Where to Go Private: the 15 Best New York City VIP Tours

1.From NYC: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,472 reviews · from $47Our pick

Ride from Times Square to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets on a comfortable bus with reserved seating, then shop more than 220 stores and use a VIP discount e-booklet. Choose a departure and return time, with earlier or later buses sometimes available if space allows.

“Excellent. Everything went according to the instructions. The bus was air conditioned and v clean. Both driver and guide were v pleasant and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Carriage Ride in Central Park (VIP – PRIVATE) Since 1964™

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,074 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.)

Take a private horse-drawn carriage through Central Park for about 50 minutes, with room for up to five people. Guides such as Oscar and Matt share park history, movie locations, and local details while horses including Strawberry and Grace carry you past Bethesda Fountain, Cherry Hill, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and more.

“Oscar was very knowledgeable about Central Park and was eager to share his knowledge. My Granddaughter is autistic and loves horses. She was able to feed "Strawberry" the carrots we brought. Great time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112

Sail from Pier 61 on a climate-controlled, all-glass dining vessel with a three-course meal, live music, and views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and more. Choose brunch, lunch, or a semi-formal dinner, with unlimited mimosas on selected brunch sailings.

“The brunch cruise was so much fun! This was my families favorite activity on our NYC trip. The crew and wait staff so cheerful and accommodating. Food was great and bottomless mimosas on Sunday! Great views! Five Stars!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.“The Met” Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 863 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $132Top rated

You’ll tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a private guide or small group of up to eight. Expect major works by Vermeer, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Seurat, plus Egyptian art, armor, American paintings, and odd museum treasures. Guides such as Rob, Charlie, Mark, and Michael tailor the route to your interests.

“It was a really nice experience with Michael showing us around. We were taken through all areas in the time window, which is not easy to do given the size of the museum. We also had special pieces pointed out through the tour. The only thing we felt would've made the tour a better value given it is quite expensive, is if our guide was able to explain the artists/sculptors/art pieces with a greater depth of knowledge. That being said, covering such a range is no easy task and we appreciated that we were able to move through the crowded museum efficiently and came away with a good understanding of…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.NYC: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Round Trip Service

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 784 reviews · from $65

Ride from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, home to more than 200 designer and brand-name stores. You receive a VIP discount book on arrival and choose your return bus from several afternoon and evening departures. The service is unescorted and lasts about six hours.

“I purchased the tickets and my account got charged. But when i got to the bus station, the tickets were invalid and I couldn’t get into the bus.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Manhattan: Statue and Skyline Cruise Aboard a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 540 reviews · 1h 30m · from $60

Spend 90 minutes aboard Classic Harbor Line’s 1920s-style yacht, with an assigned table, one included drink, and indoor or open-deck seating. Cruise past Ellis Island, Battery Park, the financial district, South Street Seaport, Governor’s Island, and the Statue of Liberty, with commentary from the captain and crew.

“We had a very nice and quiet cruise. We really enjoyed the fancy athmosphere and the crew, all very kind and ready to help. We highly recommend it, if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy every view in peace. There is plenty of space inside and on deck for everybody, really worth every penny.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Luxury Tour of NYC With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 472 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $2,175

Cover Manhattan’s big sights in six hours with a private guide, air-conditioned vehicle, short walks, and a harbor ferry ride. Start at Rockefeller Center, visit Central Park and the 9/11 Memorial, pass famous neighborhoods, and finish near Times Square. Guides include Tom, Ray, Jared, Chris, and Kevin.

“This tour was a great value. Great blend of tour stops with only moderate walking and a spacious a/c bus for transport. Our tour guide was great …. Knowledgeable, funny, and a great job herding us cats. Highly recommend for first time travelers to NYC”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.NYC at Night: 3-Hour Luxury Bus Tour of Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 448 reviews · 3 hours · from $42Best value

Ride through New York after dark with an English-speaking guide such as Jared, Bryant, Garrett, or Percy. You’ll see Fifth Avenue, Grand Central, DUMBO, Wall Street, One World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, and Times Square, with stops for photos and city views from a comfortable luxury bus.

“Guides were very friendly, I recommend the trip. Although due to UN meeting there was huge traffic.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.NYC: Half-Day Luxury Bus Tour of Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 281 reviews · 4 hours · from $60

Set out from Midtown with guides such as Jared, Garrett, Tom, or Gareth, depending on the departure. You’ll ride a comfortable climate-controlled bus past Central Park, Fifth Avenue, SoHo, the Financial District, and Hudson Yards, with stops at Rockefeller Center, 9/11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.

“Jared our guide was fantastic with his knowledge of and passion for New York. Our driver hector was amazing as he negotiated difficult traffic.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.NYC: Private Luxury Tour of NYC With Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 231 reviews · 6 hours · from $2,175

You’ll tour Manhattan in a private luxury vehicle with a live English-speaking guide, stopping at Rockefeller Center, SoHo, Chinatown, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Central Park, and more. Guides such as Ray, Tom, Chris Lee, and Jared are known for sharp city stories, humor, and helpful local tips.

“Chris Lee is the best Guide”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.From Manhattan: 4-Hour Christmas Lights Luxury Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 222 reviews · 4 hours · from $95

Ride from Greeley Square Park to Dyker Heights with an English-speaking NYC guide, then walk past extravagant displays before a Brooklyn Bridge Park photo stop and a Midtown finish. Guides such as Fred, Ray, Dave, and Jared are known for lively city stories.

“Absolutely brilliant tour. Our tour guide Fred was excellent! He was very welcoming and entertaining, the tour was more than we expected. We learnt so much about New York as well as seeing the beautiful sights and lights. This was definitely one of out favourite experiences in New York and we would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.“The Met” Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 116 reviews · 2h 30m · from $132

Spend 150 minutes with an English-speaking art historian at The Met, visiting major galleries from ancient Egypt to Van Gogh. Small-group and private options let guides such as Mark, Robin, or Katherine adjust the pace, answer questions, and add personal stories.

“Our guide texted ahead of time to confirm and coordinate where we would meet. Robin guides for the Met and all other museums, in ADDITION TO Yankee Stadium. She was so knowledgeable, passionate & a great communicator. Robin made our visit to the Met manageable, navigating through like it was her own home. Awesome!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.NYC: Dyker Heights and NYC Holiday Lights Luxury Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 42 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

Spend four hours touring New York’s holiday lights by luxury bus or SUV. Visit Dyker Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Washington Square, then finish at Rockefeller Center. English-speaking guides, including Percy and Moni on some departures, provide narration throughout.

“I thought the schedule lacked in allowing for some free time for a snack or cocoa. This could have been allowed at the houses or in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn stop was a bathroom stop. We were rushed through the houses. I kind of get why that was done because it’s very busy, but felt something was missing. I did like the narration while traveling to the houses. Also, very confusing on where to meet. Just say in front of Carnegie Cafe. We heard others complain about that as well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.NYC: Gray Line Guided 5 Hour Manhattan Premium Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 20 reviews · from $109

Spend five hours touring Manhattan by coach, Sprinter, or van with an English-speaking guide. Walk the High Line, browse Chelsea Market, ride the Staten Island Ferry, and see the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, and more from the route.

“our guide made the trip very interesting and we covered almost all of Manhattan”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.New York City: Bustronome Gourmet Lunch Tour on a Luxury Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $109

Spend 90 minutes touring Manhattan from a glass-roofed double-decker bus while enjoying a seasonal menu by chef Sebastien Nicolleau. Expect a four-course lunch, restaurant-style service, landmark views, background music, and a guided app. Alcohol is not served onboard.

“The food and waiter service was great. It was Worth the money.”

Check availability →Read our full review