New York
Signature City New York
Program No. 8861RJ
Get an insider’s perspective on New York as you explore Ellis Island, the Met Museum and Harlem, and learn about the city’s transition from a Dutch outpost to an American icon.
Participant Reviews
Based on 77 Reviews
SHOWING
What a great way to try new adventures in the safety of a small group! I loved New York City and am excited to visit there again and looking forward to another Road Scholar trip somewhere else as well! Ever since I was a young person I had heard about "Elderhostel" and knew I wanted to go on those trips. So glad I made my first trip happen finally!
— Review left November 1, 2025
A tremendous value; tons packed in and great accommodations!
— Review left October 25, 2025
Loved this program! The guides were fabulous, and the experiences went beyond my expectations. Be prepared to walk "a lot" and keep very busy and you could love it too.
— Review left October 13, 2025
Wow! This was a great tour of NYC. Being my first time here, this was a perfect introduction and touched on so many areas and experiences. Absolutely loved it. But it is a lot of legwork, more than I imagined but was a great way to work off the delicious meals provided.
— Review left October 11, 2025
I grew up 100 miles from NYC and have visited it over two dozen times before this program. Living so close by, most of my prior trips were day trips that could not allow me to immerse myself the way I was able to on this program. This program was very effective in enhancing my prior knowledge.
— Review left October 7, 2025
This is a great trip and way to learn about and explore Manhattan. Angela is a great guide and with the help of Grace, we learned lots. You do a lot of walking on this trip, see many sights and learn how to use the NY subway. Thoroughly enjoy our week!
— Review left September 27, 2025
This trip left me wanting to experience more of NYC. More Broadway shows, more museums, more noise and energy of a big city.
— Review left September 27, 2025
Signature City New York was fabulous! I had always thought of NYC as too big and busy for me. Boy, was I wrong. There is so much to do and see, everyone from the streets to the subway could not have been nicer. Our group leader, Rusty, took such good care of us, making sure we were enjoying our trip. We will be going back to NYC for sure!
— Review left September 21, 2025
I enjoyed everything about the trip very much. Thank you.
— Review left June 25, 2025
This tour included many sights to see in NYC in the short amount of time. it was an action-packed tour.
— Review left June 21, 2025
A comprehensive experience of Manhattan itself, and Liberty and Ellis Island. A good compliment to the Five Burroughs in Five Days walking trip I had taken a few years earlier. I highly recommend for anyone who has yet to experience NYC.
— Review left June 14, 2025
This was our first trip to NYC and the itinerary did not disappoint. I would say that we often exceeded 3-5 miles per day; you need to be able to walk and keep up with the group, although our leader and her sweep did an excellent job of keeping us together. Enjoyed our stay at the New Yorker and breakfast each morning at the Tick Tock Diner. The meals out with the group were good, although the Harlem Shake and the restaurant meal in the hotel were not as good as the others. Liberty and Ellis Island were disorganized and somewhat of a disappointment; ditto for the experience at the Empire State Building. But, overall, we had a good time and a good group. First RS tour and we're scheduled for another.
— Review left June 1, 2025
Signature New York is an in-depth visit to NYC that instills a deep appreciation for the achievements realized there that have inherent value as well as significance for American culture, business, and development.
— Review left May 24, 2025
A very active view of the history and relevance of the nation's largest city. If you don't come away with having learned something new, you weren't paying attention.
— Review left May 23, 2025
Signature City NYC was action-packed and great fun! Our group leader was knowledgeable, organized, energetic— the absolute best! The trip was a wonderful introduction to NYC for us: a first-time visitor and a partner who hasn’t been there since childhood. We highly recommend it for anyone who wants to explore NYC on foot and by subway!
— Review left May 17, 2025
This Signature City Tour provided an outstanding introduction to NYC! I'm glad there are additional NYC tours offering the opportunity to to learn more.
— Review left May 11, 2025
Rusty was a very good group leader, she kept us informed and on schedule. The pace of the tour is more like 5-8 miles walking per day if you go on all activities. This tour hit all the tourist spots you would want to see in Manhattan. Very good tour!
— Review left May 10, 2025
I had been to NYC many times over the years for many different reasons. I usually felt intimidated by the Big City. Until now. This trip put visiting NYC into the fun category right from the start. The program leader was Rusty and she was the nicest, most enthusiastic New Yorker I ever met! And Jeff was the sweep on all of our travels through the city all week, an affable presence, alert to whoever was at the end of the line. Wearing our yellow hats kept us together and no one got lost! I loved staying at the New Yorker hotel on the 34th floor. The speakers brought in to talk about the Brooklyn Bridge, History of NYC, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were awesome! Joseph led us on a tour of Harlam that was fascinating. And Christopher put a humorous, literary spin on living in NYC on our final morning. Radio City, New York Public Library, St Patrick Cathedral, Times Square, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Harlam, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Jaunts out to all of these places were described expertly and safely led by Rusty and Jeff. This is a great program that I would highly recommend. Lots of walking, exploring, subway riding, and dining out with fellow travelers. I was exhausted each night and slept well. This program really brought NYC alive for me!
— Review left May 6, 2025
I walk frequently and that's a must for this program! If you have knee/ hip or foot issues this may not be the trip for you - be prepared to walk ~5-7 miles per day and lots of stairs - it is stated in the program but some didn't realize how much is done! They try to accommodate for elevators and escalators - but program members have to realize that's part of the exercise defined in the brochure. A few just didn't get it.
— Review left May 3, 2025
Fabulous trip! Presents the highlights of NYC in a well-organized itinerary. Perfect choice for someone who wants to see as much as possible and who loves to walk.
— Review left April 19, 2025
If you haven't been to NYC and want to see its famous highlights, or if you've only been to NYC on business travel and finally can spend a few days to see the sights, this is your trip!
— Review left November 11, 2024
New York is huge, world class, intimidating- known to all through finance, film, architecture and theater. This program shows many of the iconic places in New York- but also teaches you to become comfortable moving around the city on the subways, how to buy discount theater tickets, and navigate around the city without looking at all New Yorkers like they are about to steal your wallet- most folks are really helpful! We had a blast!
— Review left November 9, 2024
Best New York bang for your buck. Event packed week, 12 hour days, lots of walking and subway rides. Excellent leaders. You will see everything iconic that New York has to offer. Loved going over the Brooklyn Bridge at night. I have been to 3 New York tours with Road Scholar and I consider this program to be the best. You get to see the Met, and there is time to see a play on your own. Five star program.
— Review left November 7, 2024
Signature City-New York is an excellent way to see and explore the city.
— Review left October 15, 2024
Signature City New York was our first Road Scholar Trip. It met our expectations and cemented the fact that there will be more Road Scholar adventures in the future!
— Review left October 1, 2024
As a former New Yorker it felt good to experience the current NYC and to experience the energy of this great city anew and again.
— Review left September 25, 2024
We came away from our NYC trip with a new appreciation of this great city and glad that we selected this tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We also liked the free time set aside so that we could take advantage of a Broadway show matinee. Also the freedom to wander the Metropolitan museum of Art and Liberty and Ellis Islands at our own pace.
— Review left September 22, 2024
it was fast walking and a lot of it. we did so many fun things and our guides were great. hotel was good too. i liked that we had some free time. The meals were good too. i highly recommend it
— Review left July 27, 2024
Really fun New York program. We saw so many interesting things!
— Review left May 4, 2024
Signature City is an inspiring program, giving great insights into life in New York City. Its a place that you can be very comfortable in and the learning opportunities are endless.
— Review left April 26, 2024
This was perfect for my first visit to New York City. I had no idea how large the city really was and the hotel’s location was ideal for navigating the subways and just walking places in general. Highly recommended.
— Review left April 15, 2024
Wonderful, interesting and informative trip to NYC. Exceeded my expectations. Our group leader, Kevin, and all of the other staff were fantastic. Enjoyed seeing the city by walking it and using the subway system. Particularly appreciated the optional activities planned by the staff during the "free time" periods which most of us took advantage of (e.g. walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night). Highly recommend this trip.
— Review left November 14, 2023
I did not include comments on the "sweeps". You could include them in your survey. We were blessed to have Raquel and Triganee.
— Review left October 18, 2023
Signature City New York was awesome, and I learned and saw a lot of New York!
Betty
— Review left September 26, 2023
A whirlwind tour of New York City highlighting Radio City Music Hall, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, a walk-through Central Park and much more.
— Review left July 13, 2023
A great way to see the iconic sights of New York City guided by local residents who are very knowledgeable, realistic, and proud of their city.
— Review left June 13, 2023
New York! New York! Always welcoming - always inviting ! Joy!
— Review left May 29, 2023
The program was awesome. If you are on the fence just join up.
— Review left May 20, 2023
You will be tired by the end of the day as you walk and take the subway all over New York City. This is a great trip to see much of the highlights of Manhattan (and a bit of Brooklyn). It's a good mixture of architecture (Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Brooklyn Bridge), museums (NY Public Library, the Met), and outdoors (Central Park and Statue of Liberty)
— Review left May 20, 2023
Do not miss out on this program. You will be so happy you joined.
— Review left May 20, 2023
Just got back from New York City. What a trip!
If you have never been to New York and want to gain a ton of insight into the history of the city and its' people, we highly recommend this tour. Road Scholar will take you every step of the way and then some! The speakers were great and how fun to mingle with New Yorkers throughout the entire day. We left inspired by its history and its people.
— Review left October 30, 2022
THE PROGRAM I MADE TO NEW YORK A WELL PLANNED AND EXECUTED I WOULD DO IT AGAIN
— Review left October 30, 2022
This was my first Road Scholar trip. It was an awesome experience. The number of places we were able to visit and the educational content received far surpassed my expectations. The value of my experience totally outweighed the cost of the program.
— Review left October 29, 2022
It was 98 - 99% great! Our guide, Angela, was delightful. Lots of walking, as advertised, but some rest stops. Helpful guidance at subways. Didn’t see all of New York but certainly saw much of it, at least a taste. We may come back & do the Five Boroughs.
— Review left October 19, 2022
If you want to see and learn A LOT about NYC in a short time, this is a fabulous program
— Review left October 15, 2022
Visiting NYC has been on my bucket list forever. I learned and saw so much more than I could have imagined because Road Scholar covers every detail to make a trip like this the best possible! This has been an unforgettable trip and will always use RS for future trips!
— Review left October 10, 2022
Every day was packed with activities, but there was also adequate free time. Group leaders and presenters were outstanding! Individual requests were accomodated as much as possible. The stated activity level is accurate. I felt comfortable as a single; other participants were friendly and inclusive.
— Review left October 3, 2022
Good program but does require an ability to do a lot of walking on hard and irregular surfaces.
— Review left October 1, 2022
What you see, and what they say, is what you get.
— Review left October 1, 2022
The Signature New York program is excellent. I'm delighted my husband & I were able to share the experience!
— Review left October 1, 2022
I hoped to see NYC as it is, to see some of the iconic sites and to get a feel for the authentic New York. This program certainly did that for me!
The hotel location in the heart of midtown Manhattan could not have been a better choice.
— Review left October 1, 2022
This was our first experience of Road Scholar tours. We had heard positive comments from friends, and we were not disappointed. Overall, it was well organized and we really appreciated both the overall value of the experience, and the educational presentations that increased our experience. Recommend highly!
— Review left June 12, 2022
The trip was amazing! We saw all the major sites in Manhattan. Our guides were wonderful and informative. A lot of walking on cement is involved, but well worth it.
— Review left June 12, 2022
Road Scholar does all the hard work (research, planning and organizing) of a trip for you. All you have to do is enjoy your visit. I'm a solo traveler and this was my first RS excursion, I'm ready to book my next one!
— Review left June 12, 2022
For my age group (old) it was a fantantic and economical way to enjoy traveling.
— Review left May 31, 2022
I really appreciated all the effort and coordination that went into this trip. Thank you.
— Review left May 25, 2022
Manhattan, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island are all fascinating places. Save yourself the aggravation of planning the tour yourself. You're safe with Road Scholar!
— Review left May 22, 2022
A visit to New York can be a daunting experience. Not with Road Scholar. NY was fun, safe,clear, and a beautiful adventure. Great food, easy subway transportation, theater, museum, empire state, I could go on forever.
But the company of fellow travelers of various experience was the icing on the cake.
— Review left May 21, 2022
Road Scholar provides a very well rounded program that is noth educational and fun for a very reasonable price.
— Review left May 21, 2022
Road Scholar experiences offer something you cannot get on your own. You may be able to go to the same places but you will not see the same thing. The insight you get from the guides and presenters offers a whole new level to your experience. I recommend Road Scholar to anybody who likes to travel.
— Review left May 8, 2022
What a great trip. If you want a great overview of manhattan and surrounding burroughs take this trip. The lectures were very good, not to long and gave great background for the day. The free time was adequate, guides,like being with friends. Accomodations were clean, comfy and fresh daily. Food was adequate, a couple dinners were very good, did not expect box lunches, reminded me of corporate work excursions. Radio city great tour, Harlem interesting as well as bout ride to Ellis Island and statue of liberty. Vouchers for taxis would have been better, did not know what you are getting into!! The group was small maybe 24, and all very nice. I think I would have spent more doing it on my own and not had the info and ease of getting around that the tour provided. The NEW YORKER is near many things, easy walk to highline, theater district, Macys and Starbucks or bagel shop across the street. Bring an umbrella, light rain jacket just in case and layers for non summer months. The trip is casual, just to keep packing easier, no one dressed for the theater. We did walk at least 6 miles a day, broken up, but feet wre tired at the end of a day.
— Review left May 7, 2022
Excellent program, leader and hotel. I loved the program and made many friends. I can't wait to attend another program.
— Review left April 28, 2022
Never been to New York City? Think it's dirty and dangerous? Well, take this tour and be amazed. I found NYC to be a jewel box: very walk-able and the subway opens the city even more, safe, beautiful, filled with art and history and very nice people. Dare to be amazed.
— Review left November 26, 2021
Great experience. Although I've been to NYC many times before, I saw and learned things I would have never learned or seen on my own.
— Review left November 4, 2021
Great attractions. Wonderful tours. Tremendous leader in Angela!
— Review left October 25, 2021
Road Scholar has this adventure fine tuned. This includes our group’s sweep, he was an added asset.
— Review left September 19, 2021
Signature City New York is a thorough exploration of Manhattan, and includes all the major sites one expects to see, and then some. There is also opportunity to explore more on your own or see a Broadway show. Riding the subway was quite an adventure but with the guidance of the trip leaders we were all "expert" by the end of the week!
— Review left September 18, 2021
If you want to see the highlights of Manhatten, this program is for you. We challenged ourselves with so much walking and crammed a lot into 5 days.
— Review left September 18, 2021
I had lived in NYC many years ago and visited a few times since then. This program significantly expanded my knowledge of the city and gave me a whole new appreciation.
— Review left December 2, 2019
Road Scholar is the only way to see and experience the New York Experience.
— Review left October 27, 2019
This is a fabulous way to visit NYC. Guides and instructors are great.
Put this one on your 'must do' list.
— Review left September 20, 2019
This program is perfect for someone looking for an introduction to NYC. We visited a great selection of sights and our group leader and guides were all impressive.
— Review left July 1, 2019
If you desire to travel and you're hesitant to travel solo, my advice is to take at least one trip with Road Scholar, I did, and just completed my seventh trip. You're sure to meet many like-minded people and have an enjoyable time.
— Review left June 20, 2019
I was thrilled to be able to pack so much of the Big Apple into a five day excursion. Great guides, entertaining and informative lectures. If it's been a while since you've been to NYC, or if you've never been, I highly recommend this Signature City New York tour.
— Review left June 18, 2019
For me, Road Scholar was a perfect way to see NYC. I felt safe and well-cared for. The location of our hotel was centrally located in an area with many interesting attractions within walking distance. If you have never been to NYC and have it on your bucket list as I did, I highly recommend this Road Scholar trip.
— Review left June 5, 2019
Manhattan from the insider's view. A delightful and very informative look at Manhattan from street level.
— Review left May 20, 2019
Our guide Mike was stellar, and the lecturers were all very interesting and knowledgeable. My sister and I had a wonderful time.
— Review left May 8, 2019