New York driving tours

New York driving tours

Manhattan is only one of five boroughs. Sit back while a local guide shows you the rest, by coach or private luxury car.

See driving tours

Beyond Manhattan

Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens hold the neighborhoods most visitors never reach. We drive you straight to them.

Easy on the feet

No subway transfers or long walks between sights. Hop out for photos and short strolls, then ride on.

Private cars on your schedule

Book a luxury vehicle and guide for just your group, and linger wherever you like.

Our New York driving tours

4.92,491 reviews

Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Bus Tour

<p>Explore four NYC boroughs (Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn) with an expert local guide sharing the stories of Harlem, Williamsburg, Little Italy and more!</p>

Includes:
  • Comfortable bus ride through four of NYC’s boroughs
  • An expert New York guide to share the stories behind each destination
  • A professional driver, separate from your dedicated guide
  • An empanada at a local bakery in the Bronx
Duration
6 hours
Price
Learn More about Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Bus Tour
5.0

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

<p>The easiest way to see Dyker Heights’ famous Christmas lights from Manhattan. Skip the subway and the cold: a heated comfortable bus takes you from Midtown to Brooklyn, while a dedicated guide (separate from your driver) shares the stories behind the displays. Walk among giant Santas and light shows in Dyker Heights!</p>

Includes:
  • Transportation on a comfortable, heated bus
  • Dedicated tour guide separate from driver
  • One-hour walking tour of Dyker Heights
  • Mini walking tour of DUMBO and Bay Ridge
Duration
4 hours
Price
Learn More about Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour
5.0

Private Luxury Tour of NYC

See NYC’s top sights on a private tour, from Rockefeller Center to Statue of Liberty.

Includes:
  • Expert NYC tour guide in addition to your professional bus driver
  • Transportation on a luxury vehicle with triple-cushioned leather captain's seats, AC, and surround sound
  • Guided walking tour of the 9/11 Memorial
  • Guided walking tour in Central Park
  • Guided ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor
  • Guided bus tour through Manhattan
  • Gratuities
Duration
6 hours
Price
Learn More about Private Luxury Tour of NYC
Signature Edition

Manhattan by Private Luxury Car

<p>Six hours of private, expert-guided access to New York — with a dedicated driver, a flexibly curated route, private transfers to and from your hotel, and a guide who brings every story to life.</p>

Includes:
  • Private transfer to and from your hotel
  • Private 6-hour guided tour
  • Dedicated private NYC tour guide separate from your professional driver
  • Transportation in a luxury car
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
Duration
6 hours
Group size
Private for 1-8 guests
Price
Learn More about Manhattan by Private Luxury Car
Signature Edition

Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens by Private Luxury Car

<p>Culture, contrasts, character — this is the real New York.</p>

Includes:
  • Private transfer to and from your hotel
  • Private 6-hour guided tour
  • Private NYC tour guide
  • Private NYC driver
  • Transportation in a luxury car
  • Lunch
  • Empanadas at a Bronx restaurant
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
Duration
6 hours
Group size
Private for 1-8 guests
Price
Learn More about Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens by Private Luxury Car

Why leave Manhattan?

Until 1898, New York was little more than Manhattan and part of the Bronx. Consolidation stitched five boroughs into one city, but each kept its own accent, food and sense of itself. Most visitors spend their whole trip on one of them. That's a shame, because a lot of what makes New York New York happens across the bridges.

The catch is distance. The Bronx, Queens and the far side of Brooklyn are big, spread out and awkward to link by subway in a single day. A driving tour solves that. Your guide handles the route, the traffic and the parking, and you get the stories, the views and the stops worth getting out for. It's also the easiest way to sightsee if walking all day isn't for you.

Street view in Williamsburg Brooklyn
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Brooklyn

If Brooklyn were still independent, it would rank among the largest cities in America. It is a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods. DUMBO has cobblestones, converted warehouses and the classic view of the Manhattan Bridge. Brooklyn Heights has brownstone streets and a promenade facing the skyline. Williamsburg went from sugar refineries and factories to one of the city's liveliest places to eat and shop.

Farther south, Coney Island keeps the seaside amusement tradition alive, with the wooden Cyclone roller coaster running since 1927.

Bronx eagle MLK Obama mural
A mural on Eagle Avenue in the South Bronx

The Bronx

The Bronx is the only borough on the U.S. mainland, and the one with the biggest gap between reputation and reality. This is where hip-hop was born, at a 1973 back-to-school party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. The Grand Concourse was built to rival Paris's boulevards and is lined with Art Deco apartment houses. Yankee Stadium is here too.

Street art is everywhere, from memorial walls to huge murals on school buildings, and the borough is also home to the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo.

Unisphere in NYC
The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Queens

Queens is often called the most ethnically diverse place on earth, and you can taste it. Jackson Heights, Flushing and Astoria have some of the best, most affordable food in the city, cooked by communities from every continent.

In Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the 140-foot steel Unisphere survives from the 1964 World's Fair. Nearby are the grounds of the U.S. Open and Citi Field, home of the Mets.

Christmas decoration of a house in Dyker Heights
Holiday lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

The Dyker Heights Christmas lights

Every holiday season, a quiet residential corner of southwest Brooklyn turns into one of the most over-the-top light shows in the country. Since the 1980s, Dyker Heights homeowners have tried to outdo each other with towering nutcrackers, animated Santas and houses wrapped in tens of thousands of bulbs, and some even hire professional decorators.

The lights usually go up around Thanksgiving and stay through the holidays. The streets get packed and parking is nearly impossible, so a guided evening tour with transportation is by far the easiest way to see them. Our Dyker Heights tour runs in season only.

Coach or private car?

Both come with a local guide. The difference is who you share the ride with, and how much the day bends around you.

  • Choose the coach for value

    The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens bus tour covers three boroughs in one day on a set route, with a guide and fellow travelers on board. It's the best value way to see the outer boroughs.

  • Choose a private car for comfort

    A luxury vehicle and guide just for your group. Ideal for families with young children, travelers with limited mobility, and anyone who wants to linger, skip or add a stop.

  • Short on time? Go private

    On a quick visit, a private car tour of Manhattan fits a long list of landmarks into a few hours without a single subway transfer.

At a glance

Boroughs
Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens
Ways to ride
Shared coach or private luxury car
Walking
Light, with photo stops
Seasonal
Dyker Heights lights in the holidays

Tips for a day on the road

  • Bring a phone or camera with plenty of storage, since the bridge crossings come fast
  • Wear comfortable shoes for the photo stops and short walks
  • Dress for the weather, as you'll step outside at every stop
  • Come hungry if your tour includes a food stop in Brooklyn or Queens
  • Tell us about mobility needs or car seats when you book a private tour
  • For Dyker Heights, pack gloves and a warm hat, as December evenings get cold
Prefer to explore on foot? See walking tours

What riders say

The best tour I've ever been on! I've been to the city multiple times and yet everything felt new. Jorge also took the time to share his in-depth knowledge of different cultures and communities. The tour itself felt like it was trying to be ethical by supporting small businesses. I would do it again!

— Khaliah

Incredible guide. Ray's dedication and involvement in the tour were exceptional. He didn't just recite facts; he brought the boroughs to life with his personal anecdotes, deep knowledge, and engaging sense of humor.

— Adrian

Chris, our tour guide, was so knowledgeable, funny, and kind. A great tour of the spots you wouldn’t usually visit as a tourist in NYC! Absolutely spectacular.

— Niki

This tour surpassed all expectations. Tom, our tour guide, was absolutely lovely and has a vast knowledge of the history of NYC. So glad I booked this particular tour as it really was a highlight of my trip.

— Maeve

Ray, our tour guide, was a fount of knowledge with plenty of tales and fun stories to share. The itinerary was full but well designed so it flowed well. I feel like we learnt so much about this beautiful city from a born and bred New Yorker who clearly loves this special place.

— Karen

Our private tour with Jorge was amazing! We saw so many things in just one day and his knowledge was incredible. We had 4 moms and 4 teens, and he was able to keep us all happy and engaged all day. Highly recommend this as a way to see the NYC highlights in a day!

— Jessica

Driving tour FAQs

The Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens bus tour is a shared tour on a set route, and it's the most affordable way to see the outer boroughs. Private luxury car tours are for your group alone, so the pace, the stops and the conversation are all yours.
Yes, they're one of the easiest ways to see the city with less walking. Stops are short, and on a private tour you can stay in the vehicle whenever you like. Let us know your needs when booking and we'll help you choose the right option.
Yes. Each tour includes stops for photos and short walks at places that are best seen on foot, such as waterfront viewpoints, parks and neighborhood streets.
The displays usually go up around Thanksgiving and stay on through the holidays. Our Dyker Heights tour runs during that season only; check the tour page for available dates.
Absolutely. The Bronx gave the world hip-hop and has some of the city's best street art, and Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth, with food to match. Your guide will take you to the neighborhoods that show each borough at its best.
Yes, private car tours are great for families. Let us know the ages of any young children when you book so we can discuss car seat arrangements.
New York Experience is run by ExperienceFirst, a tour company founded in New York City in 2009, with more than 85,000 five-star reviews and a 4.9 average rating.

Five boroughs, one local team

ExperienceFirst was founded in New York City in 2009. Our guides were raised in these boroughs or have lived in them for years, and they know the back roads, the best views and the bakery worth pulling over for.

About us

85k+

5-star reviews

4.9

average rating

Local guides

who call NYC home

Since 2009

leading tours in New York