New York City Architecture Tours

Step aboard the teak decks of elegant 1920s style yachts, Manhattan or Manhattan II, and enjoy a 2.75 hour cruise while learning about NYC's architectural landmarks from the water. The "Around Manhattan" tour narration, provided by members of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) NYC chapter, is general enough for visitors yet detailed enough for the locals. Experience a comfortable and unique tour through the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers from a glassed-in observatory cabin, which has sliding windows for a fresh breeze, or wander to an open bow for more unobstructed views of the surrounding sites. On this cruise, guests will circumnavigate the island of Manhattan, passing under all 18 bridges, while taking in monuments, architecture, parks and infrastructure with narration throughout the cruise. Important note: select departures on Friday afternoons will focus on Climate Change in and around New York City. Please call the operator directly for questions on the tour theme.

This is a great 2.5-hour walking tour of the landmarks of midtown Manhattan. This small-group tour will get you up close and personal with these historic sites, while your guide shares the secrets and history of each. See the insides of Art Deco skyscraper masterpieces, and countless photo opportunities. A great tour for those who want to get the most out of their time in midtown. Landmarks seen include: -Bryant Park -New York Public Library -American Radiator Building -500 5th Avenue -Bowery Savings Bank Building -Chanin Building -Chrysler Building -Grand Central Terminal -Rockefeller Center -And more! Your guide will provide insight on these landmarks, with historic photos for reference. This tour is a small-group, for a more personal experience. It also makes many indoor stops, so also a great option any time of the year!

Join our team on a guided walking tour through vibrant Midtown Manhattan for quintessential New York City! Art Deco, Beaux-Art, & International Style architecture await along its picturesque avenues and streets. The neighborhood is a treasure of clustered renowned landmarks with astonishing histories, pioneering styles and enduring impact on the life of the city.

This Midtown Manhattan walking tour is a comprehensive look at the city's historical development as told through the buildings themselves. Fascinating strands of social, cultural, technological, real estate and zoning law histories are woven together in this wide and deep look New York's Midtown art and architecture.

Join us for this extraordinary experience of the Art and Architecture of New York's Financial District and Ground Zero! At the southern tip of Manhattan, east and west sides of the island converge in the stunning eruption of skyscrapers, defining New York’s iconic skyline. During our Financial District Tour, we will explore the dynamic contrasts of old and new in this part of the city by examining its distinctive architecture, which speaks to New York’s colonial past as well as showcases some of its boldest contemporary developments. Key sites that will be discuss include Battery Park City, Wall Street, Frances Tavern, Stone Street, Trinity Church, World Trade Center, the 9/11 memorial, Fulton Station, and the revitalization of the East River waterfront.

Venture into the heart of New York City’s iconic Financial District with a Downtown Manhattan Architecture Tour! Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious about the city's iconic skyline, this tour highlights the stories behind iconic landmarks like: - Trinity Church: A Gothic Revival masterpiece shaping NYC's early skyline. - Stone Street & Fraunces Tavern: Colonial-era gems amidst cobblestone streets. - 20 Exchange Place: An Art Deco skyscraper symbolizing NYC’s vertical dreams. - 40 Wall Street & NYSE: Beaux-Arts and neo-Gothic grandeur in the financial heart. - 28 Liberty Street: A Modernist icon of mid-century progress. - World Trade Center: Contemporary architecture reflecting resilience and innovation. With a small, intimate group, enjoy personalized attention while uncovering the unique styles, design features, and urban influences of each site. Plus, get tips for capturing stunning photos of these architectural gems!

Situated at the heart of New York City, Midtown and its surrounding neighborhoods are the dynamic epicenter of the metropolis. This locality’s frenetic energy finds physical translation in the dazzling lights of Time Square and the ascendant skyscrapers of the business district. During this Midtown Manhattan Architecture Tour, we will chart the history of Midtown through its architecture, starting with examples from the early twentieth century and culminating with the latest additions to this area’s urban landscape. Among the buildings we will visit and discuss are Grand Central, the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, the Sony Building, Austrian Culture Center, MoMA, Rockefeller Center and many others.

This 2.5 hour walking tour around the Midtown Manhattan shows-and-tells the fascinating stories of holdouts—the intriguing side effect of Manhattan's pressure cooker real estate industry: when a property owner (or lease holder) refused to sell to a developer, forced them to rework their plans, and forever changed the city streetscape. Stories, like the elderly lady who never knew any other home; or the poker player-like landlord who overplayed his hand; or the restauranteur whose long term lease (justifiably) demanded budget-busting sums, all add a human dimension to these transactional anomalies. And personal stories that were otherwise lost, are awesomely amplified by the everlasting impression left behind: seemingly ill-planned entrances for skyscrapers, odd shaped buildings, 20-story tall notches in office towers, are just some of the 16 examples of holdouts we'll see. This tour is based on the book, Holdouts! By Alpern and Durst.

Join this fast-paced 3-hour photography tour of Manhattan's architectural gems. Learn how to photograph the iconic locations of Times Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park, the Chrysler Building, the New York Public Library and much more. Your expert photographer guide will show you the best vantage points to photograph these landmark buildings as you hone your photography skills.

See some of New York’s best architecture on this expert-led Midtown Manhattan walking tour with your ticket to NYC’s newest observatory — SUMMIT One Vanderbilt — included! We’ll start at the famous Empire State Building, where you’ll capture the perfect photo of this skyscraper. On Fifth Avenue, hear how Macy’s changed New York and America. See more iconic skyscrapers from Bryant Park, the “town square” of Midtown, as you take in views of the striking American Radiator Building and learn how it inspired artists. Your guide will share the stories of these beloved landmarks, from the Chrysler Building to the New York Public Library, pointing out details in the Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architecture along the way. Finally, we come to One Vanderbilt, standing more than 1,400 feet tall. On the 91st through the 93rd floors, you can experience the NYC skyline in a whole new way — with lights, mirror, and interactive art.

Are you ready to embark on a journey through mythology in the heart of Manhattan? This carefully designed self-guided scavenger hunt takes you on a magical adventure along Fifth Avenue where you’ll encounter the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece in all their grandeur. You’ll also be on a tour of Manhattan’s iconic architecture, including the famous Rockefeller Centre and other famous sights of 5th Ave. As you follow the clues and solve the 12 riddles. Score points along the way for any clues you answer correctly and play as part of a team or against others. After booking, you will receive your link to play via email or SMS. Head over to the starting location and begin your adventure. Receive clues along the way and solve each mystery to unlock your next location. Join us on this epic journey and let the magic of the city unfold before your eyes. This adventure has 14 clues with an optional rest break. Budget around 1.5 – 2 hours.

Manhattan’s west side is New York City’s go-to place for new architecture and art, from the colossal Hudson Yards development to the celebrated Whitney Museum. See contemporary buildings by international ‘starchitects’, and consider Chelsea's ever-evolving history with a award winning guide who is also a critic and educator with 15 years experience of touring this area. Your tour guide’s art tours have been featured in The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Tennis Channel, Conde Nast Traveler, The Mandarin Oriental, and Philadelphia Magazine and she will put together an itinerary that will take you to the most talked-about architecture and art exhibitions of the moment.

Get the most out of Woodlawn Cemetery with this self-guided walking tour produced by an Emmy-nominated storyteller. • Dig up scandalous stories of NYC's illustrious, eternally permanent residents • Hear from Tom Darbyshire, a Creative Director from New York’s advertising industry whose passion for juicy stories and Woodlawn Cemetery inspired him to produce this VoiceMap tour • Do it all in two-hours or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Join this group tour to see many of New York’s most famous buildings and architectural treasures. We’ll head from Times Square, the heart of the Theater District, to the New York Public Library and Grand Central Terminal, two beautiful examples of Beaux-Arts design. We’ll talk about the fight to save Grand Central before making our way past the iconic shops of 5th Avenue to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and The Plaza Hotel. We’ll then see two of NYC’s most famous museums before making our way into Central Park, where we’ll see NYC’s very own castle, hidden in plain sight. We’ll finish the tour by running through the park and downtown past Carnegie Hall. We love this route because it has it all – the sights, streets, and smells of NYC! You can really feel the energy of the city in Midtown, and it’s a great combination of classic New York landmarks and quieter stretches away from the hustle and bustle, even in the heart of NYC.

Discover the architectural treasures of East Manhattan on this engaging walking tour that highlights the rich history and innovative designs of the city. From the stunning Beaux-Arts grandeur of Grand Central Terminal to the sleek modernity of One Vanderbilt, this tour showcases iconic landmarks and their fascinating stories. Learn about the Art Deco brilliance of the Chrysler Building and the sustainable architecture of the Ford Foundation, gaining insights from expert guides. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs, this tour offers a unique perspective on New York City’s architectural evolution. - Duration: 2-hour walking tour with approximately 30 minutes of walking - Limited to 10 participants, ensuring an intimate experience - Conducted in English, with private tours available in multiple languages - Meeting point at Vanderbilt Avenue Plaza, ending at the United Nations complex