Circle-Line Sightseeing Cruise
New York City: Top 5 Attractions
Riding a sightseeing boat around the island of Manhattan might seem like a terribly touristy thing to do, but chat up your fellow passengers on the Circle-Line cruise and you're likely to find quite a few New Yorkers enjoying this engaging nautical perspective on their home town. The trip offers a welcome break from the noise and congestion of the city, and if you listen to the onboard commentary, you'll actually learn some interesting local history and lore.
The three-hour circumnavigation begins at Pier 83 on the West Side, where 42nd Street meets the Hudson River, and proceeds in a counterclockwise direction past the lower tip of Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, up the East Side to the Harlem River, around the surprisingly green northern reaches of Manhattan, then back down the Hudson River to the starting point. For the most dramatic light, board the latest afternoon departure (except from November through March when there's only one daily departure at 12:30 pm). Snacks and beverages are sold onboard, and shorter itineraries are available if you don't want to commit to the full three hours.
Circle-Line's Full Island Cruise costs $28 for adults, $23 for seniors and $15 for children. See www.circleline42.com for schedules and other information.
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