Looking up at the giant futuristic bus, I did not know what to expect as I boarded THE RIDE and became a tourist in my own city. Part scenic tour, part comedy show, part theater, THE RIDE was by far one of the most entertaining sightseeing experiences I have had.
I was told that the best seats are in the 2nd row, so I sat down and found myself facing the world’s biggest and most unpredictable stage – New York City. As the 48-seat moving theater revved its engine, I strapped myself in for THE RIDE.
THE RIDE measures over 13 feet high, 45 feet long and 8 feet wide, making it the tallest vehicle legally allowed to tour around New York City streets. The interior is even more impressive with 3,000 LED lights, 40 wide screens, a surround-sound system, floor-shaker technology and massive windows stretching from floor to ceiling so audience members can fully appreciate the panoramic city views and skyscraper facades.
THE RIDE begins at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square and proceeds down Seventh Avenue making its way past Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, Central Park, Columbus Circle, Hearst Tower, Bank of America Building, and a few other attractions on its way back to the Marriot Marquis.
Regular New York City street activity around these neighborhoods is exciting enough on any night of the week, but THE RIDE takes it a step further, surprising riders with spontaneous street performances by talented singers, actors, comedians, musicians and dancers. These performances involve a great deal of improvisation and interaction with passerbys, street vendors, and other unexpected activities that sometimes take place in midtown such as celebrity sightings and traffic incidents. The bus’s external speakers and lighting allow riders and on-board performers to interact with the street performers as well as other pedestrians whose reactions provide endless entertainment.
Throughout the tour, two on-board hosts keep the audience laughing (and even dancing) while presenting us with a great deal of information about all of the iconic sites along the route. The guides are also full of helpful insider tips and suggestions about where to eat, what shows to see, what neighborhoods to check out and how to save money while traveling around New York. The guides are talented, knowledgeable, and funny and their genuine love for the city is apparent in the way they strive to give each rider a true sense of what New York City is about.
The remarkable talent of the street performers cannot go without mention. Most of them have a background in comedy, theater, music, singing, and dance and they brave unpredictable New York weather conditions to provide riders with an unforgettable experience every day of the year (except Christmas). I found myself wishing for an encore every time we watched a street performance.
Our RIDE concluded with all audience members singing Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York which was projected onto the street. Considering the diverse cultures and languages of the audience, the end result was quite hilarious and pedestrians stopped in their tracks to check out this giant moving Karaoke theater passing them on the street.
Whether you’re a tourist or a native New Yorker, the 75-minute journey aboard THE RIDE is an incredibly fun night out on the town that will keep you laughing, singing, and dancing in your seat as you check out some of the most impressive New York City landmarks.
A full schedule for THE RIDE is available online at www.experiencetheride.com. Individual tickets are $65 during peak hours and $60 during off peak hours, group discounts are available. To purchase tickets, visit the website or call (866) 299-9682 or visit THE RIDE Box Office located at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel at 1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets.
