NYC boat rides are one of the best ways to see the city from a different point of view. New York City has a lot of different trips, but a cruise might be a better way to see the sights.
Another thing you can do is go on different types of boat tours in New York City. These range from relaxing harbor rides and buffet trips to exciting speedboats and sailing adventures. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge are just a few of the most famous places in New York that you’ll see on these trips. Of course, every boat ride is different, so I’ll tell you what to expect.
Also, I want to let you know ahead of time that some of these tours are part of the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass. If you’re interested in learning more about the best NY city passes, click here.
1. The BEAST Speedboat Ride
Check out this speedboat tour for a change of pace. It’s an epic boat ride that’s both fun and educational. Hold on to the handrails as you sit down on the deck. You’re about to go on an amazing journey. The Beast is a 70-foot speedboat that you can use for sightseeing. It can go up to 45 mph and pass by the best parts of New York City city. A professional and friendly guide will show you all the beautiful sights while heart-pounding music plays in the background.
As you fly past Lower Manhattan, you can feel the wind in your hair and the water spray on your face. You can see the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and Battery Park. After that, take a quick trip to the Statue of Liberty. When you get there, your captain will turn off the engine so you can admire Lady Liberty. To get back to the action, it’s time to keep zipping through the bay.
This is one of the best things to do in Manhattan with family or friends. You won’t find another boat tour of New York Harbor like it.
- Price: $30+
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Highlights: Speedboat tour through New York Harbor, photo ops of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty
2. NYC Buffet Dinner Cruise
This brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise through New York Harbor is another fun boat tour in NYC that you can do with your partner. Enjoy a delicious chef-prepared meal, live entertainment, and views of the city’s most famous sights while cruising on the water for a couple of hours.
You will board the Bateaux New York, a fancy boat with European influences with indoor and outdoor decks. This boat with glass walls is great for a viewing cruise in New York City because you can stay inside and still see all the sights.
From Chelsea Piers, you can take a ride down the Hudson River, past Midtown and the west side of Lower Manhattan. You can learn more about the city’s skyline and most famous buildings through live narration on the trip. Many famous buildings, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and Statue of Liberty, will be visible.
You can go on this romantic cruise in New York City for coffee, lunch, or dinner, so you choose when to go. You can get bottomless mimosas at brunch and eat things like cinnamon French toast and fresh fruit. On the lunch tour, you can eat spinach salad, roasted salmon Provencale, and butter cake.
Also, the dinner menu on this tour includes lobster bisque, tuna tartare, hand-carved strip loin, and New York-style cheesecake. It’s one of the best things to do in New York City at night. In addition, you can enjoy live music from a jazz guitarist while taking in the view of Manhattan at night.
- Price: $105+
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Highlights: Sightseeing cruise through New York Harbor with live entertainment and a gourmet 3-course meal
3. Champagne Sunset Yacht Cruise
This champagne cruise could be a fun night out with friends or a sweet date with your partner. During the two-hour tour, you’ll ride the Schooner America 2.0, a sailboat from the 1800s, through New York Harbor. The boat will leave Chelsea Piers right before the sun goes down, so you can enjoy the warm breeze as you float down the Hudson River.
A professional sailing captain and crew are in charge of the boat and will expertly steer the schooner through the bay. The crew will give you blankets to keep you warm if it’s a cool night while you enjoy the view of the New York skyline at golden hour.
If you want to see the other side of Manhattan, sail past Ellis Island and take pictures of the sun going down behind the Statue of Liberty. Because of good weather, your guide might also take you past Governor’s Island and New York City’s Financial District.
Along with that, your ticket comes with a free cocktail, and you can buy more drinks during the trip. This harbor tour with free drinks and views of the sunset is one of the best things to do in New York City with your partner. The trip is also part of the New York Sightseeing Pass.
- Price: $86
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Sunset cruise on an 1800s-style sailboat, champagne service, views of Ellis Island, Liberty Island, The Battery, and other landmarks
4. Statue of Liberty Boat
The first thing I want to say is that this one-hour cruise is a quick and cheap way to see some sights in New York City.
An experienced guide will lead you around New York Harbor, where you’ll see some of the most famous sights that make the Big Apple so famous. The Statue of Liberty, which you’ll see up close to the water, is the best part of this New York City sightseeing trip. You’ll be able to see the whole 305-foot frame of Lady Liberty from your boat, which will be only 100 feet away.
While you’re there, you’ll see other famous sites, making this one of the best cheap tours of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll see places like Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and the South Street Seaport.
Your tour guide will point out famous buildings in Lower Manhattan, such as the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower, as you wander along the Hudson River. Later, sail under the Brooklyn Bridge and go up the East River to see Manhattan from the other side.
You can go on this tour any time of the year because there are seats inside and outside and a cash bar on board. This NY boat tour is also free if you have a New York Pass.
- Price: $30+
- Duration: 1 hour
- Highlights: Sightseeing cruise around the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and past both sides of Lower Manhattan
5. Harbor Lights Night Cruise
Finally, this trip in the evening is a lovely way to see New York Harbor at night and the lights of Manhattan when it gets dark. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride with climate-controlled seats inside and a deck outside. The tour has live comments from a knowledgeable guide and some of the most interesting views of New York City’s most famous sights.
Early in the evening, just before sunset, this New York City night cruise will set sail. This way, you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful views both during golden hour and after dark. Sail under the Manhattan Bridge and by Battery Park, the Freedom Tower, and the Empire State Building. Finally, go to the Liberty and Ellis Islands to get a better look at the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Station.
Heading back to Manhattan, you’ll go by Governor’s Island, the South Street Seaport, and the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. See the United Nations Building and the Chrysler Building as you go under the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges.
You can enjoy a drink while taking in the beautiful views from the boat’s fully stocked bar. You can think that this tour would be fun to do with friends or a partner in New York City. The New York Pass also covers it.
- Price: $41+
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Twilight cruise around Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island
6. 90-Minute Landmarks Cruise
This 90-minute river cruise in New York City is another cheap way to see a lot of famous sights in one trip. As you ride this boat down the Hudson River, you’ll see beautiful views of Midtown and the west side of Lower Manhattan. Your tour guide will tell you fun facts and stories about New York City and some of its best sites as you sail along.
From the water, you can go on a sightseeing trip and see the Empire State Building, the Freedom Tower, the parks along the Hudson River, and Ellis Island. Your boat will also get close to Liberty Island, so you can see the Statue of Liberty up close. On your way back to the pier, you’ll pass under the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges, which are both important historical sites in Brooklyn.
If you want a boat tour that shows you a lot of the best sights in Manhattan, this Hudson River viewing cruise is a great choice. The New York Pass covers it too.
- Price: $37+
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Highlights: Boat tour past Midtown and Lower Manhattan attractions, including Liberty and Ellis Islands
7. Architecture Yacht Cruise Around Manhattan
If you’re looking for an interesting thing to do for a few hours, this yacht cruise is it. It’s the right mix of sightseeing and learning.
An AIA New York Chapter guide will take you out on a beautiful boat that looks like it was built in the 1920s. They will talk about the history, information, and fun facts about the skyline of Manhattan, such as how it has changed over the years and the different types of buildings you can see.
You’ll learn about the history of the city and how it became one of the most famous cities in the world as you sail along the water. Your guide will help you understand the Woolworth Building, 9/11 Memorial, Art Deco buildings on Wall Street, and the “starchitecture” of downtown New York City in a new way.
From the boat, you can see the Beekman Tower and the IAC Building, which were designed by Frank Gehry. In Midtown, you can see the Tower Verre, which was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.
As this NYC yacht tour goes around Manhattan Island, you’ll sail under all 18 bridges and look at how the architecture and style of each one are different. You’ll learn more about some of Manhattan’s most famous houses, the East River public housing renewal project, and efforts to improve the city’s buildings after World War II while you enjoy some beautiful sightseeing.
- Price: $106+
- Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Highlights: Sightseeing cruise led by a knowledgeable guide who will share insights about the city’s most famous architectural marvels
FAQ’s
Q1. What are the best boat tours in New York City?
NYC's best boat trips are the Staten Island Ferry, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Hornblower Cruises, Classic Harbor Line, Manhattan by Sail, City Sightseeing Cruises, and the Shearwater Classic Schooner.
Q2. What can I expect to see on a boat tour in New York City?
The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the skyline of Manhattan, and many other famous sites can be seen from boats. Aside from historic sites, you may also see waterfront neighborhoods, and other interesting places, depending on the trip.
Q3. How long do these boat tours typically last?
Boat tours last for different amounts of time, but most of them are between 1 and 2 hours long. There are some companies that give longer tours, dinner cruises, or specialty cruises.
