With many New Yorkers still working from home, you and your team may be looking for ways to get together again and reconnect. The city that never sleeps has tons of remote team-building events that will help your company with higher/improved morale, employee retention, improved teamwork and more.
It's autumn in New York City! The changing colors of the leaves in fall are always worth seeing. The trees in the city turn a beautiful shade of rust and orange, making them some of the best to see this time of year. Luckily for you, there are many great spots to see these stunning colors in the Big Apple! This article will discuss what those places are and what you can do to make sure you don’t miss out on one of nature's most brilliant sights.
We’ve put together a list of the five best 30th birthday party ideas in New York City right now. Now the only question is this—how will you take on NYC this year?
Are you looking for a special way to commemorate your favorite graduate’s big achievement? Instead of hosting a big graduation party, why not grab a few of your graduate’s closest family and friends and head out to sea? A graduation party on a boat is something no one will ever forget!
Whether you’re looking for ways to surprise your girlfriend, first date ideas in NYC, or the best way to swoon your wife on your 50th anniversary, New York City is chock full of options for you.
We’ve compiled a list of the best bachelor party ideas you can find in New York City. We hope that you’ll find your next bachelor party experience on this list.
Retirement parties are bittersweet affairs. We feel sad when we say goodbye to people that we have worked beside for years, but our spirits are uplifted when we think about the life of leisure that awaits them. The standard retirement party is held in a hotel, restaurant or catering hall and has the atmosphere of a corporate function, which is not the formula for a lively event that people will remember for years.
Loyal employees deserve better than that, so a more inspiring venue must be found. In this article, we will show you how to really make a splash by giving your valued employees the opportunity to sail into retirement with a classy boat rental.
When we think about parties, we remember interesting people, enjoyable conversations and candid moments.
Having a party on a boat changes everything because it places attendees in an environment they associate with leisure and luxury, and holding a party on a boat rental in New York City surrounds attendees with some of the most famous landmarks and impressive architecture in the world.
People have more fun at parties when they feel relaxed and confident enough to let their hair down, but this is a difficult atmosphere to create in most traditional party spaces.
Most of us spend very little time on boats, so we tend to feel quite a rush when we do take to the water. This is precisely the feeling hosts must create if they want their parties to be remembered, and holding events on the water makes this easy.
Once aboard, a combination of fresh air, tranquil water and inspiring sights will make sure that this feeling lasts. They will also create just the kind of atmosphere a retirement party deserves.
Boats are smaller and more intimate spaces than catering facilities or chain hotels. There is enough room to provide personal space and comfort, but attendees are not going to wander off and get lost.
Goodbye and thank-you speeches are often the most memorable parts of retirement parties, and they are not likely to be missed on a boat where everybody knows what is going on.
A party’s venue should match the number of people attending. The most gregarious partygoers in the world could find striking up a conversation difficult if there are only a handful of them and the event they are attending is being held in a cavernous space, and they are also unlikely to have much fun if they are subjected to constant jostling in an overcrowded environment.
To ensure that your party goes off without a hitch, New York Harbor Tours has two party vessels for you to choose from:
Tireless: Our original New York party boat has a large and open deck and an enclosed cabin that can provide temporary shelter during brief rain showers. There is ample seating outside for up to six party attendees, and they will have plenty of room to stretch out and take in everything New York City has to offer. Tireless also has a clean and working bathroom and a small galley that can be used to store party supplies, heat up food and keep drinks cool.
Reliance: Our latest New York party boat is a classic passenger vessel that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry 16 passengers. After serving as an offshore ferry in Maine for many years, Reliance was purchased by New York Harbor Tours. We then completely refitted the classic motor yacht with a new roof, a new deck, new rails and railings and new furniture and fittings. Reliance now looks better than ever, and she is ready to provide a great retirement gift.
If you choose to hold a retirement party on a boat, you should look for a yacht party rental company that offers a choice of experiences. At New York Harbor Tours, we offer the following NYC cruises:
New York Harbor: The waters around the southern tip of Manhattan are home to some of the most famous sights in the world. If you choose this cruise for your retirement party, your guests will have plenty to look at as the route passes the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower.
Manhattan: The cruise that made us famous is a tour all the way around Manhattan. If you pick this cruise, your attendees will travel under all of New York City’s incredible bridges and see sights including Yankee Stadium and the Cloisters.
Daylight and sunset: You can choose to hold your retirement party during the day when the city pulses with life or in the evening as things wind down. Evenings are especially popular because seeing the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty is an unbelievable experience. Also, the city lights look magical at night.
Fall foliage: If you would prefer to enjoy the wonders of nature, you could take in fall foliage during your retirement party. If you choose our popular Hudson River cruise, your boat will sail under the George Washington Bridge and past the Palisades.
If you want to throw a retirement party that your guests will be eager to attend, you should consider holding it on a New York Harbor Tour party boat. Holding a retirement party on a boat is a great way to show that you care and want to give loyal employees a fine farewell.
If you would like to find out more about our party packages or corporate cruise options, you can call us at (718) 230-0136 or use our online form to send us a message.
Having a corporate party is a great way to bring your team together. The problem is that most company party locations allow people to come and go as they please, and they also don’t have a truly unique hook that will keep your employees interested. However, you can avoid these issues by booking a unique venue for corporate parties. Let’s get off of land and take to the sea with a NYC cruise.
Nothing will bring your team together quite like going on a yacht ride. In fact, in 2022, New York Harbor Tours cruises are only offering private boat rentals for some of our most well-liked adventures!
Bring up to 16 guests and enjoy the sights on our Daytime Downtown Loop. This cruise lasts approximately 90 minutes and will take you by the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and much more. If you’d like to add on the Cloisters, Yankee Stadium, and the city’s iconic bridges, book our three-hour Manhattan Circumnavigation tour instead.
There are several different cruises that may suit your company party venue plans. Not only can you choose the Daytime Downtown Loop or the Manhattan Circumnavigation tour, but you may also prefer to have your party in the evening. That’s when the New York City Lights Tour is offered, and it has to be seen to be believed! The entire city will light up for you in all its splendor. Additionally, you’ll be able to see the stars from the deck of our ship.
No matter what tour you choose, you and your teammates will be out at sea for a minimum of 90 minutes. This makes it the perfect team event to work on building coworker relationships because there will be no one and nothing on board to distract you. It’ll be just you, your team, and the beauty of New York City.
You can also take part in any of the following corporate fun activities!
Someone may be retiring but coming together to celebrate their new life will make a fantastic team-building event for those who aren’t retiring. For a more traditional retirement party, be sure to consider NYC restaurants such as Masterpiece Caterers. Alternatively, grab up
If there’s one thing that seems to help co-workers come together, it’s shooting each other with lasers. This allows them to get out some of their frustrations in a healthy way. Book a party slot with Area 53 NYC and get ready to show off how good your aim is! It may seem like an odd choice at first, but laser tag is one of the best team-building activities.
Choosing a bar for a company happy hour can be a nightmare. Let us propose a solution: Villanelle. Your team can have up to 75 guests and will be treated to a room that’s just for them. Or you can pick 16 people to drink and be merry about our NYC yacht. It’s BYOB on board the ship, so you can make sure everyone has what they want.
This is one of the most fantastic outing ideas, and it’ll allow your co-workers to build rapport with each other. Rather than go to a bar, you’ll be taken through one of NYC’s most revered museums as a group. When you’re done looking at the art, your host will take your team through a series of icebreakers and other team activities.
Whether you’ve got a team of six or a massive group with up to 300 guests, Scav Boss can accommodate you. For 90 minutes, your team will experience a series of outdoor and indoor challenges. Even better, the scavenger hunt will be personalized to suit your industry!
Have you ever taken your friends down in a trivia match? Get prepared to do the same thing to your co-workers at this 90-minute event. Find out who is the brainiest and brightest by taking on the Ultimate Trivia Showdown.
Attending the Storytelling Workshop could be a good team-building event for any type of company. However, if you happen to work in publishing, it’s even better! For two hours, your group of anywhere from six to 300 people will learn how to work together and spin a coherent story.
BrainXcape Manhattan holds the notable distinction of being voted the best escape room in New York City. This is partially due to their movie set-styled rooms. You can fit between two and 10 people per room, so this is definitely for a smaller group. Another way you can enjoy each other’s company is by booking a NYC cruise.
iFly Westchester allows you to find out what it’s like to skydive – indoors! If your group size exceeds six, please contact iFly to find out about pricing and other options.
Proving that NYC is a place with everything, you can take all your co-workers to Spin. Their private events such as a corporate party can accommodate between 10 and 900 guests. Take each other on with ping pong games, which can be anywhere from casual to competition style.
Most people seem to think they can’t paint, but your co-workers will learn otherwise as they paint the night away! Events can be held in person or virtually. To keep up with the demand for virtual events, Paint Nite with Yaymaker will ship everything to you in time for your scheduled party.
Do you prefer the old-fashioned approach of an elementary school’s Field Day? Then you’ll love Throwback Fitness! Held outside, their Field Day event encourages you to bust out the Super Soakers. You’ll also play classic games such as Steal the Bacon, Capture the Flag, and Bombardment.
Get ready for NYC’s most innovative team-building experience. Accomplice the Show is billed as “adventure theater for New York City.” Spend three hours with 10-15 co-workers as you try to figure everything out. You’ll also have time for food and drinks!
If you prefer to get off your feet for three hours, you can take up to 16 guests on the New York Harbor Tours Manhattan circumnavigation cruise.
There’s something super special about being able to participate in a video game brought to life for an hour. Beat the Bomb has groups of four to 12 playing to see if they can beat the bomb. Your team will have a blast as they crack codes, dodge lasers, and suit up in hazmat gear.
Everyone has something they’ve been keeping inside. Encourage each of your co-workers to finally let it go as they throw axes at Live Axe. Everyone will have the opportunity to do so, and there will also be craft beers, artisanal cocktails, and great food.
Set the team building aside and take in the holidays aboard a yacht! This is a truly unique way to celebrate any season. For instance, we offer a NYC Fall Foliage Cruise that would be ideal for Halloween time. Perhaps the best holiday-related tour we offer, though, is a 3-hour ride to see the city light up for the Fourth of July.
Does the boss have a birthday coming up? Although it may not technically be a holiday, your boss will feel like their big day is the best day of the year with a New York City cruise. We offer all the normal cruise options, or you can choose to select your own itinerary. Regardless of what you decide to do, the magic will take place in Manhattan’s New York harbor. What a uniquely different way to celebrate someone’s birthday.
When it’s time to dress up and enjoy a fancy party together, choose the elegant Rainbow Room. You’ll be able to party in the same space as some of the brightest entertainment stars, along with former presidents and dignitaries.
This modern Italian restaurant offers some of the very best views of Manhattan’s waterfront. Book a party space that can hold up to 50 guests. Alternatively, you can rent the entire space to be able to include up to 250 people. If getting dressed up isn’t your style, you can also take in Manhattan’s water from within a 16-passenger NYC cruise.
Up to 90 people can take in the glamorous and sophisticated style of the hotel’s nine-story atrium. Not only does The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel promise fantastic views of the city, but it also has some of the finest liquor available.
Do you need to talk to your teammates about something important? A conference is usually held in a hotel, but why not change up the scenery by taking everyone on a corporate party cruise? You can conduct your business meeting in peace, and then we’ll show you everything that there is to see around Manhattan.
The Manhattan Circumnavigation tour is ideal for conference groups or team building activities as it keeps you on the water for three hours. An added bonus is that you won’t have to compete with the hustle and bustle of the city to keep everyone’s attention. You should have plenty of time to finish your meeting and take in the best NYC has to offer.
If you happen to work in the FinTech field, you’re going to absolutely love everything that Rise New York has to offer. This shared workspace also has conference rooms that you can rent. Rise places a major emphasis on female innovators, so choose this conference space if you do too!
The very best conferences can be held inside this center that’s dedicated exclusively to them. There are several different rooms you can rent out including very large ones to accommodate a big team. Be sure to check out the Downtown Conference Center before deciding who will host your conference.
If you have 16 people or fewer who need to attend your conference, how about considering a completely different venue? Cruising around Manhattan is always a solid choice!
Although The Farm is buried deep within the heart of Soho, it has a country vibe. You can fit up to 50 people in your conference. Enjoy the Loft Venues, Meeting Rooms, The Rooftop, and The Industrial areas of The Farm and host a conference that no one would have ever expected.
The best corporate party idea is, of course, doing something together that’s purely for fun. There are plenty of things you could do that fit this bill but taking a group of 16 people on a NYC cruise will definitely be a highlight. You could even take a coworker and their family on a cruise. After all, nothing beats hitting the sea for kids!
One of the best things about taking a cruise is that everyone on board will be able to sit back, relax, and take in the beautiful city. Even if you were all born and raised in New York City, there’s nothing like a harbor cruise to show you the city in a new light.
Don’t worry about getting everyone to the cruise, our pickup spot in Manhattan is easy to get to for all team members. And if you’re coming from New Jersey, we even have a pickup spot on the Jersey City side of the harbor.
Do you are your coworkers need to let off some steam? Why not do it together on board our 16-passenger yacht? When you partake in a summer Friday party, you and your team will be able to unwind and take in all the beauty of NYC.
Has it been a long time since your team got outside and enjoyed the beauty of nature? Solve that problem right now by booking a walk through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. You’ll be able to take in plants, birds, a Shakespeare Garden, a Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, and historic art.
Would you like to reward your staff for a job well done? Perhaps you’ve just closed on a project that took many, many weeks to complete. Whatever your reason, book some time at the Aire Ancient Baths. Take in the serene environment as you bathe in six different thermal baths for 90 minutes or unwind with a relaxing massage.
This is the event that many of your coworkers will love! You could stay on land by visiting The Spot Karaoke & Lounge NYC, which features private karaoke rooms. If you have a large team, this is a great choice as they can host up to 150 people.
Of course, for a more intimate setting, you could bring karaoke with you as you cruise around NYC. We can accommodate up to 16 people, and this makes us the perfect choice for a smaller team outing.
You can have the most unusual corporate party event in town. Simply visit our tours page to schedule a cruise for you and your coworkers. Each cruise is limited to a maximum of 16 passengers, so it’s the perfect way to enjoy an intimate outing and get to know each other better. Sign up for our team-building activities today!
If you’re planning to propose, there’s no place better to do it than in New York City! The Big Apple has something for everyone, including the perfect proposal spot. Regardless of your interests, you’re sure to find a place you’ll both love on the following list. Remember: it has to be memorable, as you’ll be telling this story for years to come.
As promised, there are a myriad of places to propose in New York City. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 we've collected that are our personal favorites.
This is one of the best ways to propose in NYC, and it’s grown quite popular over the years. That being said, why not propose to that special someone in your life during a private proposal tour of New York City’s Harbor? You and your beau will be taken out for a two- or three-hour tour, or you can plan a custom cruise. There, you’ll see the beauty that NYC offers before popping the big question. Even better, you can choose between having it just be the two of you or inviting some of your closest friends and family on board. Consider a romantic evening sunset cruise, a city lights cruise, or a private boat dinner to make your night truly special. Proposing by boat is also one of the most intimate and private places to propose in NYC, so celebrate life’s biggest moment in style!
If you and your fiancée to-be are more of the flashy type, then this is a proposal idea you’ll love! Take a walk into the heart of Times Square and let the grandeur of the city ask the question for you. That’s right, one of the iconic billboards in Times Square will light up with any message – or question – you have in mind. Be aware that this proposal tends to lead to a lot of gawking, but if that doesn’t bother you, it’s something you’ll never forget.
The park is very large, which means there are tons of great places to propose. However, your best bet is going to be either the Bow Bridge or the Gapstow Bridge. When you want NYC to be in the background of your proposal pictures, choose the Gapstow Bridge for some of the best shots in the city. When you want a little more privacy, go with the Bow Bridge, named for the bow of a violin.
Broadway’s lights let you take your beloved to one of the hottest shows in town to propose. After the show, pull them over to the side of the theater and propose. If you time it right, you might even get some of the cast members to participate in your special moment.
Would you like to have a rooftop in Manhattan all to yourself for your big moment? Yes, it might be a bit costly, but it’s certainly a moment that will live forever in your memories. Enjoy the gorgeous view of Manhattan skyscrapers as you commit to getting married. With a bit of planning, you can also have musicians waiting for the two of you on the roof.
This is the very height of romance, and it’s not even that expensive. Arrange a picnic for you and your beloved in the most popular park in the world. With such a large park, you’ll be able to find a more remote spot to pull off the biggest question of your life.
New York City’s Midtown area is truly something to behold. The Hudson River, Freedom Tower, and the Empire State Building can all be seen, along with stellar views of the entire skyline. This is the perfect spot when a photographer will be with you, as they’ll be able to capture your proposal with NYC in the background.
With a name like DUMBO, you might be wondering why you’d ever consider it for your proposal spot. But once you know that DUMBO means “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” it becomes a much more intriguing idea. Whether you want everyone to see and cheer or you’d like a quieter spot, DUMBO can accommodate you.
When you propose, you’re supposed to sweep your beau off their feet. Now, you can literally bring this idea to life with a NYC Helicopter Tour. You’ll get to see some of the city’s most photo-worthy locations, including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Chrysler Building, and Central Park. The big surprise comes with an illuminated “Marry Me” sign toward the end of the tour.
Want your proposal to seem completely spontaneous? Plan for a flash mob to meet you at a predesignated spot and time. They’ll arrange it so that your partner is totally into the moment before you drop to one knee.
We hope you enjoyed our article about the best places to propose in NYC. All of these ideas are great and promise lots of romance. To truly get away from the city while still enjoying the benefits of NYC’s backdrop, though, consider theNew York City Harbor Tour. You’ll only have the people around you that you choose, and this makes for a very special moment indeed.
New York Harbor Tours offers small group & private boat tours that depart from locations in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. If you’d like to find out more about our exciting tours for your next birthday bash, you can contact Captain Dave at 718-230-0136.
There’s a reason why people wear those “I love NYC” shirts all the time. NYC is one of the top destinations to visit during any time of the year. However, there is just something special about visiting the city during the winter season.
Technically, winter in NYC lasts from around the end of November through the early days of March, but you might be interested to know that it has snowed as late as May on two record-breaking occasions.
While you might have to don your warm apparel, you’ll have the opportunity to soak up the sights in a city that has a rich history of hosting seasonal events. From establishing the ball drop in 1907 to setting up the Rockefeller tree in 1931, New Yorkers have been working for years to turn their favorite city into a winter wonderland.
As you plan your trip, make sure to include these winter activities NYC visitors love on your itinerary, and get ready to make some memories that last a lifetime.
The majority of NYC’s top places to visit remain open throughout the winter season. If you are thinking that you’ll be relegated to only indoor activities, then you can cast those worries aside. During the winter months, you can still enjoy window shopping, boating and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge just like you would at any time of the year. You can also add a few special winter activities, such as ice skating and viewing the holiday lights to your list of adventures.
Ice skating with the NYC skyscrapers in the background is a treasured tradition among tourists and residents alike, and you’ve got several options for finding a place to glide across the rink. Bryant Park is perhaps one of the most famous ice-skating rinks in NYC, and you might even get a sense of Déjà vu when you visit it since it is depicted so much in movies.
You also have the option of visiting another well-known rink at Rockefeller Center. Like Bryant Park, you’ll instantly recognize this rink when you spot the famous Christmas Tree. If you don’t have time to ice skate during the day, then this is the place to go. Rockefeller Center’s ice-skating rink is open until midnight, which lets you glide around when NYC lights up for the night.
If you’re looking for a completely new type of ice-skating rink experience, then check out the one at The William Vale Hotel in Brooklyn. There, you’ll find the skating rink on the 23rd floor, which lets you enjoy an amazing view as you skate around on the synthetic ice.
The Met and MOMA are the two main museums that every art-lover wants to visit in NYC. Touring a museum gives you a warm place to go on a cold day, and you’ll easily be able to spend several hours taking in some of the best collections in the world.
Currently, the Van Gogh Experience is reigning high on the list of must-dos in NYC, and you’ll love exploring how an immersive exhibit allows you to view art in a whole new way. If you want to spend more time outside, then you can also visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which hosts fun winter activities such as a Build Your Own Bouquet event in February.
You’ll occasionally hear someone tell you that they are “heading to the top of the rock,” which might leave you wondering where they found a mountain in NYC. Here, this phrase means that someone is going to the observation deck at the Rockefeller Center. Located on the 70th floor, the observation deck gives you stunning views of Central Park along with the Empire State Building.
After touring NYC, you might want to take advantage of its proximity to some of the top-rated skiing destinations. Going upstate for a ski trip lets you enjoy a different type of experience than you’ll have in the urban parts of the big city. The Catskill mountains are only about three hours away from NYC, and Belleayre Mountain is known as having the highest elevation for skiing in the region.
Fitting everything you want to do in a winter day trip to NYC isn’t always easy but taking a boat tour makes it possible. On a boat that cruises at more than 16 knots, you can see the majority of the Upper Harbor within fewer than two or three hours. Being able to see iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and Yankee Stadium all in one big trip lets you check off lots of items on your bucket list.
Heading to NYC in the winter gives you a jumpstart on enjoying the city before the prime tourist season hits. Not only will you get to avoid the bigger crowds, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of more open schedules for planning your excursions. Now, all you have to do is grab your calendar and start planning for ways to explore New York in the height of one of its most beautiful seasons.
New York Harbor Tours offers small group & private boat tours that depart from locations in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. If you’d like to find out more about our exciting tours, you can contact Captain Dave at 718.230.0136.
New York is one of the most exciting and interesting cities in the world, and it also has a reputation for being very expensive. Tourists who dine at the Big Apple’s finest restaurants and shop at its most exclusive stores can spend thousands of dollars in just a few days, but there is another way. Here, we’ll cover six unique tips to get the most out of your visit to New York City without breaking the bank.
These tips to find affordable things to do in NYC include:
New York has one of the largest subway systems in the world, and it’s trains run 24 hours a day. The subway is hands down the quickest and easiest way to get to just about anywhere in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx, and you can buy a MetroCard that will give you unlimited travel for seven days for just $33.
Some of the most popular lines have sections of elevated track, which means you will be able to take in some sights as you travel from place to place. There are several apps that can help you to navigate the vast system, and you will be able to find a subway map on just about every station platform and in all subway cars.
A MetroCard will also allow you to get a bird’s-eye view of Midtown from the Roosevelt Island Tramway. The ride only takes about four minutes, and Roosevelt Island’s waterfront park is a great place to eat lunch and marvel at the skyline.
Exploring the Big Apple on foot can be a thrilling adventure, and it’s the best way to get up close and personal with all of the great things the city has to offer. From the side streets of SOHO and Greenwich Village to breathtaking lakes and trails in Central Park, New York has something to offer every pedestrian.
Most of Manhattan is laid out as a grid with numbered streets and avenues, so getting lost is not something you really need to worry about. Walking is the cheapest way to see New York, and it is probably the most rewarding.
If you like to have control over where you go and what you see but would prefer a faster pace, you should consider a Citi Bike. A day pass costs only $15, and you can find a bike in just about any part of the city. Some of New York’s most popular walks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, also have bike lanes, and you can spend a little more to upgrade to an e-bike if pedaling sounds too much like hard work.
The East River, Hudson River and New York Harbor offer visitors to the Big Apple a way to get up close to some of the city’s most amazing and iconic landmarks, and it’s a lot more affordable than you think.
Circumnavigating Manhattan Island on a private boat tour takes about three hours, and it allows visitors to see some of the world’s most famous buildings and bridges from a very different and interesting perspective.
You can take to New York’s waterways during the day when the city is alive with activity, or you could enjoy a more relaxing and tranquil sunset boat tour. Either way, you will come away with memories that will last a lifetime.
The sights and landmarks you will encounter on your tour include:
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
The Freedom Tower
Empire State Building
The Chrysler Building
The United Nations Building
All of Manhattan’s amazing bridges
Yankee Stadium
The Cloisters
New York is home to hundreds of expensive restaurants and cheap fast-food establishments, but savvy locals prefer the delicacies on offer at the city’s ethnic bistros and cafes.
No matter where you find yourself in the city, a great place to eat that offers cuisine you may have never tasted before is likely just a few steps away. You will find authentic regional dishes from just about every part of the world, and all of this diversity and quality can often be had for the price of a burger and fries.
If Latin American and Asian food is what you are looking for, head out to Queens neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. The Bronx and Brooklyn are known for their Italian and seafood eateries, and a great pizza can be found virtually anywhere.
Eating like a local is one of the best cheap things to do in NYC, and it will also give you some great ideas for meals you can make yourself when you get home.
Even a superhero would find it difficult to take in everything New York has to offer in only a few days, so you should plan your trip carefully. A boat tour will allow you to take in most of the city’s landmarks in just a few hours, which will leave you plenty of time to find cheap fun things to do in NYC.
Many of the city’s craft breweries offer free tours, and walking the picturesque High Line, which is a stretch of elevated train tracks that have been turned into a park, is a great way to spend a couple of hours in the Big Apple.
New Yorkers have a reputation for being a little brusque, but that should not put you off talking to locals when you visit the city. Most people love to help others and feel flattered when they are asked questions, and this is as true in a big city like New York as it is in a small rural community.
Locals will be able to direct you to the tastiest food and the best deals, and they will also be happy to tell you about cheap things to do in NYC that you might not read about in travel blogs.
New York truly is a city like no other, and many of its greatest attractions are quite affordable. The deck of a boat will give you a view of the Big Apple that few visitors experience, and your New York Harbor Tours captain could be a valuable source of information about where you could go to shop, eat and take in the city. If you would like to see and enjoy what most tourists miss out on in New York, you should think about booking a NYC boat tour. Try our Fall Foliage Tour or Sunset Cruise.
The holiday season has arrived, and you know that you’ll see the most spectacular light displays in a city that is known for never sleeping. New York City is recognized worldwide for going all out with dazzling lights that sparkle and twinkle late into the night. If you’re wondering where the best and brightest Christmas lights in NYC in 2021 are, then you won’t have to look far. These are all the best ways to take in a beautiful light show that can serve as the highlight of your holiday season in the city.
This Brooklyn neighborhood quickly gets to work on hanging up their lights and blowing up their inflatables the day after Thanksgiving. While some of the residents get a head start, frequent visitors will tell you that the best time to see all of the decorations on full display falls around mid-December and lasts through New Year’s Eve.
During your tour through the neighborhood, you can see inflatable Santas and snowmen that are bigger than life. Many of the homeowners also set up music that you can hear playing over loudspeakers, and you might even catch a few synchronized shows.
You can take this tour in a car, but traffic tends to get thick during the busiest parts of the season. Many people opt to take the subway and enjoy a slow stroll through the sparkling neighborhood. If you decide to visit this well-known light show, then keep in mind that this is a real life community.
Make sure to treat each home as you would one in your neighborhood by resisting the urge to walk across the lawn, and remember to yield to homeowners who may need to leave their driveway.
Get ready to pull out your camera for the perfect family holiday photo op! The New York Botanical Garden is setting up its Let It GLOW show for the second year, and it is quickly becoming known as being one of the top light displays in NYC. Here, you’ll find a 1.5 mile walking path that includes thousands of LED lights that are all beautifully arranged into dramatically whimsical installations.
As you walk, you can also learn more about the plants in the gardens while enjoying exciting dance performances and ice carving demonstrations.
When you pick up tickets for this event, remember to check out the safety guidelines to make sure you are fully prepared to enjoy a memorable visit.
The Rockefeller Center puts on what just might be one of the most iconic light displays in the world. If you catch yourself feeling a sense of Deja vu here, then it is likely because you’ve seen this holiday scene displayed in countless movies and television shows.
The Rockefeller Center lights up its oversized Norway Spruce with an amazing array of LED lights on December 1, 2021. Then, you can enjoy seeing them daily from 6 a.m. to midnight up until Christmas Day when the lights are left on for a full 24-hours.
As a final wrap up to the season, the lights return to their original schedule and stay on until the evening of New Year’s Day.
Going to see the lights at the Rockefeller Center is a full event that involves much more than gazing at the twinkling colored bulbs. You’ll also want to make plans to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and go ice-skating with the wintery scene serving as the perfect backdrop for your full NYC experience.
The Bronx Zoo is an exciting place to visit during any time of the year, but the staff here goes all out when it comes to creating a fantastic Christmas light display. Every year seems to get better than the year before as the team adds new lanterns to represent the diverse range of animals that live here. For 2021, they’ve added 79 new lanterns to represent the different animal species that they care for, which means that you’ll be treated to a display of nearly 300 glowing creatures.
The immersive light displays invite you and your family to take a journey through special areas such as the Forest Full of Color that leave you mesmerized and more appreciative of the beauty of nature. This is a must-do trip if you have kids, and you’ll all be treated to additional surprises such as stilt-walkers, light dancers and costumed characters. You can even enjoy a holiday ride on the train that runs through the zoo.
Strolling around the zoo or Rockefeller Center is always nice, but you’ll also want to plan for some time away from the crowds where you can fully experience the sentiment of the holidays. Taking a private boat ride with New York Harbor Tours allows you to drift out onto the Hudson River where you can view NYC from a different lens. On the water, the light displays in NYC take on a magical appearance, and you can see some of the most notable ones from your boat.
Just seeing the Statue of Liberty lit up in all of its glory is a remarkable sight on a normal day, and a holiday trip along the Hudson offers many more surprises. Throughout the year, the Empire State Building offers Tower Light shows that include changing the colors to honor special events and holidays.
As you float along the Hudson, make sure to scan the skyline for some of the brightest lights in NYC that serve as a reminder of all that you hold dear this season. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Yankee stadium, the sky in NYC is aglow with cheerfulness and hope for a merry Christmas and joyful New Year.
Spending time in NYC is already an amazing gift, and you can make your visit extra special by arranging to see some of the most beautiful light displays in the world. When you plan your visit, make sure to schedule a Harbor Tour. We have an amazing New York City Lights Cruise that will be a unique and amazing opportunity to see the beauty of the city lights by sea. Our crew welcomes the chance to point out our favorite holiday lights NYC offers on the shore while you enjoy a private holiday moment with your family on the waters.
There was a time when New York Harbor was the busiest waterfront area in the world. The Statue of Liberty has watched over New York for more than 200 years, and a harbor tour will give you a chance to see how those centuries have shaped the city. This article will cover the sights and sounds you can look forward to as you experience the city that never sleeps from a new vantage point on a tour of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn waterfront and lower Manhattan.
If you charter one of our Brooklyn boat tours, you will be taking your tour on our stout Downeaster, The Tireless. She was built to handle anything that Mother Nature can throw at her, and her deck holds 6 people with plenty of room to move about. The Tireless is also thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after every tour. We follow all social distancing guidelines, and the safety of our guests is always our first priority. We also offer private charters.
Don’t worry if you can’t swim and have never been on a boat, the waters around Brooklyn and lower Manhattan are quite calm and we have life preservers for everyone. The boat will also be piloted by an experienced Coast Guard captain who knows the local tides well. You can expect your harbor cruise to last about two hours, but the memories you take home with you will last a lifetime.
Your tour of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn waterfront and lower Manhattan will set off from Pier 25. Take a moment to appreciate how many people still earn their living on the waterfront, and then get ready to see some of the most famous structures in the world. Here are just a few of the sights you will see:
The Statue of Liberty: A symbol of hope for millions and New York City’s most enduring landmark, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see for any harbor tour. Your captain will get you close enough to Liberty Island to take some great photographs before its time to see what else the harbor has to offer.
Ellis Island: This was the first port of call for more than 12 million immigrants who packed all they had and set off for the New World. The main facility boasts impressive French Renaissance architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Brooklyn Bridge: Our Brooklyn boat tour sails under the Brooklyn Bridge, of course - and from the water it’s a very different experience compared to driving over it. The granite, limestone and cement span was the world’s longest suspension bridge when it opened in 1883, and you will get to see how nineteenth century engineers managed to build such an impressive structure.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: This park is the place to come for the best skyline views in New York. The city looks even more amazing from a boat.
Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower: This iconic structure was Brooklyn's tallest building for more than 80 years, and it is also a popular film location. The Continental Hotel lobby scenes in the John Wick movie series were shot in the building.
The Barclays Center: When the Barclays Center opened its doors in 2012, Brooklyn became a legitimate first-class entertainment destination. You will be able to see the Barclays Center when your boat passes the Brooklyn waterfront.
South Street Seaport: This area has some of Manhattan’s oldest buildings, and it is now home to the Fulton Market, a museum and dozens of bars and restaurants. There are also several tall ships to look at including two schooners.
The High Line: From the deck of the Tireless, you will be able to see New Yorkers enjoying the High Line. This is a section of abandoned railroad that has been converted into an elevated park.
The Empire State Building: Built on the site of the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel, the Empire State Building is an art deco masterpiece that dominates the New York City skyline. As you explore the waters around Manhattan and Brooklyn, you will see how the city’s architecture has changed over the years.
The Chrysler Building: Often seen as the Empire State Building’s little brother, the Chrysler building is widely viewed as the city’s most iconic skyscraper. It was once the world’s tallest building, and it is still the tallest tower made out of bricks.
The Freedom Tower: This is the building that rose from the wreckage of the original World Trade Center, and it is an inspiring sight. Rising 1,776 feet into the air, One World Trade center is the tallest building in the western hemisphere.
Whether you decide on a private charter or a group Brooklyn boat tour, the two hours you spend exploring New York Harbor and lower Manhattan will be filled with excitement and wonder. Take in everything the Big Apple has to offer from the comfort of a private deck, and marvel at what has been built by the people who call this area home. New York Harbor Tours has three sailings each day from Pier 25, and our boats always have an experienced captain at the helm. If you are ready to see New York in a completely new way, you can call us at (718) 230-0136 or fill out our online contact form.
Bigger-than-life New York City offers the ultimate setting for making romantic memories, as there is a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy here. Because of that simple fact, people come from around the world to propose at iconic landmarks and create moments they will cherish always.
New Yorkers are used to life in the fast lane, but a trip to one of the area’s many beaches offers an opportunity to slow down the pace and enjoy what the sun, sand and waves have to offer. And, whether you are a local, or are visiting The Big Apple on business, a welcoming beach awaits you. For your convenience, we put together a list of the 15 best beaches in New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.
You’ve made it through another year, and that’s cause for a celebration! More importantly, birthdays don’t get cancelled because of COVID-19. And they are back and more fun than ever due to businesses working hard to make sure yours is a memorable experience. Without further ado, here are some unique party ideas that the team at New York Harbor Tours put together for ringing in your birthday in NYC.
Many people like to get as far away from their home as possible for vacation. However, that’s changed in light of COVID-19, so we’d like to help you see your city in a whole new way. For example, having a staycation in Brooklyn has never looked more rewarding. Whether you’re going out by yourself, with your favorite person, or with a small group of socially-distanced friends, there are plenty of things for you to do.
Nothing is better than falling in love with NYC again and being a tourist in this city we call home. Fortunately, the Big Apple has tons of wonderful things to experience, and the best staycation ideas here are extra special. We’ve put together a list of offerings you can consult when you’re ready to carve out some time and unplug.
The Coronavirus has hit New York City hard. Our city is one of the hardest-hit, rendering frozen and ghost town-like what is usually the most exciting city in the world. People are staying home from work, cancelling plans with friends or long-distance trips, and almost completely cutting down their monthly shopping expenditures to save up and hunker down.
COVID-19 is keeping many of us indoors and away from our loved ones and friends. And for essential workers who are still going to work and risking their lives, the forced social isolation after work can be even more stressful.
But we can all look forward to life after quarantine in NYC. When the curfews are lifted and life returns to some semblance of normal, it’s almost certain you’ll be very ready to put a group activity together with family and friends.
