New York Harbor

Most visitors go to New York Harbor for the views of the city’s beloved Statue of Liberty. Look at her from afar, or get up close on a sightseeing cruise. Many tours to the Statue of Liberty include a stop at Ellis Island, another can’t-miss New York landmark—and Liberty and Ellis islands offer sweeping views of downtown Manhattan.

Alternatively, jet-ski, kayak, or boat in the harbor waters, or embark on a dinner cruise or sunset sail for a glimpse of Manhattan at its brightest. Or, simply take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry or one of the other public boats that transport both locals and tourists around the city.

• The Staten Island Ferry is free, and a 1-way trip lasts around 15 minutes.

• Sightseeing cruises typically offer food and beverages for purchase.

Located at the mouth of the Hudson River, the New York Harbor is served by cruise ships, commuter ferries, and tourist boats. Sightseeing and dinner cruises usually leave from Battery Park. If you’re taking the subway to Battery Park, get off at Bowling Green station.

New York Harbor is a 24-hour destination, with watercraft arriving and departing at all hours. Evening is arguably the best time for a sightseeing tour—there’s something magical about watching the city light up after dark.

The biggest island in New York Harbor, Governors Island is a former military outpost open to visitors from May through October. Covering more than 170 acres (69 hectares), this piece of land has a history that goes back to the early 17th century. Explore Fort Jay, Castle Williams, Colonel’s Row, and the South Battery, or check out the various temporary art installations and the annual art fair.

There are numerous cruises and boat tours of the New York Harbor—but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to explore, there’s no better bet than the Staten Island Ferry. Free to all riders, the ferry travels between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island and offers spectacular harbor views.

The New York Harbor is very busy. Not only is it filled with ferries and tour boats of all shapes and sizes, but the combined Port of New York and New Jersey is now the busiest maritime shipping hub in the nation. That means plenty of naval traffic to contend with.

The New York Harbor is known for being one of the largest natural harbors in the world, and its history has been inextricable from New York City’s since Henry Hudson first sailed here in 1609. Today, the harbor is home to world-famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The New York Harbor is home to oysters, mussels, starfish, and fish species, while migratory marine mammals like humpback whales and harbor seals have been spotted in the harbor. Several aquatic bird species call the New York Harbor home.

Yes, New York City has a harbor. The New York Harbor is located at the point where the Hudson River empties into New York Bay and is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. No trip to the Big Apple is complete without exploring it by boat.

Although the New York Harbor water is cleaner now than it’s been for 100 years, that still doesn’t mean swimming is recommended. Swimmers would still have to contend with potential pollutants or pathogens, not to mention the heavy maritime traffic. If you wish to swim, head to Queens’ Rockaway Peninsula.