One day bus tour - which one is best?

I%26#39;m taking my 13 year old daughter to NY end of the month. We%26#39;re staying with friends in CT, but would like to do a city tour. We have just one day in Manhattan. (I%26#39;ve lived in NY so it%26#39;s more for my daughter than for me). Which is the best day tour? Is there a hop-on hop-off tour? I%26#39;d like to visit Ground Zero and FAO Schwarz. Other than that, we just won%26#39;t have time to see anything else unfortunately.. :(( Any suggestions please?

One day bus tour - which one is best?

There are several hop on/off bus options but they all require sitting outside upstairs. You%26#39;re also paying for use for 2 days and you only have one. I%26#39;d look at

nypartyhshuttle.com

kingofnyc.com

One day bus tour - which one is best?

OK here we go

Get the 48 hour hop on hop off ticket (think they are grey line, even though the buses are red), you get 48 hours to do all of their tours for $49

In 1 day we did the uptown and downtown loops as well as the night tour

The next day we did the Brooklyn tour, and for the rest of the day used it as a cheap taxi

Just leave a $5 tip when you leave the bus

So you can easily fit the 3 tours in 1 day

The Party Shuttle tour is really good. It gives you a great overview and you get to leave the bus for the walking portions and the guide is with you the whole way to give history and information etc. You even get to take the Staten Island ferry to see the SOL and an hour or so to browse around South street Seaport. Its a small group on a passenger van, with drinks available. The tour is only 5 1/2 hours, but you see so much in that time....We did the afternoon tour, so we woudn%26#39;t be in traffic all day and we got to see the city at night.

I have not personally taken the NY Party SHuttle but know quite a few visitors who have and they felt it gave a great overview in a short period of time, they saw a lot and that is well worth the money.

Hi Halifaxlad....how frequent are the buses?

I got the party shuttle early last year and found it to be invaluable. Gave a good overview in a short period of time. We%26#39;re back in NY in a couple of weeks, first visit for one of us and I%26#39;ve booked it again.

Norma,

As other have said there are many tours, some better than others...

After much looking around I have booked ( not been yet ) to go on the kinofnyc tour. I booked it online here ====%26gt;

www.marvelousmanhattantours.com

Half or full days are available depending on where you want to go and the time you have available. I booked a full day tour at $99 pp

Here is some of the blurb from their web site.

The Guides

Our guides are a very unique breed among New York City guides. They are all fully licensed and extremely knowledgeable -- but that is not what they are most known for. They are a very engaging combination of historians – with a wealth of knowledge – and entertaining, fun personalities who are upbeat and impassioned with New York City. A good number of tour guides in New York either know their stuff but have a really dry personality, or they have great personalities but know little. We have mastered a unique blending of both to make your tour truly enjoyable. Our guides speak clearly and are easy to listen to. They are also more then happy to snap photos and answer questions during the variety of tour stops.

Group Size

Marvelous Manhattan Tours chooses to conduct its tours with smaller groups than its competitors. Instead of the large, cumbersome and confusing Hop On /Hop Off buses or a quick hurry up and wait experience -- we specialize in an easy personal approach that makes you feel like a person, not a nameless face on an overcrowded bus.

We do not exceed 30 persons per tour – not too big, not too small but a perfect atmosphere for learning and experiencing all while in the camaraderie of fellow visitors, in which fun is sure to be had!

The best part is that due to the smaller group setting, you can ask questions and interact with your guide who speaks clearly and is easy to listen to.

Sights

Our tours are the most comprehensive of their kind found in New York City. Other tour companies make such claims, but do not allow imitators to fool you, we cover the city in a natural historical progression, highlighting both NYC’s most famous landmarks and the hidden, lesser known nooks and crannies that many visitors and New Yorkers alike would never hear or see. (Please refer to our more detailed tour description for further information.)

Tour Route

Our tour route is specifically set up to cover a large amount of sights in an efficient amount of time.

Instead of waiting for a bus to come, or sitting on a ferry for over an hour, Marvelous Manhattan concentrates on comprehensive tours of each of the major areas of Manhattan that maximize your time and experience by exposing you to more sights and attractions within the time allotted.

Lunch Stop

It’s unfortunate that out tour competitors do not take lunch as seriously as we do. We choose an authentic New York deli that happens to be the oldest deli in the country. Katz’s Deli was established in 1888 and serves up the best hot dogs, pastrami, corn beef, and brisket. For those who prefer turkey of tuna they have that too. Another unique thing about Katz’s Deli, it is where the famous scene from the popular movie “When Harry Met Sally” was filmed. So have what she had and book your tour today! A guaranteed highlight of your visit!

Flexibility

Our tour schedule is set up to fit your valued time while in town. You can conquer the whole city in one day with our specially priced Royal Tour, or choose just another of our Royal Tour options - either Midtown %26amp; Downtown in the morning or Midtown %26amp; Uptown in the afternoon. There is the possibility of doing the two tour options on two different days – or combining them both on the same day for a special savings that makes for a one day touring extravaganza! What ever fits your busy schedule! Remember, no time is wasted on a ferry or waiting for the big red bus, but a kaleidoscope of great New York City sights experienced in an efficient manner, sure to amaze and awe in any of these options. Each tour and option, whichever you decide, is a great overview allowing the rest of your visit to flow with ease.

Sightseeing Format

Marvelous Manhattan Tours makes a variety of unique stops (please refer to Tour Selections %26amp; Prices) to allow you to view tall building from the ground up, snap photos, stretch your legs and experience the city vibe for yourself. Most stops are escorted, with a guide by your side to answer questions and make interesting street level observations.

Minibus

Your touring vehicles are clean, air conditioned %26amp; heated luxury minibuses or vans with comfortable cloth seats and oversized picture windows for awesome views and picture taking.

You can rest assured knowing that you will be driven by one of New York’s finest bus drivers – fully licensed and certified – who handles the wheel with ease and smoothness for a very gentle and enjoyable ride.

The King — Stephen Duer

Stephen Duer is the driving force and founder of Marvelous Manhattan Tours and has raised the bar as to what an excellent guide should be. He is at the top of his vocation hosting New York City Sightseeing tours for over 16 years now. (More about Stephen)

SUNSHINEBOB.

sunshinebob..I do not think you will be disappointed. I went on the Marvelous Manhattan tour and Stephen was our guide. I highly recommend it to people. Some of the places you stop to get out and walk around are: WTC site/ St.Paul%26#39;s chapel, Grand Central Station, you go inside Sardi%26#39;s to see the famous celebrity character drawings on the walls, Battery Park, and a short walk through Central Park. A 13 year old may enjoy the Party Shuttle since they do take the ferry for a closer look at the SoL. But I think either would be a good choice.

I used the red ones you hop on an off of as they come along about every 15 minutes. I am taking my 15 year old daughter from 22 -26 October and it too will be her first visit and she wants to do Ground Zero.