With its world-famous landmarks, iconic neighborhoods, and rich culture, New York City offers endless possibilities for exciting BCS Charter Bus NYC excursions. From the Statue of Liberty to Broadway shows, art museums to skyscraper views, NYC has something for every group.
Planning a charter bus trip allows easy transportation for large parties to key attractions across the boroughs. Below are 10 top destinations to consider when organizing a charter bus tour of New York City.
1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
No first-time trip to NYC is complete without visiting Lady Liberty. Board your charter bus to Battery Park to connecting ferries out to Liberty Island and neighboring Ellis Island.
Groups can learn about the history of European immigration through the museum housed at Ellis Island, where over 12 million immigrants passed through between 1892 to 1954. Then gaze up at the 305-foot Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, clutched in her raised right hand. Charter groups can even reserve pedestal and crown tickets for access inside the statue itself.
End your visit watching the sunset over Lady Liberty with spectacular photo ops. A charter bus makes this iconic NYC trip easy and efficient for large parties.
2. Empire State Building Observatory
The Art Deco masterpiece Empire State Building offers stunning 360-degree views from its 86th and 102nd floor observatories. At 1,454 feet tall, it held the title of world’s tallest building for over 40 years.
Charter buses have direct access to the Empire State Building, letting groups avoid public transit. Visit during daylight hours for panoramas of Manhattan and beyond, or head up at night when the spire lights up the city skyline. Groups can pose on the open-air deck with the vast expanse of New York City in the background.
3. National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Pay tribute to the victims, survivors, and heroes of the 9/11 attacks at the September 11 Memorial & Museum. Located at the former World Trade Center complex, the memorial’s twin reflecting pools stand in the footprints of the fallen towers.
Charter buses have convenient direct access to the memorial plaza. Groups can walk around the massive waterfall pools and read the names of those lost in the attacks. The poignant museum allows visitors to learn about the tragic events and aftermath through multimedia exhibits and artifacts.
4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For art lovers, The Met is a must-see when visiting NYC. This sprawling museum displays over 5,000 years of art from cultures around the world in its vast galleries.
From Egyptian temples to European masterpieces by Rembrandt and Picasso, to modern and contemporary works, The Met could easily occupy an entire day charter bus trip. Coordinating group tickets in advance allows easy entry into the museum’s numerous wings and exhibits.
5. Broadway Musicals
Seeing a show on Broadway is an essential NYC experience. Book your charter bus excursion to coincide with a blockbuster hit musical or play performance. Groups can arrange discounted tickets in advance to long-running classics like The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked or newer smash productions like Hamilton.
Popular Broadway theaters accessible by charter bus include the St. James, Nederlander Theatre, and Shubert. After a captivating show, have dinner at a restaurant in the Theater District.
6. Top of the Rock Observation Deck
For amazing panoramas of Central Park and the NYC skyline, head to the outdoor observation decks at Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center. Located on floors 67-70 of the GE Building, the decks offer stunning 360° views.
Timed-entry group tickets can be booked in advance. Your charter bus can drop visitors right at Rockefeller Center to access the building. Top of the Rock’s breathtaking vistas make it one of the best sky-high NYC experiences.
7. Central Park
Covering over 800 acres in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park serves as an urban oasis with plenty of room for charter groups to spread out. Have a picnic on the Great Lawn, rent rowboats on the lake, admire the architecture of Bethesda Fountain.
Other top activities include riding a horse-drawn carriage, seeing the Central Park Zoo, and strolling through the peaceful Conservatory Garden. Don’t miss the Strawberry Fields memorial to John Lennon. Charter buses have several dropoff points near park entrances.
8. Brooklyn Bridge
Walk or drive your charter bus across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge for dramatic views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. This historic 19th century suspension bridge stretches 6,000 feet across the East River.
Once on the Brooklyn side, neighborhoods like DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Coney Island offer trendy shops, breweries, and beaches for groups to explore. Charter a loop tour to see quintessential sights in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
9. One World Observatory
High up on floors 100-102 of the sleek One World Trade Center, One World Observatory provides unmatched views from New York’s tallest building. Charter groups can buy priority tickets with appointed times to bypass lines for the high-speed elevators to the top.
Once at the observatory, incredible panoramas of NYC’s landmarks and surrounding waters unfold on all sides from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s an unforgettable vista from the top of One World Trade Center.
10. World Trade Center Memorial
Pay respects to 9/11 victims at the twin reflecting pools marking the footprints of the original World Trade Center towers, destroyed in the 2001 attacks. The memorial fountains bear the names of those who perished.
Surrounding the Memorial Plaza, the entire World Trade Center complex has been rebuilt, including the towering One World Trade Center and the Oculus transportation hub. A charter bus tour of the area demonstrates both commemoration and rebirth.
With its diversity of arts, culture, iconic sights and neighborhoods, New York City offers incredible options for customized charter bus excursions. Tour operators can craft exciting NYC itineraries embracing the best of the Big Apple tailored to any group’s interests. From Lady Liberty to high-flying skyscraper views, a charter bus lets you experience the energy of New York City.