NY WATERWAY, See NY and the Statue of Liberty
Written: Jul 23 '03 (Updated Jul 07 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Short trip that's very informative and lets you see the city from a different view.
Cons: Some noisy parts of the boat making it hard to the hear tour guide
The Bottom Line: New York is an awesome town. Why not see it and learn more about it while relaxing on a boat with cool breezes on a hot day.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: NY Waterway |
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I spent a short "weekend" in the city. Sometimes we just stay downtown to see all the city has to offer there. We stayed at the Millenium Hilton Hotel. Within walking distance from there is the South Street Seaport, Castle Clinton, Battery Park, Wall Street, Federal Hall, St Paul's Chapel, Trinity Church, the Jewish Heritage Museum, Battery Park, and so much more. I tell you this because there is another way of seeing many of these places. Get on a boat and take a cruise around the southern tip of Manhattan. To see the skyline from the harbor gives a whole different perspective of what the narrow streets and tall buildings of lower Manhattan look like. You can take this trip on the NY Waterway cruises. You can board at the 38th Street and 12th Ave Piers
MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS
There was a cruise from this location that took you aboard and then around the full island of Manhattan. This takes about two hours and you get to see the Lower and Mid-Town Manhattan skylines. The Empire State Building and the United Nations are two highlights. This takes you by Yankee Stadium, the Cloisters, the Palisades, and many other sites. I'm sure this is a wonderful cruise. The NY Waterway also has many specialty cruises from the seaport and other locations.
There is the 90-Minute Harbor Cruise that takes you partially around the island. They have these day and twilight. Just this past Saturday my business had me on a yacht that circled the island. The Manhattan waterways in the twilight are magnificent. The tall skyline with beautiful sunset colours in the sky are gorgeous. The bridges take on the look of strands of glowing pearls.
NY Waterways also offer Music Cruises. While on the yacht the other night I passed several of these and let me tell you, "The decks were hopping". It seemed to be "party time" on board.
A Latin Music Cruise is also a specialty of theirs. They have boats that leave the Seaport and another in New Jersey. For these cruises everybody dresses up for night on the town, but from the NY waterways. Latin music of Salsa, Merengue fill the air. See the NY Waterway web site for times and departure points for all the different available cruises.
The New York Waterways also have trips up the Hudson River. One very popular on takes you up the river to the Tarrytown area. There are many historic homes to see, great restaurants, shopping, antiques, and other places of interest.
OUR CHOICE, A ONE HOUR CRUISE
We purchased tickets for a one O'clock departure. This particular cruise just does the lower Manhattan Harbor area. The cruise is called The Lower Harbor Cruise. This cost us $12.00 dollars each. Children are $7.00. Seniors pay $11.00. There are public parking garages in the South Street seaport area. You do have to pay.
OFF to SEA
The crew greeted us in a friendly way. The boat had two levels. It wasn't crowded the day we went. I do suggest getting to the waiting area early. We came on just five minutes before sail time. We were shut out of the better seats on the upper level. The outside better seats are not all that plentiful. There were ample inside seating. The views from most seats were good.
We actually wound up doing well because we moved from area to area for better views. We were fortunate the boat was far from full. There are few places on the boat where because of engine noises, it's hard to hear. If you hear the engine while docked, realize it will be later when the boat is out in the harbor.
The boat does have restrooms. They are small. If possible use one in the restaurants or pier area before going aboard if need be. I never looked for nor noticed any drinks or snacks for sale. This is just a one hour cruise so availability for such was not all that important to me.
The river areas are all in protected waters of the harbor. You shouldn't have to worry about sea sickness.
OUR TOUR
When we took our tour it was from the South Street Seaport. It no longer runs from there. As I mentioned earlier, it is from the west side on 38th street. The following trip was however, from the South street Seaport, just before their move to the new pier.
As soon as we left the dock our guide started talking. There were a few minute or so quiet times. Otherwise he was giving very interesting information. The boat first headed up the East River and under the Brooklyn Bridge. He gave us some brief history including the true story of PT Barnum's antics to show the bridge was strong enough for pedestrians to walk across.
Some people at the time were quite wary of the size of the bridge and the fact that the roadway was suspended from cable.
PT Barnum calmed their fears by walking a team of elephants over the span. This stone bridge is quite a site and a was a wonder of its time.
After a very brief run beyond the bridge we turned around and headed south to the open harbor area with the Verazano Narrows Bridge in the back ground.
Our guide had many interesting stories, tales, and anecdotes throughout the cruise. We passed lower eastern skyline. He pointed out the Wall Street area, Trinity Church could be seen through the chasm of tall buildings clear across town for a brief moment. George Washington spent time in this church. The guide set us up for the view.
I found that view interesting. It could be a pretty cool shot with a telephoto lens.
As we circled Battery Park we were told of its history and that it is now the temporary home of the 9/11 memorial. In the park is Castle Clinton, the fort that was built to protect the harbor from the British in 1812. It later became an immigration station before it no longer could be used because of its small size. Ellis Island was built and it took over immigration processing.
We were also told that the Castle went through a few more changes. It became the premier music hall of New York and then was turning into a very popular aquarium until World War II. It is now rebuilt to its former 1812 look. This is a National Historic Site and where tickets and departures to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are processed..
Our guide pointed out many other sites I didn't know much about. This guy was full of great and interesting information. I wonder if they are all as good as he was.
As we turned the Island he pointed out the Jewish Heritage Museum. In a review I wrote I asked of anyone knew why the building had six sides. I didn't ask for that info when there. Our guide told us, unasked, that each of the buildings six sides represent one million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. I will ad that to my review soon.
9/11 and the WORLD TRADE CENTER
The boat then came up to the Financial District. This area had been damaged from falling debris on 9/11. It is a very attractive, clean and popular place for concerts and outdoor shows. The atrium area, that you may have seen in 9/11 pictures, is a beautiful, huge, glassed in area that sports 12 or is it 18 tall palm trees, small stores and many restaurants. Whatever the amount of palms it still is lovely.
Having watched the World Trade Center being built in my life time and having visited there many times I really miss the tall Twin towers in the skyline. If you do take this cruise be sure to take a before picture. Before it is rebuilt into the worlds tallest building being 1776 feet in the air. The choice of height was for the year our country declared its independence. Our guide had a few words about the building. He also explained how this boat, we were on, was pressed into service to evacuate people off lower Manhattan that fate full September Day.
NEW JERSEY SITES
After passing the Financial area he pointed out the opposite shore, that of New Jersey. A new tall skyscraper was being built. it will be the new home of Goldman Saks. This business had many offices in the Twin Towers. They decided to leave New York.
Nearby the tower is a huge clock. It's more that fifty foot in diameter! The minute hand weighs over a ton and the movement of one minute moves the hand almost two feet. This was the Colgate Clock They moved from New jersey years ago and left the clock. Its funny how time changes things. Some businesses move out and then others move in.
ELLIS ISLAND and the STATUE of LIBERTY
We continued back into the harbor passing the old rail station used for immigrants moving on to other destinations in the growing USA. We then headed to Ellis Island and were given some history.
After that we made out way to the Statue of Liberty. Our guide then, after a minute or two of silence and without any fanfare firmly stated the words that are known almost as well as the statue herself.
.....A mighty woman with a torch.....from her
beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome...Give
me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses
yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse
of your teeming shore.Bring these, the homeless,
tempest-tossed to me; I lift my lamp beside the
golden door.
Emma Lazarus
It was unexpected and touching. I'm sure each guide has their own stories and ways of addressing them. This guy was great. I really wish I remembered his name.
GOING HOME to the SEAPORT
We then, after some picture taking opportunities, headed back to the pier. The facts and stories kept on coming. We docked and then slowly departed the boat. the guide will accept tips for a job well done.
This trip took just one hour. It was perfect. We didn't lose much shopping or site seeing time. We were rested by the ride and the cool breezes and we were entertained with stories and learned a bit about the history of NYC and the good people of it.
I strongly recommend this short cruise for tourists and New Yorkers alike.
The Beast Spead Boat A thrilling way to see NYC by boat. This isn't for the meek.
Other downtown Manhattan reviews by Popsrocks
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
Castle Clinton National Memorial
Battery Park Home of the temporary 9/11 memorial.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
NY WATERWAY Tour NYC by boat.
Federal Hall National Historic SiteDowntown across from Wall Street, our first Capitol Building was there.
Jewish Heritage Museum
St Paul's ChapelA living Memorial to 9/11
Greenwich VillageIt's Hip and Happening
Millenium Hilton., directly across from ground zero. They have reopened!A great location to all that is downtown
More NYC reviews
New York City The Greatest City in the World
The Empire State Building
Radio City Music Hall A Spectacular place to see a show!
The INTREPID Sea-Air-Space MUSEUM It's a good one!
Museum of Natural History
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Something is Missing A Tribute to the good people and the twin towers that were lost on 9/11 http://www.epinions.com/content_3161628804
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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