No matter what borough you’re in, water is all around you in New York. But you’d never know it if you were trapped in Midtown Manhattan. As the weather gets warmer, now is the perfect time to get on the water and see NYC from its rivers. Whether you want to check out some views or you want to grab a drink, you can experience New York by the water with some of our favorite spots:
Ikea Water Taxi
When Swedish furniture maker Ikea built one of their megastores in Red Hook, Brooklyn, they wanted to make sure New Yorkers from all boroughs could make the trip easily, especially since subway access was quite limited. Enter the Ikea Water Taxi, whose quick trips from Manhattan’s South Street Seaport to Red Hook have become a boon for shoppers and non-shoppers alike. On the 15-minute ride, you can check out the Brooklyn dockyards and look back at the Financial District and the Brooklyn Bridge. Once you’ve docked, get a true taste of the shore by grabbing a lobster roll at the Red Hook Lobster Pound, where the lobsters are brought in from Maine several times a day.
Pier 11 (South St and Wall St), Manhattan. info.ikea-usa.com/Brooklyn
Kayaking
If you want to get close to the water—and we mean really close—put on some sporty clothes and get ready to go kayaking! In the summer, New York’s Downtown Boathouse offers free kayaking at several different locations along the Hudson. As long as you know how to swim, you can strap on a lifejacket and paddle away for 20 minutes in a one-person or two-person vessel. Because the waterways are carefully regulated, you’re not allowed to paddle too far away, so keep close to shore, enjoy the scenery, and concentrate on not capsizing. You don’t know where that water has been.
Pier 96 (56th St and 12th Ave), Pier 40 (West Houston St and West St), and 72nd Street at the Hudson River, Manhattan. downtownboathouse.org
The Frying Pan
Although the Frying Pan is a boat, you won’t be riding it anywhere. Permanently docked at Chelsea Piers, the historic ship was said to have been salvaged after it sunk in the Chesapeake Bay, which gives it a cool, old-timey vibe. Not only does it have some prime views of the Hudson, with on observation plank looking out on the water, but it also serves up some delicious food and drinks to fun-loving patrons. For a true party on the water, make this your first stop.
Pier 66 (W 26th St and 12th Ave), Manhattan. fryingpan.com
Staten Island Ferry
Some things are classics for a reason, and the Staten Island Ferry is one of them. Not only does it offer the best view of the Statue of Liberty and gorgeous panoramas of the city from the south, but it runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is completely free! Although a ride used to cost 50 cents, the price was nixed in 1997, so you can ride back and forth all day. To break up the 50-minute round trip, check out the Staten Island Zoo, or take a trip to Great Kills Park, a popular Staten Island beach spot.
4 South St, Manhattan. siferry.com
Bargemusic
Although it trawled the waters as a coffee barge in 1899, this historic boat now bills itself as a “floating concert hall.” Moored under the Brooklyn Bridge, the ship hosts world-renowned musicians for an unforgettable night of classical music in an intimate and unique venue. Gaze at views of the Manhattan skyline as you listen to classics of the repertoire, as well as new music from upcoming composers. And while tickets are usually $35, the Saturday afternoon concert series is free.
2 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn. bargemusic.org
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