Open Secrets

From New York to Los Angeles, six insider tours that capture the essence of the city

- Shivani Vora

WHY SETTLE FOR a cookie-cutter tour of a city when a not-so-standard insider excursion awaits? Jack Ezon, founder of the luxury travel company Embark Beyond, says that unique experiences of urban destinations give visitors a much deeper perspective of the metropolis than run-of-the-mill tours. "These ways to explore could be a recreational activity or behind-the-scenes access that gets you up close and personal with an aspect of the city that not many people see, even locals," he says.

Here, we've rounded up six examples in urban locales around the Unites States. Our selections all impart a sense of place, whether you're in town for work, play or a combination of both. Now, let the fun begin.

New York City

City Climb

Edge, at New York's Hudson Yards, is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, and thrill seekers can actually ascend the exterior of the 1,300-foot skyscraper. Called City Climb, this heart-pounding adventure the tallest open-air building ascent in the world-includes platforms and stairways that range from almost 1,200 feet to 1,271 feet in the air. It's a 75-to-90-minute rush that ends at The Apex, where visitors can hang over a platform and savor the unbeatable city views. Celebrate your feat with a victory lap around Edge's indoor/outdoor viewing areas.edgenyc.com; $185 per person

Charleston

The Hidden Charleston Experience