Having only a limited number of days in New York to check items off our bucket list, we needed an…read moreexcellent guide with a plethora of knowledge and enough spare energy to keep us going. I fortunately found New York Historical Tours under the ownership and direction of Kevin Draper, CEO (Chief Experience Officer). My wife and I had used a private tour guide while in Scotland, and had a wonderful one on one experience ~ away from groups and tailored to fit our style of tourism. Kevin was incredibly knowledgable, affable, professional and customized our bucket list to 1) see the Statue of Liberty with pedestal access and the new museum, 2) get a brief but comprehensive history of Ellis Island without disembarking, 3) work our way to Katz's Delicatessen (we are big "When Harry Met Sally" fans) all the while getting a feel and history of the local neighborhoods, as well as learning how to use the Metro system to develop a nice level of familiarity and comfort in the East Side of Manhattan where we were staying. A standout feature on a tour with Kevin is his attention to detail in planning our time together. I call him the Master of Timing and Positioning. For example he suggested catching the first ferry to the Statue of LIberty. When we met him, he had already purchased our tickets. While on the ferry, he kept us comfortably shaded, then took us to key positions to get the best views of Lady Liberty while giving us an incredibly interesting history of the Statue. By the time we left the island, it was getting swamped with tourists and school groups. Superb timing indeed. On the way to the Metro, he pointed out the very interesting history of Battery Park and surrounding buildings and branch of the Smithsonian museum. We wound our way through Little Italy, Chinatown, Nolita and Jewish neighborhoods on the way to Katz's. Amazingly the line was short, but a madhouse inside. Kevin knew how to maneuver to the right cutter, get a table and we had a delicious lunch. As we left, the line had grown to over a block long with over an hour wait. Again the Master's timing was impeccable. He gave us more fascinating history of different areas as we headed back to the Metropolitan Museum where we ended our incredible tour. Our 6 hour private tour went by so quickly, and we were comfortably exhausted. As a historian, Kevin is a walking talking wealth of knowledge about New York, and has tremendous pride in this amazing city. We can enthusiastically recommend him for those seeking the best in personal tours of the Big Apple. In fact, we look forward to using his services on a return trip to New York which can't come soon enough.

We went on their China Town & Little Italy tour of down town Manhattan. Dan was just terrific!…read more His enthusiasm was contagious that made our Birthday celebration weekend. We now want to go on all the tours that they offer.

A Hudson Valley wine tour to celebrate a friend's landmark birthday was perfect! Hudson Valley…read moreBucket list did an outstanding job coordinating the day from transport and an itinerary of beautiful wineries to a magazine photo worthy picnic lunch orchestrated by an on-site host. Our group of 12 were treated like special guests everywhere we went and we were wowed by the friendly, welcoming reception at each stop and the delicious wines we were able to taste. HVBL made planning this event easy and the day memorable

We used Hudson Valley Bucket List for my bachelorette weekend and they were absolutely amazing…read more Caitlin was our guide for the day and she was incredible. We were taken to 3 different vineyards who all took great care of us. I've been on a ton of wine tours and this was by far the very best I've been on. The lunch was delicious and beautifully set up ahead of time before we got to the 2nd vineyard. It was a beautiful day. Thank you Hudson Valley Bucket List!

TEP deserves more than 5 stars for the amazing start to finish service we experienced on our 7 day…read moreadventure to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From the time we signed up, to the time we boarded the plane to return home, TEP took care of every detail. We commented amongst ourselves that we felt like kids on vacation with our parents, as we didn't have to worry about any of the details - just show up and follow Neptali (our guide). From airport pickup in Cusco in luxury Mercedes vans where we were promptly served Coca tea to help with the altitude acclimation, to group dinners at amazing Peruvian restaurants, to historical tours and education on the history of the Inca - everything was covered and taken care of for us. And that was all before the amazing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Of course the trek itself was the highlight of the trip, and although it was extremely challenging for us, TEP's unbelievable attention to detail did not fail us on the trail. With nearly a 2:1 porter to trekker ration, our every need was met on the trail. We dined like kings every meal, and were consistently amazed with the quality (and nutritional appropriateness) of the food our chef and sous chef were able to put out with minimal kitchen conveniences. The thing I felt was most special about TEP's approach to this trip was the focus on gaining a cultural and historical appreciation for what we were experiencing. Every step along the way, we learned about the native people of Peru, the Inca civilization, the many ruins we came across, the vegetation we saw and how it was and is used, and the history of modern Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime, and have the help of The Explorer's Passage made it so much more enjoyable, and so much more memorable. The value of what they provide is amazing for the cost....rather, for the investment. I highly recommend them!

What a fabulous tour! I did the "Washington in NYC" tour in June 2017 and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! So much fascinating historical information that I can't wait to share with all my friends now; such a great group of fellow explorers; and all so perfectly run - well planned, perfectly on time, with a great variety of sights and insights for all types of travelers. I recommend this tour highly - and will be on the lookout for future adventures from The Explorer's Passage! :)

Captain Steve and his first mate went above and beyond for my 10 year old son's birthday Fishing…read moretrip!! We caught plenty of fish and enjoyed the scenic views along the way near Port Washington. I booked with Monty's Ark in August and September and each time was a pleasure. Great communication, and very professional. Highly Recommend!!! - Sean

My objective was to photograph 16 of the lighthouses in Long Island Sound and to that end Steve…read moreenabled me accomplish my objective. He was waiting for me when I arrived, took me to all 16, staying at each one long enough for me to get some amazing shots while engaging in lively and knowledgeable conversation. My daughter and I were comfortable and felt safe even when the weather changed. It was a truly enjoyable trip. Steve even provided sandwiches. I would definitely recommend Monty's Arc Adventures to anyone venturing out onto Long Island Sound.

Six of us took this tour and it was one of the highlights of the trip for everyone. Our guide was…read morefunny, warm, and knew an enormous amount about the city. The mix of real history and his own stories kept all of us entertained the whole way through, and I say that as someone who has lived here a long time and has heard a lot of New York trivia. He was great with people. He asked us questions, remembered the answers, and made a point of talking with everyone as we moved between stops. The weather was a question mark that morning and he had already sorted out how to handle it, so it never became our problem. Everything leading up to the day was organized and clearly communicated too. Worth every penny. We'd do it again.

My wife and granddaughter recently visited New York and booked several sightseeing tours through…read moreReal New York Tours. We wanted a knowledgeable, top-notch guide to help us experience the city, and they exceeded our expectations. From the planning process to the tours themselves, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. Our guide was outstanding--knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about New York. They customized the experience, shared fascinating insights, and made every stop enjoyable. Our experience with Real New York Tours was exceptional. They delivered first-class service in every way, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized New York City sightseeing experience.

Bill was our guide for our first visit to NYC. He could not have been more knowledgeable &…read moreprofessional. Our time was well spent with Bill. He knows the city & its history & its back stories ... Bill showed us the city in ways we would never have been able to manage on our own. Six stars if possible....... Highly Recommend!!

Bill, "The Street Teacher", couldn't have been more knowledgeable or more enthusiastic. I recommend…read morehim as a tour guide without reservation. He was generous with his time and made our tour a very personable experience. Check out his website!

HIGHLY recommend !!! Took the Prospect Park foraging tour and will never forget it. Steve Brill is…read moreextremely knowledgeable and makes tons of jokes along the way. Had so much fun I didn't notice just how quickly the time passed. He has many tours around New York so it's easy to find a fitting time and/or location. For people living in more urban areas it's easy to become disconnected from the non-human natural environment because we learn so little about it and don't interact with it much but Steve's tours show that there is much to be curious about!

Horrible experience. Central Park tour 70 people! Could not…read morehear a thing.Way too crowded. Total money grab! Shameful!

I learned a lot. It was a big boat. The sightseeing tours were amazing. The tourists attractions…read morewere amazing, especially the Brooklyn bridge, and Statue of Liberty.

We took a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty, and honestly -- it was such a cool and meaningful…read moreexperience Until now, we had only ever seen the Statue of Liberty in movies, TV shows, or photos -- it always felt like something far away, part of the big screen. But seeing it in real life for the first time... that moment stays with you. It's iconic, powerful, and absolutely beautiful from the water. The tour itself was relaxing and informative. It gave us time to take in the view, snap some photos, and just appreciate being so close to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. We did this on day 3 of our trip, and it felt like the perfect timing -- not too early when you're still adjusting, but not too late when you've already seen too much. We went around 11:00 AM, and it wasn't overly crowded, which made it even more enjoyable. If you're coming to New York, I definitely recommend making time to see the Statue of Liberty. It's not just a symbol of the city -- it's a symbol of the country And experiencing it in person gives you a new appreciation for that. Bring your camera, soak in the moment, and enjoy the breeze from the boat -- it's totally worth it. RECOMMEND (Personally mine)

Had a great time at the Bronx County Historical Society Yelp event this past weekend. Shah Q…read moreorganized the event and it was quite enjoyable. She is very personable, upbeat and engaging. She also surprised us with some chicken kabobs and mac and cheese from the Deli Boyz on Burnside Avenue. The food was very tasty and we also received a small swag item. The museum/house itself is very small and there is not a lot to see. However, there was an exhibit on Bronx youth dance culture called "When the Bronx Moved" featuring breakdancing among other urban dance styles. That part of the tour was guided by New York City Breaker, B-Boy London. He was very informative and humorous, sharing his insights and personal experiences with us. He is a major part of the history of the Bronx urban dance movement. The general tour was given by Steven, who is the director of the museum. Very personable and informative, he gave us the background of the house and other historical facts. All in all, a very enjoyable experience that I recommend. It isn't expensive to get in and you can easily see everything in an hour or so. Thank you, Shah for an interesting and enlightening afternoon !

Valentine Varian house was ok! The exhibitions were kind of random and they could have had more…read morehistory and information specifically on the house and its significance. They could have gone more into detail about who lived on the house. Instead they had stuff about the history of the neighborhood and also dances of the 1980s in the Bronx. Everything was all on one floor. I liked how this museum was free though and there was no cost I didn't have to pay for it. Come here only if you're in the area. You can spend around 20 minutes in here. This museum is only open on the weekends from 10am-5pm. Could have had more information on who lived in the house and why this house is a museum. I did like how it wasn't crowded when I went, and not many people were visiting it.