What You'll See on a NYC Helicopter Tour

On a Charm Aviation NYC helicopter tour you'll see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Manhattan skyline, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Hudson River from the air. Shorter tours focus on Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, while longer tours reach further uptown. Flights run 12 to 35 minutes from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport or a New Jersey heliport in Fairfield.

Landmarks you'll see from a NYC helicopter tour

Charm's NYC helicopter tours pass many of New York's most recognizable landmarks. Depending on the tour you choose, you can expect to see:

• The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, seen from the air over New York Harbor.
• One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
• The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, Midtown's landmark towers.
• The Brooklyn Bridge and the East River crossings.
• Central Park, the green rectangle at the heart of Manhattan.
• The Hudson River, Governors Island, and the George Washington Bridge.
• Times Square, and the Intrepid Museum on the Midtown waterfront.

What does each NYC helicopter tour show you?

Every Charm tour covers the harbor and the Statue of Liberty; longer tours add more of Midtown and uptown. Here is what each tour focuses on:

Tour	Flight time	What it focuses on
Manhattan Tour	12–15 min	New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline including One World Trade Center
Big Apple Tour	17–20 min	Everything on the Manhattan Tour plus more of Midtown toward the Empire State Building, Central Park, and uptown
Empire Tour	25–30 min	The fullest Manhattan sweep, continuing uptown past Central Park toward the Yankee Stadium area
Skyline & Night Lights Tours	30–35 min	The Manhattan skyline from the New Jersey side, over the Hudson; Night Lights flies the same route after dark
Fall Foliage Tour	~30 min	Seasonal foliage views with the skyline, from the New Jersey heliport

What do you see on the shortest NYC helicopter tour?

On the 12 to 15 minute Manhattan Tour, Charm's shortest and most affordable flight, you see Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the southern skyline including One World Trade Center. It is the best first flight for taking in the harbor and downtown from the air.

What do longer NYC helicopter tours add?

Longer tours fly further up the island and add more Midtown and uptown landmarks. The 17 to 20 minute Big Apple Tour and the 25 to 30 minute Empire Tour continue past the Empire State Building toward Central Park and uptown, reaching as far as the Yankee Stadium area on the longest routes. More flight time means more of the city.

What do you see on a night helicopter tour of NYC?

On the Night Lights Tour, an evening flight from the New Jersey heliport, you see the Manhattan skyline lit up after dark, with the Empire State Building and the city towers glowing against the night. Golden-hour and evening slots are the first to sell out because the skyline at dusk is the signature Charm view.

Which NYC helicopter tour has the best views?

Every Charm tour covers the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, so the "best" tour depends on what you want. The Manhattan Tour ($249) is the best value for the core harbor and downtown views; the Big Apple Tour ($279) is the most popular balance of price and coverage; the Empire Tour ($389) is the longest Manhattan flight for the widest sweep of the city. Compare them on the tour comparison page or see the cost guide.

Where do the tours fly from?

New York City tours depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 6 East River Piers, New York, NY 10004, which puts you over the harbor and the Statue of Liberty within moments of takeoff. New Jersey tours depart from the heliport at 27 Wright Way, Fairfield, NJ 07004.

Frequently asked questions

Do you see the Statue of Liberty on a NYC helicopter tour?

Yes. Every Charm Aviation NYC helicopter tour passes the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, seen from the air over New York Harbor.

Can you see Central Park from a helicopter tour?

Yes. Charm's tours take in Central Park and the Manhattan skyline; longer tours such as the Big Apple and Empire tours give more time over Midtown and uptown toward Central Park.

Which side of the helicopter has the best view?

Charm's tour routes are flown so that passengers see the major landmarks over New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. The pilot flies the route to bring the key sights into view for the cabin.

Ready to see it for yourself? Compare tours, read the booking guide, or check the cost guide.