Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

8 Easy Ways You Can Get on the Water in New York City

 New Yorkers have plenty of options when it comes to getting on the water this summer.
Get on the Water This Summer
View Full Caption

NEW YORK CITY — If you want to get on the water this summer, you can hear live rock 'n' roll or even see whales.

New York Harbor is big enough to offer varied but simple ways to get onto a boat and have fun. Here's a list:

Rock Out at a Concert

Rocks Off Concert Cruises
Where: Different boats host the shows and launch from piers around Manhattan so check the event listing to see where to go.
When: Event dates vary, but there are typically multiple shows every week through September.
Cost: $20 - $35 depending on the show.

Rocks Off puts on live concerts on cruises around New York Harbor. While many of the summer shows will be tribute bands, some of the shows will include more established acts like Gangstagrass, Electric Six and the Slackers.

Eat Lobster on the Hudson

North River Lobster Company
Where: Pier 81, West 41st Street and 12th Avenue.
When: The restaurant is open Monday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Half-hour cruises launch at 12:30 p.m., 2p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Cost: The boat ride is free. Most entrees sell for about $14.

The North River Lobster Company, a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant, unties from its home on Pier 81 for a 30-minute jaunt around the Hudson River.

Sail Around

Classic Harbor Line
Where: Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers, near 11th Avenue and 21st Street.
When: Trips take place nearly every day on each vessel. Those interested should check the company’s calendar here.
Cost: Varies depending on trip. The cheapest voyage is $46 for a two-hour daytime sail past the Statue of Liberty aboard the Adirondack. But there's also a $124 Morimoto sushi-and-sake tasting aboard the America 2.0.

Several companies, including Classic Harbor Line, offer an historical alternative to the regular diesel-fueled ferries that run sightseeing tours. Classic Harbor sightseeing cruises, dining trips and fireworks viewings are available on two schooners through the summer, the 80-foot Adirondack and the 105-foot America 2.0.

See Whales

American Princess
Where: Jacob Riis Landing near the intersection of State and Heinzelman roads in Queens.
When: Cruises run nearly every Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 18. The boat leaves at 1 p.m. and returns four hours later.
Cost: Adults $45; Seniors $35; Children 5 and older are $25; Under 5 Free.

The American Princess, which is normally run as a ferry, carries people from the Rockaways out into New York Harbor to see whales migrating north for the summer.

Watch a Movie

The Intrepid Museum
Where: Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue.
When: Every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., July 10 to Aug. 20.
Cost: Free, but seating is first-come, first-served and doors close at 8:30 p.m.

The old aircraft carrier hoists a large screen amid decommissioned war jets on its flight deck to play movie classics like the "Hunt for Red October" and "Top Gun" along with newer flicks like "Gravity" and "Captain Phillips."

See Birds

Audubon Summer EcoCruise
Where: Pier 16 at South Street Seaport, near John and South streets in Manhattan.
When: A tour leaves nearly every Sunday through Aug. 17.
Cost: The Jamaica Bay tour is $65 for adults and $55 for children. There are also water tours near North and South Brother Island and between the Statue of Liberty and Verrazano Bridge for $40/$30.

The New York City Audubon Society runs the three water tours on Water Taxi boats. The tours allow riders to spot birds in these hard-to-reach corners of New York City.

See the Working Side of the Harbor

Hidden Harbor Tours
Where: Pier 83, West 42nd Street and 12th Avenue.
When: The trips run on the last two Saturdays of July and August and board at 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $40 for adults, $26 for children and $35 for seniors.

This Circle Line cruise bypasses the glittery skyscrapers of Manhattan to showcase the rusty, gasoline-powered working waterfront along Staten Island and Bayonne, N.J.