Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
Tickets must be purchased in advance as tours often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets may be purchased with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express and all purchases must be completed prior to your tour.
Can my children and elderly parents attend any tour offered?
Certainly. ALL are welcome, however, do keep in mind that with extended periods of moderately-paced walking and standing, walking tours may be difficult for children and for some elderly or infirm individuals to complete.
How long are tours?
Depending upon the tour walking tours are generally completed in 2-3 hours. The duration of each tour can be found in each tour’s description and is also displayed when you access a Book Now button.
How much walking is there on walking tours?
Tours generally include up to 1.5 miles (2.41 km) of walking. For specific distances covered, please return to our Home Page and simply click on the tour or tours that you are interested in, for more information. Distances covered are found in each tour’s description.
It is important to note that for ANY of our walking tours, guests might be standing in one place for 10-15 minutes or longer while the tour guide provides important narration at key sites. Should you decide to book a tour, it is extremely important that you are physically healthy enough to complete the tour while maintaining the moderate pace that is necessary for keeping up with the tour group. There will be little, if any, opportunities to sit while on a tour.
Who should NOT take our walking tours?
Our walking tours are not recommended if you have physical limitations that would likely impede your ability to keep pace with the group, or if you have medical needs that make frequent bathroom breaks necessary. If you have difficulty standing in one place for 10-15 minutes while the guide provides important narration at key sites, then one of our walking tours might not be the best choice for you.
Are tours ever canceled and what happens then?
Tours are conducted rain or shine, year-round. As the majority of our walking tours are conducted outside, it is highly recommended that you check the local weather forecast and wear appropriate attire for seasonal weather. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended. Remember to bring hats, sunscreen, umbrellas, etc. In the rare instance of extreme weather that might present a potential travel hazard (ex. hurricane, blizzard, dangerously high or low temperatures, etc) or an other emergency, a tour may be canceled at our discretion, with as little as same day notice.
Will there be a bathroom break or a rest stop during a walking tour?
There are NO bathroom or rest stops as most tours are relatively short. It is HIGHLY recommended that you use a restroom facility prior to checking in for your tour. If an emergency arises, please let your guide know immediately. The Guide will do their best to suggest a place in close proximity to the current tour location, however, since the tour cannot be paused while you search for a restroom there is no guarantee that you will be able to find the tour group afterwards to continue the tour.
What happens if I arrive late at the meet-up location, for my tour?
You MUST arrive at the meet-up location 10-15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, for check-in with your Guide. All tours begin, ON TIME. If you arrive after the start time for your tour, it is unlikely that you will be able to locate the Guide once the tour has left the meet-up location and there is no way for the Guide to be contacted.
Unfortunately, NO REFUNDS, NOR CREDITS will be issued to those who arrive late. HELPFUL HINT: To avoid lateness, please allow yourself ample time so that you are able to arrive at the meet-up location 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. Please factor in extra time that may be needed due to unforeseen situations such as transportation or other delays.
What happens if I cannot, or do not wish to complete the tour for unforeseen reasons?
Occasionally, some customers might not have the time to complete the entire itinerary due to other possible commitments. If you know this beforehand, please make your guide aware of this during the check-in process. If an unforeseen situation arises during the tour and you must leave early, we understand. We do however, ask that you please let your guide know this immediately as your guide and fellow tour guests might otherwise be led to believe that you’ve somehow separated from the tour and are now lost. Please note that no refunds will be issued if you elect to leave the tour before its completion. However, at the discretion of the company and based upon tour availability, we may be able to reschedule your tour for an alternate day/time during your NYC visit.
Is the tip or gratuity for the guide included in tour pricing?
No. Although a part of our New York City and USA culture, no tips/gratuities have been included in the costs for any tour. If you are satisfied that your Guide has done her/his job of delivering a great and favorably memorable tour experience, rewarding your Guide with a tip/gratuity would be graciously appreciated and may be done upon conclusion of your tour.
How much should I tip my Guide if I’d really like to?
If your guide has given you an exceptionally great tour and you wish to reward them with a cash gratuity, the suggested gratuity is 18-20% of your tour’s purchase price (generally $7-$10 per person). As gratuities are never mandatory, this is just a suggested guideline based on industry standards. Your Guide is certain to be appreciative of anything offered but ultimately, kindness and monetary generosity to your guide is left to your sole discretion.
What, if anything, is NOT included in a tour’s price?
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
- Snacks/Beverages
- Admission inside any optionally visited venues such as museums, observatories, etc.
- Anything not specifically detailed in your selected tour’s description.
Are gift certificates available?
Yes, gift certificates are available for all of our tours through our booking agent, FareHarbor.
Are private tours also available?
Absolutely! Private tours are available for individuals, private groups, school groups and corporate groups and we specialize in them. Please return to our HOME PAGE. Select “Private Tours” from the OUR TOURS dropdown menu. Enter all required information on the form provided. A representative from My NY Tours will review your request and contact you, expeditiously. Alternatively, you may reach My NY Tours directly, at 646-423-3245.