Soaring above: What to expect from a Manhattan helicopter tour

The beauty of a city like New York is best experienced from a bird ’s-eye view. Flying high up in the air will give you a unique perspective of a place that you may even be very familiar with. So, how about a helicopter tour in Manhattan, New York? Get away from the noise of honking horns of vehicles in the streets of Manhattan. Look at the city from a different angle. Soaring above: what to expect from a Manhattan helicopter tour. Read on to learn more about how to experience the beauty of Manhattan from up above.

Soaring above: What to expect from a Manhattan helicopter tour

Overview

Getting away from the crowds is the best way to view the beauty of Manhattan, New York City. A helicopter tour gives you 360-degree views of Manhattan’s skyline. This tour provides you with excellent views of Manhattan’s skyscrapers. From One World Trade Center to the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and more iconic locations are visible when you soar above Manhattan. Here’s what you will experience in your Manhattan helicopter tour:

 

• Panoramic views of New York City by helicopter
• See more attractions and a blend of iconic locations, more than what you can see from the ground
• Listen to a detailed description of the tour from the pilot as you fly
• Depart from the heliport in downtown New York, with a choice of many different flight times daily

Manhattan helicopter tour inclusions

Here’s what’s included and not included in your Manhattan helicopter tour:

 

Included:

 

• A helicopter flight with shared experiences with other travelers
• Detailed commentary from the pilot
• Cabin and climate control

 

Not included:

 

• Hotel pickup and drop off
• Photographs (Available to purchase as souvenirs from the tour)
• Landing and facility, which has an additional fee

Manhattan helicopter tour Itinerary

The helicopter tour typically starts at the heliport at Battery Park in downtown New York. You will start by lifting off over Lower Manhattan. At this point, you will have excellent views of One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Woolworth Building. Continuing north along Manhattan, you will reach Midtown. Here you will have a bird’s eye view of the New York Times Building, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building’s Art Deco design. Finally, you can enjoy the greenery at Central Park before returning to the heliport in lower Manhattan.

 

Here’s a full list of the attractions you’ll be able to see in this helicopter tour of Manhattan:

 

• Statue of Liberty
• Ellis Island
• One World Trade Centre
• Chrysler Building
• Central Park
• Times Square
• Empire State Building
• Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex
• Intrepid Museum
• MetLife Building
• Governors Island National Monument
• Rockefeller Center
• New York Harbor
• The Seaport
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Manhattan Skyline

Additional Information

Here’s some additional information regarding the Manhattan helicopter tour that you need to keep in mind.

 

• You will receive confirmation at the time of booking the tour.
• The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
• You must submit a government-issued identification, either a passport or a driver’s license, at check-in. If you don’t have a valid ID, you will not be able to fly and will not get a refund either.
• You must be at the heliport at least 30 minutes before the flight.
• All passengers are required to complete the security screening before coming into the building.
• Seats are given according to weight. Passengers above 275 lbs must purchase an additional seat.
• Flights may be canceled if the minimum requirements are not met. In that case, you will get another flight or a full refund.
• A rebooking fee will apply if you make any changes within 24 hours of your flight.

Why choose a Manhattan helicopter tour

Helicopter tours provide you with a unique view of a city. It leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. This helicopter tour helps you view New York City from a whole new perspective. You see all of its iconic landmarks from a unique viewpoint soaring high above. They look different when viewed from above and are excellent for capturing some amazing photographs of New York’s skyline.

 

Helicopter tours typically range from 12 to 30 minutes. You can leisurely view the beauty of the entire Manhattan area within this duration. The city has some beautiful attractions that are best viewed soaring above.

Types of helicopter tours available

There are different types of helicopter tours to match your preference. These tours vary in the types of experience it gives travelers.

Private Tour

Private tours are ideal for small groups like families and friends who travel together. You can customize the trip accordingly and choose where you want to go to make it a memorable journey. A VIP helicopter tour can accommodate up to five guests, and they will even get a glass of champagne. The 30-minute tour will soar above New York City and provide you with amazing views of Manhattan’s skyline.

Shared Tour

Shared tours are affordable and let you witness Manhattan’s skyline at a reasonable price. You can spot iconic landmarks like Central Park and the Statue of Liberty in this 15 to 30-minute ride. Moreover, it’s fun meeting fellow travelers and sharing experiences.

Classic Manhattan Helicopter Tour

This helicopter tour lasts between 12 and 15 minutes. Sites that you pass on this tour include:

 

• Statue of Liberty
• Ellis Island
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• One World Trade Centre
• Battery Park
• Financial District
• Chrysler Building
• Empire State Building
• Central Park
• Times Square
• S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

Deluxe Manhattan Helicopter Tour

The Deluxe helicopter tour, soaring above Manhattan, takes you to the same places that the Classic helicopter tour takes you. Apart from these locations, it also takes you past the following must-see attractions in New York. The tour lasts between 18 and 20 minutes.

 

• Columbia University
• Grant’s Tomb
• Harlem
• George Washington Bridge
• Palisades Cliff
• Spuyten Duyvil Bridge

VIP Manhattan Helicopter Tour

This tour lasts between 25 and 30 minutes. It takes you to the same places that the deluxe helicopter tour takes. Apart from these locations, it also takes you past the following must-see attractions in New York.

 

• Staten Island
• Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Tips to capture amazing photographs in your Manhattan helicopter tour

Going on a helicopter ride is the best way to capture some amazing photographs of Manhattan. Helicopters have big windows that let you take great pictures. You can capture memorable moments with iconic structures like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building in the background. You can capture the best shots using a camera with a zoom lens.

 

The following are some photography tips to keep in mind when soaring above Manhattan:

 

• Capture from new angles as the helicopter goes around the city.
• Adjust the camera for dark and bright scenes, as required.
• Use photo stops to capture photographs from various angles.
• Adjust the camera to manual focus for enhanced shots from a distance.

Final Thoughts

A Manhattan helicopter tour is something that you must experience at least once in a lifetime. You can experience New York City from a different perspective that will leave you with great memories of this beautiful city. Don’t forget to experience this amazing helicopter tour on your next visit to Manhattan.