Tea Around Town NYC: The Most Instagramable Bus Tour Adventure

Living right next door to NYC, I am always on the hunt for unique experiences in the city. I couldn’t tell you how many times I have seen Tea Around Town on my feed whether it was on Instagram, TikTok, or other blogs, so I was thrilled to join them for an afternoon tea ride with my best friend.

Whether you’ve been eyeing them for some time or are just learning about this unique NYC activity for the first time, I’m here to take you on a virtual tour of Tea Around Town in New York City!

If you’re planning to book this unique NYC activity, don’t forget to use my code KASIA5 for a Tea Around Town discount! Use Top View NYC to book your own afternoon tea time!

All you need to know about tea around town

What is the Tea around town Experience?

Tea Around Town NYC is a British-style afternoon tea experience but with a twist! Rather than sitting in a tea room, you’re cruising around mid-town in a double-decker pink bus. You’re served a variety of teas along with some bite-sized foods like savory sandwiches, scones, and pastries. In addition, you get to learn about the important NYC landmarks and are immersed in live entertainment by the staff.

Different Ticket Types for Tea Around Town

There are two different ticket tiers for the Tea Around Town experience. You’ll have the option of either the Standard Ticket for $69 and Premium Admission for $109. The difference between the two is supposed to be priority boarding, an expanded menu, and the option of a non-alcoholic mocktail. Both tickets include a branded plastic cup as a souvenir.

When checking in, on my specific tour, there was no distinction between the Premium ticket holders vs Standard ones. Our table was also pre-assigned so priority boarding isn’t a perk if you ask me. In terms of food, the Premium ticket menu has some additional items and you get a choice of non-alcoholic rose or mocktail. If alcohol was indeed included in the higher price, I’d say pay the extra amount. However, with what is currently included and at a difference of almost $40 between the two, I’d say the Standard Option is sufficient unless you’d like the additional food items.

The Tea Around Town Bus

The overly decorated bus was my favorite thing about this tour. The decoration, details, and overall vibe were one of a kind. The top seating was great for viewing and the roof was transparent allowing in extra light. We were seated among a pastel winter wonderland theme and I believe they change the decor seasonally as well.

The seating on the bus is very comfortable and there was also a bathroom on board. I thought that drinking hot tea on a moving bus might be challenging but our driver was super smooth! Happy to say that there were no spills or food drops throughout the tour.

Food & Beverages Options

As mentioned earlier, the main difference between the two ticket types is the type of menu you are offered. So let’s dive deeper into what the menu entails! Note that all these items are bite-sized as they are meant to be during teatime.

Both tickets include the following items:

• Savory: Cucumber & Cream Cheese Sandwich, Light and Green Egg Mayo Sandwich, Truffled Deviled Eggs, Plain Scone with Preserve and Creme on the side
• Sweets: Chocolate Mousse Tart, Pumpkin Tart, Macaron
• Tea and Coffee: Choices vary based on the tour, we got offered Earl Grey, Hibiscus Tea and Peppermint (our ride was not being offered coffee and I didn’t inquire about it)

Additional items included on the Premium Menu:

• Savory: Mini lox Bite on Pumpernickel, Village Rib Sandwich, Mini Lobster Puff
• Sweet: Cheesecake, Mini Eclair, Lemon Meringue and Pumpkin Cheese Cake (these slightly vary between the tours)
• Mocktail: Refresh Rose or Mockberrry Mint Delight

Overall I found the food very tasty between all the options! My favorite items were the Village Rib Sandwich and the Cheesecake. The non-alcoholic rose was very nice too but I do wish they served a glass of champagne instead. Teas were indeed delicious but we were only offered 3 out of all the ones the menu lists. Not sure if that’s the case on every ride but you won’t have the choice of all as listed on the menu.

Entertainment

The route had two types of entertainment. First, we were given some basic info about the iconic landmarks we drove past, and then second was the staff that sang on the route. Honestly, our performer could have easily been on Broadway! She had an amazing voice and at first, I didn’t even realize she was singing live! She sang some romantic NYC tunes as we sipped on our tea.

The staff taking care of us was lovely and they went above and beyond to make sure you’re happy with your experience.

Route Driven

I am including the picture of the route you’ll drive from the Tea Around Town website so you can get an idea of what you’ll see. Note that you don’t pause at any locations, just drive past them. If you’ve never been to NYC, the route will highlight the most popular spots in the city.

FAQ About Tea Around Town in NYC

What should I wear for afternoon tea on the bus?

This is quite a popular activity for girls’ weekend, a birthday or a bachelorette party. You’ll see groups dressed in themes, in pink or in traditional afternoon tea attire. In my opinion it’s a fun way to engage with the activity and lets you take amazing pictures against the stunning background on the bus! However, most people on our tour wore normal casual clothing as well, so if you’re not in the mood for a coordinated outfit, don’t worry! You’ll fit in no matter what!

Where does the tour meet?

The tour meets at a location near Bryant Park. They provide the coordinates for you but the bus is slightly up the street. It might not be in the exact location but you can’t miss the giant pink bus parked ahead. There are many (6-10) tours throughout the day so confirm that your bus is the one that’s boarding new people rather than un-loading the previous group.

Boarding the Bus

The check-in process was not smooth at all to be completely transparent. There are no indications of how to line up and who to check in with. You have to scan your tickets with one person and then get checked in by another. No one also checked who had VIP and there was no priority boarding at all. The tables are pre-assigned so it doesn’t really matter when you get on, but I wish the organization was a little less chaotic than it was.

How long is the experience?

The tour is supposed to be 90 min including the boarding time so you end up on the bus for about ~75 min. It’s more than enough time for this experience.

Are there restrooms on the bus?

Yes, there are restrooms located on the lower level of the bus. There are also public bathrooms in Bryant Park right next to the bus’ meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for dietary restrictions?

Since this is a pre-set menu, if you’re a vegan or have any specific needs, I don’t think this is the experience for you as most of the food choices contain dairy, fish, and meat.

Final Thoughts on Tea Around town NYC

Tea Around Town is a cute and unique NYC activity that you can enjoy with a group or a friend (you do need to book a minimum of two tickets as well so this is not a solo activity option). The bus is stunningly decorated, the food is tasty and the tea is hot! Whether you’re visiting from out of town or are a local, I hope this post gave you some insight into what the Tea Around Town experience entails!

Coupon Code for tea Around Town NYC

If you’re planning to book this unique NYC activity, don’t forget to use my code KASIA5 for a Tea Around Town discount! Use Top View NYC to book your own afternoon tea time!

Thank you to Tea Around Town for hosting me on this experience!