Private tour in New York City Nicky S

Downtown Manhattan Highlights Walking Tour

5.0

(3) reviews

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Nicky S.

5.0

Guide rating

15

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 hrs

Avg. response time

Welcome to New York! Whether it's your first time visiting or you're a regular New Yorker, deciding how to spend your limited time in such a vast city can be overwhelming. Luckily, I'm here to help! Interested in history? Architecture? Food? Culture? Nightlife? I've got you covered! I'm a longtime East Village resident with generations of family history in Lower Manhattan. After a lifetime spent living amongst city legend and lore, I served as a public school teacher in Harlem, spent a year backpacking around the world, and became an officially licensed New York City tour guide. I lead tours in every part of the city, and am happy to work closely with you to customize your dream tour. Given my experience and how much New York has to offer, I'm positive I'll be able to craft a tour to meet your requests. I don't just study New York to prepare for my tours—I live it! My endless curiosity for all things New York keeps me up to date with the city's hottest restaurants, bars, and culture. Take advantage of my insider knowledge to discover NYC's hidden gems, from the best slice of pizza in the city (take a tour and try it for yourself!) to underground speakeasies which date to Prohibition. Follow me to the hippest and tastiest establishments in the city, and experience New York like a seasoned local. I graduated with an Honors Degree in History from UC Berkeley, and I put my knowledge to use on each of my tours! Discover the rich social histories of immigrants from all over the world on the Lower East Side, learn how some of the wealthiest people in history built their way up iconic Fifth Avenue, and walk the same streets as George Washington and the Founding Fathers in historic downtown. Learn about the intricate design choices which inspired city icons from the Empire State Building to the Statue of Liberty, and discover the jazz clubs keeping the ghosts of iconic venues like the Cotton Club alive! I've been exploring New York City all my life! I can't wait for you to join me on my next adventure. NYC Sightseeing Guide License (#2117083-DCWP) I do not own a private vehicle but am a driver; private transportation can be arranged at an additional cost

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Nicky S.

Overview of your New York City tour

Don't get me wrong: I love the hustle and bustle of Times Square and Midtown Manhattan. But I'll let you in on a little secret: few New Yorkers actually spend much of our time there. Come along and explore the city we really live in instead! From the idyllic, celebrity-filled neighborhood of Greenwich Village (what other neighborhood can claim to have been the home of Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, and the cast of Friends?), to the colonial origins of Wall Street, downtown is the cultural hub of New York City, home to the city's most notorious establishments and exciting history. Break out of the midtown bubble to share the same streets with generations of New Yorkers from all walks of life, from our biggest icons to the immigrants of Ellis Island who shaped the city into the diverse mecca it is today. Live, in other words, like we do, and follow along as you discover how true New Yorkers have lived for hundreds of years and continue to influence the city's most iconic neighborhoods.

Recent Reviews

Rebecca M.New Zealand
January 2025

Amazing tour with Nicky - our teenage boys ( 15 and 18 ) were fascinated by everything he has to say, this included history, what it was like growing up in NYC, basketball stories. We had only flown in from NZ the night before (a 15 hour flight) and he kept us well entertained for 4 hours. Thanks for a great tour.

Peter M.Canada
August 2024

What an amazing tour we had with Nicky! He responds quickly to messages beforehand to iron out last minutes details. From the start Nicky is enthusiastic and his love of NY and the knowledge he has to share is apparent. He made it quite clear that this was our tour and that it could be altered to accommodate our interests. At our own pace, never feeling rushed, Nicky guided us through all the Downtown Manhattan landmarks and shared interesting history and stories. We loved our tour so much that we wanted to book another. We would highly recommend a tour with Nicky and look forward to booking another with him the next time we visit.

Alex B.Spain
April 2024

Highly recommend this tour with Nicky. He is highly knowledgeable about New York and its history (he is a New Yorker and has a degree in History). He made the tour easy and extremely interesting as you wander through different areas of New York (Meat packing district, Greenwich village, West Village, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Financial district) - time for seeing the sites and trying out some great food! Our kids (aged 15 and 18) said that it was the best tour they had ever done!

Your New York City tour itinerary

This walking tour begins at Christopher Street Park in Greenwich Village and ends at Battery Park in historic downtown. Along the way, we'll make stops to take in: - Iconic Greenwich Village residences, from Aaron Burr to the Friends Apartment to Taylor Swift - The artist and foodie paradise of the East Village - Centuries of immigrant history amidst the tenements of the Lower East Side - Cozy coffee shops in Nolita - Flagship shopping and distinct cast iron architecture in SoHo - Rich Italian history of Little Italy - The twisting and sprawling streets and fish markets of Chinatown - One World Trade building and the 9/11 Memorial pools - Trinity Church and Alexander Hamilton's grave - The New York Stock Exchange and Charging Bull statue - Essential skyscrapers and rich colonial history of Historic Downtown With endless opportunities for history, food stops, and quintessential NYC photos along the way! Join me to experience exactly where and how New Yorkers live. Tour is fully customizable!

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

We will be walking and taking public transportation.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Public Transportation
Meeting location

38-64 Christopher Street, New York, New York, 10014, United States

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Christopher Park, Greenwich Village

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Off The Beaten Path
Tour reference number
1279041
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in New York City best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who want to experience New York City like a local, exploring the cultural hub of downtown Manhattan. It's ideal for those interested in history, iconic neighbourhoods, and the diverse influences that have shaped the city. With a fully customizable itinerary, it's also great for anyone looking to focus on specific interests or skip places they've already visited.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in New York City be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in New York City by Nicky S.
Similar tours in New York City
Explore more of New York City
Private New York Driving TourHalf Day Everything NYC Sightseeing SUV Tour (Up to 6 people) (4 hours)New York City Outer Borough TourNew York City Highlights Tour via vanWhole day in New York City TourQuintessential New York City TourCruise Terminal / Airport Transfer and Tour Greenwich Village Highlights - 2-Hour Walking Tour in New York CityNew York Anytime AnywhereNew York City Your Way - 5 Hour Half Day Customized TourStatue of Liberty and Ellis Island Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of ArtMasterpieces of the Met NYC TourNew York City Night TourHalf Day New York City Your Way tourThe Best of New York City 8-hour Luxury SUV TourDuo SUV Tour (Up to 2 people) (4 hours)6- Hour Vehicle Tour: A Big Bite of the Big AppleStatue of Liberty and Ellis Island PicnicThe Real New York New York Customized Full-Day TourFoodie New York Jewish Lower East Side Walking TourThe Brooklyn ExperienceNew York Wherever Whatever Custom 4 hour Walking TourNew York 9/11 Memorial Tour6-hour New York Sightseeing Tour in a Wheelchair accessible passenger vanThe Real New York New York Customized Half-Day Tour Ellis Island Family History Experience Metropolitan Museum of ArtGilded Age New YorkArt Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks NYC TourHighlights of the Met Art and Architecture New York Walking TourNYC Step-On Bus or Subway Half Day Tour for your groupGreenwich Village With a Villager — 3-Hour Walking TourNew York Day Trip to The Hamptons TourThe Real New York New York Customized Two-Day TourNew York Essential Food Tour - Half DayHighlights of The Metropolitan Museum of ArtHalf Day Fun New York City Walking TourFreedom Tour: Statue of Liberty and Ellis IslandNew York City Your Way - Full Day 8 Hour Tour