New York
Five Days, Five Boroughs
Program No. 1725RJ
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Five Days, Five Boroughs
Five Days, Five Boroughs
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Participant Reviews
Based on 91 Reviews
SHOWING
We had a wonderful time learning about and experiencing New York City. I can’t imagine a better way to become familiar with this great city than taking this tour.
— Review left November 2, 2025
The new listening devices were fabulous for this type of trip. You could be all the way back in the pack and still hear everything being said by the leader.
— Review left October 24, 2025
This was the perfect trip for someone unfamiliar with the Burroughs and regions of NYC. Highly recommend this trip to prepare you for additional visits.
— Review left October 10, 2025
My wife and I enjoyed our Five Boroughs trip. We probably would not have ever visited Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island on our own. We were pleasantly suprised at thriving communities we experienced. Great food experiences, learning about the history of the Boroughs, experiencing their diverse neighborhoods with great local guides. The nightime walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhatten was a highlight. We also had time to catch a Broadway play and jazz club on open evenings and stayed after the conclusion of the program to spend more time at the 9/11 memorial. Fresh Kills park on Staten Island was interesting to see and learn of its transformation but we wondered if there were other points of interest on the Island that might be explored. Overall a very interesting and educational experience.
— Review left October 7, 2025
This trip exceeded my expectations exponentially!!!!!
— Review left October 6, 2025
The song says it all: “New York, New York, a wonderful town. The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down. The people ride in a hole in the ground!”. And you get to experience all of it on this well-organized romp led by “born & bred” New Yorkers….Don’t miss it!
— Review left October 5, 2025
This was a fantastic trip which was made possible by the wonderful leadership of Rusty and all of the others that took on various parts of the day for their expertise in subjects about the Borough/subject they knew the best. It was well planned, loved the preprinted schedules we had at the beginning of week. The intricate timing of the using the right subway was paramount and awe inspiring. My usual aversion to the crowded and chaotic and confusing NYC was replaced with seeing that is pretty easy to navigate, and a super cool big city, composed of neighborhoods. And yes, New Yorkers are NICE.
— Review left October 5, 2025
5 Days 5 Boroughs/NYC helped me appreciate why NYC is a world class city that continues to attract visitors from all over the world. The trip made NYC much more accessible that I thought it would be on a short trip. It was clear that the guides and lecturers truly loved the City and wanted us to feel welcomed.
— Review left October 5, 2025
The Five Boroughs in Five Days NYC trip is an amazing experience for seeing and learning about much that the "Big Apple" has to offer. Be prepared for a lot of walking and a lot of variety in this fascinating city.
— Review left October 4, 2025
If you've never been to New York City, this is a super introduction. But take a day or two after to see more of it once you're familiar with getting around.
— Review left October 4, 2025
A great introduction to an enormous and sometimes maligned international city.
— Review left September 20, 2025
Exceeded my expectations! Great guides. Explored a lot of territory in only five days. The included meals were among the best of any of my previous trips. We stayed at the New Yorker Hotel which was very adequate and in a location where you could walk to many attractions.
— Review left June 23, 2025
Outstanding! I learned so much about about how New York has
changed from a "don't make eye contact" place to a "smile and say good morning" place.
— Review left June 23, 2025
With this tour you get the whole picture of NYC, which is not just midtown Manhattan. Each borough has life and cultural diversity. An example is the amazing variety of foods to try. Overall, you will come away with a grasp of the big picture of the Big Apple.
— Review left June 21, 2025
This was one of the best vacations I've ever had. Having everything planned by others special expertise made it so much more relaxing. My co-scholars were awesome, as were the leaders and guides. I got back yesterday and am already looking at options for our next Road Scholar program!!
— Review left June 8, 2025
I highly recommend the Five Days/Five Boroughs tour. This was my first Road Scholar Tour, and I had such a positive experience, I’m sure it won’t be my last. Our group leader, Angela, was fantastic. She was funny and a knowledgeable New Yorker through and through. All the guest speakers were amazing. I learned so much more about New York City than I ever had on previous visits on my own. We had experiences and visited places that I would not have found without their program. With Road Scholar's expertise, I have even more of an appreciation for NYC!
— Review left May 25, 2025
i misplaced my phone the last night and my group leader Angela did not seem too concerned the next morning as to whether i had found it. Laura SicilianoRosen was not that approachable. Meredith was approachable, sweet, and a great knowledgeable guide. Karl Baudendistel was not friendly or approachable.
— Review left May 10, 2025
What a wonderful week! We learned so much, including how to navigate the somewhat confusing subway system. Our group leader Angela, a native New Yorker, was extremely knowledgeable, passionate about New York, humorous and easily handled anything that came up. The hotel location was perfect and all of our meals were well-prepared and delicious with lots of choices. Road Scholar isn’t kidding — we walked 5-10 miles most days, also going up and down steep subway stairs throughout every day. But if you have no mobility issues or difficulty with stairs, you’ll really enjoy this program. Just go!
— Review left May 9, 2025
Great experience. Wish this were Part 1 of 2 (or more), there is so much to see and learn in each borough. The Group Leader was excellent.
— Review left May 4, 2025
The Five Days, Five Boroughs Road Scholar tour was fantastic! I learned so much about NYC even though I had been there three times. I not only learned so much, but I gained so many skills that will allow me to come back to New York and continue exploring and learning on my own!
— Review left April 13, 2025
Five Days, Five Burroughs....Five Thumbs Up! A fabulous experience in and about a fabulous city!
— Review left April 12, 2025
This program really opened my eyes to all the wonderful changes taking place in New York City. If you haven’t visited NYC recently, give this program your attention.
— Review left November 3, 2024
I enjoyed myself on the 5 Boroughs trip. Be prepared… there is a tremendous amount of walking, easily 7 miles most days as well as up and down the steps of the subway system. We got to see so many neighborhoods that you could really appreciated the sense of community as well as understand that not all of NYC is skyscrapers and sight-seeing. It is a place that people live, enjoy and call home.
— Review left November 2, 2024
The Five Days, Five Boroughs trip was fantastic and certainly gave us our money's worth. Through lectures and narrated walks, we learned about urban design, green space design, history, culture, etc. The days are long with walking interspersed by subway and ferry rides plus awesome meals at a variety of excellent restaurants. The pace is steady but not too fast. There are stairs in the subways but the amount depends on which escalators are running! The New Yorker Hotel is a prime location for exploring Manhattan on your own and handy that it offers a couple restaurants and coffee shop. All-in-all, you'll see and learn more about life in NYC than most other tours.
— Review left October 25, 2024
This is a fantastic program. If you have never visited NYC and you are physically able, you should visit. We loved it
— Review left October 20, 2024
5 Buroughs us a fabulous trip whether you’ve been to NYC or not. The history, architecture, and culture of the buroughs provides such a great overview of such an iconic city. Rusty is an awesome guide! Friendly, sweet, and personal with her own local experience as a New Yorker! Highly recommended. I also really enjoyed guide Joe Landon and his guidance through Queens and across the Brooklyn Bridge at night!
— Review left October 10, 2024
Visiting New York City on my own was NOT something I was prepared to do. I knew, however, that it was an important place for me to visit, and I am delighted that I chose Road Scholar to give me such a meaningful, educational, and enjoyable experience. It was a fast-paced five days that showed me so much of the city that I never ever could have seen or been comfortable experiencing on my own. Do yourself a favor: take the “Five days, Five Boroughs” tour. It showcases New York City in an exhilarating way!
— Review left October 10, 2024
I discovered more of what New City is really about. Our wonderful leader, Rusty, and her instructors went all out to provide us with a very informative and enjoyable active program.
— Review left October 10, 2024
My husband and I had a marvelous trip to New York with Road Scholar. Rusty is an awesome group leader who anticipated everything before we could ask about it. John is a wonderful guide and we learned much about New York and urban planning and architecture. Joe is also an awesome guide and we learned so much about New York from him. We loved Meredith too. We appreciate walking through the neighborhoods and eating at places that New Yorkers frequent too. Learning how to use the subway was so useful and so cool! Our only criticism would be the sound system. It needs an upgrade to blue tooth. Otherwise so much fun on our first trip to New York.
— Review left October 8, 2024
Rusty was so accommodating and knowledgeable. She was also fun and made the program more enjoyable. This program exceeded my expectations. I will definitely do another road scholar trip..!
— Review left September 26, 2024
Most visitors to NYC don't leave Manhattan. This trip takes you to all the other places! This is a trip not to be missed. Be ready to walk and ride public transportation!
— Review left June 21, 2024
If you're looking to explore New York beyond the usual tourist stops, I highly recommend this program. Although I've visited the city many times in my life, I had never ventured beyond the island of Manhattan (unless you count layovers at JFK, which you shouldn't). Kevin, John and the other guides on this trip offered an interesting and informed look at the diversity and complexity of this great city, with wonderful stories of the history and culture.
Just be warned that the Let's Go! rating for this program is entirely justified. We did a lot of walking (my watch said we did more than 12,000 steps per day), climbing stairs, and riding public transportation (which I love). Bring comfortable shoes!
— Review left June 19, 2024
I highly recommend this program! I had been to New York City a few times over the years, but had only seen Manhattan. This program does an excellent job of showing participants the variety that exists in the five boroughs. I saw places I would never have gone to or seen on my own. The leaders are excellent. You need to be up for the walking (5-8 miles most days), but the experience is worth it!
— Review left June 3, 2024
The Five Days/Five Boroughs is a terrific program that introduces new-comers to NYC with an in-depth understanding of the city and provides former New York area dwellers with a refreshing view of how NYC has evolved over the course of many years. It is truly a pleasurable learning adventure.
— Review left May 29, 2024
A wonderful way to experience the history and diversity of the City beyond the major tourist attractions in Manhattan. It answered my question: how and where do average middle class people live and work in NYC.
— Review left May 28, 2024
Very organized and informative. I felt safe in the Big Apple!
— Review left May 27, 2024
A wonderful tour, highly recommend! Our guides were true experts, experienced, professional, absolutely the best. This was my first Road Scholar tour and I am beyond impressed with every aspect of it. Thank you for an amazing experience! Hope to do another tour soon.
— Review left May 25, 2024
Five Days, Five Boroughs was an EXCELLENT RS program. Our lead instructor John had a wealth of knowledge that he shared with us in an interesting way. He was sometimes funny and could tell you about every building we passed. It was a delight to visit the five boroughs and I loved using all the different forms of transportation-subway, boat, walking, train, and luxury motorcoach. Going to the different ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants really added to the program. The 'program schedule' with times was very helpful to get ready for each day. Going to The Edge, 9/11 Memorial, Times Square, and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at night were all highlights for me. I learned a lot, met some great people and had a blast. All of the assistants really added to the trip. The surprise cookies and notebooks really put a smile on my face. I HIGHLY recommend this RS program.
— Review left May 25, 2024
New York City is so much more than Manhattan. This program introduces you to the "rest of the story". It is quite active, so put on your walking shoes and sign up.
— Review left April 21, 2024
Ever considered looking beyond Manhattan when you visit NYC? This is the trip for you! I never realized how fascinating and wonderful the attractions of the other 4 boroughs truly are.
— Review left November 15, 2023
Five Stars! I worked in Manhattan for years and STILL learned so much about the city. Wonderful trip!
— Review left November 2, 2023
If you're able to "keep the pace," then "Five Days, Five Boroughs" will leave you inspired, stimulated, energized, and wanting more!
— Review left October 23, 2023
Very good trip. Rusty was outstanding.
The fm audio device is problematic , sometimes unreliable. Bluetooth instead?
— Review left October 22, 2023
The Five Boroughs in five days was fantastic. You will come away with an entirely different view and appreciation of New York City.
— Review left October 21, 2023
We got to see parts of New York that tourists don’t usually see. We strolled through Little Italy in the Bronx, ate amazing Greek food in Queens and saw a huge replica of New York City, complete with a tiny plane landing, at the site of the 1964 World’s fair. All of the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. It was also fun to explore the city using almost every form of transportation a city can offer.
— Review left October 20, 2023
My perspective on New York City was changed. I am in awe - and so jealous - of the incredible diversity of mass transit. I got a completely different glimpse of this City than I have gotten from news, etc. People seemed friendly, and upbeat, and seemed both "nice" AND "kind" (guess this is an inside NYC joke?). I am from California and we really missed the boat glorifying automobiles.
— Review left October 13, 2023
The program was a good value and a great experience! I would gladly recommend it to my friends and family. The guides were outstanding and knowledgeable.
— Review left October 10, 2023
What a great way to really see New York City. Even if you have been there before I guarantee that you will see and learn a lot that have not known before. It was a very good program. I've never been disappointed in any of the programs I've attended. Road Scholar is batting 1,000.
— Review left October 9, 2023
Angela was a great leader for this program - get ready to learn and "schlep" on the Urban Hike of your life!
Pete S.
— Review left October 7, 2023
Fabulous trip. Excellent logistics, lectures and food.
— Review left June 16, 2023
I was very pleased with this program. It was informative, and it helped me better understand both the city and the people of NYC. The activity level is properly identified in the description. Staying at the historic New Yorker hotel was a valued part of the program.
— Review left May 28, 2023
Excellent experience exploring a slice of New York City's neighborhoods, architecture and connections.
— Review left May 27, 2023
This is a terrific program. If you have any experience with New York, or none at all, you will be surprised and informed, entertained and delighted. Living close by, I go to New York to the theater three or four times a year, but I wanted to learn more about the outer boroughs, and also about how to get around on public transportation more easily. I learned so much, the leaders and presenters had great stories, and enhance my understanding and enjoy ability of New York.
— Review left May 26, 2023
I absolutely loved this NYC tour, and recommend it. Yes, seeing and experiencing the sights of the five boroughs--there are so many aspects of New York-- was great - but what really made this trip special was/were our native New Yorker tour guides. Each had their own take on the City based on their memories of living there, up to the present. I especially liked John Kriskiewicz's architectural and historical walks/talks, and Angela Christensen's evening tours/walks. Rusty O'Dowd made corraling us all (24) through the streets, sidewalks, subway, ferries, etc. look easy, and she had great content too. The best part was the guides sharing their experiences living in New York and the places we saw. Thank you so much. If I could improve the tour, it would be to allow more time to chill before going out again for dinner; and also for there to be places to sit and rest our feet for the occasional long outdoor lectures which involved standing.
— Review left May 24, 2023
This trip is accurately described. A great introduction to the five boroughs. All of the guides and presenters were fabulous. I augmented my experience by arriving one day early to tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art and by seeing a Broadway show (Hamilton) on our free night. Many of the theaters are within walking distance of the hotel.
— Review left May 23, 2023
Wow, this is a great program. There is so much to New York beyond Manhattan and should not be missed. It is a very active tour so be ready to walk a lot but not all at once. The reading list was a useful preparation to supplement the history and sights you will see. The guides were wonderful and our group was very compatible.
— Review left May 3, 2023
The Five Burroughs of NYC is a terrific learning experience, enhanced by culinary delights! JUST GO!!!
— Review left April 29, 2023
This program delivered on its promises, allowing participants to experience a diverse sampling of NYC. The leaders were outstanding, knowledgeable and personable, the activity level was accurately described, and the food was wonderful.
— Review left April 18, 2023
One of the most interesting and fun trips of the 20 I have been on. Turns out NYCity is a lot more than Times Sq.
— Review left April 16, 2023
If you want a snapshot of NY history, architecture and development this program provides that. Like the city it is fast paced and interesting.
— Review left November 21, 2022
This program represents the best of what Road Scholar offers -- an exploration of new ideas and experiences presented by an outstanding leader, a chance to venture out of your comfort zone in the company of other learners, and an opportunity to learn things that stay with you when the trip is over.
— Review left November 12, 2022
This program is a perfect introduction to the 5 boroughs. The group leaders are well-prepared and knowledgeable. The tour is well-organized. The accommodations were comfortable and in a great location. I highly recommend.
— Review left November 4, 2022
This is one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Having native New Yorkers as tour guides was a bonus, and the itinerary was excellent. We did so many things we would have never done on our own — didn’t have to figure out transportation, places to go, etc.
— Review left October 31, 2022
This was a wonderful trip and what a marvelous introduction to the Road Scholar world. So much to see and learn. It was my first trip, but it won't be my last.
— Review left October 24, 2022
This program was very extensive historically and architecturally. The information we were given was wonderful. The talent and knowledge of our leader and docents extended throughout our week was excellent. I strongly urge you to consider this program if you are interested in learning about the insides of the Boroughs. We did nothing "touristy" which made our days full of learning and seeing new things.
— Review left October 9, 2022
A wonderful, feet on the ground view of New York through the eyes of true New Yorkers. So much learning, so much fun. I loved it!
— Review left September 20, 2022
We have frequently visited Manhattan but have never been to the other four boroughs. Angela, John, and Molly were fantastic leaders. Having a sweep to make sure that no one got lost in the crowd was very helpful. All the lunch and dinner meals were good and varied. If you are able to walk up and down subway stairs this is for you. If you are a light sleeper think about bringing ear plugs.
— Review left September 10, 2022
There is a reason why Five Burroughs in Five Dsys just celebrated its 25 year anniversary. It is a terrific insider's view of NYC's urban and architectural history. I lived and worked in Manhattan years ago and being on this trip felt like a homecoming to a place that is always changing, always fascinating. Angela, John and Karl were wonderful program leaders, always making sure that each individual and the group as a whole had a great time.
— Review left September 9, 2022
This is a fantastic program with terrific leaders that showcases the highlights of New York City's architecture, lifestyles, and mood.
— Review left June 28, 2022
Go on this adventure! Experience the big picture and fascinating small details, important facts and great stories. You will learn, laugh, eat, and make great new friends.
— Review left June 21, 2022
This was my first Road Scholar trip - and I approached it with no expectations, wanting to be open and see how things went. It was WONDERFUL: excellent guides, interesting sites, a good pace, friendly traveling companions. I will be signing up for more!
— Review left May 30, 2022
Great time on this one. The reading list was especially good: I encourage you to use it. Especially liked The Island at the Center of the Earth and the one about building the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking was as advertised but not bad: I'd envisioned more stairs. Large group, easier managed thanI'd feared. Highlights for me were the optional walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and Wave Hill. Leaders typical Road Scholar quality, i.e., excellent.
— Review left May 30, 2022
This was my first, but won't be my last Road Scholar trip. I learned so much about greater New York City that I never would've known in a relaxed, perfectly organized trip.
— Review left May 28, 2022
I really enjoyed the trip to New York. The tours were wonderful and so informative for the
participants. I enjoyed the visit to the top of Empire State Building and the tour of Subway Art. Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, I got some great photos.
I was able to see several musicals because I stayed in NYC the weekend after the course was over. The hotel is very close to the theater district and the food is quite good.
I did not have very good shoes and my hips were bothering me because of arthritis,
but Tylenol and Ibuprofen helped.
I hope you understand that eight miles most days is quite possible.
— Review left May 9, 2022
When I finished the after-program questionnaire and pressed submit, I got a copy of the questionnaire with my answers. I could not tell why until I discovered I had left off the ZIP code for the person I was recommending. Please make the error description easier to find/understand. I almost gave up without submitting the form...
— Review left April 30, 2022
Once again RS has severely disappointed on the offering for devices for the hearing impaired. As I am myself I'm able to cope ok with the provided devices by putting on top of the hearing aid, this is the second trip I've attended where guests were told after conversations with RS consultants their situation could be accommodated. On this trip it was a cochlear implant and there was absolutely no real help for her. On my trip before the gentleman was told wifi was available for his earbuds or headphone. Didn't happen. This is a big fail on the part of RS for hearing impaired folks.
— Review left November 29, 2021
Even though my mother came from Brooklyn and my cousins still live there and work in Manhattan, almost everything presented in this program was new to me. It was a very interesting and engaging tour.
— Review left November 22, 2021
If you are looking for luxury, comfort, entertainment, shopping, or "glamming", this is probably not the trip for you. However, if you want an authentically diverse experience of NYC and it's boroughs, and you enjoy being outside and walking....it's PERFECT!
— Review left November 16, 2021
Excellent introduction to parts of NYC that many visitors miss. Combines the history of the boroughs with understanding of the present. A great experience.
— Review left November 8, 2021
Loved this overview of New York, which covers the essentials but also the shiny & new as well as seldom-visited and lovely neighborhoods. The New Yorker Hotel is perfectly situated in Midtown, and especially convenient if you arrive via Amtrak. We rode a half dozen subway lines, the Long Island RR and a couple of ferries, all of which were confidence-building for future visits. Activity level (5-8 miles per day) was as described, although my pedometer read 9 miles one day. There's so much more to see in NYC I hope they do a Part 2 version of this program some day.
— Review left November 7, 2021
If you want to get to know NYC, past, present and future, this is the program for you.
— Review left November 6, 2021
THIS IS ONE TO PASS ON -- This was my 14th Road Scholar trip and easily at the bottom. The New Yorker Hotel is old and tired, and rents out the first 18 floors for colleges to use as dormitories. Lots of noisy college kids and interminable elevator stops. While the hotel is at best mediocre, the location is excellent - the only reason to stay there. Some of the days were spent on visits to places that genuinely were worthwhile; other days were spent visiting places only to check the box for visiting that borough (Staten Island in particular - except for the pleasant ferry ride there is just nothing there worth seeing ). Some obvious places were skipped (like the Brooklyn Botanical Garden or the Bronx Zoo) in favor of doing a slum tour and a visit to a very high-income residential area. Five days in New York could be much better spent on one of the RS programs that focuses on the best of New York, not just on visiting a borough to say that you've been there. Having said that, the guide and trip leader were excellent.
— Review left October 29, 2021
My idea of New York changed so much! I saw beautiful,quiet places. Lovely, historic buildings. Yes there were areas that were not beautiful,but that did not detract from the overall pleasure to find that New York is not the city as so often portrayed in the media.
— Review left October 9, 2021
great sampling of the city
— Review left October 9, 2021
Great trip. Fabulous guide. Learned so much about New York. Be prepared for lots of walking and steps. Everything handled very well by RD leaders. All you do is enjoy yours elf.
— Review left October 19, 2019
Wonderful experience, highly recommend it, excellent instructors, lot of fun.
— Review left June 9, 2019
This program is a home run! It is unusual to come back from a US trip- and feel as if I have been immersed in another country. Well done Road Scholar- highly recommend!
— Review left June 8, 2019
This is definitely a program that introduces you to all parts of New York City with knowledgeable leaders seeing not only the highlights but many hidden corners gaining a better understanding of todays New York City.
— Review left May 15, 2019
This program shows you the rest of New York; the locations that most tourists never see. Bring your best walking shoes, and tour the neighborhoods and environs that make up the true New York City. It's a super guide to the behind-the-scene places.
— Review left May 10, 2019
Road scholar is a the best program we have encountered. This is our 4th time using them and I would highly recommend them for your future vacations.
— Review left April 28, 2019
Simply wonderful! Our days and evenings were full, well paced, and lots of fun! If you like to walk, explore, and learn, this is the trip for you! I am sorry that the trip came to an end and to had to go home.
— Review left April 26, 2019