The best helicopter tours in NYC

It's no surprise that in the city that never sleeps, the best helicopter ride takes place after dark. Head down to South Street Seaport and climb aboard a luxury chopper for a flight around a dozen sights and landmarks, including Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. After you’ve landed, finish off the night in style with a 45-minute guided cruise along the New York harbor, complete with a Champagne toast in front of Lady Liberty. How fancy!

This budget-friendly whistlestop tour is perfect for those visiting New York for the first time. In just 15 minutes, you can get up close to loads of major attractions. Flights depart daily from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, taking passengers all the way to the George Washington Bridg via the Empire State, Woolworth, Chrysler, Met Life, and World Financial buildings. Headphones are provided so you can hear commentary from your pilot while taking in those spectacular, Instagram-perfect views.

You'll fall in love with the city after this private tour of Hudson Valley. Fly above the cascade of rich reds, warm oranges, and golden yellows, synonymous with the season. This NYC helicopter tour will take you on a journey showcasing the beauty of New England, including the Hudson River, Bear Mountain, and Harriman State Park. The experienced pilots will tell you all about the gorgeous views, so relax, take in the sights and experience the world from a different height. 

This 15 to 20-minute, ultimate sightseer tour gives passengers the chance to take in killer views of the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and Madison Square Garden, among other landmarks. You'll be taking off from the Downtown Heliport before soaring over iconic sights you've only seen in the movies. The longer tour will take you to bonus monuments like the impressive Yankee Stadium.

From Coney Island to the New Jersey Palisades to Grant’s Tomb, this far-ranging helicopter tour lets you see it all. Your flight gets going with the iconic landmarks of lower Manhattan: the Freedom Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. Next, the flight climbs all the way to the very top of the borough for incredible views of Columbia University, Harlem and the Yankee Stadium. The trip back heads south over the Verrazano Bridge for views of Staten Island and even a glimpse of the roller coasters at Luna Park.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera on this tour. And no, your smartphone probably won't do these views justice. City Skyline Experience choppers zoom north along the East River, cut across Central Park, then fly down the Hudson River for the ultimate panoramic look at Gotham’s skyline. Along the way, the pilot points out all the key NYC attractions such as the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.