New York Harbor Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience New York Harbor. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

• Circle Line: New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise

• NY Helicopter Tour: Manhattan Highlights

• NY Helicopter Tour: Ultimate NYC Sightseeing

• NY Helicopter Tour: Manhattan & Brooklyn

It’s free to visit New York Harbor, but many visitors explore the area on tours—such as ferry tours that offer views of the Statue of Liberty. Sightseeing boat tours start at US$24, with lunch cruises available from US$85, and scenic helicopter tours are upwards of US$285.

Yes, New York Harbor is worth visiting, as it's one of the best places to see the city's landmarks from Lower Manhattan, and to venture farther out. From the water, you can admire the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. There are plenty of ways to explore the harbor, including sightseeing cruises, helicopter tours, and car tours that drive past and cover many of the city's highlights, with guides providing commentary along the way.

Per one customer who booked the New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour, "Our guide was well informed, funny and engaging. We were able to see so much of New York in just six hours! Would highly recommend this tour if you have a short time in the city."

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.

There are many things to do when you're done visiting New York Harbor. Travelers to New York City recommend the following places:

• Statue of Liberty

• Empire State Building

• Ellis Island

• Central Park

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in New York City.