The 5 best bike tours in NYC

This one's a cracker – and not just for fans of bridges, of which we guess there are a few knocking around. Anyway, you'll ride across two iconic New York bridges in this three-hour tour. Kicking off in DUMBO, you'll travel from Brooklyn to China Town, gliding along the East River and stopping in the South Port Sea, City Hall Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Finally, the tour winds up in Brooklyn Heights, where you'll find a wealth of shops and eateries to head to post-tour. And you'll have totally earned that reward you know.

Time Out tip: Biking around the city is enjoyable overall and the guides are really good at filling you in on the history of the neighborhood. The only downside is that you don't get to see the whole bridge, so it's worth a second trip on foot if you want a closer look. 

You might already know this fun fact but, fun fact: Central Park spans a whopping 2.5 miles from 59th Street to 110th Street, making it quite a trek on foot. Luckily, you can pedal your way through a good number of the park’s famed attractions in just two hours during this tour. Stops include the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, the Dakota, Cleopatra’s Needle and the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.

Time Out tip: The tour is capped at just eight to provide a more personalized guided experience. Which is of course wonderful but does mean you also need to reserve your spot early.

Did you know that Brooklyn Bridge is one of the city’s most popular biking destinations? Well, it is. And you'll find out why on this excellent bike tour. Your guide will take you on a quick spin around the southern tip of Manhattan before leading you into the City Hall area and then up onto the bridge. Once you hit the bridge tower on the Brooklyn side, you’ll be able to turn back towards Manhattan to snap photos of the Statue of Liberty, the port of Brooklyn and Manhattan’s Financial District. Dreamy Insta stuff.

Time-out tip: The pace of this tour makes it a great family activity, especially if you have teens. 

Sightseeing in New York City doesn’t stop after sunset—this is the city that never sleeps, after all. Make the most of your evening on a bike tour of Midtown’s most dazzling lights. After meeting your guide at Columbus Circle, you’ll pedal south past Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, the Empire State Building and other iconic landmarks that light up the city skyline. Again, great for Insta, people.

Time Out tip: Back at the meeting point you'll find the Burger Joint. A bit naughty after a bike ride, but well deserved. 

Another Manhattan-based tour, only this one is three hours long in total and sees you cruising along with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, then takes you up the Hudson Greenway, before swinging by the iconic Highline and Chinatown. After such a long but leisurely morning head to Time Out Market because, despite the shameless plug the food actually slaps, as do the views of Brooklyn Bridge from here. 

Time Out tip: If you're headed to NYC in July, first of all, lather up that sunscreen and pray for AC, and second of all you've got to capture Manhattanhenge in Midtown.