Circle Line: 2hr - New York City Harbor Lights Cruise
Badge of Excellence
New York City, USA
Trending
Booked 5+ times in 12 hours.
2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
4.4
·
· Paige_M ·
May 2026
My family and I loved the 2 hour harbor cruise and 100% recommend it! The views, sunset and information shared were awesome!
· Greg_H ·
Jun 2026
This was absolutely amazing. I feel we got a special treatment because while just before we started it POURED rain, the end result was amazing sunset shots WITH RAINBOWS!
Tip: Arrive early. We were able to board at 6:15 for a 7pm departure...got exactly the seats we wanted.
· DeWitt_J ·
Jul 2026
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, and his presentation of New York City's history was anything but boring or overly academic. He brought the city's past to life with an engaging, entertaining, and almost cinematic storytelling style that kept us interested from beginning to end. His passion and expertise made the experience both educational and enjoyable.
· Anne_Q ·
Jun 2026
Loved the cruise. Our guide was very interesting and great fun. Saw a lot of the city I hadn’t seen before and heard lots of new information.
· Karen_B ·
Jun 2026
A beautiful two hour cruise. Weather perfect and great narration of everything we were passing. And gorgeous sunset views.
Experience the lights of New York City at sunset on this twilight cruise along Manhattan Skyline. Book your ticket in advance online to spare any fuss on the night and set sail to enjoy the illuminated landmarks while learning about the city from a guide’s informative commentary. This tour is a great way to end a day of sightseeing or kick off a night on the town.
Beverages, food, and souvenirs are available for purchase onboard
Admire Manhattan’s lights from a new perspective
Learn about the sights from a live guide
Prebook your ticket to confirm a place on your ideal evening
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
See NYC from the water—with live narration—when the sun sets and the city lights switch on.
What's Included
Live narration by Circle Line’s world-famous guides (in English)
Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (Headphones required) See below for more.
2-hour Sightseeing Cruise
Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Bathrooms on board
Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi onboard
Food & Beverages (Available for Purchase Onboard)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises - Midtown
83 North River Piers West 43rd Street and, 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA
Departure Point: Tour departs from Pier 83, New York
Address: Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
Pier 83 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10019
Directions: • Exchange your voucher for a boarding pass at the Circle Line Ticket WindowDIRECTIONS
By Subway (Metro):
• 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, A, C, E, N, or R train to Times Square 42nd Street
• B, D, F, or Q train to 5th Avenue and 42nd Street,
• 4, 5, or 6 train to 42nd Street Grand Central Station
• All options are approximately 15-25 minute walk to the pierBy Bus:
• Take the west-bound M42 or M50 bus and get off at the last stop 42nd Street and 12th AvenueBy Car::
• From George Washington Bridge, Westchester or Connecticut: Take the Henry Hudson Parkway (Route 9A), go south to West 43rd Street. Make a right at 43rd Street to Pier 83
• From Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey: Upon exiting the tunnel, follow uptown signs on Dyer Avenue to the 3rd light. Turn left onto 42nd Street. Turn right on 11th Avenue and turn left on 43rd Street. Go straight on 43rd Street to Pier 83
• From Midtown Tunnel, Queens and Long Island: Take 2nd Avenue downtown to 34th Street. Right on 34th Street to 10th Avenue. Turn right on 10th Avenue and left on 43rd Street. Go straight on 43rd Street to Pier 83
Dates: Daily
Return point: Returns to original departure point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Start time
.7:00 pm
Itinerary
Travel independently to the departure point at New York City’s Pier 83. Aim to arrive in good time for your cruise to secure the best seats—they're available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Relax and soak up the panoramic views as your boat sets sail along the Hudson River and into New York Harbor. Admire Manhattan’s skyline and its landmarks such as One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and more.
Then, take in the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and cruise by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, all as an on-board guide shares snippets on their background and the Big Apple's history.
During your sightseeing, head for the on-board concession areas to buy drinks and snacks (both own expense), and snap up mementoes from the souvenir store.
Your cruise comes to an end when your boat arrives back at Pier 83.
Brooklyn Bridge (Pass By)
Statue of Liberty (Pass By)
Manhattan Skyline (Pass By)
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises - Midtown (Pass By)
New York Harbor (Pass By)
Additional Info
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
For children/infants under the age of 3, please ask at the box office for an infant ticket; it is free of charge.
Guests need to arrive at least 30-minutes prior to departure for boarding.
Food and drinks are NOT allowed to be brought on board
Our cruise features a live tour guide in English. If you would like a guided tour in another language, please download the free Circle Line Sightseeing App from the Apple App store or Google Play store. Once on the boat you can use the free WiFi to listen or read a guided tour in one of nine languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. Please bring your own headphones.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 600 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (16)
Q:What is the departure point for the New York City Harbor Lights Cruise?
A:The cruise conveniently departs from Pier 83 @ West 42nd Street and the West Side Highway, in Midtown Manhattan.
Jun 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Thomas_D
Terrific views from the boat, whether you are inside or outside. Superb narration by the guide! He was personable, funny, and described locations very well. Stunning views from the water. Bring a light jacket since it can be a few degrees cooler on the water.
I can highly recommend the boat tour!
Reviews
4.4
based on 2,980 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The cruise was one of the highlights of our trip. The city lights were breathtaking. My only complaint was the concession stand staff were beyond rude. We bought two expensive drinks that were made incorrectly. One person
In our party had a drink that was great but two of us had someone
else make ours they were undrinkable. When I asked to have them fixed the woman was sooo nasty to me. She dumped a bunch of grenadine into both of them (which was the wrong ingredient) and slammed them back on the counter. Not one word to me. It made them much worse. We had to throw them out. They were not cheap either!! For that reason alone I would not book again. Which is sad because the cruise is great. The guide continuing to plug his book was annoying too.
Beautiful views of the city
Alison_M, Jul 2026
Great value as a tour. I’ve taken tours all around the world but never in my backyard. We decided to take this trip with some visitors and it was definitely worth the price. The midtown sunset cruise went all the from midtown Hudson River to midtown East River (to the 59th st Bridge) and then around the Statue of Liberty at sunset. The tour guide was great - just enough information to keep it fun and interesting. It rained a bit on our trip but that didn’t ruin the tour as we could jump inside as needed. But most people stayed outside the majority of the trip. Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead for decent seats.
This is a great way to...
Gaye_K, Jul 2026
This is a great way to see the city move from day to night! There is a tour guide that points out points of interest but the speakers were broken and we couldn’t hear a word he said.
This is one of my...
Gaye_K, Jul 2026
This is one of my favorite things to do in NYC. It’s magical to watch the sunset and then the lights of the city come on.
Be careful of schedule changes
TerriAnn_M, Jul 2026
Well, we never got to experience this because the tour operator changed the time to an earlier time, without our knowledge. There was no other availability as this was our last night in NY. My son was so disappointed. I’ll NEVER book with this company again. We lost our money. We live and learn.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We would like to better understand the situation, please contact us at GuestServices@support.nycl.com to discuss your order. Hope to hear from you!
Great way to get to know New York!
Kellie_B, Jul 2026
My 18 year old twin boys loved this experience. We got to learn so much about the area from the great tour guide, Tim. It was a beautiful way to spend the evening, even in July. Our only regret was that we did it at the end of our vacation to New York rather than at the beginning so that we could have used the inspiration about the different areas of New York to inform our visit better. It was part of a lovely vacation and we highly recommend it.
This is a must if you're...
Dennis_C, Jul 2026
This is a must if you're a first timer in NYC. Great view from the water. The Harbor Lights cruise is excellent.
Slow ans steady
Lavira_W, Jul 2026
The scenery was nice if you got an outside view. Few seats for that. Tour guide provided some interesting facts about New York. Overall fir the 2 hour ride we got bored.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you did not like the pace of the 2.5 hour Best of NYC cruise. We offer shorter cruises for guests interested in seeing the major landmarks and highlights of NYC. We hope to welcome you back on board in the future!
We had a great experience...
jenny_f, Jul 2026
We had a great experience on the tour despite all the smoke from the Canadian fires. Alexis was our tour guide and she was great.
Fun Night
Jacqueline_L, Jul 2026
This was a fun way to see New York. It wasn’t dark enough to see the lights as much as I’d prefer. Good explanation of the area.
Georgeos city views!
Therese_L, Jul 2026
It was a beautiful view and a different perspective to see the city from the water. Our guide was amazing! Was informative and entertaining! I highly recommend this tour.
Promise
NESTOR_D, Jul 2026
It was great,my partner was happy and she would like to experience it again I hope they work on the stuff at the restaurant inside the boat
It was lovely, a...
Kayla_H, Jul 2026
It was lovely, a beautiful night, nice views. Andrew was a great guide. It was an awesome way to end an evening.
Floating through NYC history
DeWitt_J, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, and his presentation of New York City's history was anything but boring or overly academic. He brought the city's past to life with an engaging, entertaining, and almost cinematic storytelling style that kept us interested from beginning to end. His passion and expertise made the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Exceptionally Beautiful
Preeti_S, Jun 2026
We did not expect such amazing 2 hours ride. It was breathtaking and worth every penny. Highly recommended
Relaxing views of NYC at sunset.
sarajuliahendricks, Jun 2026
It was easy to get to the pier. Super easy to get my ticket redeemed and the guide was fun and knowledgeable.
I wish I had a bigger budget, because I thought the price for the spirit drinks were a bit high.
All employees were nice and polite.
I had questions before the trip and the chat service was outstanding.; polite, fast and knowledgeable.
The tour was well timed and great pictures were taken.
I loved that I had a choice to sit indoors or outdoors.
You guys should offer over the counter medicine to help guest that suffer of motion sickness.
I had extra meds, so I was able to help a person visiting from Spain. She was very grateful.
Good Job Viator!
Such an amazing way to...
jessica_k, Jun 2026
Such an amazing way to see the city! My friend didn't appreciate all of commentary from out specific guide, but it was easy enough to tune out and the views we spectacular.
Loved the cruise. Our...
Anne_Q, Jun 2026
Loved the cruise. Our guide was very interesting and great fun. Saw a lot of the city I hadn’t seen before and heard lots of new information.
Enjoyed the boat ride
Carla_V, Jun 2026
We enjoyed it but most people around us did not care about listening to the information shared by the tour guide, so it was hard to hear what he was saying. He was entertaining and enjoyable to listen to, but he went really fast and it was easy to miss details. Overall, we enjoyed the two hour boat ride and would recommend it. Get there early to be able to choose where you sit on the boat.
Great experience, just...
Chris_H, Jun 2026
Great experience, just wish it was a few minutes later as sun was still setting and not lit up very well. Good crew and staff, all very helpful and courteous. Needed to get there earlier than 40 minutes ahead of time for good top deck seats.
Wrong timing.
Douglas_Z, Jun 2026
Our timing was off due the fact that we booked it for the longer daylight hours. only saw lights on the last 10 minutes.
Amazing experience!
Greg_H, Jun 2026
This was absolutely amazing. I feel we got a special treatment because while just before we started it POURED rain, the end result was amazing sunset shots WITH RAINBOWS!
Tip: Arrive early. We were able to board at 6:15 for a 7pm departure...got exactly the seats we wanted.
Be there half hour before...
Trevor_W, Jun 2026
Be there half hour before the start of the experience.Food wasn’t good not a lot of choice.Lots of children if your looking for adult only no good for you .
Fun, really relaxing to...
Rachael_S, Jun 2026
Fun, really relaxing to sail along the Hudson at sunset. Couldn't hear everything the tour guide was saying because the wind is so loud, but I still had a great time. Got a lot of really beautiful New York skyline pictures.
Relaxing culmination to our 4 day trip to NYCo
Karen_B, Jun 2026
A beautiful two hour cruise. Weather perfect and great narration of everything we were passing. And gorgeous sunset views.
Wonderful experience
Benjamin_K, Jun 2026
We had a wonderful time. The views of the city were spectacular especially after sunset. The guide was terrific, very informative and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Good Fun
Ayanna_D, Jun 2026
That's a great
Experience. Come early to get great seats on the top deck. They're good views all around though. Very limited snack choices in very expensive. The guide was wonderful and very informative. They knew a lot of the new york history. It was a beautiful day, and we got great pictures before during.And after the sunset.
Nice views and food was...
amber_l, Jun 2026
Nice views and food was good too.( nothing special about food though) Learned a lot on this experience and it was a nice and different way to spend the birthday.
Great NYC experience!
Conni_K, Jun 2026
It's worth the time to take the 2-hour cruise during the evening. The sights of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty at sunset were amazing. The tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.
Evening Manhattan Skyline Tour
Jacqueline_H, May 2026
This is a great way to see Manhattan and some of the New Jersey shore. Our tour guide, Dave, was very informative and provided comic relief at times. The tour departed and returned on time. Given that dusk doesn’t occur until after 8 pm, wish the departure was adjusted so we could see more of nighttime skyline. The Statue of Liberty didn’t light up until we were almost past it, which was part of why we booked the evening tour.
From $45.00
per person
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 21 days in advance.
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Circle Line: 2hr - New York City Harbor Lights Cruise