A 315 mile waterway surrounded by the Catskill Mountains to the West and the Taconic and Berkshire Hills to the East, the Hudson River is surrounded by breathtaking beauty and seeped in history. The villages peppered on its fringe date back to the Dutch and English eras and feature architecture seen in no other parts of America. The Hudson River flows from Lake Tear of the Clouds, past Albany forming the border between New Jersey and New York City, finally emptying out into the Upper New York Bay. Hudson River Cruises take place from different points along the river, but the most popular Hudson River Cruises tour the lower portion of the river near landmark-rich Manhattan. If you're interested in witnessing this historic part of New York from the comfort of a cruise, our curation of the Best Hudson River Cruises will reward you just that!
Why Go On A Hudson River Cruise In NYC?
The historic Hudson river flowing from Adirondack Mountains into the New York Bay is surrounded by a delightfully enthralling scenic shoreline. Entirely different from other cruises in NYC, Hudson River cruises capture the spirit and essence of American history and heritage like no other.
Embracing everything from natural beauty to magnificent mansions to grand architecture to picturesque lighthouses to quaint villages to historical ports and much more, a Hudson River Cruise is one of the best things one can do while in New York. An inspiration to some of America’s greatest works of art and literature, this majestic waterway provides you with an opportunity to enjoy and admire the famous spectacular NYC skyline.
Best Hudson River Cruises NYC
Based on Tripadvisor rankings and Headout customer reviews, here's a compilation of the Top 3 Hudson River Cruises you can opt for during your NYC Tour.
1
Hudson River Sightseeing Day Cruise
Monday-Sunday
$42
This is a spectacular cruise along the historic Hudson river taking you past the breathtaking vistas and famous landmarks of the amazing city of New York. Away from the bustling city, from peaceful comfort of the deck you can witness the palatial mansions with opulent architecture of the Millionaire’s Row, historic lighthouses, laid-back villages, picturesque Catskill Mountains, Ellis Island, statue of Liberty and other iconic landmarks around downtown Manhattan area. This 2.5 hour long Hudson river cruise NYC is completely relaxing taking you through interesting folklore, fascinating stories and historical facts about this great city through their onboard commentary. The lush riverbanks and woodlands as you cruise along the charming shoreline give you ample photography opportunities to capture the beautiful moments into memories for life.
Hudson River Sightseeing Day Cruise Features
- Narration of historical and contemporary aspects by an experienced guide
- Pass luxury estates, historic lighthouses, sleepy villages, and more as you enjoy scenic views of the Catskill Mountains, Statue of Liberty, and more.
2
Hudson River Sunday Brunch Cruise
Sunday
$95
The Hudson river with its spectacular panoramic views presents stunning cruising options. What could be better than enjoying a scrumptious brunch while cruising on this historical river! With a backdrop of famous Manhattan skyline you can savour the delicious brunch menu of freshly baked Bagels, scones, fresh fruit, a variety of muffins and assorted pastries, roast tenderloin of beef, Dijon Salmon, Roasted Chicken Breast and much more as part of Hudson River Sunday Brunch Cruise. It is an exclusive experience to witness the iconic landmarks of New York City, sipping the signature drink Mimosa, which you can take unlimited helpings of. The gentle breeze, breathtaking ambience, watching straight out of postcard scenes from the cosy comfort of your Hudson River Cruise while enjoying the great food and drinks, is the best way to take a break yet enjoy this busy city on a Sunday.
Hudson River Sunday Brunch Cruise Features
- Exclusive Brunch served onboard
- Unlimited mimosas served to those above 21 years of age
- Seating on upper deck, subject to availability.
- Wheelchair accessibility: passengers can be assisted up the gangway if necessary
3
Hudson River Dinner Cruise
Tuesday-Sunday
$180
Cruising along the mesmerising Hudson river as the beautiful evening unfolds into an enchanting night is truly a magical experience. As you admire the most famous panoramic views of Manhattan you can feast on a delectable 4 course meal of euphoric selection of delicacies. You also have the option of upgrading to an unlimited access to the open bar for 3 hours. The enthralling scenic beauty studded with historical treasures, quaint villages, iconic monuments like Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and many more, leaves you completely in awe of NYC. Watching the dazzling effect of lights on New York city as the night falls, with foot tapping cheerful music, while savouring some great food and drinks at Hudson River Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to spend an evening here.
Hudson River Dinner Cruise Features
- 4 Course Dinner
- 3 hour open bar access to unlimited beer, wine and soda till 10:00 PM. Juice for children until 10PM. (Optional)
- 1-hour Champagne and hors d’oeuvres reception
- Seating can be on the upper deck, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessibility: passengers can be assisted up the gangway if necessary
Hudson River Cruises NYC - Views & Sights
Visitor Tips For Hudson River Cruises NYC
- Get your bookings for Hudson river cruises in advance to ensure a place on the cruise on the desired date. Online bookings can fetch you some good deals too.
- Hudson river cruises are cool and breezy regardless of the time of the year. A light jacket or shawl is recommended.
- Find a place closer to the onboard guide in case you are interested in hearing the details intently. Despite speakers, sometime it is difficult to hear them out due to noise around.
- Arrive 20-30 minutes prior to cruise time to grab a good viewing spot on the open deck.
- Check beforehand the side of the boat that would get you a better view of the Manhattan skyline. Grab that.
Ready For Your Hudson River Cruise?
Check out our detailed guides on other things to do in New York City.
