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Explore the Shores of NYC Via Circle Line Cruises

February 26, 2024 By CityPASS

New York City is so big, so all-encompassing, it seems like it would be impossible to see all its major landmarks in a week, let alone in a few hours. Happily, if you take a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise from New York, it's entirely possible. You'll get to enjoy most of the top sights the Big Apple has to offer in the time that it would take to watch a Broadway show!


The Best NYC Boat Tours

When it comes to boat tours in the Big Apple, there is no shortage of options. Setting out on the harbor on a yacht or sailboat is really the best way to experience all that New York City has to offer. But with so many choices, how can you choose just one? With several different cruise options including the Landmark Cruise, Harbor Lights Cruise, or Liberty Cruise, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises are some of the best the city has to offer. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises has the most departures in the New York harbor, and with midtown and downtown locations, you can hop on a cruise no matter where you're staying.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

Circle Line cruises have thrilled riders since 1945 and remain a top-rated attraction today. Their cruises out of New York allow over one million people per year the opportunity to experience the city from an entirely new vantage point: out on the rippling Hudson.

Along with jaw-dropping views you can't get anywhere else, Circle Line cruises have guides who provide informative commentary about the passing sights. Many of them have been with the company for decades, and a few are former actors who have stage and screen credits to their name.


Cruises Out of New York

Circle Line offers seven choices (including two summer-only options) for cruises out of and around the city, both during the day and at night. The cruises are enjoyable for all ages and are the perfect way to shake up your Manhattan sightseeing.

Circle Line Statue of Liberty Cruises

Circle Line offers three options to see the Statue of Liberty. The Liberty Cruise leaves from midtown and heads straight for the iconic monument, whereas the Statue of Liberty Express leaves Manhattan from downtown and offers views of the nearby landmarks including the The Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center as it chugs to and from the statue. Statue by Night is the third option. Like the Statue of Liberty Express, it leaves from Pier 16 downtown but offers a truly dazzling nighttime view of the glittering city lights and the Statue of Liberty.

Circle Line Landmark Cruise

When it comes to efficient sightseeing in New York, no one does it better than Circle Line. The Circle Line Landmark Cruise is a 1.5-hour guided tour that affords stunning downtown views of the world's most famous island. Its nighttime counterpart, the Harbor Lights Cruise, slowly glides past iconic sights lit up with thousands of glimmering lights. Finally, if you're set on seeing as much of Manhattan as possible, the Best of NYC cruise features 2.5 hours of gazing at awe-inspiring feats of human engineering. During each voyage, guides provide ongoing commentary on the culture and history of various parks, bridges, tunnels, buildings, and more, as you pass them.


Circle Line Landmark Cruise Attractions

Wondering which world-famous attractions you'll see while onboard a Landmarks Cruise? The 1.5-hour tour will offer you a glimpse of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and more!

Cruise Departure Points

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises leave from Midtown and Downtown New York, depending on which option you choose:

  • The Liberty Cruise, Landmark Cruise, and Harbor Lights Cruise leave from Pier 83 at W. 42nd Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan.
  • The Statue of Liberty Express and Statue by Night leave from Pier 16 at 89 South St. in Downtown New York.


Nearby Lodging

To get the most out of your stay in New York City, we recommend finding lodging near New York City's top attractions like Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:

Booking.com

Circle Line NYC Tickets

You can purchase tickets for guided cruises from New York on the Circle Line site. Prices vary for adults and children based on which cruise you select; check the website for the most up-to-date ticket prices and cruise schedules.

Explore NYC for Less With CityPASS® Tickets

No matter which NYC destinations you have on your list, spend less and do more with CityPASS® tickets. Get discounted admission to must-see sights by buying New York CityPASS® tickets. CityPASS® tickets offer deeply-discounted admission to the city's top attractions, including the Empire State Building, the Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, and several cruise options with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. If you're looking to take part in multiple NYC tourist activities, CityPASS® tickets serve up a pretty sweet deal.

Header image © 2007 Scott Barrow

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