Tour operator
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
A long-running sightseeing cruise company sailing from Pier 83 on West 42nd Street, with full-island, half-island and evening harbour tours.
Big Onion Walking Tours
Founded in 1991, Big Onion runs history-focused walking tours led by historians and graduate students across around 20 New York neighbourhoods.
At a glance
- Type
- History walking tours
- Area
- Citywide, New York, United States
- Official site
- bigonion.com
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Historian guides
- Private tours
- Field trips
- Holiday tours
Why we recommend it
Big Onion has been leading walking tours of New York since 1991, and its focus is firmly on history. Guides are educators and graduate students in history, and the tours dig into the stories of the city's immigrant neighbourhoods and historic districts rather than simply ticking off sights.
The programme includes more than 30 routes across about 20 neighbourhoods, from Downtown and the Lower East Side to Greenwich Village, Uptown and Brooklyn, plus seasonal holiday walks and an eating tour after Thanksgiving. Private tours and school field trips can also be arranged. Check the schedule online before you go and wear comfortable shoes.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Big Onion Walking Tours FAQs
Who leads Big Onion tours?
Educators and graduate students in history.
When was Big Onion founded?
In 1991.