Cruising the Hudson River and the New York Harbor has become one of our favorite activities in NYC. Providing up close views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York City skyline, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, and so much more. A New York Harbor cruise is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. We have experienced this as a couple, and as a family, and I highly recommend it for your next visit to the Big Apple!
Choosing the perfect cruise on the Hudson River
There are many companies offering a cruise on the Hudson River with multiple routes to choose from. There are tours that offer meals as well. Choosing the perfect one for yourself will depend on personal preference, time available, and budget. Most of the cruises are between 1 and 3 hours long and depart from Pier 83 in midtown.
Depending on your personal preference there are brunch tours, daytime tours, nighttime / dance tours; those with meals, and those without. With all of the options and companies to choose from you are sure to find the perfect one for you.
Sunset cruise on the Hudson River
We chose the Harbor Lights Cruise and boarded at Pier 83 midtown with a start time of 7pm. The standard cruise itself was $113 for 2 adults and 1 child [as of 2018]. We did choose to pay an additional $45 to upgrade all 3 of our tickets to the premier option. This provided us with reserved seating inside (which was wonderful because it was COLD), VIP boarding, a designated food and beverage center with waitstaff, and a few additional options. There are snacks and drinks available on board for purchase including alcoholic beverages.
Exploring New York Harbor at dusk
Our onboard tour guide was excellent. He provided tons of information during the tour on the landmarks and attractions we were passing by along with historical information. He had a great sense of humor and kept us entertained during the 2.5 hour adventure. Even though we had visited the Statue of Liberty earlier that day, the view from the water is the best.
Indoor / Outdoor Seating
Watching the sunset during the departure and the lights of the city come alive on the return was spectacular. Our tour was during the first week of April and the weather was very cool especially on the water. Indoor seating for us was necessary. We enjoyed stepping outside along the way for photo opportunities, but we were grateful to be able to return indoors to warm up with hot chocolate.
Dinner cruise on the Hudson River
When celebrating our anniversary we chose the dinner cruise option at sunset. This option included the same landmarks and attractions with the addition of a 3 course dinner. Cruising the Hudson River at dusk with dinner was the perfect romantic evening for a celebration.
A meal on New York Harbor
This cruise began in the same way from Pier 83 at the same time. The meal was served to order in a sit down fashion. There was time between each course for sightseeing from the upper deck. We enjoyed this option in July and the weather was fabulous. This cruise was served in a more upscale atmosphere with a full service bar and live entertainment. After dessert there was time for dancing on the upper deck underneath the moon as made our way past the Statue of Liberty and back to the pier.
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Cruising the Hudson River & Harbor
Considering all of the attractions that New York City has to offer, a cruise on the Hudson River and New York Harbor at dusk is one of our most favorite. Enjoying the sunset on the water with views of the NYC skyline is is an unforgettable moment. Whether you are traveling as a family, celebrating a special occasion as a couple, or part of a larger group, cruising the Hudson River and harbor is a perfect attraction to add to your NYC itinerary!
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