Skip to main content

Nowaday Reignites the Roaring ’20s With Bespoke Vintage Car Tours of NYC

nowaday vintage car tour nyc 1
Nowaday/Facebook

Paris, Sydney, Los Angeles — some cities are so iconic that it’s difficult to imagine seeing them “in a new light.” Likewise, New York City has been written about, serenaded, philosophized over, and explored from nearly every angle for more than a century. Now, one startup company is offering fresh, one-of-a-kind tours of the city in beautifully restored vintage cars.

These aren’t the typical Big Apple double-decker bus tours designed to herd tourists around by the dozen. Nowaday whisks guests through Manhattan in stunning classic cars from the 1920s and early 1930s. The fleet includes a dozen models like a 1932 Chrysler Imperial, a 1931 Chevrolet Series AE, and a rare 1928 Ford Model A. All have been meticulously restored to their original Jazz Age glory, but with updated safety and tech conveniences like air-conditioning, seat belts, and modern sound systems.

Related Videos
nowaday vintage car tour nyc 2
Nowaday/Facebook

In a city where even the extraordinary often isn’t enough to turn heads, these vintage rides guarantee a double-take from bystanders. Nowaday founders wanted tourgoers not only to see the sights but to become part of the story. The company even provides period props and accessories for a real taste of the Roaring ‘20s. Co-founder Jaime Getto said, “We’re looking to tell the story of the city we’re in, but also place you in it … Picture a Ford Model A on the streets of New York. When you’re in that car, you become one of the sights. People will chase the car down the street to take a photo.”

The initial Midtown tour visits many of Manhattan’s most famous locations, including Grand Central Station, Central Park, the Flatiron Building, and Carnegie Hall. Plus, every Nowaday chauffeur is a specially trained storyteller with the skills and expertise to provide keen insights into the city’s past. The company has already expanded with a new downtown tour that takes guests back to Manhattan’s roots. The route explores the city’s swankiest neighborhoods like Tribeca, SoHo, and Wall Street, while highlights include One World Trade, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, and Trinity Church.

While the company is already looking to expand to Los Angeles and Paris, it currently only operates in New York City. Both 60-minute tours can be booked online for less than $100 for two passengers. Every tour is ultra-exclusive with only enough space for three guests per car, although larger groups can opt to hire a caravan of Nowaday cars. 

For travelers who prefer to be in the driver seat, DriveShare offers peer-to-peer rentals of exotic, vintage, and collectible cars.

Editors' Recommendations

The most beautiful bars in the U.S. (for those extra Instagram-worthy drink photos)
Some bars are so beautiful we can't help but talk them up. Here are the 10 prettiest bars in all the land
The Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland has one of the largest selections of rare whiskeys in the nation.

With all respect to dives, haunts, and lounges, there's something to be said for a beautiful bar. The most attractive ones are feats of bar design and places we not only want to imbibe in, but ones where we stare in awe at the many comforting details. With so many great options, deciding on the most beautiful bars in America was not easy.

What separates the elites from the rest? Well, the best bars in America wow us with a combination of outstanding drinks and remarkable service. They tend to excel at those things and offer a certain ambience you just can't find anywhere else. From the architectural details of an old, perfectly maintained structure to brilliant design approaches, these places sing — visually, anyway.

Read more
The 11 best podcasts for long road trips in 2023
Make your drive better with these great podcasts for road trips

Spring is nearly here, which means it's time to start thinking about the great American road trip. Whether you're planning to venture from coast to coast or just a few towns over, you're going to want some quality content to listen to. Enter the podcast, the road trip's best friend.

This is not to say you shouldn't embrace the sounds of the road. Nor should you avoid your fellow passengers or overlook that special quiet you get when you're driving an empty road during the wee hours. But at some point along the way, you might want a little sonic pick me up. That's where the road trip podcast really comes in handy, an audio copilot that will keep your brain running while the odometer ticks away.

Read more
Road trip tips: Travel with one of the best ultralight travel trailers
Go farther by going lighter with these easily towable travel trailers for all your 2023 adventures
best ultra light travel trailers version 1666544314 happier camper exterior cliff feature

For decades, drivers who wanted a light, well-built, and aerodynamic travel trailer had few choices beyond a "silver bullet" Airstream. Thankfully, today's RV manufacturers have started to introduce trailers of all sizes for a variety of applications. Looking for a road tripper, overlander, or weekender for a short trip to your next destination? You’re guaranteed to find a camper you'll love.

That's true even if you’re not interested in a big, fancy RV or the best premium motorhome because ultralight trailers are a great choice. They’re more compact, easier to tow, and more aerodynamic—all of which means they're better on gas too. Here are our top picks for the best ultralight travel trailers on the market, all primed for your adventure.

Read more