• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
May 23, 2011

Helicopter Over NYC

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

The other day my husband and I were talking about the most fun things we have ever done in this beloved city of ours. We both agreed that at the very top of our list is the helicopter ride we took over New York City.

I had planned it for his birthday and I wanted to celebrate in a way that would be both romantic and fun, but that would also appeal to our adventurous spirits.  I didn’t want to travel too far (needed to be home for the surprise dinner I had planned), but wanted it to be more than just a visit to a fancy restaurant or bar. Taking a helicopter ride over the city is not the most inexpensive gift, but it is well-worth the money spent.

I decided to go with HeliNY, because they offered similar tours as the others, but at a better price. The tour I chose was The Ultimate Tour, which is their mid-range tour and costs about $189.00 per person for a 18-20 minute tour.

These tours give a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the island of Manhattan. In text it may seem like 18-20 minutes is not long, but what you get to see in the time makes it feel like you got so much more.

The day of our tour was an incredible one, it was sunny and warm and just gorgeous. We really lucked out because had there been any fog, or rain like there has been lately in the city, we wouldn’t have been able to see anything!

We took off from Pier 6 near the South Street Seaport, and  got an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport, Governors Island and Ellis Island. We went up the Hudson River, as far up as to our neighborhood of Washington Heights and close to the George Washington Bridge and Harlem.

We saw the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, World Financial Center, Chelsea Piers, Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Time Warner Center and Central Park. And didn’t miss the New Jersey Coast including the Goldman Sachs Tower, Colgate Clock, Liberty State Park and caught a view of Ground Zero.

I made the reservation and paid online, and when I got to the heliport I waited only briefly before our helicopter took off. We were in luck because no one else had reserved a helicopter at the same time as us, so we got to enjoy it just us two, plus the pilot of course.

There are many other helicopter tour companies out there which are worth the try. This particular one was simply the one I chose for us and which we had a happy experience with. If you are going to indulge in a wonderful New York City experience, than I say this is it. It has been an unforgettable one for us and one I think people, whether they live here or are just visiting, should try at least once.

For more adventurous gift ideas check out Three Awesome Gift Ideas for The Adventurous Spirit.

 

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
8 Comments
  • Bicultural Mama
    May 23, 2011

    How romantic! What a wonderful gift and you took great pictures!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Bicultural Mama
      May 23, 2011

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  • S. Yissele Gallo
    May 23, 2011

    Hi Carol!!! I like your blog, this post is wonderful!!! Beautiful Pics!!! I Love NYC too!!!! Namaste!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      S. Yissele Gallo
      May 24, 2011

      Thank you Yissele!

      Reply
  • Yoli Ouiya
    May 24, 2011

    That looks like fun and terrifying at the same time…but now I have to do it sooner than later. Ty for sharing.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Yoli Ouiya
      May 24, 2011

      Yes Yoli! Fun and terrifying! You won't regret it : ))

      Reply
  • Elisa
    February 17, 2012

    That sounds awesome! If we ever move back to NY, I definitely want to do that!!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Elisa
      February 18, 2012

      Yes Elisa! A must!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Tips for Your Family Trip to Disney
Next Post
Renting a vacation home when traveling

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Bucket list coffee shop: @mercurycoffeeco 🤎 Fr Bucket list coffee shop: @mercurycoffeeco 🤎

From a mobile coffee cart that started in March of 2024 to a brick and mortar that opened in the cool Rochester neighborhood of South Wedge in June 2025, this sweet little shop is serving up cool vibes and delicious coffee. 

Was it my third cup of coffee of the morning? Yes. Was it worth it? A million percent. 

Go give them some love. 🫶🏾☕️

#rochesterny #fingerlakes #coffeetiktok #coffeelover @visitrochester
Two things easily sooth my soul: coffee and books. Two things easily sooth my soul: coffee and books. And this afternoon was for books. Enter this cool bookstore find in Pittsford, NY: @bookculturepittsford. New for me, but this gem has been a part of the Pittsford community since December of 2021, with another location in NYC on 112th and Broadway. (Founded as Labyrinth Books in 1997).

It looks small on the outside, but it’s a massive space taking up two shops, and a garage in the back dedicated to kids’ books and gifts.

Honestly, they have such a diverse collection I am surprised I only walked away with three books. Could have easily done more damage. 

Pittsford itself is a pretty area outside of the city of Rochester and a short drive from the same, with tons to do including enjoying a bike ride on the trail along the Erie Canal (or take a cruise!), shopping in cute stores, and dining in quaint locally owned eateries. A very sweet experience. 

Add this shop to your book lover’s must see. 

#rochesterny #pittsfordny #fingerlakes #booklovers #bookshops @visitrochester
Just a video of two sleepy coffee lovers hitting u Just a video of two sleepy coffee lovers hitting up one of their favorite coffee spots in ROC, @uglyduckcoffee. Never disappoints. 🫶🏾

#rochesterny #coffeelover #coffeeshop #fingerlakes
I am on a photography assignment this week in Roch I am on a photography assignment this week in Rochester and what I love about this whole area is that no matter how often I am here, for work or leisure, I am always left impressed and in love. Here’s little gem from today (so far). Come on a stroll with me along Devils Bathtub in Mendon Pond Park. 

#mendonny #naturelover #trail @visitrochester
Moment of zen. I love the ocasional walk in the ra Moment of zen. I love the ocasional walk in the rain. Something so calming about it. ❤️

#fingerlakes #momentofzen
Today is the day we drop off our youngest, @liamca Today is the day we drop off our youngest, @liamcain._, at college. While it is an exciting period of change for all of us, it feels surreal. There was a time this moment felt so, so far away….and yet, now, it feels like it came so quickly. And  while I am thrilled for him, and for us, I am also sad. So much to process. 

Wishing my “baby” boy all the luck. ❤️

#collegedropoff #freshmanyear #college

Copyright © 2025 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice