Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise from Midtown NYC
Description
Set sail from Midtown Manhattan and enjoy a sightseeing cruise with both indoor and outdoor seating. A live guide shares stories of the city’s history as you take in skyline views with drinks available for purchase at the cash bar. Glide past the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Hudson Yards, with its futuristic Vessel and Edge sky deck. Capture stunning views of the Freedom Tower rising over Lower Manhattan’s financial district. Pause to photograph the Statue of Liberty, a global symbol of freedom, and pass Ellis Island where millions once arrived in search of the American dream. Cruise past Governors Island, Castle Clinton, and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Sail under the Brooklyn Bridge and spot cultural landmarks like the Whitney Museum, Intrepid Museum, Little Island, and the historic South Street Seaport. Every turn reveals another side of Manhattan’s iconic skyline.
Tour Options
Itinerary
pass by the statue of liberty while dining and celebrating st patricks day
he Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, famous for its towering spire and panoramic observation decks. Completed in 1931, it was the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years and remains an iconic symbol of the New York skyline.
The west side of the NYC skyline features sleek modern towers rising along the Hudson River, including Hudson Yards with its striking skyscrapers and the Edge observation deck. This area offers dramatic sunset views over New Jersey and a dynamic mix of old industrial buildings and new glassy high-rises.
Hudson Yards is a modern development on Manhattan’s west side featuring sleek skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and dining. Its centerpiece attractions include the climbable Vessel sculpture and the Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.
The High Line is an elevated park built on a historic freight rail line on Manhattan’s west side, featuring landscaped gardens, art installations, and city views. It stretches from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards, offering a unique green space above the streets.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is a renowned museum in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, dedicated to 20th- and 21st-century American art. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, it features striking tiered terraces with views of the High Line and the Hudson River.
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located on the historic aircraft carrier USS Intrepid docked on Manhattan’s west side. It showcases military aircraft, the space shuttle Enterprise, and a submarine, offering hands-on exhibits about sea, air, and space exploration.
Little Island is a unique public park on the Hudson River, built on tulip-shaped concrete pilings at Pier 55. It features winding paths, gardens, performance spaces, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and waterfront.
The Javits Center is a massive convention center on Manhattan’s west side, known for hosting trade shows, conventions, and events. It features a striking glass facade and one of the largest green roofs in the U.S., supporting urban wildlife and sustainability.
Battery Park City is a planned waterfront neighborhood on Manhattan’s west side, built on reclaimed land along the Hudson River. It offers scenic parks, promenades, and views of the Statue of Liberty, providing a peaceful contrast to the bustling Financial District nearby.
The Staten Island Ferry Terminal, located at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park, serves as the departure point for the iconic free ferry ride to Staten Island. This ferry offers spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York Harbor skyline.
Castle Clinton National Monument is a historic fort located in Battery Park, originally built in 1811 to defend New York Harbor. Over time, it served as an entertainment venue and immigration station before becoming the departure point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
South Street Seaport is a historic district in Lower Manhattan featuring restored 19th-century buildings, cobblestone streets, and a lively waterfront atmosphere. It’s home to museums, shops, restaurants, and historic ships, offering a glimpse into New York’s maritime past.
Liberty Park is a serene elevated green space in Lower Manhattan offering panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the World Trade Center. It features gardens, walking paths, and the striking “Sphere” sculpture that survived the 9/11 attacks.
Pier A Harbor House is a historic waterfront venue located at 22 Battery Place in Lower Manhattan, originally constructed in 1886 as the headquarters for the New York Harbor Police and later serving various municipal functions . After extensive renovations, it reopened in 2014 as a multi-level dining and event space, offering stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor
The Governors Island Ferry Terminal is located at the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street, Lower Manhattan, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. This historic terminal offers year-round ferry service to Governors Island, departing from Slip 7. The ferry ride takes approximately seven minutes, providing scenic views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty .
Ellis Island is a historic immigration station located in New York Harbor, where millions of immigrants first entered the United States between 1892 and 1954. Today, it houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, preserving the stories and artifacts of those who passed through its doors.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat
- The boat is wheelchair accessible for push-wheelchairs but is not able to accommodate electric wheelchairs.
- Please note, this tour does not land at either Liberty Island or Ellis Island
- To purchase or consume alcohol you must be 21+ and have a valid picture ID
- Not suitable for pets
Reviews(79)
The organizers were a very nice team of people. It was not crowded and easy to move between different parts of the boat. The boat went slow and nice cruising. It was a nice ride for the price.
The vendor (third party) for this experience took our money, changed the plan, and did not provide an update of tickets reflecting the change. They refuse to send us a refund. We’ve used Viator multiple times and this was the first bad experience we’ve had. We are out our money as this third party vendor says they can’t reimburse. We ended up buying another set of tickets at the gate, took the tour, and decided we won’t use this service going forward.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. From time to time, operational changes may require adjustments to departure times or schedules. When this occurs, we work to notify guests and provide available options in accordance with the booking terms and conditions. We regret any confusion regarding your tickets and understand how frustrating it can be when travel plans do not go as expected. We would welcome the opportunity to review your reservation and the communications associated with it to better understand what occurred. Please contact our customer service team directly with your booking information so that we can investigate the matter further and address any outstanding concerns. Thank you for your feedback.
Lovely tour around the bottom of the city. You sit around the perimeter of a fifty foot boat, and the guide gives you fun facts about the sites as you go from the west side of the island, past the Statue of Liberty and up to the Brooklyn bridge. Recommended tourist activity.
It was most terrible experience, 30 minutes prior to the trip the operator call say it was delay 2 hours. I requested a refund but they refused!!
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that your experience was disappointing. We understand how frustrating it can be to receive notice of a significant delay shortly before your scheduled departure, especially when it affects carefully planned travel arrangements. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and for the frustration this situation caused. Feedback like yours is important, as it helps us identify areas where communication and operational processes can be improved to better serve our guests. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to have the opportunity to provide a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the future.
Tour was supposed to be for 2:30..they didn’t arrive until after 3:00. We didn’t depart until 3:35. The boat was extremely hot and boring. They were definitely unprepared.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We understand that delays can be frustrating. Occasionally, boarding and departure times may be affected by factors such as vessel operations, passenger loading, or harbor traffic. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the later-than-expected departure. We are also sorry that you found the onboard environment uncomfortable and the cruise less engaging than anticipated. Your comments regarding the temperature onboard and overall experience have been shared with our operations team for review. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us identify areas where we can improve the guest experience. Thank you for joining us, and we wish you the best in your future travels.
It seemed very wrong to me since they never arrived; the reservation stated one address, and then they called us because they were supposedly going to arrive at another address, which was Pier 36, and we waited and they never arrived.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry for the confusion regarding the departure location. On occasion, departure locations may need to change at the last minute due to weather, maritime conditions, or operational requirements. In these situations, we make every effort to contact guests and provide updated instructions. According to our records, the cruise did operate as scheduled throughout the day. If you believe there was a misunderstanding or issue with your reservation, we encourage you to contact our Customer Care team so we can review the details and assist you further. We appreciate your comments, as they help us improve communication and the guest experience.
Well first let’s start with communication there was none from the start of us getting to the pier until we finally left an hour later and having to pay 60 dollars for parking for an event that never happened! We got to the pier at 12:00 on the dot . When they finally called they lied and said the boat left at 12:30 but keep in mind we were told the boat was having issues and would be a little late . That’s not the issue the problem was them not showing up at all then lying about it . I had 3 different conversations and all of them were very scam like I would never suggest this to anyone . The first time we were offered another ride but they were going to charge an additional fee which is crazy because we already paid for a boat that didn’t show so why would I pay again without proof I’m actually going this time . Then the man just stopped answering or would pick up and not say a word we were told to speak to this booking company to get our money back because this is ridiculous worst experience EVER !!!!!DO NOT TRUST THESE SCAM ARTIST THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND TELL U THE BOAT CAME EVEN THOUGH U NEVER GOT ON A BOAT !!
Thank you for sharing your experience, and I’m sorry for the stress and inconvenience this caused, especially with the waiting time and parking costs involved. This is not the experience we aim to deliver on the Statue of Liberty sightseeing cruise. When departures are delayed or operational issues arise at the pier, communication should be clear and consistent, and it sounds like that did not happen in your case. I understand how frustrating it would be to receive mixed information about departure times and next steps, particularly when you were already on site and ready to go. That said, I want to gently clarify that situations like this are usually the result of last-minute operational disruptions rather than intentional misinformation. However, regardless of the cause, the lack of proper updates and support you received is something we take seriously. We would appreciate the chance to look into your booking details so we can better understand what happened and ensure it is properly addressed with the local team.
A disaster. We were herded to the tip of Manhattan by a horde of fake guides who work for the company that organizes the cruises... they sold us tickets at double the price, promising an immediate departure... then we waited for an hour... to see a bus arrive that then made us go through all of Manhattan in traffic for an hour... for barely an hour of a noisy and uncomfortable cruise, where not everyone had a seat... a scandal. Absolutely to be avoided. A real scam.
We believe this review may have been posted on the wrong listing. The experience described does not match our operation, vessels, departure process, or business practices. There are many different sightseeing cruise operators in New York Harbor, and unfortunately some independent street sellers and unrelated companies operate in the area. Our company does not use “fake guides,” does not transport guests by bus across Manhattan before boarding, and does not conduct departures in the manner described in this review. We encourage future travelers to carefully verify the operator name and departure location shown on their booking confirmation. Our cruises continue to provide thousands of visitors with enjoyable views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline each year.
This was my friends' first time in NYC and we never got to experience it. Soon after I paid for the tour, the guide called and said he didn't have room for my group. We were all pissed!
We’re very sorry for the disappointment, especially on what should have been a special first visit to NYC for your friends. Your booking came through after the cut-off time, and unfortunately there was a technical issue on Viator’s side that allowed the reservation to go through despite the cruise already being at capacity. As soon as we received it, we reached out right away to inform you. We understand how frustrating this situation is and truly apologize for the inconvenience caused. This was not the experience we want for our guests, and we’re working to ensure better synchronization to prevent this from happening again.
Inept in many ways: Docking - captain inexperienced and time consuming Unprofessional staff Chairs facing reverse (the view did not match the monologue) Explanation: As the director was speaking the view didn’t match
We’re sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback regarding the docking, staff professionalism, and seating orientation. Your comments about the narration not aligning with the views are especially important, as that’s a key part of the experience. We will be reviewing this with our operations team to ensure better coordination and overall quality moving forward. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
