After seeing recommendations for the Dyker Heights Christmas lights, it was high on my list of things I wanted to do during our short trip to NYC. We did not have our own transportation and it seemed it would not be easy to get there and figure out how to navigate to the best streets for Christmas light displays. I checked reviews on TripAdvisor and found Scatto A New York highly rated for the tour. We typically avoid tour buses and group tours, but for this experience and our limited time in and knowledge of the area, it seemed like it would be the choice. I booked ahead and hoped for the best. One of the deciding factors besides good reviews, was that there was a restroom on the bus. Four hours is too long for me to be without a restroom. Of course it was raining and cold the day of our tour, but our itinerary had no wiggle room so we bundled up and hoped for the best.
Everything was clear on the website and confirmation email, and the meeting point was easy to find. Check-in for the tour was easy and our driver was Victor (great driver). We loaded up and our tour guide Mike began to tell us about the neighborhoods as we passed through them and some of the history of each. He pointed out landmarks as we passed through the streets of NYC and he seemed to be genuinely enthusiastic about all the information he shared with us. It was an unexpected surprise to me that I truly learned so much about the city and thoroughly enjoyed listening to him.
We were dropped off in Brooklyn with Mike leading our group of 56 up and down the streets while sharing information and pointing out some of the best decorated homes. Many of the decorations were beautiful and nearly all the homes in the neighborhood were decorated. After seeing the lights, we were taken to the New York Skyline Lookout to view the lights of the bridges, Manhattan, and Statue of Liberty. It was gorgeous and Mike offered to take photos for us. After returning to the bus, Mike continued to share information about the areas along our route until we were dropped off at the Bryant Park Holiday Market.
Aside from the rain, this tour was perfect. I was really just expecting an easy and affordable way to see the Dyker Heights Christmas lights and Manhattan skyline, but Mike made this tour so much better than I expected due to all of the knowledge and history he shared.