Tours

Reservations are required for some of the tours listed here, but even if they're not, it's always best to call ahead to confirm prices, times, and meeting places.

Take the M5: A City Bus That Hits the Highlights -- If your feet are worn out from walking, but you still want to see some sights, I suggest hopping on the M5 bus. Its route runs from Washington Heights down to Greenwich Village. If you board uptown, around 125th Street and Riverside Drive, and take it downtown, you'll pass landmarks such as Grant's Tomb, Riverside Church, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, and Washington Square. And all you need is $2 from your MetroCard (or exact coin change) and your trusty Frommer's New York City guide book with your maps in hand. The bus will move slowly enough where you will be able to consult your book and find the corresponding landmarks.

Roosevelt Island Tram -- Want to take in a little-known but spectacular view of the New York skyline? Take them for a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram (tel. 212/832-4543, ext. 1; www.rioc.com.) This is the tram you have probably seen in countless movies, most recently Spider-Man. The tram originates at 59th Street and Second Avenue, costs $2 each way ($2 round-trip for seniors), and takes 4 minutes to traverse the East River to Roosevelt Island, where there are a series of apartment complexes and parks. During those 4 minutes you will be treated to a gorgeous view down the East River and the East Side skyline, with views of the United Nations and four bridges: the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. On a clear day you might even spot Lady Liberty. And don't worry, despite what you've seen in the movies, the tram is safe, and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has everything under control. The tram operates daily from 6am until 2:30am and until 3:30am on weekends.

Harbor Cruises -- Note that some of the lines may have limited schedules in winter, especially for evening cruises. Call ahead or check online for current offerings.

The Attack of the Double-Decker Buses -- They are everywhere. There is no escape. They clog up the already overcrowded streets, spewing exhaust, their red or blue exteriors splashed with a garish display of self-promotion and advertising, loudspeakers blaring as the people huddled on the upper deck (swathed in plastic ponchos when it rains) look down at the natives on the streets. I'm talking about double-decker buses. They run in the morning, they run at night, they run all day long. Can you tell I'm not a fan? I think New York is best appreciated on foot, or on public buses and subways. Sure these double-decker buses have guides but take the facts they dish out with a grain of salt; they aren't always accurate. If you insist, the top bus tour is Gray Line New York Tours (tel. 800/669-0051 or 212/445-0848; www.graylinenewyork.com). Tours depart from various locations. Hop-on, hop off bus tours start at $49 adults, $39 children 3to 11.

Grabbing a (Pedi)cab -- You really don't want to burden that nag with a carriage ride through Central Park in the middle of the summer, do you? Better you should hire a real beast of burden -- a driver of a pedicab who probably really needs the money. Pedicabs are becoming very common sights on the streets of New York. The drivers are friendly, informative, and don't litter the streets. The Manhattan Rickshaw Company (tel. 212/604-4729; www.manhattanrickshaw.com), is one pedicab company, where fares range from $15 to $30 or more for a pickup to $50 for an hour-long ride.

Specialty Tours

In addition to the options below, for those interested in touring lower Manhattan, the Downtown Alliance (tel. 212/566-6700; www.downtownny.com) offers two free walking tours: a Historic Downtown Tour every Tuesday at noon and a Wall Street Walking Tour . Both are 90 minutes long and are free. The Municipal Art Society and the Grand Central Partnership offer free walking tours of Grand Central Terminal Wednesday at 12:30pm and Friday at 12:30pm, respectively (though there is a "suggested donation" for those tours).

The free 90-minute Wall Street Walking Tour departs every Thursday and Saturday at noon, rain or shine. This guided tour explores the vivid history and amazing architecture of the nation's first capital and the world center of finance. Stops include the New York Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, Federal Hall National Monument, and many other sites of historic and cultural importance. Tours meet on the steps of Cass Gilbert's gorgeous U.S. Customs House, at 1 Bowling Green (Subway: 4, 5 to Bowling Green). Reservations are not required (unless you're a group), but you can call tel. 212/606-4064 or visit www.downtownny.com to confirm the schedule.

Cultural Organizations

The Municipal Art Society (tel. 212/439-1049 or 212/935-3960; www.mas.org) offers excellent historical and architectural walking tours aimed at intelligent, individualistic travelers. Each is led by a highly qualified guide who offers insights into the significance of buildings, neighborhoods, and history. Topics range from the urban history of Greenwich Village to "Williamsburg: Beyond the Bridge" to an examination of the "new" Times Square. Monday to Friday walking tours are $12; Saturday and Sunday tours are $15. Reservations may be required depending on the tour, so it's best to call ahead. The full schedule is available online.

The 92nd Street Y (tel. 212/415-5500; www.92ndsty.org) offers a wonderful variety of walking and bus tours, many featuring funky themes or behind-the-scenes visits. Subjects can range from "Diplomat for a Day at the U.N." to "Secrets of the Chelsea Hotel," or from "Artists of the Meat-Packing District" to "Jewish Harlem." Prices range from $25 to $60 (sometimes more for bus tours), but many include ferry rides, afternoon tea, dinner, or whatever suits the program. Guides are well-chosen experts on their subjects, ranging from respected historians to an East Village poet, mystic, and art critic (for "Allen Ginsberg's New York" and "East Village Night Spots"), and many routes travel into the outer boroughs; some day trips even reach beyond the city. Advance registration is required for all walking and bus tours. Schedules are planned a few months in advance, so check the website for tours that might interest you.

Independent Operators

NYC Discovery Tours (tel. 212/465-3331) offers more than 70 tours of the Big Apple, divided into five categories: neighborhood (including "Central Park" and "Brooklyn Bridge and Heights"), theme (such as "Gotham City Ghost Tour" and "Art History NYC"), biography ("John Lennon's New York"), tavern/food tasting, and American history and literature ("The Charles Dickens Tours"). Tours are about 2 hours long and cost $15 per person ($20 for food tasting tours).

All tours from Joyce Gold History Tours of New York (tel. 212/242-5762; www.nyctours.com) are offered by Joyce Gold herself, an instructor of Manhattan history at New York University and the New School for Social Research, who has been conducting history walks around New York since 1975. Her tours can really cut to the core of this town; Joyce is full of fascinating stories about Manhattan and its people. Tours are arranged around such themes as "The Colonial Settlers of Wall Street," "The Genius and Elegance of Gramercy Park," "Downtown Graveyards," "The Old Jewish Lower East Side," "Historic Harlem," and "TriBeCa: The Creative Explosion." Tours are offered most weekends March to December and last from 2 to 3 hours, and the price is $15 per person; reservations are not required. Private tours can be arranged year-round, either for individuals or groups.

Myra Alperson, founder and lead tour guide for NoshWalks (tel. 212/222-2243; www.noshwalks.com), knows food in New York City and knows where to find it. For the past 6 years, Alperson has been leading adventurous, hungry walkers to some of the city's most delicious neighborhoods. From the Uzbek, Tadjik, and Russian markets of Rego Park, Queens, to the Dominican coffee shops of Washington Heights in upper Manhattan, Alperson has left no ethnic neighborhood unexplored. Tours are conducted on Saturday and Sunday, leaving around 11:30am and 2:30pm. The preferred means of transportation is subway and the tours generally last around 3 hours and cost about $33 (Bronx Bites tours higher; check website for updated prices), not including the food you will undoubtedly buy on the tour. Space is limited, so book well in advance.

On Location Tours (tel. 212/209-3370; www.sceneontv.com) offers narrated minibus tours through TV history on their Manhattan TV Tour; tickets are $34 for adults. Or, if you want to see Carrie Bradshaw's Big Apple, cut right to the chase and take the company's 3 1/2-hour Sex and the City Tour, which includes over 40 show-related sights; tickets are $40. Most tours are on Saturday and depart from the Times Square Visitors Center. There's also a 4-hour Sopranos Tour that will take you over to New Jersey for an afternoon of sights that range from Satriale's Pork Store to the Bada-Bing! club; this tour leaves from Bryant Park on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and costs $42. Reservations are strongly suggested for all tours, as most sell out in advance; it also makes sense to confirm days and times and check for any additional offerings.

Harlem Spirituals (tel. 800/660-2166 or 212/391-0900; www.harlemspirituals.com) specializes in gospel and jazz tours of Harlem that can be combined with a traditional soul-food meal. A variety of options is available, including a tour of Harlem sights with gospel service, and a soul-food lunch or brunch as an optional add-on. The Harlem jazz tour includes a neighborhood tour, dinner at a family-style soul-food restaurant, and a visit to a local jazz club; there's also an Apollo Theater variation on this tour. Bronx and Brooklyn tours are also an option for those who want a taste of the outer boroughs. Prices start at $49, $39 for children, for a Harlem Gospel tour, and go up from there based on length and inclusions (tours that include food and entertainment are pay-one-price). All tours leave from Harlem Spirituals' Midtown office (690 Eighth Ave., between 43rd and 44th sts.), and transportation is included.

Active visitors with an adventurous spirit can hook up with Bike the Big Apple (also known as Tours by Bike) (tel. 201/837-1133 outside U.S.; 877/865-0078 inside U.S.; www.bikethebigapple.com). Tours by Bike offers guided half-day, full-day, and customized tours through a variety of city neighborhoods, including the fascinating but little-explored upper Manhattan and Harlem; an ethnic tour that takes you over the legendary Brooklyn Bridge, through Chinatown and Little Italy, to Ground Zero, and around Flushing, Queens, where you'll feel like you're biking around Hong Kong. You don't have to be an Ironman candidate to participate; tours are designed for the average rider, with an emphasis on safety and fun; shorter rides are available, but the rides generally last around 4 to 7 hours. Tours are offered year-round; prices run $80 and include all gear and a bike.

For a bit more whimsy on your tour, Levy's Unique New York (tel. 877/692-5869; www.levysuniqueny.com) offers a lighter look at the city's history and landmarks. The tours are all custom-planned, depending on the size and needs of the group; most are walking but some are conducted by bus. A few of their unique tours include the "Bohemians and Beats of Greenwich Village Literary Tours," and "Hey Ho! Let's Go! Punk Rock on the Bowery" tour, which contrasts the culture of the 1850s with the punk rockers of the 1970s. The group is Brooklyn-based, and they are extremely knowledgeable about their home borough; tours of Coney Island and another called "Edible Ethnic Brooklyn Eats" are just a few that feature Brooklyn. Tours range from $25 to $65 per person.

Take the 45-minute Inside CNN guided tour of the network's studios in the Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle (tel. 866/4CNNYC; www.cnn.com/insidecnn), and learn a little about the newsgathering process. The tour includes views of three of CNN's working studios, demonstrations, and hands-on use of television technology. The tour costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $11 for children 4 to 18, and are free for children 3 and under.

Offbeat New York Tours

So maybe you've taken a harbor cruise or the bus tour, but you don't feel you got a taste of the gritty, quirky, neurotic elements that make New York unique. You want to see those sights that even many native New Yorkers have never seen. Here are a few alternatives to the conventional tours that might satisfy that need:

East Village Walking Tours (tel. 917/215-2575; www.avenuea.org): Some of the quirky tours offered by East Village Walking Tours include the must do, "Gangsters, Murderers, and Weirdos" tour ($15 per person) where you traverse the stomping grounds of such criminal luminaries as Charles "Lucky" Luciano, Bugsy Siegal, Al Capone, subway vigilante Bernie Goetz, and Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, and the "Counter Culture Bar Crawl" ($50 per person including a drink at each stop or $20 without drinks), where you will drink where the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, and Madonna drank and hung out during their New York years. For the latter, you must be 21 or older, with ID to prove it.

Soundwalk (tel. 347/249-1506; www.soundwalk.com): This innovative company behind the audio self-guided-tour CDs debuted in 2003, with audio tours offering insider's peeks at Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Times Square, DUMBO, and the Meat-Packing District. All of these are great fun and will take you places no tour bus will, but my favorite is the three-CD set "Bronx Soundwalk." The CD set includes Baseball, a tour of Yankee Stadium and environs, narrated by longtime employee Tony Morante; Graffiti, a tour of Hunts Point and the trail of some of the legendary graffiti artists, narrated by BG183 (aka Sotero Ortiz), founding member of the TATS Cru and Mural Kings of the Bronx; and Hip Hop, a Bronx River tour narrated by hip-hop DJ the Original Jazzy Jay, which takes you to the birthplace of hip-hop and the haunts of such rap pioneers as Afrika Bambataa and Cool Herc. These tours are very authentic; on the Bronx tour you'll even visit the G&R Pastry Shop where Mr. Steinbrenner, we learn, is a big fan of the shop's cheese Danish. CDs are $20, or you can buy MP3s for $13; all you need is a portable CD player, map, MetroCard, walking shoes, and an adventurous spirit. You can purchase CDs on the website or at retailers listed on the site.

Wildman Steve Brill (www.wildmanstevebrill.com): If you ever get stranded in Central Park, a tour with Wildman Steve Brill might help you survive. I've seen him in the park, raggedy beard, shorts, hiking boots, and pith helmet, leading groups of eager-eyed followers while instructing them on what flora and fauna they can forage -- breaking off a stick of some edible tree and gnawing on it as an example. Brill's Central Park tours occur twice monthly and are not only hilarious, they are educational. If you're lucky, maybe he'll regale you with his tale of his arrest by a park ranger for eating a dandelion. Reservations must be made in advance; call tel. 914/835-2153. Suggested donation is $15. Cash only, exact change.

Hidden Jazz Haunts (www.bigapplejazz.com): This tour, hosted by New York jazz expert Gordon Polatnick, is the real deal for jazz buffs. Polatnick's tours are small (2-10 people) and are tailor-made to the jazz interests of his clients. If you're into bebop, he'll show you Minton's Playhouse, the still-standing but now defunct jazz club that was the supposed birthplace of bop. From there he'll take you to other active Harlem clubs that he feels embody that Minton's bebop spirit. If you're into the 1960s bohemian Village scene, he'll take you to clubs that represent that golden era of Village jazz clubs. Big Apple Jazz has a store and performance space at 2236 Seventh Ave, between 131st and 132nd Streets. The tour fee is $75 per hour, with a 4 hour minimum for most tours, plus cost of entrance fees, drinks, et cetera. They described the tours as "customizable." For reservations, call tel. 212/283-JAZZ.