EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Enjoy two revealing perspectives of New York by taking in the considerable sights on the way to South Street Seaport and then by cruising the harbor, where the city’s dramatic skyline really comes into view. During the driving portion of the tour, the commentary will describe neighborhoods such wonderfully creative Greenwich Village and attractions such as the High Line and Little Island. Upon reaching the 18th-century seaport, you will begin a leisurely cruise around the harbor, following a route that affords extraordinary views of landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the One World Trade Center. You will also see neighboring New Jersey and Ellis Island. Still, the highlight is passing directly in front of the State of Liberty for an unforgettable view of what may well be New York’s most recognized symbol.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Greenwich Village and the Financial District, taking in the sights.
• Enjoy a sweeping view of the skyline from a unique harbor perspective.
• Pass directly in front of the Statue of Liberty.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View the absolute icons of New York from a water perspective while cruising the Hudson River and up close while driving through the heart of Manhattan. The Big Apple’s skyline will look especially dramatic from the boat as you will see One World Trade Center – the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – looming in the background. Once you pass Lower Manhattan, you will cruise past Ellis Island and on to the Statue of Liberty, where the boat will pause long enough for you to take close-up photos of this inspiring beacon of freedom and hope. The bus will follow a route that also presents one landmark after another, including Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park, the urban oasis that famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted co-designed in 1858. You will hear insightful commentary throughout the tour and all the way to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the Hudson River for an unforgettable water perspective of Manhattan.
• Snap photos while the boat stops as close as possible to the Statue of Liberty.
• See countless landmarks while riding through Manhattan.
• Pass Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park.
• Head to either JFK or LaGuardia airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore a historical New York icon and experience the thrill of gazing out over the city from the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. The views from the soaring observation platform of Summit One Vanderbilt will be breathtaking in every direction, including straight down through the glass floor. You will see all five boroughs of New York and a sky-high perspective of landmarks such as the Chrysler Building and Central Park. Following this jaw-dropping experience, you will take a short walk to Grand Central Terminal, the famed train station that opened in 1913. As an introduction, the guide will describe the evolution of this national historic landmark that features a Beaux-Arts style. You will also enjoy free time to browse and shop before continuing to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy jaw-dropping views of New York from atop the Summit One Vanderbilt skyscraper.
• Look 1,100 feet down through the glass 'levitation' ledge floor.
• Follow a guide through Grand Central Terminal, a Midtown landmark since 1913.
• Learn fascinating facts about the terminal’s history and spend free time exploring further.
• Head to either JFK or LaGuardia airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See the very best of Manhattan on this full-day tour that hits all the highlights and leaves free time to explore Grand Central Station and the surrounding area, where you might enjoy lunch on your own. You will start in midtown at Rockefeller Plaza, where you will be treated to a spectacular view of the city from the 70-story-high Top of the Rock Observatory. Make a stop and get off the bus to explore the 9/11 Memorial, which consists of two pools set within the original footprints of the Twin Towers. Free time for shopping and lunch around Grand Central Terminal follows. Then, you will pass one New York icon after another including Central Park, boutique lined Fifth Avenue, Times Square and the neighborhoods of Greenwich Village and SoHo. Macy’s, one of the world’s largest department stores, is also on the list.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See New York’s most famous attractions while driving in comfort.
• Pause for photos at the most significant landmarks, such as the 9/11 Memorial.
• Marvel at the cityscape from atop the 70-story Top of the Rock Observatory.
• Enjoy free time for shopping and lunch on your own around Grand Central Terminal.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Marvel at the Statue of Liberty while standing at its base and then browse the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration that recounts the story of the more than 12 million immigrants who entered America through the island. After boarding a ferry at Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, you will head for Liberty Island. As you cruise across the Hudson River, you will see landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and Staten Island from a unique perspective on the water. Your close-up view of the statue will be equally impressive, especially with the guide’s commentary to enhance your understanding of Lady Liberty. Another ferry ride will take you to Ellis Island, America’s main immigration center for nearly 50 years. After browsing the fascinating exhibits in its museum, you will have a deeper understanding of how the hopes of so many immigrants were fulfilled.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the Hudson River to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
• Stand at the base of the Statue of Liberty, the ultimate vantage point.
• Browse the museum on Ellis Island for an inside look at early 20th-century immigration.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Greenwich Village lifestyle by sampling classic local treats, learning about different neighborhoods and browsing lively Washington Square Park. After riding the 50th Street subway with a guide, you will emerge in Greenwich Village for an enlightening walking tour. The immediate focus will be on exploring Washington Square Park, a vibrant oasis surrounded by unique shops, trendy restaurants and New York University. The mix of people is always extraordinary and the energy almost palpable as the locals go about their day-to-day activities. It’s easy to feel like New Yorker here, especially when you eat like one. You can expect to sample Big Apple specialties such thin-crust pizza, a traditional rice ball, cannoli and a cupcake. Your immersion into New York life will include an architectural overview that includes seeing the city’s narrowest house, a residence not even 10 feet wide.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the subway to Greenwich Village, accompanied by a local guide.
• Walk through Washington Square Park, a beautiful urban oasis.
• Eat like a local on specialties ranging from pizza to cannoli.
• Admire the distinct architecture, including New York’s narrowest house.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through Lower Manhattan taking in landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial before zipping to the top of the One World Observatory for unforgettable view of New York. With the Statue of Liberty in the distance, you will begin a guided walking tour in Battery Park, passing icons of the Financial District such as the New York Stock Exchange and the Wall Street charging bull statue. Upon reaching the 9/11 Memorial, you will have time to contemplate this tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Later, you will enter the One World Observatory, the tallest building in the United States. It soars to a height of 1,776 feet in honor of the year 1776, when America was founded. After zipping to the 102nd floor in a high-speed elevator, you will be treated to a spectacular 360-degree view of New York City from the top of the observatory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk from Battery Park to the 9/11 Memorial, taking in the considerable landmarks.
• See the famous charging bull statue in the Financial District.
• Reflect at the moving 9/11 Memorial on the site of the former Twin Towers.
• Revel in the 360-degree view of New York from atop the One World Observatory.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take in the sites of the Big Apple's most fascinating areas in midtown as well as lower Manhattan. Pass by lively Chinatown, the tree lined streets of Greenwich Village and the oh-so-fashionable SoHo district. Drive by The World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial then Battery Park to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty in the distance. Heading back uptown, view the austere United Nations Plaza (time permitting), Rockefeller Center with its famous flags and statue, the instantly recognizable Empire State Building, and Times Square, where the ball drops every New Year’s Eve. A drive by beautiful Central Park, completes your tour before heading to the airport.

OVERVIEW

Meander through the urban oasis Central Park and then browse the outstanding collection of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This tour starts with a narrated drive to the Upper West Side, following a route that passes homes of celebrities as well as the Lincoln Center. A brief stop will be made at The Dakota, the late 19th-century building where John Lennon lived and died. A short walk will bring you to the Strawberry Fields area of Central Park that is devoted to Lennon. You will also see other parts of the park before heading down famed 5th Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Founded in 1870, it is one of the most visited museums in the world and features a permanent collection that includes everything from an ancient Egyptian temple to a spectacular collection of 19th- and 20th-century European paintings. You will spend about 2 hours exploring the museum on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pause for photos at The Dakota, where John Lennon lived.
• Walk through Central Park’s Strawberry Fields, which is dedicated to the former Beatle.
• Spend hours browsing the Metropolitan Museum of Art on your own.
• Behold masterpieces in the permanent and current collections.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

This remarkably comprehensive half-day tour offers a wonderful overview of one of the world’s most exciting cities, as you pass many of New York’s most famous landmarks. You can just sit back and relax, enjoying a narrated tour as you travel through the streets of New York. Some of the sights that you will see include Times Square, Central Park and Radio City Music Hall, home of the Rockettes. You will drive along boutique lined Fifth Avenue, take in the sight of the soaring Empire State Building, and pass Herald Square, which was named for the newspaper that was once published nearby. You will also see neighborhoods that include Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Chinatown. A photo stop will be made for a closer look at the 9/11 Memorial, where you might reflect at the pools within the original footprints of the Twin Towers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See New York’s most famous attractions while driving in comfort.
• Listen to enlightening narration that explains the sights.
• Pause for photos at the 9/11 Memorial.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Pore over the poignant exhibits at the 9/11 Memorial Museum and then visit the equally moving 9/11 Memorial. A leisurely drive along the west side of Manhattan will bring you to the World Trade Center area and the 9/11 Memorial Museum, where you will spend about two hours exploring on your own. The museum’s ever-growing collection of materials includes artifacts, photographs, audio and video tapes, personal effects and memorabilia related to the history of the World Trade Center, the events of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993, and the repercussions of those seismic attacks. To enhance your experience and understanding of the events, you will then visit the 9/11 Memorial, which consists of two massive pools set within the original footprints of the Twin Towers. The names of the 2,982 men, women and children killed in the attacks are inscribed in bronze on parapets around the edges of the memorial’s waterfalls.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the moving exhibits at the 9/11 Memorial Museum on your own.
• See personal effects of the victims that make the experience more haunting.
• Pause to reflect at the 9/11 Memorial, a stirring tribute to those who died.
• Read the names of some of the nearly 3,000 victims that are inscribed in bronze.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.