Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side in New York
New York, United States

Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side

Outty Ranking 43 3.7 · 3 traveler reviews2.5 hoursFrom $220

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September 2026

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Adults

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From, per person$220
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Outty Ranking

43/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.7/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side worth booking?

Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side is a 2.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $220 per person. It scores 43 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
43 / 100
Rating
3.7/5 (3)
Duration
2.5 hours
From
$220 per person

A guided tour through a couple of centuries of entertainment, criminal and general history. The criminal and entertainment history of the area between the old Bloomingdale Road (Broadway) and Riverside Drive. Starting a

What you get

    About this experience

    A guided tour through a couple of centuries of entertainment, criminal and general history. The criminal and entertainment history of the area between the old Bloomingdale Road (Broadway) and Riverside Drive. Starting at the Cathedral Of Saint John The Devine (the largest gothic structure in the world) tour highlights include Humphrey Bogart's childhood home, the building that inspired the spooky building in the original Ghostbusters, buildings designed by famous New York architects. Former homes of Hollywood legends, legendary writers, legendary composers and even a couple of legendary criminals. See sites that played host to battles during the Revolutionary War, while George Washington escaped north in September 1776.

    What's included

    Included

    • ME! One of the greatest tour guides in New York City.

    Not included

    • Any admission or "suggested donation" to a site, souvenirs or snacks are client responsibility.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine

      We will discuss the exterior and the construction of the largest Gothic structure in the world.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Columbia University

      We can no longer walk through the heart of the campus due to security concerns.

      15 minutes here

    3. Riverside Drive

      The "Gold Coast", location of several movies and TV shows. We will see one of only 2 free standing mansions left on Riverside Drive and the building that was the inspiration for a spooky building in the original Ghostbusters.

      45 minutes here

    4. Upper West Side

      We will walk by the former homes of some iconic Americans and the birth place of a movie studio.

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New York

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    New York Tours by Gary

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    July 3 1888, Looking at West End Avenue from the roof of 890 Boulevard.Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side in New York, photo 3Used in several movies and TV shows. Recognize this often used location?Once the tallest building on Riverside Drive. This building has an incredible architectural pedigree and was the inspiration for a "spooky building" in one of the biggest movie comedies ever.Part of the plaque on his childhood home. If they used what I wrote in its entirety, the plaque would have pulled the building down.Subway construction circa 1902. The effect that this, the original line, had on my neighborhood was tremendous.

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    1 mention

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Pace and timing

    1 mention

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Bruce_B · January 2024

    We felt like the history and stories came to life with Gary. 2.5 hours - we loved it.

    Gary was wonderful. It was great to walk the Upper West Side with someone who grew up in the area and still lives there. The history, stories, and additional pictures were wonderful.

    via Viator

    hayleye615 · November 2022

    Informative and fun tour from an NYC native

    Gary is incredibly knowledgeable!! Very funny, informative, and enjoyable tour. Would absolutely recommend. Whether you live here or are just visiting, you'll learn something new.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words. You guys were a pleasure to take around my beloved Upper West Side

    via Tripadvisor

    Bethany_T · March 2022

    Guide never showed up.

    Viator confirmed the tour multiple times. I sat out in the cold waiting and the guide never arrived. I requested a refund and also noted the money I spent to get there and go home, money I wouldn't have spent if the tour was canceled properly. The guide said, "That's out of the realm of my responsibility. " I knew chances were slim of being compensated for travel but the guide could have shown some remorse for wasting another person's time and money, which he didn't.

    Response from the operator: THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF THE TOUR but of a mistake I made that I apologized for and take full responsibility for. As I texted / messaged (through the Viator System) to you, I am sorry. I do not know how someone can get the emotional response from a text / message but again I am truly sorry. My calendar auto – fills information in based on whatever I had put in before for that tour. That is why I ended up believing the tour was at 12:00PM. I know that this is not an excuse. This was a mistake on my end and for that I take full responsibility. I had Viator immediately refund you the price of the tour as the mix up was my fault. I would have much rather done the tour for you than have wasted your time. For that, again, I am sorry. Although I do not have access to the messages that came through the Viator system at this point, there was an allusion to wanting to be reimbursed for $50 worth of Uber rides. How a client gets to the tour is the clients choice. Even if it is one of the most expensive and very often the most inefficient way to travel around this town. I have had more than my fair share of clients arriving late to a tour because they took an Uber as opposed to using the Subway. But that is what I was referring to when I wrote, and you quoted – “That's out of the realm of my responsibility”. Again, I am sorry for the mix up and for wasting your time.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 43

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)66
    Review evidence (18% weight)18
    Booking momentum (14% weight)10
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)81
    Local standing (8% weight)35
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.

    How much does Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side cost?

    +

    Prices start at $220 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side take?

    +

    Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.

    Is Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 43 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side?

    +

    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Guided Tour Of The Upper West Side start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in New York?

    +

    New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit New York?

    +

    September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in New York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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