The Circle Line sightseeing cruises are an absolute must do when visiting New York.
They are great value for money and the perfect way to see New York from a very different perspective.
There are numerous different cruise options from a 50 minute trip out to the Statue of Liberty to our recommendation of the 2.5hr cruise that completely circles all of Manhattan island.
All the trips have tour guides that provide interesting stories and facts of the landmarks and the amazing city skyline as you cruise around and there’s plenty of seating inside and out and heating if you’re visiting in the winter/cooler months.
The cruises leave from Pier 83 in Manhattans lower west side on the Hudson River – excluding the Liberty Super Express and Statue at Sunset cruise which departs from Pier 16 near the Brooklyn Bridge.
To get to Pier 83 is about a 7 minute walk from the Subway at 34 St Hudson Yards.
As an indication of distance/time, it’s around 4 miles / 6.5km from the north/top end of Central Park (Harlem) and a 1.5hr walk or 15-20 minute taxi which will cost circa £20 / €24 / $25.
Just 5 minutes walk from Pier 83 is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum which is another must do visit as it’s on an aircraft carrier where they have a NASA space shuttle, fighter jets and a Concorde and a space-flown Soyuz capsule as well as a submarine you can go aboard!
There are also plenty of restaurant options in the area including in the neighbourhood of Hells Kitchen around a 15 minute walk from Pier 83.
A section of West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Hells Kitchen is nicknamed Restaurant Row after the number of restaurants located along its length.
We highly recommend a Circle Line Cruise followed up with a trip to the Intrepid Museum finished off with a fantastic meal in Hells Kitchen.
And if you’re wondering whether Gordon Ramsay still has a restaurant in Hells Kitchen, he doesn’t however he does have a Fish and Chip restaurant in Times Square!
