For those who move through the world guided by taste, exclusivity, and refinement, New York City offers far more than its iconic skyline and buzzing streets. Beneath the surface of its world-famous energy lies a more rarified version of the city—crafted for elite travelers who seek only the exceptional. From soaring helicopter tours to private art gallery access and gourmet dining experiences that double as performances, the Big Apple becomes an opulent stage for those who expect the extraordinary.
The Ultimate Manhattan View: An Aerial Journey above the City
Nothing captures the grandeur of New York quite like viewing it from above. For luxury travelers, experiencing Manhattan’s iconic skyline from a private aerial perspective isn’t just sightseeing—it’s a moment of transcendence. Whether it's during golden hour when the skyscrapers are drenched in amber light or at night when the city glows like a constellation, the view becomes an unforgettable spectacle.
Exclusive services often include seamless hotel transfers, champagne toasts mid-journey, and professional photography to immortalize the occasion. These high-altitude moments have become the setting for life’s most intimate celebrations—proposals, anniversaries, and once-in-a-lifetime milestones—designed with absolute discretion and elegance.
With bespoke pricing that reflects the level of customization and privacy, this elevated experience offers the ultimate indulgence for those who demand something truly beyond the ordinary.
Gourmet by the Harbor: Luxury Dinner Cruises
As the city falls into a twilight that brings out the shine in everything and long shadows of silhouettes, we have the luxury dinner cruise, which presents a different take on Manhattan. We diverge from the usual harbor tours that these elite food-at-sea excursions do—we feature set menu options created by professional chefs and include live jazz or orchestral performances to set the tone for a grand evening.
At certain Manhattan piers, guests board very fine ships, out of which they set sail to see the sights. From the Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge, each setting is like a beautiful painting.
From a choice of $150 to $300 per person, we have it all. Also, we have the VIP packages, which include private tables, upgraded drink choices, or full vessel charters. See more at Cruise in New York" at www.cruiseinnewyork.com.
Broadway, Reimagined: The VIP Theater Experience
For those that are cultured, Broadway has much to offer beyond just the performance in the orchestra. We have exclusive theater packages that include private VIP entry, pre-show champagne receptions, and access to the stage.
Imagine talking with the creative director about set design, having a post-show dinner at a Michelin-rated restaurant with cast members, or getting personal memorabilia signed by the stars. It is theater not for distance but for that which is intimate and in your face.
These performed pieces put on display the full range of New York’s cultural spectrum.
Tailored Indulgence: Fifth Avenue’s Private Shopping Salons
Fifth Avenue is a global stage for luxury shopping, but in the know are that the real magic is in the exclusive experiences you don’t hear about. At high-end fashion houses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Bergdorf Goodman, you can get in via an invite to private salons. These are off-the-beaten-path elegant getaways that have style counselors that put together looks that fit your taste, status, and schedule.
Before we open to the public for previews for the very first customers in the after-hours, we offer our guests a range of services that may be virtual or in person. We provide champagne service, we have private car transfers that may also be virtual, and same-day hotel delivery or international shipping. At the end of the day, which is filled with luxury, we finish with an exquisite meal at Per Se or Le Bernardin, making sure that our guests’ experience begins and ends with the same level of indulgence.
Inside the Art World: Private Gallery Tours with Curator Access
Beyond the midst of the great museums, which is the setting for New York’s top art scene that is only accessed through very select introductions and behind closed doors. In Chelsea and the Upper East Side, private gallery tours, which are hard to come by, are doled out to guests, which in turn gives them access to pieces that usually are seen by collectors and investors.
At Gagosian or David Zwirner, you will be treated to a grand welcome, then in a private setting, you will chat with curators. For the connoisseurs out there, we have studio tours of top contemporary artists’ works or very private buying sessions with consultants, all tailored to your collection and your taste. Some nights we end at Le Coucou or The Carlyle, which is where you share your insights and make your acquisitions over fine vintage wines.
Culinary Theater: Private Chef’s Table Experiences
For gourmets, few experiences compare to that of a private chef’s table in one of New York’s preeminent Michelin-starred kitchens. At Per Se, Eleven Madison Park, or Le Bernardin, you are not just dining; you are a part of the culinary masterclass.
In these very exclusive private dining experiences, we have a tour of the kitchens and a champagne welcome, which we then turn into a custom-designed menu put together just for your group. Each course is to be presented by the executive chef, who also will share what goes into each dish and what inspired each creation. In some cases the guests will even play a role in choosing the ingredients or do very little preparation for a very special treat in an ultra-exclusive kitchen.
At over $1,000 per person, these experiences are more than just meals; they are food and drink performances that are for you.
Final Thoughts
New York City isn’t just a destination; it is a stage on which the refined and the connoisseurs of great experience perform. As you look out at its skyline from 3,000 feet, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, or transact blue-chip art in private galleries, the city puts forth an offer beyond that of simple luxury: it presents a chance at transformation through exclusivity.
