Taking a Helicopter Tour of NYC

We spent a month living in New York City just after our wedding, and one of the highlights of the trip came courtesy of my best man. As a wedding present, he surprised us with an unforgettable City Lights helicopter tour over Manhattan. We were absolutely buzzing for it.

There’s something about New York at night that already feels cinematic, but seeing it from the sky is next level. The energy, the glowing grid of streets, the skyline that’s instantly recognisable from every film you’ve ever seen, all hit different when you’re up there, flying past it.

It’s not something many people do, but it gave us one of the most surreal and jaw-dropping moments of our time in the city. In this post, we’ll share exactly what the helicopter tour was like, what to expect if you’re considering doing it, and whether it’s worth it.

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What is the City Lights Helicopter Tour?

We did the City Lights Experience with HeliNY, one of the few operators offering nighttime helicopter rides over Manhattan. Our flight took off from Linden Airport in New Jersey, just after 9:30 PM, and lasted around 30 minutes — more than enough time to take in the whole drama of New York City.

The ride is designed to showcase NYC’s most iconic landmarks. From the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Centre to Central Park and the Empire State Building, we get a front-row seat to the world's most famous skyline.

Here’s what our package included:

• Climate-controlled cabin

• Floor-to-ceiling glass doors for uninterrupted views

• 25–30 minutes of flight time

• Noise-cancelling headsets

• Complimentary lockers and free parking

• Weather insurance (you can reschedule or get a refund if conditions aren't safe)

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

You’ll need to bring your photo ID and your camera.

The helicopter seats six people, with three seats on each side facing each other.

Luckily, only four of us were on the flight, so we all got window seats. But if the ride is full, two people end up in the middle seats, which obviously aren’t ideal for views or photos.

Since we took off from New Jersey, we had to arrange travel to and from Brooklyn, but there are options to fly from Manhatten as well.

Our Experience: From Ground to Sky

This was our first time in a helicopter. From the moment we arrived to the second we landed, the experience was smooth, exciting, and surprisingly calming.

We took the train from Grand Central Station to Linden Airport in New Jersey, where the HeliNY team is based. Once there, we registered, signed the usual waivers, and waited in a small lounge with the other passengers.

Our group was just four people (the helicopter fits six), which meant we both scored window seats — lucky, as the middle seats would miss out on the full panoramic views.

After a quick but clear safety briefing, we were escorted out onto the runway. The helicopter was already waiting, lit up under the floodlights. Our pilot introduced himself, helped us settle into our headsets, and within minutes, we were off.

Take-off was different to what we expected. Rather than lifting straight up, we glided forward like a plane down the runway and slowly hovered up, silent and smooth.

The pilot was brilliant — calm, reassuring and full of fascinating commentary throughout the ride. We heard fun facts about the bridges, buildings, and boroughs, all through our headsets. We could also listen to snippets from air traffic control, making it all feel real.

From the air, New York looked completely different. We didn’t fly directly over the buildings of Manhattan, the helicopter stuck to the Hudson River for safety reasons — but we still saw everything:

• The sparkling skyline

• Statue of Liberty glowing in the harbour

• All the major bridges lit up

• The Empire State and One World Trade

• Times Square beaming its lights into the night

• The dark patch of Central Park sitting calmly among it all

Even from a distance, the city felt alive.

After looping around the tip of Manhattan, we cruised back down the river and returned to Linden for a soft landing.

We then grabbed a taxi back to Brooklyn, where we stayed, which meant we technically ticked off Staten Island on the way!

It’s hard to explain just how incredible it felt being up there. The city looked like a toy model, glowing and silent. There’s something about being removed from the chaos of NYC while seeing it all laid out that’s oddly peaceful. An adrenaline rush, yes, but also a moment of calm awe.

We’d never been in a helicopter before, but now we get the hype.

Tips for First-Time Flyers

If it’s your first time doing a helicopter tour — especially at night — here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it.

• Go at Night - The night flight was honestly incredible. There’s something magical about seeing the city lit up, with bridges twinkling, skyscrapers glowing, and the streets forming that famous NYC grid.

• Check How Full Your Helicopter Is - Helicopters usually seat six — three facing three — and only four of those seats are at the windows. If your flight is full, someone ends up in the middle seat without direct views, which is a shame. It’s worth calling ahead or booking a quieter time slot to maximise your chances of getting a window seat.

• Either Side Is Fine (Usually) - Most tours fly along the Hudson River and then turn back, so both sides of the helicopter get equally good views. That said, it’s worth double-checking your operator’s route. If, for some reason, they’re doing a loop, then you’ll want to make sure you’re on the side with the inside view of Manhattan.

• Bring a Good Camera — or Use Your Phone - Photography at night is tricky. Between the movement of the helicopter, the glass reflections, and the darkness, it’s a challenge to get sharp shots. If you’ve got a camera with manual settings, brush up on your night photography before the flight. But smartphones do a great job.

Is it Worth It?

Absolutely — we thought it was incredible.

Flying over New York at night, in a helicopter, with the skyline glowing below you... it felt like something straight out of Succession — especially for people who don’t usually do this kind of thing.

The experience gave us a whole new perspective on the city, and it’s one of those memories that stays with you long after the trip is over.

In our case, the flight was a wedding gift from a friend, so we didn’t pay for it ourselves, which means we can’t fully speak to its value for money. But we can say this: we’d 100% do it again, and it’s the kind of experience we’d gladly gift someone else.

If you’re celebrating something special or want to see New York uniquely, this is a bucket-list moment worth ticking off.

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