The RIDE NYC Tour (2025): Is it Worth the Hype?

Ever find yourself looking for a way to see New York City that’s, like, very different from the usual open-top bus thing? I did, so that’s why I checked out “The RIDE.” It’s almost a show on wheels, and it goes through midtown Manhattan. Is it genuinely cool, or maybe just, you know, a tourist trap? Read on for my honest take on the 2025 version of “The RIDE.”

What “The RIDE” is all About

So, “The RIDE” is, basically, this interactive bus tour lasting 75 minutes. It’s very different from a regular bus because it has stadium-style seating that faces the side of the street, plus, like, huge windows to see everything. Two hosts, you know, the super energetic kind, tell you all kinds of city info, throw in trivia, and even get people on the street involved. Street performers do their thing as you drive by, that’s, you know, part of the show. All the time, there are lights, music, and video clips to make everything more exciting.

The route goes through Midtown, passing lots of must-see places, that’s actually pretty cool, similar to Times Square, the Chrysler Building, and Grand Central Terminal. What really sells it is, arguably, the way “The RIDE” tries to make seeing these spots very fun and unforgettable. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (The RIDE NYC Tickets)

Read our full review: The RIDE NYC Full Review and Details

The Hosts & Entertainment: Adding Pizzazz

These hosts are actually kind of the make-or-break piece. During my tour, these two people were giving their best effort to be, like, super lively and funny. They definitely had tons of city facts. Though they have lots energy, not everyone will find it charming. Whether their jokes land for you, might be in a way, really a matter of taste. The street performances can also vary. Sometimes, you catch a great dance or singing number, but other times, very honestly, it’s not much more than somebody doing something kind of odd on the sidewalk. Still, I guess that’s New York, so, maybe it fits the experience.

The Route and View: Seeing the Sights

You travel through Midtown, and you’ll pass by well-known places. The big windows do give you solid views. Here is a breakdown, as I was saying, on things I was able to see on the tour route:

Times Square: I mean, yeah, a blast of billboards and people, always pretty intense.
Chrysler Building: The tour really stops you to admire, maybe, this cool example of Art Deco design.
Grand Central Terminal: Its celestial ceiling can’t be fully seen, in my opinion, very well from a moving bus, still the hosts provided details.
Other Landmarks: The route gives you, also, peeks at spots like the New York Public Library and some theaters.

The way “The RIDE” blends seeing the sights with the show, sometimes that works well and other times, not as much. At certain times you only pass the tourist sites very fast.

Comfort and Practicalities: What You Should Know

Alright, the bus is actually kind of comfy with its stadium seating and all. You’re facing sideways, and that provides, really, better views than looking straight ahead like on a normal bus. Seats, it seemed like to me, are padded, that provides, obviously, a fairly cozy experience. What might be kind of tight are legroom, especially if the person in front of you chooses to recline their seat.

Things to know that should assist:

Restrooms: Bear in mind, that is, that the bus doesn’t have a bathroom, so use the restroom before the ride.
Weather: Because you’re inside, the tour happens in, you know, most weather, making it that you don’t get rained on or freeze.
Accessibility: Ask the company to ensure their buses provide access.
Timing: Traffic in Midtown could change things. Try, at the end of the day, get to the pickup spot early.

Is “The RIDE” Worth It? My Opinion

“The RIDE,” to be honest, isn’t the cheapest thing to do in NYC. It does offer something totally unusual. Very honestly, I’m unsure if I should recommend it as an absolute must-do for everybody. If you like tourist sites with theater, or just searching for an unconventional experience, arguably, this might just be up your alley. But, If you’re mainly up for looking closely at famous spots, it may be that you prefer a standard bus tour or, too it’s almost, exploring on your own. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Secure RIDE NYC Tickets)

I think that if it provides these conditions, maybe I can recommend it:

You think you could enjoy the type of energetic hosts that do silly jokes and games with the street performers.
Getting a quick and enjoyable tour is appealing.
It’s almost that seeing the bus ride itself as entertainment will feel rewarding.

This is what to maybe expect on tour:

High energy.
A comedic and theatrical overview of midtown Manhattan.
A lot of engagement with the street performers and passerbys.

Read our full review: The RIDE NYC Full Review and Details