Circle Line: Best of NYC Cruise (2.5hrs)

The Circle Line Best of NYC Cruise is the longest cruise available. During the leisurely 2.5 hours, you’ll explore the entire island of Manhattan by boat. This cruise is available throughout the summer and winter.

Reserve tickets for the Best of NYC Cruise here

Hudson River and the Financial District

After the boat leaves Pier 83, you’ll cruise over the Hudson River. See Midtown with its huge skyscrapers, the extremely expensive apartments of Greenwich Village, and the Financial District. Throughout the entire boat tour, you will have live commentary from the guide who will give you fun facts about all the places and buildings that you pass. If you prefer an audio guide, there is a free, multi-language app available to use with your own headphones.

For example, in Greenwich Village, you’ll see the unused pier where the Titanic should have docked. In the Financial District, not only will you see the enormous Freedom Tower, the heart of the new World Trade Center, but also the glass Winter Garden; with its palm trees at the foot of the skyscraper: something you might not have noticed otherwise. The Circle Line Best of NYC Cruise will also take you past the Statue of Liberty, where you can view Lady Liberty in all her glory and take beautiful photos.

View the Brooklyn Bridge from the Water

From there, you’ll travel to the East side of Manhattan, passing Wall Street and heading under the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge. You will see the posh houses of the Upper East Side, and even pass the Yankee Stadium, where the famous New York Yankees play their home games. Seeing the busy Northern Manhattan quickly change into the peaceful Hudson River and its surrounding woods is definitely worthwhile. From the North, you travel back to Pier 83 through the Upper West Side.

During the cruise, you can order food and drinks at the bar downstairs. There are also plenty of toilets on board. If you are taking the boat tour during the summer, make sure you bring sunscreen. Even though it may be cloudy, you burn quicker on the water.

Eric’s Tip: “If you want to see the whole of Manhattan, definitely take this tour. It offers a peaceful moment during your trip when you can relax for 2.5 hours whilst enjoying the beautiful views. Because it goes much further than other boat tours, it is the only one on which you get to see Yankee Stadium from the water. The tour also takes you under many bridges which you wouldn’t usually get the opportunity to see.”

Practical Information

After purchasing you’ll receive a voucher that you can either print out or show as your ticket on your phone. The tour starts on the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan at the Circle Line terminal. The terminal is at Pier 83 (12th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street). Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you can get the best seats.

Duration: 2.5 hours
Departure Point: Pier 83
Departure Times 2024:
- January 1st – March 7th: daily at 12:00
- March 8th – May 23rd: daily at 10:00 and 13:30
- May 24th – September 2nd: daily at 10:00, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:30
- September 3rd – December 31st: daily at 10:00 and 13:30
- Special schedule on 4th of July and New Year’s Eve
- Doesn’t run on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day