We are leaving this review as a group after taking the "How Money Was Made: Wall Street Walking Tour" on April 6th at 10:00 AM--and this is truly a unanimous decision. We had an absolutely incredible experience, and it was all thanks to Liam O'Brien. From the very start, Liam was kind, engaging, and full of energy. His storytelling is truly exceptional--his narration was anything but dry or monotonous. It was upbeat, energetic, and incredibly insightful. He has a rare ability to bring history to life in a way that keeps both adults and kids completely captivated. Every story felt vivid, meaningful, and easy to follow. What also stood out was how much more we got than expected. The tour went well beyond the standard scope and felt very full and rich, often expanding beyond the typical frame of the topic in the best possible way. We walked away feeling like we learned so much more than we anticipated. What made this experience even more impressive was the weather. It was a bitterly cold and windy morning, and we were with kids--yet not a single complaint the entire time. That says everything. They were fully engaged and genuinely loved every minute of the tour. Liam is clearly a very talented individual who truly loves what he does, and it shows in every detail of the experience. His passion, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with people make this tour unforgettable. We feel incredibly lucky that he was our guide. And to management--if you have the ability to give Liam a raise or promote him, please do. He is truly your superstar tour guide. If we could, we would leave 1000 stars. Highly, highly recommend! read more

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They have just contacted me to say that they have cancelled my booking. They accepted and confirmed my booking months ago. The tour I booked is still going ahead, so they haven't booked out. Where are their ethical obligations? read more

Engaging and educational. Great way to spend the afternoon. We learned lot and had a nice time.

We did the Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo tour with Tom on 15th September. Excellent tour - fun and informative. Great different perspective on the city. read more

Did the walking tour Slavery and Underground Railroad. Maya was guide and she was great. So knowledgeable and genuine. Only had a few days in NYC and I highly recommend doing this tour. Wear good shoes! Found out surprising facts that about battery point and Wall Street too! read more

I didn't know what to expect with this tour. My sister-in-law booked this tour with my wife and when they found out I could join them on the trip they added me in. The tour guide was quite experienced and did a great job of projecting her voice and making sure the group stayed together on our walking tour. She was very knowledgeable not just from learning a routine script but from researching the area of focus. She spoke from a position of personal interest and study which is quite a nice way to go. I had never been on a tour like this before. I would highly recommend this tour company. read more

This was my second trip to NYC, and my first tour with Inside Out. I took a Holiday Lights Tour: it sounded like a perfect way to enjoy NYC at Christmastime! When I purchased the tour (via Groupon) I THOUGHT it was primarily focused on the lights, so I was super stoked to get some great shots of NYC in the winter! It turns out it was a Holiday MARKET Tour as well. (My mistake for not investigating further; however, a couple on our tour were under the same impression it was lights-only.) That was fine, but I'm not a big shopper, nor did I want to schlep a bunch of things home in my luggage. Massive crowds aren't my favorite. The markets themselves (we went to 4 of them!) were cute and had a lot of unique gifts. Some vendors were at multiple markets, so if you are indecisive at one stop, you just might get a second chance. Or third. Or fourth. Tour guide Katie was a wealth of information. I liked that she had some laminated pictures of notable people and events. I did feel that it was a teeny bit impersonal: I've been on shorter tours where the tour guide asks your name and gets to know you a little bit. Then again, maybe I was spoiled elsewhere! The best parts, for me, was seeing the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue and going to St. Patrick's Cathedral. I definitely could have done without the last market (Holiday Market at Union Square), which we had to take the subway to get to. We got there, were told it was our last stop, tour was over, and to enjoy. erm. So I pretty much ended up walking 3 blocks to take the subway BACK to where we began at Columbus Circle. Oy. It was a LONG tour - 4 hours! - so a little backpack with water and snacks is necessary, because if (when) you get hungry, your options are a food truck or waiting in line for food - which may or may not happen. Oh, and obviously dress for the weather. Even though it was 40 degrees and much warmer than the 20s I'm used to back home, I was so glad to have gloves! Overall it was an A-OK tour: the price and history were definitely worthy of the 4 hour time frame. read more

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We did the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO your with Kevin and he was phenomenal!! His love of history and passion for the city was infectious! Would highly recommend the tour and BONUS if you have Kevin!! read more

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I had a wonderful experience on the Inside Out Tour yesterday. I signed up for the "Brooklyn Bridge & Brownstone Tour" through Goldstar. First of all, I arrived late and missed my tour (ugh! accident on the williamsburg). I decided to walk over the bridge anyhow and do some sightseeing, figuring I would reschedule something with Goldstar at a later date. A few hours later I was emailed AND called to set up a replacement tour - THAT SAME DAY. Turns out the Inside Out tour guide contacted Goldstar to tell them I missed the tour. Now that's customer service! The replacement tour was "Dumbo Dessert & Gallery Tour". My tour guide Stacey was pleasant and patient allowing us to take many pics along the tour. She was very knowledgable about a plethora of historical facts and you can tell she really enjoys giving these tours. Among the places we visited were of course the Bridge, the Giacobetti Paul Art gallery (with 14 mini-galleries inside), Brooklyn Bridge Park and two dessert spots: Almondine Bakery and Jacques Torres chocolate shop. I was born and raised in New York and spend ALOT of time in Brooklyn and was surprised to learn so much. I had a wonderful time and would definitely book one of these tours again. read more

I'm a board member on an organization a part of Columbia University, and we set up a Great Women of New York Tour a few weeks ago. It was absolutely phenomenal, we had such a great time and our tour guide, Catherine, was amazing and gave an excellent tour. I definitely recommend going on a tour with this company, they will not disappoint! read more

Amazing tour by @Matt or @Mat. We have been living here for 5 year but still discovered a LOT. And it is beautiful. Definitely recommend the tour and want to do more with Inside Out Cheers! read more

I really enjoyed the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour with Rori. Before I didn't know about why the color of statue of liberty is blue-green and the reason why they made that big statue. But after this tour, I could realize the whole thing and It was really helpful to broaden my knowledge~! I hope you could feel that too~^^ read more

Inside Out Tours - Tours Near Me - New York, New York

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour We did this tour with Marcos in September 2015. We found the tour itself and the history interesting and Marcos did well to relay the information in an entertaining but effective way. Walking the bridge is definitely worth it and Brooklyn is pretty awesome! Overall we enjoyed it a lot and it was one of the highlights of our visit. Recommended! read more

Uncle Jeff ROCKS! I booked the Insiders Shopping Tour for myself and my two college-aged nieces. The tour met at Little Cupcake in the NoLita area and then we hoofed it around the Prince and Mott street area for two hours. What a great experience! The girls were initially iffy about doing the tour - they're poor college kids and had the idea that we'd only go to expensive, exclusive shops - but afterwards decided it was one of the best parts of the entire trip! We went into all kinds of stores and there was certainly something for everyone! They both found things in their price range. All along the way, Jeff told stories, gave us insider tips, sang... it was a lovely morning. We took him for pizza at Lombardi's just so we could have a little more time with him:) The next time we're in town we will DEFINITELY book another tour. Thank you! read more

Whether you're a native of Brooklyn or a visitor from another country or county,this is well worth your time! I have lived in Brooklyn for over 5 years and loved the tour!!! I was curious to see what a tour of Brooklyn would be like especially since I am a local. I was pleasantly surprised to learn some interesting historical facts about Brooklyn that I never knew before. What was even more eye opening was the landmarks and small businesses that I've walked by in the past but never looked twice at. After going on this tour, I have a new appreciation of Brooklyn and see it with different eyes. read more

Terrible customer service. They responded to my customer inquiry with a demeaning and sarcastic attitude. For those who use their New York pass to book, you will be charged the full amount of the tour price if you do not show for the tour (despite the fact that you've already 'paid' using your pass). There are no exceptions, even if you explain that you had a last minute family emergency and could not attend. And the worst part about the whole situation is how rude and abrupt they were with their response. I understand upholding your policies, but when you are met with a complete lack of care and empathy, it's really hard to justify using your service ever again. By the way, this is the only negative review I've ever written about any company. read more

Shawn did an incredible Underground Railroad tour. He was so knowledgeable, and not just of the tour, he dropped tidbits while walking between sites. My only criticism is that it wasn't long enough! read more

Excellent tour with knowledgeable guide. The information was well presented and not sugar coated. The guide was very respectful of the subject matter. I would highly recommend this tour. read more

We did the Brooklyn and Dumbo with Marcos. He was very personable. He kept the audience engaged throughout the tour. It was fascinating to learn about the intricate stories of the Brooklyn bridge. We would do a tour with him any time. read more

We have done several walking tours all over NYC area. Matt the tour guide by far exceeded our expectations with his detailed stories of history and facts along the way including bits never touched upon by other guides such as stories of the not so well known women who had a part in making NYC great all in different ways along with the men. His great personality made the tours we did with him even more enjoyable. More importantly though, is that it's obvious he took the time to know his tour subjects very well. More than just read facts from Wikipedia like some seem to do. Count yourself lucky if you get him as a guide. read more

Destin was our guide on Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo tour. He was very informative and interacted with our whole tour group. He kept a good pace and gave us lots of info. We took a tour because we wanted more than just a picture on the bridge. Our teens 17 and 12 both enjoyed the tour. We loved Dumbo and probably wouldn't have ventured out from bridge on our own. Great info, food recommends and history. Would recommend this tour. Our family loved it! read more

I have been on both historical and tasting tours with friends, we had a lovely time. The guides are actively engaged, made an effort to speak to literally everyone on the bus, and really know Brooklyn. Each stop was informative, and the generous tasting portions (from Middle Eastern pitza to Caribbean, Latin American and Szechuan food at local restaurants) were great. I would recommend to locals and tourists alike! read more

We did the Slave Trade and Underground Railroad tour in New York this past June. Our guide, Damaras, was phenomenal. She had so much information, and she explained it all in a way that was engaging, in depth, and accessible. She dealt with an uncomfortable topic incredibly well, forcing us outside our comfort zones while also allowing us a space in which to ask questions and expand our knowledge of this shameful aspect of America's past (which we have inherited and - in ways - perpetuate today). read more

Marcos guided us on the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour. Of al of the tours we took during our seven day visit to NYC, this was the worst. Marcos, unfortunately, was not engaging. He did offer some interesting history before walking on the bridge, but reading Wikipedia and walking the bridge myself would have been just as good. He said he would point out a view in DUMBO from the show Gossip Girl, which was interesting to some on the tour, but since he made no effort to keep the group together, about a third of us were a block behind him. If he did point it out, the girls who were interested never heard it. We stuck our heads in a gallery as much to use the bathrooms as to see any art. We stuck our heads in a chocolate factory. No real explanation of any history. I used The New York Pass (itself a fantastic deal) to access this tour. If I had shelled $140 for the four of us, I'd have been seriously ticked. Don't bother. read more

I got a Chocolate Tour through Lifebooker with Inside Out Tours, and I thought it was a complete waste of money. We were taken to 4 chocolate shops in NYC, and the tastings were already picked out for us. The stores were crowded, and in some cases other tour groups were given room in the store and we had to stand outside. The tour was supposed to be 2 and 1/2 hours, but it was only an hour and half. We got two chocolate chip cookies from two places on our tour - not a sampling of truffles/fine chocolates. Didn't get to see how chocolate is made either. I would have been better off just going to these stores on my own and picking up their specialities (which wasn't the sampling we got). read more

I recently went on the NYC Slavery and Underground RR tour, which was excellent. Our tour guide, Demaras, was knowledgeable, considerate of our feelings about a difficult topic, and patient. I've been on walking tours elsewhere and I really appreciated that she waited until we were all together at the next stop before beginning her talk. This enabled those of us who were in the rear to hear all that she had to say. I learned so much that I didn't know and highly recommend this tour about a part of US history that isn't taught in such detail. read more

We did the Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO tour with Matt. It was amazing. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and learned so much about the history of the bridge and surrounding areas. Once we crossed the bridge we toured around DUMBO. The views are spectacular and the information was something that just added to the beautiful walk. If we did not do the tour I wouldn't have learned so much about NYC history! Highly recommend! read more

We Did the Brooklyn Bridge Dumbo tour today w/ Matt, he was outstanding. Great knowledge and super fun. We had a great time, as did everyone, and would recommend to anyone to take this tour, w/ Matt if possible! read more

I was fortunate enough to take one of the Inside Out's tasting tours of Brooklyn with friends. It was such a wonderful experience. What is great about Inside Out is that the tour is hands-on and participatory, never boring, and you really to learn about the neighborhoods and the people in them. Nothing like the conventional guided tour experience where you just walk along listening to someone else talk. Each stop on the tour was clearly designed to keep us engaged and having fun, while actually giving us information about the history and development of the city. I would advise any tourist to the city to take advantage of the personal touch of Inside Out Tours, or if you have friends or professional colleagues visiting, this is a great activity to get them out and make them feel really good about their trip. read more

My family and I just completed the Harlem gospel tour with Stefan who was a very friendly well informed gentleman. The tour insightfully and thoughtfully described the development of Harlem from humble beginnings to where it is now. Stefan invited anyone to ask any question no matter how sensitive the topic and briefly touched upon how slavery contributed to the development of gospel music. Despite the distraction of the bitter cold winds, Stefan held our attention throughout the tour taking us from the Apollo Theatre where famous musicians have played to various notable churches. The tour culminated in our group sitting on an upper balcony with other international groups spectating a local gospel church service. It felt slightly voyeuristic as the service was directed to the locals sitting on the ground floor yet it was an immersive experience. Thank you Stefan for your openness and friendliness. read more

My husband and I took the NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad walking tour today. Our guide Shawn was so friendly and VERY knowledgeable about the subject. In spite of the cold and rainy weather the tour was exceptional. We would highly recommend for anyone interested in NYC history. read more

In June my husband and I took a walking tour with Inside-Out Tours called the "Art and Soul Tour." According to the brochure, it would be a tour of the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, highlighting the African Diaspora, history, shopping, etc. My husband and I are always on the lookout for new and interesting things to do in and out of the City, so we figured, why not? The day of the tour came. Unfortunately, it was one of those days when the sun seared and seemed to follow us at every turn. We almost didn't show up for the tour, but since we had already purchased tickets, we decided to make the best of it. The tour commenced in an art gallery where the curator discussed the art exhibits. Then, our tour guides gave us an overview of Brooklyn history, explaining how the borough was discovered and named. Right away, they asked trivia questions in a friendly, lighthearted manner. They informed us that the more questions we answered correctly, the greater our chances of winning the grand prize. Of course, at this point, our interest was piqued and not only us, but everyone in the room, including seasoned New Yorkers, who like us, had previously worn "alright, show me what you got" expressions on their faces. We went outside and the walking portion of the tour began. Throughout the tour, we played an interactive trivia game that fostered conversation among our tour group while we learned about notable "Brooklynites." We also made several stops to observe architecture, learn about Fort Greene history and view its many landmarks. Despite being Native New Yorkers, my husband and I had never seen some of these sites before, including one stop along the Underground Railroad and another site which was the inspiration for Richard Wright's novel "Native Son." Finally, the tour ended at the famed Carol's Daughter beauty store popularized by Jada Pinkett-Smith and Mary J. Blige where we received a coupon to shop that day. Prior to the end of the tour, two prizes were awarded, one to the grand prize winner and the second to the runner up. My husband and I didn't win anything, but when we saw how elated the grand prize winner and runner up were, we didn't mind. The tour ended in front of a trendy Afro-French restaurant. Brunch was optional, but most of us stayed to eat anyway since our meals were discounted for participating in the tour. As for our meal, it was NOT a disappointment. My husband and I had so much fun on the tour that we completely forgot about the scorching sun waiting for us outside. Who knew walking the streets of Brooklyn could be so much fun! read more

We enjoyed the The Underground Railroad Tour.The guide was very knowledgeable and engaged the tourist throughout the experience. Make sure you wear good walking shoes and be prepared to pay for subway passes as it not mentioned upfront. read more

Er um uh so.... Why take 2 minutes to say what can be said in 15? Because Er um uh so... You need to stretch 10 minutes of history into 2 1/2 hours. Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo tour... Marcos was an Er um uh so...tour guide dud. I wish we had spent the $35 per person on some great food in the DUMBO district that we failed to "explore" on the "tour". read more

Excellent tour, excellent tour guide. We saw places in NYC that I had never seen before -- & I live here! And the tour guide was friendly, knowledgable & kind -- temps were almost 100 so she gave us water breaks & such. She kept it so interesting & made sure everyone could hear her. read more