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The Best NYC Boat Tours - CourseHorse

By Rebekah Yahoves | Published 7/29/2019

From bubbly champagne glasses to magnificent skylines, here are some of the best boat tours NYC has to offer.


Woman Artist


Walking through NYC can bring you to some awesome destinations. Your feet, however, may not be as impressed. Parking can be tricky, and mass transit gets crowded and confusing. As a refreshing change, NYC boat tours will show you the best of New York in ease and style. Views of the skyline, famous buildings, and New York City energy can be enjoyed from your elegant deck. From cocktails to lovely sails, here are some of the finest cruises NYC has to offer.



Sketching

Sunset Cocktail Cruise from North Cove

Classic Harbor Line
Manhattan

Ideal for a small party or family gathering, this classic wooden yacht works best for twenty-eight guests. You will pass the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. If the tide allows, you may even navigate Liberty Island. Drinks, including specialty cocktails, are available for purchase. Mahogany trim, cushioned seating, and indoor and outdoor spaces are available for your viewing enjoyment. Former guests on this cruise rave about the friendly, knowledgeable staff. The boat is clean and professional. Some meats, cheeses, and veggies are available for munching on while you cruise and view. Blankets are available on cooler days, and sliding windows provide unobstructed views of the city. The dock is located near mass transit. The boat is stroller accessible. It is recommended that you arrive about fifteen minutes early and have a photo ID. Bring along your camera to make the most of your experience.



Colorful Silk

Complete Manhattan Island Cruise

Circle Line
Pier 83, Midtown

Check out all of New York City’s most famous sites on this midtown cruise. In two-and-a-half hours, you will see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Statue of Liberty as you completely circumnavigate Manhattan. Guests praise the gorgeous views, which give you an unparalleled picture of the size and scope of the most famous island in the world. The narrated tour will take you along all three of New York City’s rivers, and allow you to pass under 20 bridges. Besides the full Manhattan skyline, you will also see One World Trade Center, Yankee Stadium, the George Washington Bridge and Gracie Mansion. You may enjoy the salt air on your skin as you view the sites from your outdoor deck, or you may prefer the heated and air-conditioned outdoor cabins. While no outside food and drinks are permitted, an onboard cafe will provide you with a perfect variety of sandwiches, salads, and snacks. It also serves up cold beverages, beer, and cocktails. Guests praise the fun, knowledgeable narrative that accompanies your trip. The Circle Line Skyline Navigator Companion app allows you to translate cruise content into seven different languages, including Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Circle Line boats are spacious, and there are plenty of viewing options from every angle. There is also an option for premium seating upstairs and outside. You will get a padded seat. It is possible to purchase your tickets online to avoid a trip to the ticket booth. If you cruise on a hot day, remember to wear sunscreen and hydrate often.



Watercolor

Sunset Sail (Chelsea)

Hudson River Community Sailing
Chelsea, Manhattan

Hudson River Community Sailing is known for its clean boats and knowledgeable staff. The cruise is a great diversion from the formulaic Manhattan Cruise. The trip can be a mini-lesson for those interested in learning the basics of sailing. Guests praise the patience and knowledge of instructors at Hudson River Community Sailing. You will actually feel like a real sailing student, rather than a spectator.



Stained Glass

Statue of Liberty Express Cruise

Circle Line
Pier 16, Downtown

Get a little shopping done at South Street Seaport before you set sail on this hour-long mini-cruise to and from Lady Liberty. The landmarks, memorials, and skyscrapers downtown will also be part of your breathtaking view. Free Wifi, on-board snacks and drinks, and free language translation are all a part of your experience. Once you depart from Manhattan, you will be able to see One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island. You will then travel down the Hudson River to get within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty. There are also impressive views of New Jersey. The narrations of Circle Line tours are known for being funny and engaging. The staff is warm, friendly, and professional. There are also some amazing photo opportunities. Former guests recommend that you arrive twenty minutes early so you can speed up boarding and get the most out of your experience. VIP tickets will allow you to go upstairs, where the boat is less crowded and there are excellent photo opportunities. Be sure to bundle up with a jacket or sweater on a chilly day.



Indigo Dyeing

Happy Hour Cruise

Classic Harbor Line
Manhattan

This hour-long after-work cruise enables you to see all the most famous sites of lower Manhattan, including Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Financial District. The climate-controlled, 1920's-style yacht is ideal for parties of up to twenty-eight people. There is a full bar onboard. Beer and wine get discounted for guests, and specialty cocktails are available. Bond with your coworkers as you check out the gorgeous perspective of Downtown. You will never see it the same way again. This is a great cruise for those interested in architecture, as your tour guide will be an architect with an in-depth knowledge of the buildings you will be passing. Even native New Yorkers have a lot to learn. Tour guides are warm, funny, and engaging. Snacks and drinks get praised by guests every time. You will be riding on an elegant-looking, smoothly riding vessel. Varnished wood and glass give a truly sophisticated experience. Indoor seating can get heated or air-conditioned. Get ready to cruise New York City in class and style!



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