There are numerous tours available in New York City, but one aspect that people often overlook is Airbnb experiences. Most are familiar with Airbnb primarily for their accommodation options, yet they also offer a wide range of experiences where locals can guide you. Personally, I prefer these experiences to conventional tours because they feature locals passionately sharing their knowledge, involve smaller groups, and tend to be less mainstream.
I feel that not enough people take advantage of these experiences, and they always rank among my top activities to seek out whenever I travel globally. New York City presents a plethora of choices. Here are my top picks:
Discover Brooklyn’s Pizza Culture
Pizza and NYC are an iconic pair, akin to bread and butter, and this Brooklyn pizza tour led by travel writer Dani Hienrich takes you to some of the city’s finest locations while providing an in-depth history of pizza (who knew slices weren’t popular until the 1940s!). I’ve participated in numerous pizza tours in the city, and I believe Dani offers the best one, as she details the history, is incredibly enjoyable, and the tour is less conventional, avoiding large groups of twenty.
Sketch Masterpieces at the Met Museum
In this enjoyable experience, you’ll visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and meet X, an experienced artist who will guide you on a sketching adventure. You’ll start with a warm introduction and sketching exercises, then stroll through selected galleries, taking breaks to draw iconic sculptures and artworks you choose. Along the way, he’ll share insights into the history of sculpting and painting techniques and the stories behind some exhibits. It’s certainly a fun and interactive way to explore the MET.
Explore African American History
During this walking tour in Lower Manhattan, you’ll meet your host Larry at the National Museum of the American Indian before traversing a tapestry of hidden Black New York: from Bowling Green (where enslaved Africans contributed to the city’s construction), to remnants of Fort Amsterdam, and to the sites of 17th-century enslaved houses. You’ll walk past Wall Street to hear about its slave-market history, visit Federal Hall and a former free-African oyster house, stroll through Foley Square (historically the site of executions), and finish at the African Burial Ground National Monument. Larry ranks among the best tour guides I’ve ever encountered. He’s entertaining, engaging, humorous, and brimming with knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and learned so much. It’s a fascinating and unique method to experience lower Manhattan. He also conducts an amazing Harlem tour as well!
Create and Relish a New York Pizza
If you want to engage beyond merely eating pizza, head to Paulie Gee’s, where your host Logan will guide you through the history of New York-style pizza before you shape your own dough, select from an array of sauces and toppings, and bake your masterpiece in a wood-fired oven. Afterwards, you’ll sit down to enjoy your creation along with other famous dishes from the restaurant. It’s highly interactive, and Logan is a captivating and personable host. Located in Greenpoint, it’s an area most tourists overlook, so be sure to explore this local hotspot afterward.
Next time you find yourself in NYC and want to partake in something fun and distinctive, please consider checking out Airbnb Experiences as they are genuinely enjoyable and engaging. I’ve experienced about a dozen of these, and I believe these are the very best of the bunch. However, if you discover one that you adore, do send me an email so I can check it out!