Take In All New York City Has To Offer On A Budget With This Tip

New York City is the most populous city in the United States and one of the most influential cities in the entire world. Aside from being an icon for pop culture, it has been the scene for both celebrated and tragic events in American history. Given that New York City has something for everyone, seeing it all might only be possible for a long-term local. It might be expensive too. However, the Big Apple has great ways to help tourists see all that the city has to offer.

Even New York City's public transportation is famous — from yellow taxi cabs to the subway system. A way to get around while also seeing the sights on a budget is a hop-on, hop-off bus service. Big Bus Tours is a system of double-decker buses that pick up and drop off guests at multiple major attractions all over Manhattan. It works just like an ordinary city bus, with frequent arrivals and departures from each stop on the routes.

Big Bus New York hits major sites around Manhattan

Hop-on hop-off means that tourists can get on and off of any of the buses at any of the route's stops. Big Bus New York has a Downtown and an Uptown route with stops at Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and more must-see locations. Ticket plans are all at or under $100 per person, and can include one or both of the routes for one or two full days. There is a package that includes a ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty as well. While riding, you can plug into headphone jacks at each seat to listen to audio commentary with information about each stop.

Another bus company in New York City that operates in the same way as Big Bus is Top View NYC. This company offers routes and prices similar to that of Big Bus, but also includes Brooklyn and runs slightly further north on the Upper East Side. With whichever tour company you choose, these buses take out the stress of driving in New York City yourself, and, while the city's public transportation system is state of the art, riding the subway underground could mean missing the little details between major attractions.