On my second trip to New York City, we made time for a little cruise on the Hudson River. Despite the cold, I figured the cruise would help us see some of the sites without the hassle of getting up early to beat the crowds. Turns out my idea paid off and we all had a great time.
Circle Line was the one we decided to go with because, quite frankly, I liked how easy their website was to navigate and their prices were reasonable. If you are into downloading apps to your phone, they have a free one that you can use to follow your journey along the river. Personally, I found the tour guide, John Keats, more interesting, so I kept my phone out only for pictures.
The cruise takes you to the liberty area sites including:
 Statue of Liberty |
Pier 54 (Titanic Pier) |
| Ellis Island |
Empire State Building |
| One World Trade Center |
World Financial Center |
| Battery Park |
One thing I found interesting was the role that Circle Line played in both the miracle on the Hudson landing by Captain Sully and helping to evacuate the area during the 9/11 attacks. Goes to show that while NYC might have a reputation for being rough, it has a heart that stands out among the best.
For those worrying they will get motion sickness, don’t. I get queasy just thinking about being on a boat and I handled this just fine. Still fearful? Talk to your doctor about some over-the-counter ginger pills and Tylenol before the trip. That’s my go-to remedy when I get motion sickness.
There are plenty of places on the boat to walk around or sit, both inside and out, to get some air if you need it. If you get the munchies, drinks and snacks are available for a price that resembles that of theme park fare.
At $29 per adult and $23 per child (ages 3-12), it’s a nice time along the Hudson and it’s the next best thing to going to the pedestal of Lady Liberty. The next time we are in NYC, we plan check out the other cruises available, like the Harbor Lights Cruise, so we can see the water at night in all its glory.
Circle Line is included in the NYC CityPASS. If you have plans to visit, check out their website for current promotions and bundles with other area attractions. The Intrepid Museum (home of the Space Shuttle Enterprise) is next door and one of my family’s favorite stops on our trip.
Cruise prices vary depending on the tour you select. For more details, check out Circle Line’s website for availability and booking.
Disclaimer: GeekMom was given two tickets to this experience to use for this review.
