New York City, a metropolis filled with iconic skyscrapers and winding streets, offers a unique adventure from every angle, and none are more breathtaking than the view from above.
If you've already seen the sights by biking in NYC and are craving for a thrilling new way to experience the Big Apple, it's time to take your adventure to the skies with a helicopter tour!
Soar above the city and get a bird's-eye view of its landmarks, from the George Washington Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge to Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, all while escaping the hustle and bustle down below.
Are NYC helicopter tours worth it?
Absolutely! While taking a NYC bus tour will most definitely take you around the sites and landmarks around the city, like the Yankee Stadium, Statue of Liberty, or the World Trade Center, New York city helicopter tours offer a perspective that can't be matched by the view from the ground.
There's a tour for every budget too, so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank. Whether you're looking to splurge on a private experience or seeking a more affordable group trip, there’s an adventure perfect for you!
Ready to elevate your trip? This guide to the top 10 tours will have you reaching for the skies, making sure you don't miss out on this experience.
1. New York Helicopter Tour
See the beauty of New York from above!
Snap stunning shots of the city's best landmarks from above on this New York helicopter tour! Each trip departs from Downtown Manhattan Heliport with a seasoned pilot, so you're in for a safe and exhilarating experience.
You can choose from three different packages: The New Yorker Tour (12-15 minutes), The Ultimate Tour (17-20 minutes), or The Deluxe Tour (25-30 minutes), each offering ripper views of sites like Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center.
Don't forget your camera to capture Instagram-worthy pictures of the Chrysler Building, Chelsea Piers, and the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum!
Cost and Duration: Starting from 359.75 AUD for a 12–15 minute tour, with options extending up to 570.45 AUD for a 25-30 minute experience.
2. New York City Lights Night Helicopter Tour
Watch the NYC night life from the skies!
Keep up with the City That Never Sleeps and see New York nightlife like never before by booking this helicopter tour! This magical night-time helicopter service from New Jersey offers a dazzling perspective of New York's skyline, lit up in all its glory.
Choose between two packages for the same price: the City Lights Helicopter Tour or the City Skyline Experience. Feast your eyes on Times Square as it illuminates the city's streets!
You'll also get to see Grant's Tomb, George Washington Bridge, and Columbia University bathed in city lights. Whether you're looking to take aerial views of NYC at night or you just want to see the city in a new light, this tour is for you.
Cost: 415.05 AUD per person
3. Doors-Off NYC Helicopter Tour
Let your feet dangle in the air on this tour!
This doors-off helicopter tour will let you experience the city of Manhattan like never before! With the doors open, you'll have a complete bird's-eye view of the city.
Despite the unique doors-off setup, you don’t need to worry about falling! You're in safe hands with an experienced pilot and stringent safety measures.
This flight lifts off from Kearny, New Jersey and offers more than just breathtaking sights—it's an adrenaline-pumping experience that will surely wake you up more than coffees from cafes in other countries ever could!
With it gliding through the Statue of Liberty and Central Park, and other areas like Liberty and Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and One World Observatory, this tour is an experience of a lifetime.
Cost and Duration: 551.83 AUD per person for a 16-30 minute tour.
4. NYC Helicopter Tour Group Flight
Check out all the best NYC spots with your loved ones!
If you’re visiting the city with your family or your friends, then why not soar in the air and take an unforgettable journey of the Empire City all together?
A private NYC helicopter tour is perfect for families or friend groups who want to see sky-high views of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Intrepid Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and many waterways and bridges, like the Verrazano bridge and its surrounding area.
This activity is also a more budget-friendly way to experience this adventure since you can divide the cost among your travel buddies.
Cost and Duration: 2,344.57 AUD per group of up to 6 people, for a 30-45 minute flight.
5. Garden State New York Helicopter Trip
Check out the stunning waters around the city! Credits: Lumin Osity
You'll appreciate the beauty of both urban and natural landscapes with Garden State Helicopters' tours. This helicopter service showcases the best of New Jersey from above, from the architectural marvels along the New Jersey Palisades to the vistas of the Jersey Shore.
Perfect for those looking for a ripper adventure beyond the usual tourist spots in the Empire State, these tours provide a safe, comfortable, and thrilling aerial view of the diverse landscapes. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this is an excellent way to appreciate the iconic landmarks from above!
Cost and Duration: 332.07 AUD per person for up to a 25-minute tour.
6. Romantic NYC Helicopter Tour
Watch the sun set over the city with your partner. Credits: Florian Wehde on Unsplash
Any couple would love to make their dates more magical and unforgettable—and one way to kick your romantic celebrations up a notch is by taking it to the skies!
This exclusive couple's flight offers breathtaking views of New York's best like the Intrepid Central Park, Lady Liberty, Times Square, and Yankee Stadium. You’ll also get to see the Empire State Building up close, a landmark that has appeared in numerous romance movies.
To make your experience even more romantic, try booking the sunset option flight and experience watching the sun go down over the city with your beloved partner.
Cost and Duration: 1,207.53 AUD per couple for a 30-45 minute flight.
7. Grand Island Helicopter Tour
Explore the skies over bridges and buildings in New York! Credits: Lumin Osity on Unsplash
Ride and fly around the heart of New York City on this helicopter service, and see the best of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx!
On this tour, your adventure starts at downtown sites like Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty. After that, you'll be soaring over major bridges to catch a unique high-angle view of Yankee Stadium.
You may even get a glimpse of Staten Island. This journey is a must for those wanting to see all of New York's best in one short, but sweet and thrilling trip.
Cost and Duration: 528.59 AUD per person for a 25-minute tour.
8. Proposal NYC Helicopter Tour
Get ready to pop the question with the city's skyline as your backdrop! Credits: Anna Panchenko on Pexels
Looking for a way to elevate your proposal? This helicopter ride in New York is specifically made for those ready to pop the question in the most memorable way!
This special tour lets you plan and collaborate with the pilot and a professional photographer to capture the moment you propose, highlighted by an illuminated "Marry Me" sign as you fly over the city.
It includes a bouquet of roses, champagne, and a private transfer from your Manhattan hotel to keep the evening smooth. Remember, the heart of this experience lies in the surprise element and, of course, the stunning skyline—so make sure to keep the ring safe until that perfect moment!
Cost and Duration: 5149.57 AUD per couple for a 30-45 minute tour.
9. Helicopter Flying Lesson
Try your hand at being a pilot on this tour! Credits: Thanish Ahmed on Unsplash
What if we told you that it’s possible for you to explore New York’s skyline while being the one behind the wheel?
This unique tour offers not just a ride, but a hands-on flying lesson from Westchester County Airport. Under expert guidance, you'll learn the basics of operating a helicopter, from technology and safety to taking the controls yourself.
This tour is made for aspiring pilots or anyone looking for an extraordinary adventure that blends education, excitement, and jaw-dropping views.
Cost and Duration: 848.16 AUD per person for 1-hour and 30-minute lesson, with 30 minutes in the air.
10. The Manhattan Helicopter Experience
See the concrete jungle from a sky-high angle!
Perfect for first-time visitors or locals looking to see Manhattan from a new angle, this brief but unforgettable helicopter tour captures the essence of the borough’s iconic skyline.
On this helicopter service, you can experience being face-to-face with the Statue of Liberty, and you'll also glide past the Empire State Building where you can see the path King Kong climbed in the movies.
You'll also get to spot historic bridges and Central Park, a popping green oasis amid the urban jungle. As you soar above Manhattan, don't forget to snap pictures of the city's architectural marvels and historical landmarks!
Cost and Duration: 286.29 AUD per person for a 12-15 minute tour
A new perspective of NYC skyline and landmarks awaits you when you try these unique tours! Whether you're offering a romantic gesture, trying a new adventure with friends, or looking to experience the thrill of taking the controls, there's a tour for every occasion and budget.
Each of these flights promises not just breathtaking views, but memories that soar far beyond the horizon of the City That Never Sleeps. So, take to the skies and experience the magic of New York like never before!
Written by: Issa Barreta
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