When I recently motored to the city that never sleeps, it was a Bryant Park kind of day that started with the NYC Tea Around Town sightseeing bus.
Would you like to discover the rich history of New York City uniquely and excitingly? Sign up for a new sightseeing adventure called Tea Around Town. The narrated one-hour specialty bus trip focuses on afternoon tea while taking in historic sights in NYC.
I have an endless bucket list for Manhattan’s spaces and places. I recently watched Season Two of The Gilded Age; I couldn’t help but think about new versus old money neighbors in early Manhattan bringing some of these historic buildings to life. It’s not hard to place who the fictional characters represent.
New York City landmarks:
Morgan Library
Grand Central Station
Chrysler Building
St. Patrick Cathedral
Columbus Circle
Rockefeller Center
Radio City Music Hall
The customized double-decker bus offers premium seating for $109, private seating, priority boarding (the lines were long), and a glass of sparkling wine—standard admission for $69—warning: additional handling fees attached to each price point.
. A typical afternoon tea menu has a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, jam, and petit fours. The experience is worth the fuss for afternoon tea. It’s an occasion to relax, celebrate a special occasion, or enjoy family/friends. As you can see, I indulge as often as possible:
My Afternoon Tea Experiences:
Jack & Jill of America, local chapter Tea
2004: The Ritz Carlton, Philly for my Mom
July 2011: The Hotel Hershey, Afternoon Garden Tea, AKA Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter
2014: The Plaza Hotel, NYC
March 2015: The Ritz Carlton NYC
January 2018: Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Blog Anniversary Celebration
February 2022: Akwaaba: The Mansion at Noble Lane, a milestone birthday for my daughter, Channing
August 2023: Pendray Inn, British Columbia
January 2024: NYC Tea Around Town Sightseeing Bus
First, the pickup point is in front of the iconic, majestic New York Public Library main branch on 42nd Street. It is a must-see trip inside the stunning marble building, which opened in 1911. How about this intricately designed water fountain?
The nearly 10-acre designated landmark park comes alive for a Winter Village experience with ice skating, food vendors, and gift kiosks.
Bryant Park offers a fancy, clean, and accessible public bathroom for ladies and men. Donors provide a beautiful fresh-bloom arrangement—bathroom attendants to keep the long lines flowing and curated classical music.
After the hour-long sightseeing tour, my daughter, Channing, and I secured early dinner reservations via the RSY App at the conveniently located Parisian-style Bryant Park Grill. It is a restaurant worth raving about, the menu, the atmosphere, and the views.
My daughter and I enjoyed steak frites, frisée salad, and French fries, which was a delightful experience. The service was prompt even as the restaurant filled up while we ate.
This NYC trip ticks all the boxes for an excellent one-day experience, some history, incredible historical sights, and a wonderful dinner. If you’re looking for a new way to explore NYC, check out the Tea Around Town Sightseeing Bus. You won’t regret it.
As always, thank you for visiting the Age of Grace.
