The 6 coolest walking tours in NYC

As a tourist (and even a Manhattanite), it can sometimes be hard to leave the comforts of the island. But to do so would be ignoring some of New York's greatest attractions and hidden gems. During this tour, you won't go too deep into Brooklyn, but you'll still get a good taste of New York's most populous borough. Start in front of the Tweed Courthouse in Manhattan before making the journey across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, catching views of landmarks like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty along the way. Once on the other side, you'll explore the neighborhood known as Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). 

Time Out tip: For some of the best views of Brooklyn Bridge and a wide selection of freshly prepared cuisine, head to Time Out Market. We're not tooting our own horn, it's seriously good.

Be the sightseer that Gotham deserves during this family-friendly trek that covers NYC landmarks through the lens of its hometown superheroes. Whether you're a fan of Batman, Spiderman or the Fantastic Four, discover the inspiration behind those comics with stops at the Empire State Building, a pivotal location in countless superhero adventures; the Flatiron Building, which served as Peter Parker's workplace the Daily Bugle; and the Chrysler Building, where his spidery alter-ego would perch to look out for the bad guys. You'll also stop at the Marvel Enterprises Headquarters and a clandestine bar where comic book artists have been drawing cartoons on the walls for more than 50 years.

Time Out tip: For even more superhero-fuelled fun, cape up and head to Marvel Hall of Heroes at Madame Tussauds. 

This new walking tour digs into the secrets of Lower Manhattan: a treasure trove of mysteries, obscurities, and hidden history waiting to be unearthed. Learn about NYC's time under Dutch rule, revolutionary history, and incredible works of art. Without ever leaving Manhattan, this tour will transport you to Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands.

It's based on the book, "Secret New York City: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure," written by Time Out's very own Things to Do Editor. Each tour ticket comes with a signed copy of the book.

This 90-minute tour explores Lower Manhattan. Book here.  

You didn't come all the way to New York for subpar photos, did you? With so little to see in so little time, leave the Kodak moments to the professionals. During this group tour, the city becomes both your canvas as well as your classroom. A professional photography instructor will take you to a unique destination of your choosing—options include Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square at night—and provide hands-on instructions on how to best capture lasting memories of your trip.

Time Out tip: If you've ever been curious about how to shoot sharp images in low-light conditions or how to scout out the perfect angle, this is the tour for you.

Sure, this one is a little gross, but it's also engrossing. You'll learn about the history of garbage in New York City dating back to its days as Dutch New Amsterdam. Plus, you'll get a crash course on the life of rats, from their sex life to their tastebuds to their teeth. It's led by a certified rat pro, tour guide Suzanne Reisman, who is a graduate of the city’s Rat Academy and a member of the NYC Rat Pack. That means she can really rat-tle off (sorry) a lot of facts.

The two-hour tour explores Lower Manhattan; book here. 

Much of New York's culture (and the city itself) is built upon the legacy of its diverse immigrant groups. In this exploration of Manhattan's southernmost tip, you'll hear about two major ones: the Chinese and the Italians. Start in New York's sprawling Chinatown, which is home to plenty of Chinese restaurants, of course, as well as Vietnamese, Thai, and Malaysian eateries. From here, head down towards Mulberry Street, where you'll come into Little Italy to taste all of the delectable offerings. You'll also see the World Trade Center, the Fraunces Tavern Historic District (Manhattan's oldest neighborhood), and the beautiful Trinity Church.

Time Out tip: Make an occasion of it by booking the dinnertime tour, rounded off by a trip to the Smalls Jazz Club for some cocktails and some rhythmic, soulful sounds. 

Perhaps you like your history with a little booze. We won't judge—and neither would Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac or Edgar Allan Poe, just a few of the authors featured on this tour. This tour is both lit and literary, as it weaves through Greenwich Village exploring the neighborhood's history as a "dumping ground of social misfits" (a.k.a. really great writers). On the tour, you'll also learn about J.D. Salinger, Edith Wharton, Louisa May Alcott, Frank McCourt, Langford Wilson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Baldwin—and even hear recitations of their work.

This three-hour through Greenwich Village is bookable here.

This tour covers more than four centuries of life and death in Lower Manhattan exploring Battery Park, the Financial District, Tribeca, the Civic Center and Chinatown. You'll learn about the first death of a European in NYC (a murder), hear about President Lincoln's funeral tour through Union Square, discover where intact skeletons are still being found, walk through the city's funeral row and lots more.

As guide K. Krombie puts it: "There’s no ghosts, there’s no legends. The theme with all my tours is what the city doesn't want you to see. So it's the municipal management and mismanagement of death."

This in-depth tour comes in at just under three hours of exploration in Lower Manhattan. Book here.

Don’t be distracted by Washington Square Park’s cherry blossoms and pretty landscaping: It has quite a dark past. The 310-year-old Hangman’s Elm in the northwest corner of the park is rumored to have been the site of several historic executions, and some believe the ghosts of those killed still haunt the area. Discover the supernatural history of the park and other spine-chilling spots in Greenwich Village on this evening ghost tour. You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?

Time Out tip: Unfortunately the infamous Chumley's is no longer open, but we recommend the very old-timey Little Branch (LB) Cocktail Bar. They're known for their heavily skilled mixologists, so who knows, you might be in for an out-of-body experience after all. 

The murals, graffiti, and stencils hidden all over New York give this city character, but they’re pretty damn hard to google. Hunt down these (often illegal) masterpieces with this tour of The Bushwick Collective's outdoor art gallery. A local artist will take you around and point out examples of work from early graffers like Blek Le Rat and Jef Aérosol as well as new school artists like Eelco Virus and Icy and Sot.

Time Out tip: Nearby you'll find one of the coolest neighborhood spots in Brooklyn Otis—a great spot for brunch or cocktails.