The Big Apple is arguably the beating heart and soul of the United States. Viewing New York City from the air is one of the most unique and striking ways to see all of this famous city’s most iconic sites.

NYC helicopter tours are exclusive, exciting, and offer incredibly rewarding views of many of the city’s highlights. Whether you want to surprise a loved one or splurge on the tour of a lifetime, these are the best helicopter tours of NYC available.

Best New York City Helicopter Tours

	New York City / Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour	New York City Manhattan Helicopter Tour	New York City Private Helicopter Tour for Couples
Departure Point:	Downtown Manhattan Heliport	Downtown Manhattan Heliport	67 Tower Road, Harrison, NY
Departure Time:	Every 30 minutes between 9am – 6:30pm, Monday – Saturday	Every 30 minutes between 9am – 6:30pm, Monday – Saturday	10am and 5:30pm. Check in is 30 minutes prior to departure time
Duration:	15-30 minutes	12-15 minutes	30-45 minutes
Includes:	Helicopter flight, noise-canceling Bose headsets, pilot commentary	Helicopter tour, local taxes, headphones, pilot commentary	Private couples only helicopter tour, pilot commentary
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

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Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated NYC Helicopter Tours For 2022

1. New York City / Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour
2. New York City Private Helicopter Tour for Couples
3. New York City Manhattan Helicopter Tour
4. New York City Helicopter Tour with Narration
5. New York Helicopter Tour with Optional Doors-Off Experience

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Best NYC Helicopter Tour Reviews

We’ve reviewed five of the top helicopter tours of NYC and highlighted what makes them stand out . Pick the tour that’s best suited for the type of experience you want to have in New York City.

#1. New York City / Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour

Take to the skies for a whirlwind helicopter tour of NYC which hits many of the city’s famous landmarks in just 15 minutes. From start to finish, this tour is packed with all the heavy-hitter iconic sites.

You’ll lift off from downtown Manhattan and start by viewing some of New York City’s most famous buildings including the World Financial Center, Empire State, Chrysler, Woolworth, and Met Life.

Next, you will zoom over the Hudson River to get a bird’s eye view of Ellis Island, the site where over 20 million immigrants were processed during its 60 years in operation. Coming face to face with one of the most famous landmarks in the world on Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, is a natural highlight.

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Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#2. New York City Private Helicopter Tour for Couples

This private helicopter tour for couples has only one morning tour and one evening tour, therefore exclusiveness and excellent service can certainly be expected.

This private tour kicks off from Manhattan’s Downtown Heliport. The helicopter tour allows for exclusive views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. You’ll also be treated to dazzling views of the entire Manhattan city skyline.

The tour pilot will provide commentary the entire time as you view other famous sights like the Chrysler Building, World Financial Center, Chelsea Piers, Time Warner Center, and Ground Zero as you zoom up and down the Hudson River.

The sprawling view even reaches as far as New Jersey attractions such as Goldman Sachs Tower, Colgate Clock, and Liberty State Park.

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Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#3. New York City Manhattan Helicopter Tour

There’s no better way for first time visitors to New York to get acquainted with its most famous city. A helicopter tour with fantastic aerial views is the best way to see the city without having to contend with the crowds, lines, and hustle that takes place on the streets below.

See all of New York City’s most famous sights in just 15 minutes or less with the Manhattan Sky Tour. The first photo opportunity comes just after lift off as the helicopter swoops through the heart of the New York Harbor and right past Governor’s Island.

This island was once a military base that’s now been transformed into New Yorkers’ favorite picnic spot outside the city. The tour then crosses the Hudson River to show you Ellis Island and the world-recognizable Statue of Liberty up close and personal.

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Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#4. New York City Helicopter Tour with Narration

This helicopter tour of NYC brings you face to face with some of New York’s most stellar sights. Are you ready to be impressed, inspired, and awestruck in just 20 minutes? If so, hop aboard the New York Manhattan Scenic Helicopter Tour’s state-of-the-art helicopter for an exceptional view of the country’s most famous city.

The tour starts off at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and first flies over Governor’s Island. The tour then soars over the Hudson River towards Ellis Island where you’ll get the best view in the house of the Statue of Liberty without battling the hoards of people below.

The photo opportunities here are once in a lifetime! Ground Zero, the infamous site where the World Trade Center twin towers once stood, is next before soaring up the Hudson to check out New York’s most striking buildings.

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Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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#5. New York Helicopter Tour with Optional Doors-Off Experience

If you’re looking for some excitement, try a helicopter tour with the doors off! It’s also one of the most comprehensive tours in the city, you may have found exactly what you’re looking for with this Grand Island helicopter tour. Nobody offers a more complete tour of the Big Apple.

This tour covers all the highlights mentioned above in addition to a lot of little extras. With nearly the twice the time in the sky as the other tours, it’s only logical that you’d see twice as much. The start of the tour takes you past Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

Then you’ll take a turn up the Hudson to admire New York City’s Wall Street. You’ll also get to enjoy Chinatown, Little Italy, and Time Square without having to contend with the crowds. The helicopter tour cruises over Central Park, one of the city’s main fixtures. Now, it’s onto the extra perks.

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Tour Information & Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Traveler’s Guide to New York City

• Airport and Entry
• Planning Tips
• Nightlife and Entertainment
• Getting Around
• Accommodation
• Weather
• Attractions

Airport and Entry:

There are three major airports in New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in southern Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in northern Queens. JFK is the main international airport along with Newark. LaGuardia typically handles domestic flights although there are some exceptions.

You can access Manhattan from any one of these airports, but some are better than others. All three airports also have different transportation options that run the gamut of public transportation to private transport. It all depends on your budget and what kind of trip you have in mind.

*We used Manhattan’s Time Square as a central reference point for arrival in Manhattan.

JFK is the busiest and most crowded airport with eight terminals and over 150 gates. This is not really the most convenient airport to arrive if your final destination is Manhattan; JFK is the farthest airport at 15 miles away. If you’re trying to save money and don’t have a lot of bags to lug around, you may consider accessing Manhattan via the AirTrain and then taking the subway’s A, E, J, or Z train to your hotel. Taxis and Uber’s are available and run around $50-$60 dollars. There are also several airport shuttle companies, the happy medium in terms of convenience and pricing. Shuttles run from the airport to Manhattan every 30-60 minutes and cost around $20. Book in advance!

Newark is roughly the same distance from Manhattan as JFK (15 miles). A taxi or Uber can cost between $50-$70 dollars, making it one of the more expensive options. The AirTrain runs from Newark to the New Jersey City Transit Train which will get you to Penn Station. From Penn Station you can talk a taxi, walk, take a bus, or jump on the subway to access Manhattan. Booking an airport shuttle in advance is a good option. The price is fair for a shared ride (around $23 dollars) and will get you to Manhattan with little effort on your part.

LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan and is likely your best bet at only 9 miles away. Airport shuttles from LaGuardia to Time Square are about $16. A taxi or Uber will be less than the cost of one from JFK, but the rate can fluctuate depending on how long you sit in traffic. Public transportation is available in the form of city bus. Get on the Q70 line that passes through the airport and get off at the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave Subway Station. From here you can access the E, M, F, R and 7 other trains. This is not the quickest or easiest way, but it is the least expensive.

Planning Tips:

Try to book your flight into NYC so that you arrive outside of morning and evening rush hour times. This can heavily impact how long your commute will take from the airport to your accommodation.

Consider the season, weather, and what you’d like to do before you pack your suitcase. New York has four very pronounced seasons and the temperature and weather can change quickly. A long-sleeved pull over or light jacket is always recommended.

Reserve your helicopter tour and anything else you really have your heart set on doing in advance. NYC is one of the most popular cities in the world, and you can bet tours, trips, accommodations, and restaurants will sell out and fill up quickly. If there’s a trip you know you want to take or a restaurant you know you want to eat in, make your arrangements in advance.   

Nightlife and Entertainment:

New York City is world-famous for its nightlife and entertainment. It really is the city that never sleeps. From comedy clubs, swanky lounges, live entertainment and Broadway shows, to dive bars, organized pub crawls, jazz clubs, and night clubs, there is literally no shortage of things to do.

The World Comedy Club is a great place to go for laughs. Grab a nightcap in one of Times Squares most up-scale establishments, The Living Room Bar (located on the 7^th floor of the W New York Hotel).

The Cubby Hole in the West Village is a laid-back fusion bar with no cover charge and unique cocktails for a more casual night out. Libation is a great happy hour spot that offers a glimpse into the true life of the NYC hip hop scene. And there are plenty of adult only shows like Hunk-O-Mania, Burlesque to Broadway, and Rick’s Cabernet New York.

Getting Around:

There are many options for getting around NYC. The subway system is the most popular and cost-effective mode of transportation. Walking is also a good option as many attractions are jam packed into one place.

Taxis are more expensive, but they could be ideal if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of learning the subway system. Renting a car is really not recommended in NYC as the public transportation system is much more convenient and taxis are everywhere. Plus, you’ll have to contend with the traffic and parking nightmare!

Accommodation:

NYC has budget, mind-range, and luxury accommodations to suite everyone’s style and budget. Five-star hotels with all the amenities and excellent location include The Ritz Carlton Central Park and Intercontinental Time Square. Mid-range options include 3-star hotels and apartments.

Some recommended choices are Broadway at Time Square, Resident Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Central Park, Radio City Apartments and Green Holiday Apartments. Hostels are the cheapest way to stay in NYC and there are plenty of options for these, too. Check out the neighborhood YMCAs, HI NYC Hostel, and The Local Hostel.

Weather:

New York City sees all four seasons. It’s advisable to visit in the spring, summer, or early fall if you plan to pack in a lot of touring. Hitting the NYC streets in a snowstorm is not as romantic as it sounds! In spring, average day and evening temperatures are around 69 F and 53 F degrees, respectively.

Spring sees more rain, so a visit closer to summer may be more ideal. Fall can be cool and crisp and extra layers are definitely needed. The average day and evening temperatures hover around 72 F and 56 F, respectively.

Summer is the most ideal time to visit NYC if you want bright sunny days, warm temperatures, and lesser chance of rain. On average, day and evening temperatures are 82 F and 68 F, respectively.

Attractions:

There is an overwhelming amount of attractions in NYC, but there are some absolute must-sees. A true NYC experience isn’t complete without admiring the lights of Time Square, visiting the historic Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, and wandering through Central Park. No trip to NYC would be complete without taking a tour of the famous Statue of Liberty!

The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) should be toured along with the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim – three of NYC most famous museums. Visit the Highline Park, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and shop Fifth Avenue for all the top brands.

No matter where your interests lie, there’s something to suit every person’s desires in NYC!