Katie Sagal
New York Sightseeing Cruises, Outdoor, & Water Activities for Your Trip
As an island, Manhattan has more than its fair share of water activities for visitors enjoy. From late spring to early autumn, there’s practically nothing we’d rather be doing in New York than hopping aboard a delightful cruise or boat tour. Whether you want to sail out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or simply cruise around harbor for some amazing sunset skyline views, you’ll find a cruise to love in NYC. A few of the sightseeing cruises and other boat tours you can choose from in New York City include:
- Statue of Liberty Ferry
- Landmark Cruise
- Lady Liberty Cruise
- Clipper City Tall Ships
- Harbor Lights Cruise
- Best of NYC Cruise
- And more!
Save on New York Cruises & Other Outdoor Activities
Regular admission to a number of these cruises and other outdoor activities are available on the Go New York Card. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all New York sightseeing passes, attractions and prices.Statue of Liberty Ferry
If you want to see the iconic Lady Liberty up close, then you’ve got to jump aboard a ferry to set sail for the shores of Liberty Island. Once you’re there, you can opt for additional tours of the crown and pedestal (requiring advance reservations), or simply walk the grounds and hit up the gift shop. Next, head to Ellis Island and the famed Immigration Museum to see where so many of our ancestors came into this country for the first time. Be sure to see if you can find a name on the wall! Getting In: Statue of Liberty Ferry admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Landmark Cruise by Circle Line Sightseeing
This is a classic tour. It will escort you around the NYC waterways from Midtown to Lower Manhattan, past so many of the iconic landmarks of the city. During this hour and a half-long excursion, you’ll see magnificent sites like the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Battery Park, Wall Street, the United Nations, and many more. It’s the perfect introduction to the city for first-time visitors, and always a fun trip for those returning travelers who haven’t really had a great overview in the past. Getting In: Landmark Cruise admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Lady Liberty Cruise by Circle Line Sightseeing
Another way to see the famed Statue of Liberty – and while dealing with far fewer crowds, we might add – is to join up with the Lady Liberty Cruise. You’ll sail down the Hudson River and head right out to the waters around Liberty Island (within 100 feet of the statue), where you’ll get unparalleled photo opportunities. Along the way, you’ll learn all kinds of fun facts and historical trivia about the statue itself, and leave feeling like an expert on this iconic New York landmark. Getting In: Lady Liberty Cruise admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. New York Water Taxi
Enjoy a full day, all-access pass to the New York Water Taxi system and see the city like a local. Forget those land-bound taxis! Choose from six stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and get to where you want to be in style. Since they know that many people use this for sightseeing, too, you’ll also be able to enjoy informative narration and some pretty stellar amenities aboard your vessel. Getting In: New York Water Taxi admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Clipper City Tall Ship
Enjoy one of New York’s most distinctive cruise options aboard the Clipper City Tall Ship. Tall Ships are amazing reminders of the grandeur and elegance with which people used to sail the harbor, and today are impressive vessels that all sailing enthusiasts will drool over. Your hour and a half-long excursion will be a delight both in terms of what you see along the way, and the beauty of the ship that’s taking you there. Choose from either a daytime statue sail (perfect for those looking to get some great photos of Lady Liberty), or a nighttime harbor lights cruise (a romantic and serene option). Getting In: Clipper City Tall Ship admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Shearwater Classic Schooner Sail
Another magnificent vessel that’s sure to please everyone, the Shearwater is an 82-foot schooner that wanders the New York waterways for your sightseeing pleasure. Only recently recognized as a National Landmark in 2009, this stunning ship has been sailing since 1929 and continues to please crowds in fine fashion. Your intimate cruise only allows for so many passengers, so when you head out to the waters around Liberty Island, it will feel more like a relaxing sightseeing experience than a hectic touristy one. Getting In: Shearwater Classic Schooner admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Best of NYC Cruise by Circle Line Sightseeing
A lengthier tour option than most, this Best of NYC cruise is the perfect comprehensive tour for those travelers looking to maximize their time on the water. This cruise will circle the entire island over the course of two and a half hours, and is the only way to see all five boroughs via the water – quite a feat! You’ll get to enjoy over 101 distinct landmarks and sites, including the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Gracie Mansion, Yankee Stadium, the Little Red Lighthouse, and many, many more. Please note that a small upgrade fee applies if you are using our pass to board this cruise. Getting In: Best of NYC Cruise admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line Sightseeing
Another really special option is the Harbor Lights Cruise. This romantic excursion will glide past major sites of the New York City skyline at the perfect time of day, when the natural light has faded and the city’s evening lights come to life. A two-hour, fully-narrated cruise, this tour will highlight landmarks like the USS Intrepid Pier, Battery Park, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, and several more. Please note that a small upgrade fee applies if you are using our pass to board this cruise. Getting In: Harbor Lights Cruise admission is available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass.