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Tour Boston sights covers all the major areas including Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Theater District, and the Waterfront District. Stand on the very ground where Samuel Adams and other revolutionary leaders urged their fellow colonials to fight for liberty in Faneuil Hall.

Tour Key West sights – The island of Key West is full of fun and exciting things to do and see. From the Southernmost Point to the quaint streets of Old Town, our tour takes you to all the major areas and attractions.

Tour Nashville sights – From the hunter-gatherers making their home along the Cumberland to the first musician to step off a bus onto Broadway with nothing but a guitar and dream. Nashville has been the hook on which the brave and entrepreneurial have hung their hopes and aspirations.

San Antonio

Tour San Antonio sights – Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of San Antonio aboard the Old Town Trolley. Our expert guides breathe life into the city’s history, offering a unique blend of entertainment and education.

Tour San Diego sights – Explore the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and experience Mexican and early American life in the 19th century, tour the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, enjoy the shopping, dining, and entertainment at Seaport Village and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Tour Savannah sights – Known for its impressive 18th and 19th century architecture, travel back to the Civil War era as you visit the Green-Meldrim House , the Andrew Low House, home to the founder of Girl Scouts USA, Juliette Gordon Low, and the Flannery O’Connor House.

St. Augustine

Tour St. Augustine sights – Relive the story of the first settlement in North America as you visit Castillo de San Marcos , visit the world famous Fountain of Youth, experience early St. Augustine as you tour old St. Augustine Village, featuring houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Washington DC

Tour Washington DC sights – Visit our Union Station, the most visited destination in DC. See the Capitol building, the Supreme Court and Library of Congress . Visit the Smithsonian, the National Gallery, and the Museum of Natural History.

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Explore the best Trolley tours in New York City. Offering a delightful experience, these tours are all you need to enjoy your visit to the fullest.

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Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours

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The trolley tour that's outfitted to look like a Victorian funeral parlor—think chandeliers and velvet curtains—and takes you on a trip through the shadows of historic Brooklyn is back. The tour visits the secret location where Murder, Inc. disposed of bodies, alien abduction sites along the Brooklyn Bridge, a brothel and more spooky sites spanning 400 years of Brooklyn history. 

Even if you're a supernatural skeptic, it's fascinating to see hidden cemeteries, mobster dumping grounds, and an EPA Superfund site. Plus, get the chance win prizes with spooky trivia.

Madame Morbid   tours are offered on multiple dates in October and Noveber and now even feature ghost hunting equipment.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Madame Morbid's Trolley Tours

• Cadman Plaza W (at Cranberry Street)
• Brooklyn, NY 11201
• (585) 666-7243
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Take a ride with Madame Morbid in a custom-made turn of the century trolley to relive New York's dark history. Our service offers Brooklyn's only trolley tour that will uncover stories about ghosts, vampires and aliens throughout the borough. Equipped with cushioned leather seats, chandeliers and curtains inspired by "Gone With the Wind," our 22-seat trolley is perfect for hosting large groups for your next private event. #RideOrDie

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Experience New York like never before with city tours and city tour packages. As you explore New York’s famous landmarks, hidden gems, and local hotspots, you’ll uncover the stories that bring the city to life.

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Midtown + Downtown Manhattan Vintage Car Tour

Catacombs by candlelight tour, little italy's original nypd guided gangster, crime and food walk, the secrets of nyc's iconic grand central terminal, chelsea market, meatpacking district & high line food tour, secrets from below: an underground tour of nyc, statue of liberty & ellis island: entrance + tour of 9/11 memorial & wall street, flatiron food, history, & architecture tour, 2-hour metropolitan museum guided tour, gangs of new york- chinatown & mafia walk w/ ret. nypd detective, east village rock and roll tour *rock junket tours, the secret speakeasies and history experience.

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Take A One-Of-A-Kind Tour In New York With Historic Albany Trolley Tours

Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: [email protected]

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Learning more about the Empire State is something that, as New Yorkers, we find to be a fascinating past time. Down in the quaint city of Kingston, you can check out the Trolley Museum of New York where you can enjoy amazing trolley rides around the area’s waterfront and dive into history. Those who continue to travel north along the Hudson River though, you’ll find that Kingston isn’t the only city to offer wonderful trolley rides.

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Wondering what other charming ways there are to stay busy in the Empire State? Then be sure to also check out how The Pakatakan Farmers Market In New York Is Located Inside The Historic Round Barn!

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Review: The Big Bus Tour in New York City

I absolutely loved the Big Bus Tour in New York City. It’s the best way to go sightseeing in an open-top, hop-on hop-off, top-rated tour and explore the best New York attractions !

If this is your first-time visiting New York and you want to see all the top landmarks, this double-decker tour bus will take you there.

The Big Bus Tour in New York

You may be wondering if a hop-on hop-off bus is worth it. Absolutely, yes!

If you consider the time and money spent on transportation costs, waiting for buses, navigating the subway (which can be confusing for visitors), and getting from one point of interest to another, it is worth every dollar!

I had a great visit to New York City on Big Bus Tour. My goal was to show the city to some friends from Italy who were visiting the US for the first time.

Since we only had about two days to spend together, the hop-on hop-off was undoubtedly the best decision.

From our experience, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus while visiting New York City.

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Why take the big bus tour in new york.

While seeing New York from the open-top deck of the double-decker bus, the city unfolded block by block with panoramic views from every angle.

As we traveled through the streets, the sights were unobstructed and new visual backdrops were revealed.

The towering skyscrapers and colorful billboards filled the air with excitement and as the cityscape continued to change, it gave a grand feeling to the experience.

I especially enjoyed being able to relax from the upper deck of the bus while taking in the energy of city scenes.

Because I also live in a large city, the rhythm felt familiar from the elevated vantage point .

Car horns were honking, crowds traversed through the streets and there was an endless hum of activity.

Best of all, the tour gave me the chance to interact with other travelers who were seeing New York while waiting for the tour to began.

We struck up conversations and exchanged stories, insights, and recommendations during our stay in New York.

How Much is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The regular price of an adult and child ticket is $60.00 and $50.00, respectively. However, you can use the link below for discounted fares.

Get discounts for the Big Bus Tour NYC  here .

How Long is the Big Bus Tour in New York

The round-trip New York City Big Bus Tour takes about two hours from start to finish.

The bus is the perfect solution for visitors worldwide because they offer pre-recorded audio narratives and translations in five languages — French, German, Spanish, Italian, and English.

Are There Toilets on the Big Bus

No. Unlike charter buses, you won’t travel long between stops. So the best thing to do is exit at a stop, find a public restroom, see an attraction, if desired, and then catch the next bus.

If you are not sure where to find one, ask a Big Bus guide on the street. The driver may also have some suggestions.

Charter buses come equipped with a bathroom because travel is expected to be for a much longer period.

How Does the Big Bus Tour Work in New York City

The tour offers three options for purchase — 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day.

When you decide the number of days of your tour and purchase your ticket, the clock starts when your ticket is scanned while boarding the bus for the first time.

The ticket is good for 24, 48, or 72 hours. So, if you have a 1-day ticket and board the bus at 11:00 AM on Monday, it can still be used until 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

We found a ton of touring options for sightseeing in New York.

Aside from the extended period, the 2 and 3-day tickets also offer discounted bike rentals.

The buses run every 20 minutes on average. However, the first stop at the M&M store can be a long wait during peak season.

You can exit or board at any of the designated stops as much as you want.

The only exclusion is the one-loop tour Night Tour which is a panoramic non-stop tour.

Where to Catch the Big Bus Tour in New York City

During the tour, the buses only stop at designated stops.

Your ticket is good for as long as the buses operate during the day and it may be used on both the red and blue routes.

When you board, make sure you get a hop-on hop-off New York bus route map!

Big Bus NYC Red Route

The red route sightseeing tour covers lower Manhattan and you’ll see many landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Wall Street, the Chrysler Building, and General Grant’s Tomb.

You can catch a tour at any one of the following bus stops and you can get your tickets in advance of boarding.

1 – M&M’s World – 7th Ave & W 48th St (Outside M&M World & Majestic Deli)

2 – Times Square East – W 42nd St & Broadway (at Knickerbocker Hotel)

3 – Empire State Building / Korea Town – 5th Ave & W 32nd St (at CVS Pharmacy)

4 – Flatiron District – 5th Ave & W 23rd St (at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)

5 – SoHo – Broadway and Spring Street (at Nike Store)

6 – Chinatown / Little Italy – 100 Lafayette Street (near the corner at Walker St)

7 – Brooklyn Bridge – Park Row & Beekman St (across from 33 Park Row)

8 – Wall Street / Charging Bull – Broadway & Wall St (Southwest corner near Rector St)

9 – Statue of Liberty / Battery Park – State St and Bridge St (at Subway Entrance)

10 – Circle Line Sightseeing – 12th Ave & 40th St (opposite Pier 81)

11 – Times Square North – 7th Ave & W 50th St (at Majestic Deli)

Big Bus NYC Blue Route

The blue route covers upper Manhattan, and half of the ride is mostly views of Central Park. You can switch to the blue route at red stop #2.

We recommend changing routes at stop #11 (the Majestic Deli) where you can take a break and have a nice lunch.

12 – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 5th Ave & E 83rd St (near 83rd St)

13 – Central Park Zoo – 5th Ave & E 66th St (opposite 845 5th Ave)

14 – Columbus Circle – Central Park & Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park)

Tips and Things to Know Before You Go

The bus has two levels, the upper level offers panoramic views of the city but be careful of overhanging traffic lights and trees. Don’t stand while the bus is in motion.

• After you find a seat, check the audio to confirm it is working.
• Snacks are allowed. Bring a frozen bottle of water and protein bites to keep you energized.
• When on the upper deck, cover up with sunscreen to protect your skin on hot sunny days.
• If you are a family of 3 or more, take seats across from one another so you’ll have views and photos from both sides of the bus.

Tourists were lined up at stop #1 at least an hour before departure and the line extended the entire block and rounded the corner.

We decided to see other points of interest and returned around 11:00 AM.

The wait to board the bus was about 20 minutes. It was a relaxing ride and there we saw so much!

By the time we reached stop #9, we were pumped and ready to exit the bus so that we could explore the city! And you probably will be too.

Here’s the secret sauce that really made the experience memorable. Exit at stop #9 and take a FREE ferry to Staten Island.

To see the Statue of Liberty, stand on the left side of the boat. When returning, stand on the right side.

Traveling on a budget? Read my review of the Westside YMCA Hotel !

Final Thoughts About the Big Bus Tour in New York City

Overall, the tour was a pleasant way to see New York city and when you are on the upper deck, you hardly notice the traffic.

Some other advantages of seeing the city by bus include:

• Avoiding parking hassles. I mean, who actually drives in New York?!
• Photo opportunities. With the open-top or large windows, you have excellent photo opportunities as you pass by iconic landmarks and cityscapes.
• Comprehensive sightseeing of major landmarks and attractions within two hours.
• You can get local recommendations from the guides who operate the bus.

I usually opt for a hop-on hop-off bus when I am short on time or to get my bearings in the city before deciding what to do.

Either way, when you take the tour bus, it doesn’t appear impossible to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Happy Travels!

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Great tour with a great owner and tour guide. Hannington, the owner, was very kind and responsive and sent us the meet up location quickly. EJ the guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out a ton of places with lots of interesting information. Definitely worth your time. The trolley was new and kept very clean. They passed out water on the try trip as well. I forgot my phone and didn't get any pictures but it was a very nice time.

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5 Places to Visit for Pride in New York

Check out the new Stonewall visitors’ center, bask on a queer-friendly beach, see works by a pioneering lesbian photographer and revel in L.G.B.T.Q. history in every borough.

The Manhattan skyline is lit up in rainbow colors for Pride Month. But in all five boroughs, visitors and locals alike can enjoy L.G.B.T.Q.-linked attractions, many of them free. Credit...

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By Ainara Tiefenthäler

Photographs by Hiroko Masuike

• Published June 17, 2024 Updated June 18, 2024

For decades, visitors flocking to New York for Pride every June found plenty of packed bars and jubilant parties but no easy way to engage with the city’s rich L.G.B.T.Q. history.

Even the area around Sheridan Square, the center of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that catalyzed the gay liberation movement, had little to see for anyone interested in the queer past.

“The guest experience when they got there was a bar, a bench and a park,” said Ross Levi, the executive director of the New York State Division of Tourism . “That isn’t terribly helpful for somebody who comes during the day when the bar is closed. It’s not terribly helpful if you have kids that you want to bring and learn about the history of the area.”

That’s about to change with a new visitors’ center at Stonewall National Monument , in Greenwich Village, set to open on June 28, the 55th anniversary of the night in 1969 when a police raid set off several days of riots. The center will serve as a focal point of the eight-year-old, 7.7-acre monument , which includes Christopher Park and several surrounding streets.

The building that houses the new center sits next door to the current Stonewall Inn bar (which opened in the early 1990s). But back in the late 1960s, an earlier bar of the same name occupied both spaces, which were connected by an interior doorway. Not long after the riots , the original Stonewall Inn went out of business, and the connecting doorway was bricked up.

The storefront next to the current Stonewall Inn stood empty in 2022, when Diana Rodriguez, the chief executive of Pride Live , an L.G.B.T.Q. advocacy group, took over the space. Nail salon chairs from the previous tenant still lined the walls.

Ms. Rodriguez raised more than $3 million, much of it from corporate donors, to build the visitors’ center, which her organization will manage. The center will offer National Park Service rangers working at the monument a much-needed roof over their heads (they currently have to use local businesses’ restrooms) and give visitors of all ages a place to share in the monument’s history through a number of exhibits (free admission).

“My hope is that people come in, learn more about Stonewall,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “And then, at the end of their time here, that they feel compelled to take action.”

The new visitors’ center in Manhattan is just one site that offers a glimpse into New York City’s queer history. Here are four more, one in each other borough.

Staten Island

The Alice Austen House Museum

In 1994, the activist group Lesbian Avengers marched to a charming white cottage on Staten Island’s eastern waterfront chanting, “Alice was a lesbian, and a lesbian she’ll always be.” That house, originally built in 1690, once belonged to Alice Austen, a groundbreaking documentary photographer who captured a quickly changing New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It became a museum after her death in 1952.

What the Avengers were protesting was the institution’s unwillingness to acknowledge that Austen lived there for 30 years with her partner, Gertrude Tate, and used the property as a studio for the many pictures she took of the couple’s nontraditional friend group.

“I felt like it was incredibly important for the house to have a lesbian leading the interpretation,” said Victoria Munro, who took over the museum’s direction in 2017 and has been spearheading the effort to bring to light Austen’s contributions to L.G.B.T.Q. history.

Now, visitors ($5 suggested admission) can admire more than 7,000 of Austen’s works, including photos challenging norms of gender and sexuality, as well as rotating photo exhibitions, often by queer artists, and a garden celebrating the gender fluidity of plants . Lesbian Avengers are back, too: The photographer Saskia Scheffer ’s images of the 1994 protest are being exhibited on the house’s lawn for at least the rest of the summer.

The ‘People’s Beach’ at Jacob Riis Park

For decades, the People’s Beach , a slice of Jacob Riis Park on the Rockaway Peninsula, has been the spot where queer New Yorkers can shed layers and inhibitions without unwelcome stares, piling up so close to one another that it’s sometimes hard to see sand between the colorful towels and sunshades (free admission; $20 daily parking fee).

“It’s very warm, and it’s a real community,” said Timothy Leonard, the Northeast program manager for the advocacy group National Parks Conservation Association , who learned to ride his bike on the boardwalk at Riis and, later, as a teenager grappling with his gay identity, found a sense of belonging on the beach. “It’s just a place of celebration.”

In recent years, the beach, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, has been undergoing some major transformations.

The 1932 Jacob Riis Bathhouse, which was shuttered for decades, is scheduled to reopen next summer, after the completion of an ambitious $50 million development project . The exterior of the Art Deco building and interior tile work are being restored, and new amenities will include hotel rooms, a bar, a courtyard pool and lounge area, and a rooftop restaurant.

Severe erosion has closed some areas of the beach this summer, but that’s unlikely to dampen the queer-friendly spirit, even if the party has to shift down the sand.

Marsha P. Johnson State Park

Marsha P. Johnson, an activist and transgender icon who died in 1992, is not known to have spent time on the Williamsburg waterfront. Yet she made history there, when in 2020 the seven-acre East River State Park was renamed for her — the first New York state park to honor an openly L.G.B.T.Q. person.

“The renaming opened the door to reimagine the park,” said Leslie Wright, the state parks regional director for New York City. The park was remodeled not only to be more resilient against climate change, but also to honor Johnson’s legacy, with input from the local and L.G.B.T.Q. communities, Johnson’s family, and public art consultants.

The park’s entrance is now marked by a colorful ornamental gateway reminiscent of the flower crowns Johnson wore, along with the phrase “Pay it no mind” — her favorite retort, including to a judge who asked her what her middle initial stood for. Signs dedicated to transgender history and awareness line the pathways.

Aside from offering a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline Marsha P. Johnson State Park hosts the popular Brooklyn open-air food festival Smorgasburg (Saturdays) as well as a range of L.G.B.T.Q.-centric events for Pride Month.

Woodlawn Cemetery

Among the many prominent New Yorkers buried in the 400 acres of rolling hills at Woodlawn Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark, are those who contributed to L.G.B.T.Q. history, such as the poet Countee Cullen , a teacher of the openly gay writer James Baldwin ; Herman Melville , whose works like “Moby Dick” and “Billy Budd” are suffused with homoeroticism; and the suffragists Carrie Chapman Catt and Mary Garrett Hay , life partners for decades, who are buried side by side.

“It’s moving to know that there were people who lived these lives very bravely, heroically in the past,” said Ken Lustbader, a co-founder of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project . “Without the support systems that exist today, but paving the way for the visibility and allies that we have today through their actions.”

Each year for Pride, his organization offers a trolley tour of the cemetery, highlighting the stories behind some of the burial sites and making them more visible by placing rainbow flags next to them.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ainara Tiefenthäler is a video journalist with the Visual Investigations team. She was among the recipients of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for The Times's coverage of the vast civilian toll of U.S.-led airstrikes. More about Ainara Tiefenthäler

Hiroko Masuike is a New York-based photographer and photo editor for The Times. More about Hiroko Masuike

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .

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NYRA expands Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding…

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Subscriber only, nyra expands saratoga breakfast and breeding farm tours for 2024 season (photos).

Thanks to overwhelming interest from fans, Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours will now be offered Wednesday through most Saturdays, plus select Sundays, beginning Friday, July 12 through Saturday, Aug. 31.

Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 years of age and under and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at NYRA.com. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests.

Tours will be available weekly as follows: Wednesdays and Thursdays at Song Hill Thoroughbreds, 290 County Road 75 in Mechanicville; Fridays at Old Tavern Farm, 45 Brown Road in Stillwater; and, new this year, six Saturdays and two Sundays at Sugar Plum Farm, 96 Gilbert Road in Saratoga Springs.

The all-inclusive experience begins with a buffet-style breakfast at Saratoga Race Course from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. against the backdrop of world-class thoroughbreds during morning training. At 9:45 a.m., fans board a CDTA trolley at the Clubhouse entrance for a short ride to the day’s breeding farm. Upon arrival, fans will enjoy a 60-minute guided tour with the farm’s owners and expert staff before returning to the track for an afternoon of live racing.

“Thanks to our friends at NYRA and CDTA, the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours have quickly become an important part of the complete Saratoga experience for racing fans and newcomers to the sport alike,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “These tours showcase the importance of the New York State breeding industry, and also demonstrate the care, dedication and passion that breeders bring to their craft. Each of these three farms embodies the spirit of New York’s thoroughbred breeding community.”

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to be involved with NYRA’s breeding farm tours. They give us a chance to meet new people and introduce them to another facet of the thoroughbred world,” said Robin Malatino, Sugar Plum Farm Owner and Breeder. “Everyone loves to see where a racing career begins and following a tour, people leave with a greater appreciation and a more holistic understanding of the thoroughbred industry.”

Located just minutes from Saratoga Race Course, owners Robin and Tony Malatino have operated Sugar Plum Farm since 2005. More information is available at sugarplumfarmsaratoga.com.

Song Hill Thoroughbreds, owned by Jim and Tina Bond, was established in Mechanicville in 2005. Song Hill joined the Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours in 2023. More information about the expansive 100-acre horse farm can be found at jamesbondracing.com/song-hill-thoroughbreds.

Old Tavern Farm is a private boutique thoroughbred breeding operation in nearby Stillwater founded in 2016 by Walt and Michelle Borisenok. The farm helped launch the Breakfast and Breeding Farm program in 2022. More information is available at oldtavernfarms.com.

Highlighted by the 155th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 3, the annual 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 11 and continue through Monday, Sept. 2.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the closing week, when the 2024 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.

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World Ballet Festival brings Tiler Peck and…

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World ballet festival brings tiler peck and much more to san diego, producers of saturday's dance concert promise 'a ballet lineup like coachella'.

There’s a lot of tingling anticipation mixed with a bit of terror.

“It’s a very similar feeling, yes,” agreed Gulya Hartwick who, along with co-producer Sasha Gorskaya, will stage the World Ballet Festival at the Civic Theatre this week.

“More people want to see our productions. We realize a new audience must be created, so we give San Diego the opportunity to see a lineup like ballet Coachella.”

The World Ballet Festival showcases its own company dancers and artists from the nation’s largest ballet organizations.

The program includes excerpts from traditional story ballets, such as “Cinderella” and “Romeo and Juliet,” along with more modern works, including the pas de deux from Balanchine’s “Diamonds” and “Suite Etta,” choreographed by Alonzo King.

Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia (New York City Ballet), Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan (Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet) and Aaron Robison and Sasha De Sola (San Francisco Ballet) are just some of the guest artists scheduled to perform.

Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions has brought ballet programs with an international cast to San Diego before, initially under the name Russian Ballet Theatre.

But the war between Russia and Ukraine necessitated changing the name in 2022 to World Ballet Company.

Some believed, incorrectly, that the touring organization was based in Russia.

Despite the setback, the Los Angeles-based World Ballet Company has continued to build its reputation for quality ballet productions, enhanced by richly hued, atmospheric sets and bejeweled costumes that are hand-sewn in Ukraine.

Last month, the World Ballet Series tour brought an enthusiastically received “Swan Lake” to the Civic Theatre and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, where nearly every seat was filled on a weekday, including the balcony sections.

It took many years for Hartwick and Gorskaya, now in their early 40s, to achieve that level of success.

Hartwick was born in Latvia and when she first came to the United States as an 18-year-old exchange student, she fell in love with New York City.

Hartwick went back to graduate from the University of Latvia, where she majored in psychology before returning to the United States.

“I thought that, if there is a place in the world where I want to be, it is here,” she said.

Gorskaya is from a town in Belarus that is so small, there was one movie theater “where the same film played on the screen for months.”

She recalled that when she was 13 years old, she watched the Eurovision Song Contest, known for being the longest-running, televised international music competition.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “I knew what I wanted to do in life.”

Gorskaya went on to become a member of the international Eurovision Song Contest team, working with the organization for five years and accumulating many global entertainment connections.

After graduating from Belarusian State University, where she majored in journalism, Gorskaya moved to Moscow, launched her own entertainment company, and promoted rock music and other arts productions.

Hartwick and Gorskaya met just over a decade ago and soon realized their combined skills could promote entertainment productions in the United States.

Gorskaya had the industry experience and though they are both bilingual, Hartwick (according to Gorskaya) is the better English speaker, with strong communication skills and a passion for classical dance.

They became United States citizens and devised a plan that would make touring ballet productions profitable and more, well, entertaining for American audiences.

The women consulted with lighting and set designers, auditioned professional dancers from all over the world, marketed themselves and booked shows.

“We have a strong team now, but back in 2015, the tasks were divided between me and Sasha,” Hartwick said.

“You are responsible for everyone and everything and you are paying for all of the expenses. We were constantly paralyzed with fear, but at the same time, we were super excited.”

Hartwick and Gorskaya adopted a business plan that mirrors some of the large, touring rock bands in America.

They visit more than 200 theaters across the country by bus and a truck filled with sets that can be expanded or shrunk, in order to accommodate smaller cities that were not accustomed to seeing a quality ballet production.

At first, the life Gorskaya and Hartwick chose had difficult challenges.

“We are used to being underestimated,” Hartwick said.

“We are two ladies with a strong accent. Often, people would ask, ‘Who is in charge here?’ I remember how it would bring me down, but then I realized it was in an advantage. It makes you stronger.”

The World Ballet Company has a business model that has kept it prospering, even after the pandemic and the Russian/Ukraine war threatened its existence.

For one, it stages familiar ballet productions with a humorous component, such as the beloved Jester, played by Konstantin Geronik in “Swan Lake.”

The shows are more family-friendly, without sacrificing the quality of classical dance, and the company builds local relationships by offering master classes to all ages.

And unlike nonprofits, it doesn’t depend on donors.

“All of our revenue comes through ticket sales,” Gorskaya explained.

“It’s scary and no one wants to do something so risky, but over the course of 10 years, we made it work. We channel our resources into touring without the overhead of a home state. We were told by venues that ballet doesn’t fill here and we have proved them wrong.”

Gorskaya and Hartwick don’t take vacations and they don’t have weekends off.

The World Ballet Festival, which will visit three states before arriving in San Diego, has been both an obsession and a dream come true.

“We don’t call it a job, we love what we do too much,” Hartwick said.

“I often say our company is a lot of love and ballet, with a pinch of rock and roll.”

World Ballet Festival

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., San Diego

Tickets: $35.50 to $95

Online:   sandiegotheatres.org

Luttrell is a freelance writer.

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