On a German-language city tour with New York Local, you’ll discover many different facets of our city. Even returning visitors can experience the Big Apple in a whole new way, as our tours veer off the typical tourist paths, unlike conventional city tours.
In the neighborhoods—or “Neighborhoods” as we call them in New York—you’ll gain insight into this fascinating mega-metropolis that will surprise you time and again. You’ll explore vastly different parts of New York—from the ultra-chic, meticulously styled SoHo, with a lifestyle reminiscent of shows like Sex and the City, to areas in the South Bronx where average income levels are among the lowest in the U.S., and people are fighting hard to get by. New York City—no other city in the world offers such extreme contrasts.
I’ve been living in Manhattan since 1991, spending 40–50 hours a week on the streets of my city and reading as much as I can about New York City. But perhaps most importantly, I constantly seek conversations with New Yorkers from all walks of life. This is the only way to stay in tune with the pulse of this ever-evolving city, especially in the areas of nightlife, culture, and shopping.
As a participant in a New York Local tour, unlike typical sightseeing tours, you have the opportunity to ask questions to someone who knows New York inside and out. This way, you’ll receive genuine insider tips that will enhance your entire stay in NYC.
There’s no question that landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Fifth Avenue, and Grand Central Station hold an unbroken fascination and are absolute must-sees for any first-time visitor to New York. However, they’re easy enough to explore independently and are therefore typically not part of New York Local tours. Instead, we focus our time on areas and corners where New Yorkers live out their daily lives—places visitors wouldn’t usually reach.
(If you’re just passing through or if your New York Local tour is, for any reason, your only chance to see New York’s famous landmarks, these can, of course, be included in the city tour.)
New York Local offers two German-language tour formats: the Manhattan & More Tour, which introduces you to the geographically and thematically diverse facets of Manhattan—the heart of New York—while also taking you to the South Bronx and Brooklyn, and the Downtown Walking Tour, where we explore many of the most interesting and beautiful parts of Manhattan’s historic downtown on foot.
Manhattan & More Tour: Duration approximately 6 hours
On the Manhattan & More Tour, you’ll get to know New York and its residents in the uniquely informative and entertaining style of New York Local.
We’ll spend the majority of our time in various Manhattan neighborhoods, but the tour also takes you to the South Bronx and Brooklyn. On New York Local tours, you’ll learn fascinating insights about the world’s most exciting city, and we make sure fun is part of the experience, too. (For instance, we show interested guests where certain celebrities live!)
We travel in a stretch limousine (or a standard car) through northern Manhattan, visiting neighborhoods like Harlem, which is currently undergoing rapid transformation, as well as the South Bronx, one of the poorest areas in the United States.
The limousine serves as transportation between the different areas, as we cover quite a bit of ground on this part of the tour. However, we spend most of our time “on the asphalt” with New Yorkers, experiencing the city up close. From the Bronx, we continue to Brooklyn, where you’ll get a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline.
After a break, we’ll explore Downtown Manhattan, New York’s historic district, on foot. This area’s narrow streets hold some of the most charming and interesting parts of the city. Most of Downtown was first settled before 1811—the year the city decided to adopt today’s numbered grid pattern. In Downtown, the streets still have names. The layout of this district feels distinctly European—which makes sense, as it was once called New Amsterdam.
Downtown Manhattan—the southern part of the island—is one of the oldest areas in all of America, making its architecture and history incredibly fascinating. In the last 25 years, however, this part of New York has undergone a radical transformation and is now home to some of Manhattan’s trendiest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Many celebrities, such as supermodel Heidi Klum and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, famous for her role as Carrie in Sex and the City, live here. New York’s downtown is particularly cosmopolitan and delightfully quirky—Downtown is pure fun! Here, you don’t just experience New York’s past but also glimpse the trends of the future.
We’ll also visit the ultra-chic Meatpacking District, the designer hotspot SoHo, the artist enclave Greenwich Village, the historic immigrant neighborhood of the Lower East Side—now dramatically transformed—and the former industrial area of Tribeca, where old factory lofts have become some of the most expensive residences in the entire U.S.
The tour proceeds at a relaxed pace—no rushing through the streets. We’ll even take a break in one of the charming cafés along the way.
a) Manhattan & More Tour in an SUV
- For groups up to 4 people
- For groups of up to 2 people: $650 plus $20 tip for the driver
b) Manhattan & More City Tour in a Stretch Limousine
- For groups of up to 4 people: $750 plus $20 tip for the driver
- Each additional person: $70
- Maximum: 6 people
If your group has more than 6 people, please inquire for a special offer.
c) Manhattan & More Tour on Foot and by Subway
- Each additional person: $50
- Same itinerary as Tour a)
- For groups of up to 4 people: $470
Downtown Manhattan Walking Tour: Duration approximately 4 hours
Downtown Manhattan—the southern part of the island—is one of the oldest areas in all of America, making its architecture and history incredibly fascinating. Over the past 25 years, however, this part of New York has undergone a radical transformation, now home to some of Manhattan’s trendiest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Many celebrities live here. Downtown New York is particularly cosmopolitan and delightfully quirky—Downtown is pure fun! Here, you don’t just experience New York’s past but also get a glimpse of future trends.
We’ll also visit the ultra-chic Meatpacking District, the designer district of SoHo, the artist enclave of Greenwich Village, the historic immigrant neighborhood of the Lower East Side—now dramatically transformed—and the former industrial area of Tribeca, where old factory lofts have become some of the most expensive residences in the entire U.S.
Pricing:
For groups of up to 4 people: $320
Each additional person: $30
If you’re interested in one of our tours, just send us an email at: touren@echtnewyork.com
