Upper West Side & Central Park - New York City - page 469

Best
Tours
While the streets of New York lend themselves well to unguided discovery, it's
often worth joining a tour to gain greater insight into the city's rich history and
lesser-known anecdotes.
Sidetour ( www.sidetour.com ; tours $50-60) Offers off-the-beaten path experiences for those who
want to delve deep into NYC, from jazz jams and ethnic food walks, to renegade art tours
through the Met or the galleries of Chelsea.
Big Apple Greeter Program ( 212-669-8159; www.bigapplegreeter.org ; admission free) Set up an in-
timate stroll in the neighborhood of your choice, led by a local volunteer who just can't
wait to show off his or her city to you. Reserve four weeks in advance.
Bike the Big Apple ( 877-865-0078; www.bikethebigapple.com ; tours incl bike & helmet around $95) Of-
fers a variety of tours including a six-hour Ethnic Apple Tour that covers a bit of Queens,
northern Brooklyn and the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Foods of New York ( 212-913-9964; www.foodsofny.com ; tours $52-65) The official foodie tour of
NYC & Company offers various three-hour tours that help you eat your way through the
city. Prepare thyself for a moving feast of fresh Italian pasta, sushi, global cheeses and real
New York pizza.
On Location Tours ( 212-683-2027; www.screentours.com ; tours around $45) Offers various tours
covering TV shows and both small and silver screen locations, letting you live out your
entertainment-obsessed fantasies.
Gray Line ( 212-397-2620; www.newyorksightseeing.com ; tours $44-60) The most ubiquitous tour in
the city, Gray Line is responsible for bombarding the streets with the red double-decker
buses that locals love to hate. Really, though, for a comprehensive tour of the big sights, it's
a great way to go.