New York City is big, bustling and attracts millions of visitors every year. But with so many tourists and lots of world-famous things to do in NYC, the streets can get a little crowded. Why not opt for one of the best bike tours in NYC instead?
Take a look at my top picks below, focusing on different areas in New York. Whether you want to see famous landmarks in Manhattan, hidden gems in Harlem and the Bronx or street art in Brooklyn, these top 3 best bike tours in NYC have you covered. Or, scroll down and keep reading to discover more bike tours in NYC.
| # | Activity Type | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harlem & Bronx Bike Tour | From €149 | 6 hours |
| 2 | Brooklyn Street Art Bike Tour | From €46 | 2 hours |
| 3 | Manhattan Bike Tour | From €112 | 4 hours |
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1 – NYC Harlem and Bronx Bike Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (4 reviews)
“If you want to see Harlem and the Bronx and get the real feel if the cities, people, culture and the history this is the tour to go on.” David. Viator
Overflowing with history and culture – yet still often overlooked due to their somewhat out-of-the-way location – Harlem and the Bronx are undeniably fascinating neighborhoods to explore.
Sure, they’re both big in size (which makes for a bounty of notable sights), but that’s exactly why hopping onto a bike and pedaling your way around with Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours is such an excellent idea.
This 25-mile Harlem and Bronx adventure takes you through these diverse communities, unraveling their fascinating past and present. And with landmarks along the way — Yankee Stadium, Strivers’ Row, and the Apollo Theater (to name a few) — you can expect myriad photo ops!
Summary of the tour:
- 25-mile (40-km) route through tucked-away neighborhoods and parks
- 6-hour bike tour in a small group (max. 8 participants)
- Helmet, high quality bike and guide included
- Admission to Hall of Fame for Great Americans, Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, United Palace and Riverbank State Park included
Our review
If you’re an adventurous tourist looking for a unique way to explore NYC, away from the run-of-the-mill sites, then this bike tour might just be the perfect option.
The average tourist would never see most of the fascinating spots visited on this tour. Robbie and the team make you feel so welcome as well. 100% recommend it!
2 – Brooklyn Street Art Bike Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 (2 reviews)
“We came to places you would normally never come. Nice group and fun guide. Our most enjoyable experience in NYC.” Maria. Viator
While you can snap those cliché photos at the Brooklyn Bridge, to really get under the skin of this dynamic and energetic borough, a behind-the-scenes street art adventure — like that run by Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours — is the way to go.
Led by street art aficionados, you’ll pedal through the vibrant enclaves of Williamsburg, Bushwick, Fort Greene and DUMBO, taking in colorful murals, graffiti art and hidden gems that only locals know about (until now).
As you check off notable installations like the Brooklyn Navy Yard exhibitions and the old Domino Sugar Factory, your guides will wax insights into the history and influences behind Brooklyn’s thriving street art scene. It’s not only a Brooklyn must-do, it’s one of the top things to do on Long Island, period.
Summary of the tour:
- Enjoy Brooklyn’s street art on a small-group bike tour (max. 8 participants)
- Visit Bushwick and Brooklyn Navy Yard BLDG 92 and enjoy views of the Brooklyn Bridge
- Pass by Fort Greene Park, Domino Park and Dumbo
- Helmet and bike included
Our review
Something a little different from the usual bike tours of New York City, this Brooklyn Street Art Bike Tour shines a spotlight on an underrated, stunning part of the local culture.
While the focus is on the art, the fact that you get to see some fantastic views of the city as well makes it a superb option!
3 – Bike Tour of Manhattan: Radical & Weird History of NYC
Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 (8 reviews)
“Riding a bike in New York is much more relaxed than you might think. You don’t get stuck in traffic, you move quickly and you get to see a lot in a short time. Robby designed the tour according to our wishes.” Laura. Getyourguide
Manhattan-based bike tours are a dime a dozen. But only Freewheelin’ Bike Tours combine your classic sightseeing experience with a dramatic walk through history, focusing on the weird, the wonderful and the wacky traits that make New York City so unique.
Diving into local history (think: underground movements, the mob) and the contrasting neighborhood personalities, this 8-person bike tour delves deep into Manhattan’s very storied past.
Besides learning a bunch about the city’s most famous borough, you’ll also get to snap iconic photos at the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park (to name a few).
Summary of the tour:
- 4-hour bike tour of Manhattan
- Small group (max. 8 participants)
- See the famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street and Central Park
- Bike and guide included
- Food and drinks included
Our review
The history, the sights, the tour guide (Robby and co.) are all amazing! You get to see so many different aspects of New York in just a few hours, but it definitely doesn’t feel rushed.
Plus, since the tour is capped at just 8 people, you get a much more intimate and personalized experience compared to larger group tours. 10/10!
4 – Highlights of Central Park Bike Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5 (405 reviews)
“An extraordinary visit where we discover Central Park with breaks punctuated by anecdotes, history, superb places where we can take photos.” Lecourieux. getyourguide
As the world’s most famous urban green space, sticking out like a sore thumb from the surrounding concrete jungle, Central Park is a non-negotiable for any tourist — especially those looking for cheap things to do in New York City.
With the Unlimited Biking crew, you’ll get to tick off the most famous things to do in Central Park like the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, and Bow Bridge; as well as plenty of lesser-known treasures (including movie-famous landmarks).
And for the cherry on top, as you pass spots like the Belvedere Castle and the Imagine Mosaic, you’ll hear all about the man-made park’s unique history and design too.
Our review
No trip to New York is complete without exploring Central Park, the city’s famous green oasis — and this Unlimited Biking tour is without a doubt one of the best ways to do exactly that.
The guides share anecdotes about the history and hidden gems of the park, and they’re happy to be photographers too! Definitely recommended!
Read more: Best NYC city tours
5 – Highlights of Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.1/5 (600 reviews)
“The Brooklyn Bridge tour was a wonderful adventure! Our tour guide, Eddie, has an impressive knowledge of the city and sights along this route” Jean. Google review
Move over, Manhattan! As what many consider to be the frontrunner for New York’s art, food and culture, Brooklyn invites locals and tourists alike with an eccentric combination of all three.
Showing off the most celebrated things to do in Brooklyn, the Unlimited Biking highlight tour whisks you out of Manhattan toward the city’s most populous borough, where you’ll end up at picture-perfect spots like DUMBO, the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights.
With several panoramic viewpoints en route, and myriad stories about how this dynamic neighborhood has gentrified, you’ll get to experience a whole new side of the Big Apple.
Our review
The Unlimited crew are incredibly welcoming. And not only do they show you some of the best sights in Brooklyn, they’re also happy to answer any questions.
Manhattan has its draws, but no trip to NYC is complete without a visit over the East River to Brooklyn. Worth doing!
6 – Electric Bike Tour of Manhattan and the Waterfront Greenway
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (81 reviews)
“We were amazed at how easy it is to bicycle around NYC. Bob made it feel so accessible while teaching us new things at every turn.” Sheryn. Viator
Combining all the highlights of Central Park, the Hudson River Greenway and the West Village, this popular bike tour invites you to check off a handful of the best things to do in Manhattan without breaking a sweat — that’s the beauty of having an electric bike.
With a particular focus on green spaces, the leisurely adventure promises a relaxed change of pace from the typically chaotic city streets while still knocking off fascinating landmarks like Grant’s tomb and Columbia University.
Plus, the Unlimited Biking guides are friendly, knowledgeable about NYC history and landmarks, and will have you laughing along the way.
Our review
A very comprehensive tour of Central Park and some amazing sightseeing along the Hudson too!
The guides (Morgan, Bob, Dan and co.) keep a good pace and provide awesome updates about the landmarks. Even if you’re not overly fit, it’s a must-do.
7 – A Day in Manhattan Bike Tour
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
“Learning new facts about ny and getting a little exercise to bootl. Weather was perfect and guide was really cool and knowledgeable.” John. Viator
Showing off a concoction of all the city’s finest sights, from the bustling streets of Midtown Manhattan to the peaceful oasis of Central Park, with culture-rich enclaves like Little Italy thrown in, this Brooklyn Giro Bike Tours bike tour serves as the ideal way to get the lay of the land for NYC’s most famous borough.
Led by friendly, Manhattanite locals, you’ll spend a day ticking off some of the best places to visit in New York City — the diverse neighborhoods of Soho and the West Village, and iconic landmarks like Wall Street and the historic South Street Seaport area.
Our review
Definitely one of the more complete Manhattan bike tours, this activity is a fantastic way to explore the city by bike and hit all of the must-see spots.
Besides seeing so many iconic landmarks, Tom, Josh, John and the guides keep it interesting with wonderful stories throughout the entire ride. Highly recommended!
8 – NYC Central Park Bicycle Rentals
Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 (269 reviews)
“Great and easy, right across the street from Central Park! The staff was nice and helped us with everything we needed .” Kelsey. Viator
Guided bike tours are fantastic — you get to learn the ins and outs from a local’s perspective. But sometimes, you just want to explore on your own terms — peddle down that unknown street, snap selfies at quirky landmarks, even pause for a little picnic.
That independence is what you get with a Fancy Apple bike rental. Headquartered at Central Park, you can ride around at your own pace, checking out spots like the Bethesda Fountain and Strawberry Fields – and since you’re in charge, you can venture further and explore other inviting neighborhoods as well.
Thanks to the freedom, it’s a great option for anyone looking for family things to do in New York City with kids.
Our review
If you want to ditch the other tourists and drive your own path, then renting is the way to go. The Fancy Apple are on hand to give you advice on places to see and answer any questions you may have as well.
Overall, a wonderful way to experience Central Park.
How to book bike tours in NYC?
As America’s most visited tourist city, NYC has no shortage of bike tours to choose from.
Plus, different companies offer discounts at different times, so it can be hard to know if you’re making the right call.
For that reason, it’s best to use our search engine and compares ALL of the bike tour options available. This way, you can lock in the best price and also read helpful customer reviews.