Although it doesn’t have canals like Venice (the Gowanus Canal notwithstanding), New York is still a city on the water. Four of the city’s five boroughs are on islands, and the Bronx -- while attached to the mainland -- is bounded, for the most part, by water. Not only that, but the city has several important “minor” islands, including Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Governors Island, Roosevelt Island, Randall’s Island, and City Island.
The main bodies of water dividing the city, the Hudson and East Rivers, offer a lot of opportunities to see the city and its sights from a beautiful perspective, or to simply get from point A to point B in a relaxing and scenic manner. There are ferries, water taxis, and dinner cruises that can show you the city from the water.
If you’d like to see the city from the water, hop aboard New York Water Taxi. Their tours include: the 1-hour Statue of Liberty Express ($25); the Statue by Night Tour (daily at 7:45pm; $25); and their Hop-On/Hop-Off option, which stops at many of the city’s top neighborhoods and attractions, including the Intrepid and the 9/11 Memorial. Planning to go to a Yankees or Mets game before the season wraps up at the end of September? Take the free Delta Baseball Water Taxi, which departs Pier 17 (South Street Seaport) 90 minutes before each scheduled home game. There is an additional stop at East 35th Street, departing 70 minutes before Mets game time and 60 minutes before Yankees game time. Tickets can be picked up at the New York Water Taxi ticket counter at Pier 17 ONLY two hours prior to departure. To find out more about New York Water Taxi’s routes, fares, and schedules, visit nywatertaxi.com or call 866-987-2542.
With Circle Line Downtown, you can enjoy a narrated harbor tour including views of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and more on board the luxurious ZEPHYR. With three decks (two climate-controlled and one outdoor), ZEPHYR offers city sights with panoramic views no matter what the weather brings. During the early fall, Circle Line Downtown also offers a variety of special cruises, including the Seaport Music Cruise (21 & over; every Sat. at 8:45pm through Oct. 8); and Happy Hour on the Harbor (21 & over; every Thurs. & Fri. at 6:15pm through Oct. 7). 866-987-2542; circlelinedowntown.com.
If you’re planning on seeing the monuments in New York Harbor, Statue Cruises provides exclusive water tour service to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Their boats depart from Battery Park City and Liberty State Park, providing exciting and memorable tours to these icons of American culture, and stunning vistas of the New York Harbor. First stop is Liberty Island, the 12-acre home of the Statue of Liberty. Next stop is Ellis Island, home to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Each year, more than three million visitors from around the world walk through the Great Hall at Ellis Island. The ferry ride and island grounds are a favorite destination for family vacations and reunions, school and group trips, and Ellis Island also provides a clear view of both the New York City and New Jersey skylines. Visit their website at statuecruises.com or call 877-523-9849 for information.
Whether you are exploring New York for the first time, rediscovering your hometown, or seeking a mini-vacation, a Circle Line Sightseeing cruise is a relaxing and fun way to see the world’s most famous skyline. There are numerous cruises to choose from, with beverages, wine, beer, cocktails, and food available on board. To see the whole island, take their 3-hour tour and discover the secrets of the city. You’ll circumnavigate Manhattan Island and see it all: the 3 rivers, 7 major bridges, 5 boroughs, over 25 world-famous landmarks and, of course, a magnificent close-up of the Statue of Liberty. If you want to just hit the highlights, jump onboard their 2-hour Harbor Lights Cruise, and bask in the glow of the setting sun and be dazzled by millions of glistening lights. Beverages, food, and souvenirs are available on board. Pier 83, 42nd St. and the Hudson River, 212-630-8888; circleline42.com.
New York City Sightseeing Tours on the Water Late Summer Early Fall 2011
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