1.5-Hour Circle Line Landmarks

Circle Line: 1.5hr - New York City Landmarks Cruise runs through Circle Line. Rated 4.5 across 1,145 reviews. Runs 1 hour 30 minutes. From $34.

Overview

This Circle Line cruise lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and leaves from Pier 83 in Midtown Manhattan, at West 43rd Street and 12th Avenue, and loops around the heart of New York's harbor. The boat heads down the Hudson River first, passing Hudson Yards and Little Island before rounding Battery Park. It then travels up the East River, past the South Street Seaport and under the Brooklyn Bridge, before turning back to the starting pier.

Along the way you pass most of the city's headline sights without setting foot off the boat: One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, and, for many passengers the main event, the Statue of Liberty up close. A live English-speaking guide narrates the whole route, covering the history of each site as it comes into view. Reviewers frequently praise the guides as knowledgeable and entertaining, with several mentioning the up-close views of the statue and the bridges as the highlights.

At 200 travellers maximum it is a large-group experience rather than an intimate one, but multiple reviewers with kids and seniors in tow said it worked well for mixed-age groups.

What's Included

Included

Live narration by Circle Line’s world famous guides (in English)
Free Wi-Fi on board
Toilets on board (Restroom on board)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Outdoor deck
Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (headphones required) Details are on the listing.

Not Included

Food & Beverages (Available for Purchase Onboard)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Itinerary

Meet at Pier 83Check in at Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Midtown, 83 North River Piers at West 43rd Street and 12th Avenue. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for boarding.
Down the Hudson RiverThe boat travels down the Hudson from Midtown, passing Hudson Yards and Little Island along the Manhattan waterfront.
Around Battery ParkAt the southern tip of Manhattan the route rounds Battery Park, with views of One World Trade Center and the harbor skyline.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis IslandThe cruise passes by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. These are pass-by views only, with no landing on either island.
Up the East RiverThe route continues up the East River past the South Street Seaport and under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Return to MidtownThe cruise ends back at the same Pier 83 departure point in Midtown.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things will shape the experience, from what you can bring on board to how the narration works in languages other than English.

Arrive early. The listing asks passengers to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for boarding. This gives time to check in at the box office, where infant tickets for children under 3 are also issued.
Bring headphones. Live narration is in English only. For nine other languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean, you download the free Circle Line app and listen or read on board using the boat's free Wi-Fi. Headphones are not provided, so bring your own.
Sun and wind. The boat has an outdoor deck, and reviewers took plenty of photos from it. On hot days multiple reviewers said the breeze on the water was a relief during a heat wave.
Food and drink. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on board. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase, according to the listing. Gratuities are not included in the ticket.
Group feel. The cruise carries up to 200 travellers, so expect crowds at the rails during the Statue of Liberty pass. Still, reviewers repeatedly described the boat as clean and comfortable, and several families with young children and seniors said the pace and length suited them well.
Photography. Reviewers describe great picture opportunities throughout the route, from the skyline and bridges to the Statue of Liberty pass. All landmarks are pass-by views, so photo chances come as the boat moves rather than at dedicated stops.

Common issues. The narration is live, so quality varies with the guide on duty; most reviewers praised theirs, but one said the guide spoke too fast to match buildings to commentary, and another reported a faulty microphone that made the narration hard to hear. Weather can affect the experience, with reviewers reporting rain and heat waves. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, food and drinks cost extra on board, and the full refund window closes 24 hours before departure. The infant ticket for children under 3 is free but must be requested at the box office.

Picking Your Boat Tour

Where does the cruise depart from?

From Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises at Pier 83, 83 North River Piers, at West 43rd Street and 12th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The cruise ends back at the same pier, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How long is the tour?

The cruise lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. It runs down the Hudson, around Battery Park past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, up the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge, and back to Midtown.

Is food included?

No. Food and beverages are not included but can be purchased on board, according to the listing. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on the boat, and gratuities are also not included.

Is the cruise suitable for kids and wheelchair users?

Yes. The boat is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and most travellers can participate. Infants must sit on laps, and children under 3 travel free with an infant ticket requested at the box office. Several reviewers travelled with young children and seniors and recommended it for families.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the departure time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times are based on local time in New York.

What should I bring?

Bring your own headphones if you want narration in a language other than English. Do not bring outside food or drinks, as they are not permitted on board. You can buy snacks and beverages on the boat instead.