Real Stories, Bold Flavors, and a Side of Community Impact. Experience NYC Like A Visitor Tourist Transplant Local .

Private Midtown Architecture Walking Tour

Learn about the incredible history and architecture that make NYC the spectacle it is!

Things to know

Thank you for booking directly with us!

Midtown Icons Tour

Experience the heart of New York City on a guided walking tour that brings Midtown’s most iconic buildings to life. This tour offers a deeper look into the architecture, history, and urban design that shaped this celebrated skyline.

Tour Highlights:

  • Stand beneath the Chrysler Building and uncover the surprising secrets behind its design

  • Learn the record-breaking story of the Empire State Building

  • Explore the hidden details and history of Grand Central Terminal

  • Take in the elegance of the New York Public Library and the grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral

  • Visit Rockefeller Plaza, the Flatiron Building, and other landmarks that define the city

As you walk, your expert guide will reveal how 19th-century estates gave way to a 20th-century vision of New York—functional and designed with striking beauty. You’ll discover how the city’s transformation set a global standard for urban development that cities around the world still try to match today.

From the golden age glamour of Vanderbilt Avenue to the bold Art Deco flair of the American Radiator Building, this tour explores not just the buildings, but the stories they hold. Along the way, you’ll also find peaceful green spaces that offer quiet moments amid the bustle of the city.

Perfect for architecture lovers, history enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike. Reserve your spot now and see New York from a whole new perspective.

FAQ

Our tours vary from 1-2 ½ miles over a 3 hour period. We walk at a leisurely pace and stop frequently to discuss interesting points along the way. 

We do recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Keep in mind that you are on your feet for most of the tour. All tours include at least 1 stop where you can sit for your tasting.

The least walking would be attending our Chelsea Market + High Line Tour and opting to skip the High Line walk portion that culminates the tour.

Our Flatiron Food Tour is the least walking (1 mile) followed by Chelsea Market & High Line Food Tour (1.5 miles) Lower East Side (2 miles), and Williamsburg Food Tour (2 miles).

Our public tours are conducted in English with the exception of tours in Spanish offered on Saturdays at 4:30 PM. Outside of this, we can accommodate foreign language private tour bookings. Our guides speak Spanish, Italian and French. If you need a tour in another language, please contact us and let us know.

Absolutely! While you may be familiar with our route and some of the stops, you will also have the opportunity to discover new things about the wonderful neighborhood you live in! Additionally, this tour is an excellent way to entertain out-of-town guests, celebrate a special occasion or encourage professional team building.

We regularly hear from local customers that they found a new favorite spot while on tour with us!

Please fill out our contact form, or email us with details about your group at reservations@likealocaltours.com.

Still have questions? Check out our knowledge base or send us a chat message!

Yes! Booking in advance is required. Our tour guides do not accept cash on site for tickets.

Ready to book a public tour? Click here.

Looking for something more intimate? Book a private tour here. 

Public Tours

Plans sometimes change. We get it; it happens to us too. So we’re happy to provide a hassle-free, 100% refund if you give us 48 hours’ notice.

Inside of 48 hours, we’ve already started preparing for your visit, and can’t easily fill your slot, so we sadly can’t provide you a refund in that case.

Private & Corporate Tours

There is a 10% non-refundable cancellation fee for holding the tour guide and the tour date. The balance of the tour (less the deposit) is fully refundable up to 14 days prior to the tour date. Within the 14 day window, we may be able to issue a partial refund in the form of a credit toward a future tour.

Tours will run rain, snow or shine. We ask that you check the weather forecast and dress accordingly if inclement weather is predicted.

In the case of extreme weather, we will reach out to you if we need to cancel your tour and reschedule you to a time when it is safe!

If you booked directly with us, you should’ve received a confirmation email. Please click ‘change booking’ located directly below the photo/event details. You should be able to modify there. 

If you booked through a third party or reseller, please contact them directly to make the change. This includes booking made through Viator, TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, Fever, Cozymeal.  

Don’t panic! You can join the tour up to 30 minutes after it has started. Please call us at +1(347)542-7998 and follow the menu options to contact your tour guide. 

They will let you know exactly where you can find the group and join the tour!

You’ll want to make sure to add it to the “whole booking promo code” field, not the individual ticket promo code. See below for an example:
That usually does the trick, but if there is any more issue please reach out to us directly. For quickest response, text us at (347) 542-7998.