Tours with native New Yorkers

Big Apple Greeters is a free service sponsored by NYC & Company. A knowledgeable, native New Yorker will escort one to six people who are travelling together to special places such as neighbourhoods, sites or 'off the beaten path' destinations. Reservations and schedule must be confirmed in advance.

Movie tours

On Location Tours operates bus tours of the sites of America's top TV shows, including Sex and the City and The Sopranos. Other tours include 'Central Park Movie Tour' and 'Manhattan TV and Movie Tour'. Tours last from two to three and a half hours. Booking is essential for all tours and meeting points vary depending on the tour taken.

Long Island

Situated to the east of New York City, Long Island stretches for 190km (118 miles) into the Atlantic. Coastal parts of residential Long Island have some beautiful white sand beaches popular with New Yorkers for weekend retreats.

The north and south shores differ greatly. The south shore is fringed by almost continuous sandy coastline, including Jones Beach and gay-oriented Fire Island National Seashore, reachable by ferry. Meanwhile, the north shore is more immediately beautiful; its cliffs topped with luxurious mansions, estates, farms and excellent 'ma and pa' wineries.

Hudson Valley

Roughly two hours' drive north of New York City, the picturesque Hudson Valley makes a refreshing break from the concrete jungle, with its leafy state parks, farms and apple orchards and quaint country towns. Highlights here include hiking and swimming in Harriman State Park or nearby Bear Mountain State Park. Art-minded visitors will want to visit the Storm King Art Center, a sprawling open-air museum in the town of Mountainville, or the Dia Beacon, with cutting-edge exhibits in a former factory.