In a nutshell
- A boat tour in New York City offers you an entirely different view of the city and is great to see some famous buildings.
- All boat tours in NYC take you along the Hudson River and East River. However, it varies from tour to tour which attractions in New York you will see.
- In this article, we show you 6 boat trips in New York City that are really worth it.
- Our favorite is the Harbor Lights NYC Circle Line boat tour. It’s great for first-time visitors and offers unforgettable views of New York.
Overview of the Boat Tours in New York City
Before we introduce you to the boat tours in New York City in detail, here is an overview of the 6 best boat trips:
| Tour | Price | Duration | Audioguide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best of NYC Boat Trip | from $55 | 2-2.5 hours | live-commentary & audioguide | Book tour |
| Harbor Lights Boat Trip | from $58 | 2 hours | audioguide | Book tour |
| Boat Tour to the Statue of Liberty | from $30 | 50 minutes | live-commentary | Book tour |
| Sunset Boat Tour | from $33 | 1.5 hours | none | Book tour |
| Dinner Cruise | from $120 | 2-3 hours | live-commentary & live-music | Book tour |
| Sailboat Cruise | from $68 | 2 hours | live-commentary | Book tour |
Best of NYC Circle Line Boat Trip
- Price: from $55
- Start: Pier 83 Circle Line Sightseeing (10am, 1:30pm and 12pm, 3:30pm only in summer)
- Duration of boat trip: 2 to 2.5 hours
- Audio guide: live-commentary & audio guide in 9 languages
Who is it for? Especially great for first-time visitors and with children.
What can you see? Empire State Building, High Line, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Chrysler Building, Yankee Stadium, George Washington Bridge
Book the Best of NYC Circle Line Boat Trip
Harbor Lights Boat Trip New York
- Price: from $58
- Departure: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
- Duration of the boat trip: 2 hours
- Audio guide: for download in 9 languages
Who is it for? For first-time visitors, if you like it a bit romantic, if you prefer to walk through the city during the day and also good with children.
What can you see? Empire State Building, High Line, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo-Brooklyn, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Chrysler Building
Our review: We recommend the Harbor Lights boat tour to anyone visiting New York City. You get a fantastic impression of the city and have stunning views. You can find our full experience report at the end of this article. By the way, this tour follows almost the same route as the Best of NYC boat tour. Both tours are operated by the same provider (Circle Line).
Book the Harbor Lights Boat Trip NYC
New York Boat Tour to the Statue of Liberty
- Price: from $30
- Start: Pier 16, South Street Seaport/167 John Street
- Duration of the boat trip: 50 minutes
- Audio guide: live-commentary
Who is it for? For first-time visitors and all tourists who want to take great pictures of the Statue of Liberty.
What can you see? One World Trade Center, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty – The boat stops at the Statue of Liberty several times so that you can take the perfect photos from different angles.
Book the Boat Tour to the Statue of Liberty
New York Sunset Boat Tour
- Price: from $33
- Departure: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Pier 16
- Duration of the boat trip: 1.5 hours
- Audio guide: no, music is played
Who is it for? For anyone who wants to end a day of sightseeing in a relaxed way on a New York boat trip. However, it is less suitable for children.
What can you see? South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
New York Harbor Dinner/Brunch Cruise
- Price: from $120
- Start: Chelsea Piers, Pier 61
- Duration of the boat trip: 2 to 3 hours
- Audio guide: live-commentary & live-entertainment
- Special feature: dress code required
Who is it for? For visitors to New York City who want to combine sightseeing with a bit of luxury. Also, great for a romantic evening as a couple. Not suitable for children.
What can you see? Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Governors Island, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty
What’s on the menu? Varying 3-course menu or brunch buffet, unlimited coffee, tea, ice tea, juices and seasonal cocktails, wine and beer
Book a Harbor Dinner/Brunch Cruise in NYC
Sailboat Cruise in New York
- Price: from $68
- Departure: Chelsea Piers, Pier 62
- Duration of the boat trip: 2 hours
- Audio guide: live-commentary
Who is it for? For anyone who wants to experience New York in a relaxed way from the water and escape the noise of the city for a short time. Great if you don’t want to travel on a crowded boat but prefer your own space.
What can you see? New York skyline, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge
Our Review: Boat Tour in NYC
New York is already impressive in itself, but the Harbor Lights Boat Trip NYC really gave us a whole new perspective on the city. We did the tour directly on the day we arrived.
The boat trip takes about two hours, but you should be there at least 30 minutes beforehand. If you arrive early enough, you can secure a spot on the outdoor terrace right by the railings. It’s well worth it.
The timing of our trip couldn’t have been better: just before sunset. We saw the skyline first in the golden light, then at dusk and finally illuminated at night – it was simply magical. It gives you a completely different feel for the city.
During the trip, there was a live commentator who told us some really funny and interesting facts about New York. We personally found that more entertaining than the app, although it’s really easy to use and the audio track is really well done.
Overall, it was just a mega cool experience that we can really recommend to anyone traveling to New York. Experiencing the city from the water is something else entirely.
Ouh and make sure you bring warm clothes. Even if it’s warm during the day, it’s windy on the boat.
Free Boat Tours in New York
There are two free ferries in New York City. These are not the typical round trips, but river crossings. Here’s a quick intro to them.
#1 Free Boat Tour: Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry commutes between Manhattan and Staten Island and offers an impressive view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The crossing takes around 25 minutes and has been free for pedestrians and cyclists since 1997.
Funfact: In the Marvel movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, Spider-Man fights the villain Vulture on this very ferry.
#2 Free Boat Tour: IKEA Ferry
The IKEA Ferry connects Manhattan with the IKEA store in Brooklyn. It is free at weekends (during the week the trip costs 5 dollars) and offers a beautiful view of the harbor during the trip. The crossing takes 15 minutes.
FAQ about Boat Tours in New York
Which boat tour in New York City is the best?
This depends entirely on your wishes and preferences. Our personal favorite is the Best of NYC boat tour across the Hudson River, East River and Harlem River.
Which boat tour in NYC is suitable with children?
Good boat trips in NYC for families with children are:
- Best of NYC Boat Tour (Our No. 1)
- Harbor Lights Boat Tour (Our No. 2)
- Statue of Liberty Boat Tour (Our No. 3)
- Sailboat Tour in New York (Our No. 6)
Where does the Circle Line Cruise leave from?
The Circle Line Cruise in New York City typically departs from Pier 83, located on the Hudson River at W. 42nd Streetand 12th Avenue in Manhattan.
How early should you arrive for a Circle Line Cruise?
For a Circle Line cruise, it’s recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives you enough time to check in, get settled, and board the boat without feeling rushed.
How much is a dinner cruise in NYC?
The cost of a dinner cruise in NYC can vary depending on the cruise line, the type of experience, and the time of year. On average, you can expect to pay 100 to 200 dollar per person.
What is the free ferry in New York called?
The free ferry in New York is the Staten Island Ferry. It commutes between Manhattan and Staten Island.
Can you stay seated on board of the Staten Island Ferry?
No, that is not possible. You have to leave the boat after docking and check in again through the terminal. In most cases, the arriving boat does not go directly back to Manhattan.
However, you can usually get another Staten Island Ferry directly back to Manhattan.
These were the 6 best boat tours in NYC
Have you been on a boat trip in New York City? Or do you still have questions? Then write us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!