USA · TOUR REVIEWS
Two weeks and a continent, or four days and one city: the problem is the same either way. The 15 below are the days out that earn their place across the country, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.
Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt above Grand Central for mirror rooms, glass skyboxes, silver balloons, panoramic city views, and a rooftop bar. Plan 90 minutes to two hours, wear trousers or tights, and choose daylight, sunset, or Air at Night for a different mood.
“Amazing for us and the kids alike (14yo) would recommend to all looking for a great view and a fun experience!”
Enter the 9/11 Memorial Museum at a reserved time, then visit the twin reflecting pools, Survivor Tree, and Memorial Glades. Inside, follow the story through artifacts, films, personal accounts, and memorial records covering the 2001 attacks and 1993 bombing. Allow at least two hours, and more if you read everything.
“This was a really poignant experience, very thought provoking and sad. We felt the power of the tragedy that this museum commemorates, but the celebration of the people who lost their lives and carrying on their memories. I love that the money goes towards the charity and would recommend this museum to anyone visiting.”
Visit New York’s Empire State Building for 360-degree views from the 86th-floor deck, optional floor-to-ceiling panoramas from the 102nd floor, and interactive galleries covering construction, Art Deco design, King Kong, and film history. Choose a standard or Express ticket, with visits lasting 45 minutes to two hours.
“It was a smooth and easy experience from start to finish. The whole experience was interesting and very informative inside the building with the history behind the building. The views from the 86th floor were amazing and we had the bonus of seeing the sunset this made my trip to NYC complete. A definite must do in NYC”
Visit New York’s Empire State Building, explore interactive galleries and the Art Deco lobby, then ride to the 86th-floor open-air deck. Choose the 102nd-floor upgrade for floor-to-ceiling windows, or pay more for Express entry when queues matter.
“It's 20 years since I last visited the Empire State Building (as a 30 year old working in New York) now I'm 52 and visited with my teenage sons and partner. It didn't disappoint. Staff were great, helpful and considerate, and the experience is much more immersive: animations showing the build in 1931, King Kong peering through the windows, spy holes looking down on New Yorkers back in the 30's – it really was great, a classic, a must see!”
Visit Edge at Hudson Yards for a one-hour high-rise experience with multimedia displays, a glass floor, angled glass walls, Skyline Steps, and wide views from Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. You can add champagne or cocktails at the rooftop bar, but food and drinks cost extra.
“Very good, you get a immersive walk through experience then you see amazing views. Would definitely recommend as it’s great value for money.”
Travel from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West in an air-conditioned coach, with direct access to Eagle and Guano Points, a Hoover Dam photo stop, and about 3.5 hours at the rim. Add lunch, the Skywalk, or a helicopter and Colorado River boat ride when booking.
“Great trip! Learned so much history. Sarah did an amazing job and was very informative. Well worth it.”
Take a self-guided ferry trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, with multilingual audio tours and entry to both museums. See Lady Liberty’s original torch, trace immigrant arrivals at Ellis Island, and plan your own pace across roughly five hours. Departure options vary, so check your ticket carefully.
“transportation from Jersey city to the islands was very convenient, great views, plenty of parking.”
See Oahu’s major sights in one long day, from Halona Blowhole and Nuʻuanu Pali to North Shore surf beaches, Haleiwa, and Dole Plantation. Hotel pickup, a comfortable bus, and guides such as Marlon, Lola, and Tony make this a useful first look at the island.
“Mainly it’s a bus ride around the island. You need to have a good tour guide to share the island’s stories and history. Our guide Marlon was excellent in telling stories about the island.”
Cruise the Chicago River with an expert guide, passing the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy onboard restrooms and a full bar, and bring your dog along. Expect a 60 to 90-minute ride, depending on the season and option.
“When booked they said there was a below deck to stay warm from the extreme cold in Chicago. Only flaps cover window below. It was freezing from the temperature and wind. They sold merch to warm peeps. For example flimsy blanket and gloves. Which looked like they were from the dollar store. The tour guide spoke so fast we lost interest after 12-15 minutes because we couldn’t understand him. We spent first 20 minutes asking each other what he said. Sounded like reading from a script. No fun facts no humor, no nuggets we could tell people about. Finally we gave up and turned on football game from our device.…”
You get all-day entry to more than 40 permanent halls, the Rose Center, and the new Gilder Center. Add one or all ticketed exhibits for shows such as Encounters in the Milky Way, the butterfly vivarium, or the dinosaur extinction exhibit. The Explorer app helps you find your way.
“Great experience. We spent few hours and didn’t see everything. Great for a rainy or cold day. We visited NYE week and it was very crowded. It would be nice if they had a max number of ticket sales to prevent overcrowding. And maybe kids area would also be nice.”
Walk Salem with local historians such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, Ryan, and Dana, tracing the 1692 witch trial hysteria, old seaport wealth, haunted tales, and colonial architecture. The two-hour route includes the Witch Trials Memorial, Ropes Mansion, McIntire District, and Bewitched statue, but no building interiors.
“Michael was very funny and informative, he made this tour a very fun and interesting experience. I would definitely recommend tour and Michael.”
Ride the 43-second elevator to Top of the Rock’s three observation levels at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. You’ll get wide views of Central Park and the Empire State Building, outdoor photo spots, the Weather Room Café, and optional Beam or VIP upgrades.
“Staff were excellent. View is amazing. The information given was interesting.”
Start at Castle Clinton with an English-speaking guide, then ferry to Liberty Island for the statue and museum. Choose an express visit or a longer route adding Ellis Island, its immigration museum, and an audio guide. Guides such as Jack, Joseph, Mark, and Meri have earned especially warm praise.
“Great Experience good tour guide. Weather was bit cold but not bad overall. Would love to do it again in summer.”
Spend six hours seeing New York’s headline sights with a guide and climate-controlled bus. Walk in Central Park, view Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, pause near the 9/11 Memorial, then ride the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Guides such as Rachel, Kevin, and Susan are praised for lively city stories.
“This day tour we had today with Rachel & Jimmy was fantastic. Seeing amazing scenery and history was absolutely incredible. I definitely recommend this tour.”
Walk the French Quarter after dark with guides such as Spooky Rob, Lisa, Logan, or Tony, hearing stories tied to LaLaurie Mansion, Jackson Square, the Pharmacy Museum, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and the Casket Girls. Expect history, folklore, uneven sidewalks, and a group walk rather than interior access to most sites.
“The walk was informative. I would have liked more stories, but the ones we had were great. Saw some buildings we wouldn't have noticed during the day.”
Pick a skyline, a canyon or a coastline.
