The Ride is the most unique city tour that I've ever had the pleasure of taking. The Ride is like a street show set throughout Midtown Manhattan made especially for you, and all you have to do is kick back from the comfort of a bus and enjoy the (excuse the pun) ride.
I'll start with the bus because I'm sure you're apprehensive. This isn't like touring New York in a Greyhound, or even one of those Double Decker deals. The Ride bus has seats facing the street, with full floor-to-ceiling windows, plus the rood is made of windows, too. So basically, you have a theater view of all of New York. There are also bright lights and TV's scattered throughout the bus that add to the interactive experience of The Ride, and are used to better explain the sights you're seeing in detail. This was an amazing way to take in the city, and went above and beyond my expectations for what The Ride would be.
The tone of The Ride is hilarious. There are two tour guides (hosts, really) on either side of the bus that feed off one another with a bit of an improv comedy show vibe going. They were fantastic and did a great job of keeping the atmosphere of The Ride light without getting too kitschy. (Think 30 Rock humor; smart and irreverant.) Plus, The Ride itself is actually used as a character, talking to the audience and tour guides throughout the show in what I can only assume is a nod to Ghost Rider. Can't say enough great things about the atmosphere inside The Ride.
Finally, there's the show aspect of The Ride. The Ride is equal parts city tour and city show. Every few minutes on this 90-minute tour, The Ride would check in with someone on the streets who was mic'd up so that they were speaking directly into the bus. I didn't see this coming and was so impressed with how they managed to pull it off. I won't give any spoilers away, but I will say the dude in Times Square was hilarious in both of his parts. (There's so much more I want to say about the show aspect of The Ride but, honestly, it wouldn't do it justice; seeing is believing, people!)
Yes, you'll do some tourist-y things on The Ride (as a Red Sox fan I refused to sing "New York, New York"), but that's what vacation is for - to let loose and have a good time. It's OK to act like a tourist on occasion, and The Ride is the perfect setting to do so. The Ride is a whole new twist on what a city cour be, and I would highly recommend this tour, especially if it's your first time in New York. It's great for kids and adults alike, too.
This review was made by the www.nyctourist.com site editor based on personal experience. NYCTourist was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.
Jason Bushey
(NYCtourist Staff)
Aug 24, 2012
at 8:05 am
Points: 10
Joined: November 2010
xxx.xxx.185.247
Would recommend to a friend
Date of stay: 08/12
The Ride - A Great Introduction to Midtown NYC
Venue Reviewed: The Ride NYC
The Ride is the most unique city tour that I've ever had the pleasure of taking. The Ride is like a street show set throughout Midtown Manhattan made especially for you, and all you have to do is kick back from the comfort of a bus and enjoy the (excuse the pun) ride.
I'll start with the bus because I'm sure you're apprehensive. This isn't like touring New York in a Greyhound, or even one of those Double Decker deals. The Ride bus has seats facing the street, with full floor-to-ceiling windows, plus the rood is made of windows, too. So basically, you have a theater view of all of New York. There are also bright lights and TV's scattered throughout the bus that add to the interactive experience of The Ride, and are used to better explain the sights you're seeing in detail. This was an amazing way to take in the city, and went above and beyond my expectations for what The Ride would be.
The tone of The Ride is hilarious. There are two tour guides (hosts, really) on either side of the bus that feed off one another with a bit of an improv comedy show vibe going. They were fantastic and did a great job of keeping the atmosphere of The Ride light without getting too kitschy. (Think 30 Rock humor; smart and irreverant.) Plus, The Ride itself is actually used as a character, talking to the audience and tour guides throughout the show in what I can only assume is a nod to Ghost Rider. Can't say enough great things about the atmosphere inside The Ride.
Finally, there's the show aspect of The Ride. The Ride is equal parts city tour and city show. Every few minutes on this 90-minute tour, The Ride would check in with someone on the streets who was mic'd up so that they were speaking directly into the bus. I didn't see this coming and was so impressed with how they managed to pull it off. I won't give any spoilers away, but I will say the dude in Times Square was hilarious in both of his parts. (There's so much more I want to say about the show aspect of The Ride but, honestly, it wouldn't do it justice; seeing is believing, people!)
Yes, you'll do some tourist-y things on The Ride (as a Red Sox fan I refused to sing "New York, New York"), but that's what vacation is for - to let loose and have a good time. It's OK to act like a tourist on occasion, and The Ride is the perfect setting to do so. The Ride is a whole new twist on what a city cour be, and I would highly recommend this tour, especially if it's your first time in New York. It's great for kids and adults alike, too.
This review was made by the www.nyctourist.com site editor based on personal experience. NYCTourist was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.