New york Harbor boat tour
 

I am headin to NY in a few weeks. I want to take some type of boat tour around the hudson near the statue of liberty. Doesn't have to be to fancy. Just looking for suggestions from anyone who can recommend one of the many tours of the hudson that you liked. Thnaks

Staten island ferry is free! It's the only boat trip I've taken in the area but I did enjoy the views.

I love to do the Staten Island Ferry, but it only goes across the harbor, but it's free, so do that unless you want to go up into the statue. In addition check into NY Waterway for a boat tour around Manhattan under under the Bridges. I recently did their sunset version and it was really nice viewing of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

http://www.nywaterway.com/

Goldstar.com usually has discounts for the fancier cruises If that doesn't work, statuecruises.com , the same co. that takes you to the statue, also does some pass by cruises.

As already mentioned the Staten Island ferry is free, and it goes relatively close to the Statue of Liberty.

You can also take the NY Water Taxi from Manhattan (Pier 11) to Ikea in Brooklyn and that goes through the harbor. On weekends it's free (I think during the week it is $5).

You can take one of several Circle Line Cruises, but they cost more.

I like the Water Taxi Hop on Hop Off. It goes from W 44th around the tip and up the east side (can't remember how far it goes, I think up around the UN) - and you can get on and off at several places. http://www.nywatertaxi.com/hop/

On the Staten Island ferry stay on the right side going and the left side on the return.

I take the Water Taxi to IKEA often, but we only eat the meatalls. You get a good view of Governor's Island and the Brooklyn docks and if you are lucky one of the Cunard monster ships will be in port.

The view of Statue is much farther than on the SI Ferry.

we love the Spirit cruise line --its not free but had dinner/lunch,entertainment and is very relaxing,not corwded

I can;thonestlyreco any of hte boats with meals - IMHO you get much better food on land.

Staten Island ferry is free and has great views - but is basically for commuters - so there is no tour or commentary.

Circle line has several different tours (3 hours is too long) which does have commentary. Have not been onthe Water Taxi - so don;t know about any commentary.

I suggest you take the two-hour Circle Line tours. It
will get you up close to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and
much more. The narration is informative and interesting and
the pace is leisurely--giving you time to soak in the experience.

HTTY

I second the Circle Line tour.

Oh and just to be clear - the SoL isn't in the Hudson - it's in the middle of New Your harbor - on Liberty Island. NY harbor is huge - with a bunch of islands - including Staten (a semi-suburban borough - county - with almost half a million residents).

To see up the Hudson at all you probably need to take one of the Circle line tours.