Top New York City Night Cruises

New York City lit up at night is a special sight—and seeing it from the water is even better. According to customer reviews and ratings, these are the best tours on offer right now: 

• New York City Bright Lights Skyline Cruise on Yacht
• Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
• New York City Lights Cruise Aboard Clipper City
• New York City Skyline Lights Sail
• New York City Skyline Night Sailboat Tour

The price for a NYC night cruise ranges from around US$54 to US$74 per person. While most night tours do cost more than daytime tours, they allow you to to view the illuminated skyline in a unique and entertaining way—plus, many include a complimentary drink.

You’ll typically be onboard the boat between 1–2 hours during a New York night cruise. This provides enough time to see the major landmarks and enjoy the boat and music, but it’s not too long that you’ll get bored (or seasick).

NYC night cruise inclusions depend on which tour you go on—some include one free beverage, while others only have drinks available for purchase. Some also include a guided narration of the landmarks. All cruises include views of the city’s landmarks and illuminated skyline.

You can see the Statue of Liberty at night from Battery Park or certain points in Brooklyn near the East River—you can also see it from Liberty Park, New Jersey. But the best way to view the illuminated landmark is from the deck of a night cruise.

The Circle Line—one of the city’s most popular sightseeing cruise lines—leaves from Pier 83 at West 43rd Streed and 12th Avenue. This is on the west side of New York in midtown, near the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and on the Hudson River.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in New York City aside from night cruises. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Helicopter Tours

• Walking Tours

• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

• Sunset Cruises

• Bus Tours

New York City night cruise prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• 60-Minute Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise

• New York City 90-Minute Cruise: Lady Liberty, Bridges, and Skyline

• Statue of Liberty and New York City Skyline Sightseeing Cruise

• Circle Line: New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

• New York City Skyline Night Sailboat Tour

It’s important to know the difference between a standard night-time sightseeing cruise and a dinner cruise. The latter is a good option if you want a more luxurious experience with food, while regular night cruises are typically shorter and don’t offer food or entertainment. Some more expensive night cruises provide entertainment, such as live music, but most just have recorded guided commentary.

Sometimes, the best views of the Manhattan skyline can be had from outside on the deck—make sure to bring a jacket or dress warm, depending on the season, so you don’t miss out. Many night cruises have a snack and drinks bar where you can make purchases, but you are generally allowed to bring snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, too.

There are advantages to booking New York City night cruises throughout the year. In summer, you can go out on deck and enjoy warmer temperatures while admiring the views. In winter, you can take special holiday lights cruises, and you can cruise earlier in the evening because it typically gets dark around 5pm. Mid-summer (July–August) and mid-winter (December) are peak tourism seasons in New York City, so book night cruises in advance when things are busy.