests — One of our Broadway guides with guests

What makes our guides special

Our guides are historians, performers, teachers and lifelong New Yorkers. What they share is a gift for storytelling and a real affection for this city. They know which moments call for quiet at the 9/11 Memorial, which dumpling shop in Chinatown is worth the line, and how to keep a teenager engaged in a museum for two whole hours.

We hire for personality as much as knowledge, and we listen closely to guest feedback. That's why so many of our reviews mention guides by name.

What we believe in

Four ideas guide every tour we design.

Stories over checklists
Anyone can point at a landmark. We want you to leave understanding why it matters.
Curated, not crammed
Itineraries that leave room to breathe, ask questions and take the photo.
Everyone is welcome
Our tours are inclusive spaces, and our guides tailor stories for families, first-timers and repeat visitors alike.
Good for the neighborhood
We love introducing guests to the small, local businesses that give New York its character.

2009Founded in New York City

15+Years leading tours

85k+Five-star reviews

4.9Average rating

We were a family of 4 with two kids, ages 11 and 14. Daniel gave us firsthand insight into the sights, sounds and emotions of that horrible day. I loved the personal aspect as it really helped our children connect and understand, as best they can, an event that we should never forget.

— Jackie

Great experience with an expert guide. Jett was very knowledgeable, entertaining, and very well organized. He knows The Met inside and out, and is passionate about art.

— Patty

Tour guide Charlie from ExperienceFirst was amazing! He shared lots of stories about the history and made it an enjoyable experience! 10/10 experience and would recommend the tour to anyone!

— Christian

The tour is amazing for families. Our guide, Sean, covered the historical, cultural and food aspects along the route. Highly recommended.

— Harry

Our group made 28 pizzas in 4 hours, and we had so much fun making up pizza combos and trying different variations. And now we know how to make delicious pizza at home from scratch!

— Duane

Jon was amazing. He was very knowledgeable, and the passion he has for what he does is truly exceptional. His passionate storytelling of the events of 9/11 brought us to tears more than once.

— Pam

Come walk with us

The best introduction to New York is on foot, with a local who can't wait to show you around. Start with one of our walking tours, from the 9/11 Memorial to Wall Street and the streets of SoHo and Chinatown.

Browse walking tours

85k+

five-star reviews

Local guides

who call New York home

Free cancellation

up to 24 hours before most tours

10+ cities

across the U.S. and Europe

New York is our hometown