The Best Airbnb Experiences in New York City

There are plenty of tours in New York City (I’ve highlighted some of my favorites here), but one thing people don’t get enough of are Airbnb experiences. Most of us know Airbnb for its lodging features, but there are also plenty of experiences that locals can help guide you through. I actually like this experience better than traditional tours. Because these experiences involve locals sharing what they’re passionate about, are done in small groups, and are usually off the beaten path.

I don’t think people do these trips enough, and whenever I travel anywhere in the world, they are always one of my favorites. New York City has many options to choose from. Here are my favorites:

Explore Brooklyn’s pizza scene

Pizza and NYC go hand in hand like bread and butter. This Brooklyn pizza tour from travel writer Dani Hienrich takes you to some of the city’s best spots while also giving you a detailed history of the city’s pizza (who knew the slice didn’t exist until the 1940s!). I’ve done many pizza tours in the city and I think dani runs the best tours because he explains the history and is very fun. And it’s a off-the-beaten-path tour, so you don’t have to be surrounded by large groups of 20 people.

Sketch masterpieces at the Met Museum

In this fun experience, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and meet seasoned artist X, who will guide you on a sketching tour. We’ll start with a friendly introduction and warm-up sketches, then explore your chosen gallery, pausing to draw your chosen iconic sculptures and works of art. Along the way, he will also explain the history of sculpture and painting techniques and the history behind some of the exhibits. Exploring the MET is definitely a fun and hands-on way to explore it.

Exploring African American History

On this walking tour in Lower Manhattan, you’ll meet host Larry at the National Museum of the American Indian and walk through the hidden tapestry of Black New York. From Bowling Green (where African slaves helped build the city) to the ruins of Fort Amsterdam and the location of a 17th-century slave home. Pass through Wall Street to learn about its slave market past, visit Federal Hall and the former Free African Oyster Warehouse, pass through Foley Square (where the original execution site was located) and finish at the African Burial Ground National Monument. Larry is one of the best tour guides I have ever seen. He is really funny, charming, funny and full of knowledge. I love this tour and learned a lot. It’s a really cool and unique way to see Lower Manhattan. He also does amazing Harlem tours!

Make and taste New York pizza

If you want to do more than just eat pizza, visit Paulie Gee’s where host Logan takes you through the history of New York-style pizza. Make your own dough, choose from a variety of sauces and toppings, and bake in a wood-fired oven. Afterwards, sit down to eat your own dish and the restaurant’s other famous dishes. It’s run and interactive and Logan is a really interesting and engaging host. Located in Greepoint, this is an area that most tourists skip, so you can only explore part of the town later.

Next time you’re in NYC and want to do something fun and unique, be sure to check out these really fun and exciting Airbnb experiences. I’ve done about a dozen of these and I think these are the best of them all. But if you find one you like, please email me so I can check it out!

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