Top New York Cruise Tours

See New York from the water as you cruise along the Hudson River and East River past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the bridges that stitch Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens. Departures from Midtown and Downtown make it easy to slot a sightseeing sail into your day, with open decks for skyline photos and clear commentary that puts landmarks in context. It is a relaxed, big view way to understand the layout and life of the city.

How City River Cruise Tours in New York Work

Most sightseeing boats run year round on the Hudson River, East River and New York Harbor, with frequent daytime and evening departures. Circle Line boards at Pier 83 on West 42nd Street for landmark cruises and a 2.5 hour Full Island loop that circles Manhattan via the Hudson, Harlem River and East River. Typical durations range from about 50 minutes to roughly 2.5 hours, with live or recorded commentary on board.

From Chelsea Piers, Classic Harbor Line operates elegant yacht and schooner trips, including sunset sails that glide past One World Trade Center, Liberty Island and under the Brooklyn Bridge. Downtown, several operators use Pier 16 at South Street Seaport or Pier 15 by the East River for shorter Statue of Liberty viewing circuits, while the official ferries to Liberty Island and Ellis Island depart from Battery Park and Liberty State Park. Boarding is straightforward at clearly signed piers, and most vessels offer indoor seating as well as open decks.

Typical routes trace the West Side shoreline for full skyline views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan, swing into New York Harbor for close looks at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, then run under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges for East River angles. Expect multiple daily sailings in peak months and steady schedules in winter. Evening departures highlight city lights, while daytime runs emphasise architectural detail and bridge engineering.

Top Stops and Attractions

  • Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island - Boats pause for clear photo angles across New York Harbor. Sightseeing cruises do not land on the island unless you book the official ferry.
  • Ellis Island - Pass the historic immigration station and its red brick Great Hall on routes that enter the harbor.
  • Brooklyn Bridge - Sail beneath the granite towers and cables for a classic East River perspective; many routes also pass the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges.
  • Lower Manhattan skyline - Wide views of One World Trade Center, Battery Park and the Financial District from the water.
  • Chelsea Piers and Midtown on the Hudson - Departures here frame the West Side skyline, the High Line area and Hudson River Park.

Why River Cruises in New York Are Worth Taking

New York is shaped by its waterways, and a harbor cruise turns the city into a readable map. From the Hudson River you get the long sweep of Midtown and the West Side rail yards, while the East River reveals working waterfronts and a chain of bridges in sequence. The contrast between dense towers and open harbor gives unobstructed sightlines for photography that street level cannot match. Full Island loops link the Hudson, Harlem and East Rivers into a single narrative of engineering, immigration and skyline design. Classic yacht sails add a slower, wind powered rhythm that suits the warm glow of sunset across New York Harbor. Whether you are after architectural context, bridge views, or a calm way to cover a lot of ground, the vantage from the water is both practical and memorable.

Planning Tips for Visitors

  • When to go: Sunset departures deliver silhouettes of the Statue of Liberty and golden reflections on the Hudson. Morning rides often mean calmer water and lighter crowds on deck.
  • Ticket choices: Pick a format to suit your schedule. Short 50 to 90 minute landmark cruises run from Pier 16 or Pier 83, while the 2.5 hour Full Island loop maximises coverage. Combo passes can be good value if you plan nearby museum or observatory visits.
  • Photo strategy: From Midtown departures, sit starboard for early views of Liberty Island; on evening sails from Chelsea Piers, stay on deck when passing under the Brooklyn Bridge for the classic look back to Lower Manhattan.
  • Accessibility and boarding: Many boats have wheelchair access to main decks and accessible facilities at major piers. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for boarding and the best outdoor seats, especially on fair weather days.
  • Island landings: If you want to step on Liberty Island or Ellis Island, book the official Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park or Liberty State Park and avoid unofficial street sellers.

The city river or boat tours in New York provide a relaxing way to see its most famous landmarks from a fresh perspective, ideal for travellers who want to enjoy both comfort and authentic local views along the water.

Best New York Boat Tours Price

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour €51.88
9/11 Memorial Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island - 1st tour 8:30am €47.16
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Pre-Ferry tour Starts 8:30am €103.77
New York Sailboat Cruise with Wine and Cheese €131.14
New York Skyline Experience €67.93
Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise €49.06
Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise €46.23
New York City Landmarks Circle Line Cruise €41.51
Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise €30.19
2-Day Niagara Falls Experience from NYC €455.7
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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • An introductory tour of one of the biggest attractions of New York and a chance to learn the history of immigration in New York.
  • A visit to places offering great views of the city's skyline.
  • The tour takes you to a few museums.
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9/11 Memorial Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island - 1st tour 8:30am

2. 9/11 Memorial Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island - 1st tour 8:30am

clock Duration: 4 hours 30
  • This is a 4.5 hours tour of Ellis Island, Liberty Statue, and 9/11 Memorial with the help of a guide
  • It is an opportunity to beat hectic crowds to remarkable landmarks via early departure tickets
  • Your guide will enlighten you about the landmarks and NY with your all inclusive admission ticket
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Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Pre-Ferry tour Starts 8:30am

3. Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Pre-Ferry tour Starts 8:30am

clock Duration: 2 to 4 hou
  • This is a tour that takes place at Battery Park in the southern part of Manhattan.
  • After the guided tour revealing places of interest in the park, the self-guided tour of Liberty and Ellis Islands takes place.
  • Visit the Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum.
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New York Sailboat Cruise with Wine and Cheese

4. New York Sailboat Cruise with Wine and Cheese

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • A waterway sail while enjoying some wine, cheese, and the beautiful scenery of New York
  • The cruise goes by Elis Island, Battery Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Heights, an
  • Aboard, you get to enjoy some of the top wines, cheese, and charcuterie
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New York Skyline Experience

5. New York Skyline Experience

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • This is a three hours tour of downtown NYC with opportunity to explore and view fascinating sceneries aboard a cruise and hop-off and hop-on buses
  • It is an opportunity to selectively participate in activities that thrill you the most instead of having to participate in group tours
  • This tour allows the visitor to explore
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Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise

6. Circle Line: Complete Manhattan Island Cruise

clock Duration: 2 hours 30
  • A cruise around Manhattan Island in New York.
  • A chance to see many of the city's landmarks during a single tour.
  • An opportunity to learn a lot about the Big Apple in just a few hours.
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Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

7. Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • It is a twilight cruise for two hours on Ney York’s harbor
  • Enjoy your cocktail of choice as you watch the sunset views of Manhattan
  • An expert’s guide and commentary about the sites of interest
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New York City Landmarks Circle Line Cruise

8. New York City Landmarks Circle Line Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • New York as some of the global renown landmarks
  • Viewing sites, such as the Freedom Tower, the Statue of Liberty an on a cruise, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge is a unique experience
  • The cruise on New York’s harbors accompanied by narration by narration from a well-trained tour
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Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise

9. Circle Line: NYC Liberty Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour
  • This is a sixty minutes tour around NYC famous monuments and entry to the harbor.
  • A cruise around Liberty Statue, above Ellis Island, and under Brooklyn Bridge
  • A view of NYC and Manhattan skyline from water along Hudson River
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2-Day Niagara Falls Experience from NYC

10. 2-Day Niagara Falls Experience from NYC

clock Duration: 2 days
  • Discover the stunning beauty and power of the world-famous Niagara Falls from above and below, in daylight and under the cover of night. Explore the pristine beauty of New England and do some bargain shopping along the way.

    On Day 1 depart New York, passing beautiful landscapes and visiting Watkins Glen State Park or Montour Falls (during...
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Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise

11. Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 15
  • Looking for the best view of the Statue of Liberty? Our tours offer the best views of the Statue of Liberty and other New York City landmarks as you cruise the waterways. During your experience, you’ll also get to cruise by Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan’s impressive skyline, and more!

    You’ll get endless opportunities to...
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Statue of Liberty Express Guided Tour

12. Statue of Liberty Express Guided Tour

clock Duration: 3 to 6 hou
  • Visit New York's most popular attraction the Statue of Liberty and get full guided tour of the grounds at Liberty Island plus admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum. Book in advance - skip the long ticketing lines and pick up your tickets when you meet your guide. Benefit from the experience of live guide to help you navigate the crowds and...
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NYC: Valentine's Day Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner

13. NYC: Valentine's Day Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • Spend Valentine's Day on a romantic cruise as the sun sets. Admire the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the NYC skyline with a Champagne toast or a glass of wine. Savor a buffet dinner and Valentine-inspired desserts under the moonlight.

    Cash bar for top shelf drinks. Decedent dessert service includes a Valentine's Day Heart Cake,...
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NYC: Statue of Liberty & 911 Memorial & Museum-8:30am 1st Tour

14. NYC: Statue of Liberty & 911 Memorial & Museum-8:30am 1st Tour

clock Duration: 5 hours
  • Experience Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park like no other on this Exclusive VIP Tour: 911 Memorial & Museum Admission Plus Statue of Liberty. Your tour is fully guided throughout from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial....
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