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    Best Cheap Sightseeing in New York City, From Local of 20 Years

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    • I lived in New York for 20 years and think the NYC commuter ferry is the best way to see the city.
    • A $4.50 ticket provides iconic skyline views and a close-up look at NYC’s famous bridges.
    • There’s also a bar on board that offers a selection of drinks and snacks to enjoy on the journey.

    I lived in New York for 20 years, and whenever family or friends came to visit, one of my favorite ways to show off the city was from the water.

    Although there are several operators that offer touristy boat tours, depending on your budget and schedule, they can be expensive and time-consuming.

    For a quicker, more affordable experience, I always recommend the NYC commuter ferry that runs along the East River. It’s a terrific way to enjoy the views and take in some classic NYC sights — for just $4.50.

    Although the company, NYC Ferry, offers several different routes along the East River, one of my favorites for sightseeing is the Astoria line.

    Here’s why I think it’s the best way to see the city.

    A trip on the Astoria line takes less than an hour.


    A NYC Ferry sign indicating the Astoria to Wall Street route.

    I think the route from Astoria to Wall Street has the best views.


    CarmenRM/Shutterstock

    The Astoria line begins at East 90th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and runs all the way to its final stop at Wall Street.

    The journey takes about 50 minutes and includes scenic stops in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

    The trip can also be done in reverse, depending on what’s next on your itinerary and where you want to end up.

    Tickets can be purchased on an app or at ticket machines.


    The walkway boarding the NYC Ferry, with a woman turning around and smiling.

    The ferries depart once or twice an hour.


    Pamela Vachon

    The ferries run on a schedule and depart once or twice an hour, depending on the time of day.

    I’ve never found them to be too crowded, but for the most relaxed vibe, I recommend catching a ride on a weekday.

    Tickets cost $4.50, and are available at the terminal or on the NYC Ferry app.

    For the best views, I like to sit along the rail on the upper deck.


    Rows of gray seats on the upper deck of the NYC Ferry.

    On a nice day, you can enjoy the fresh air and scenic views from the upper deck of the ferry.


    Pamela Vachon

    Once on board, I like to grab the best seats for sightseeing. There’s a spacious lower deck for inclement weather, but the views from there aren’t typically as good.

    Instead, I like to go to the upper deck, where seats are arranged in banks of three or four. In my opinion, the best seats are along the railing.

    I recommend grabbing a drink or snack from the concession stand.


    The snack bar on the NYC Ferry, displaying a selection of alcoholic canned drinks and drinks in a freezer.

    The NYC Ferry offers a selection of snacks and drinks on board.


    Pamela Vachon

    A selection of snacks and beverages is available on the boat, including alcoholic options like spiked coffee, wine, local beer, and canned mixed drinks, typically priced between $7 and $10.

    The ferry gets up close to several iconic sights.


    The Domino Sugar Refinery across the East River.

    One of my favorite sights to see is the Domino Sugar Refinery.


    Pamela Vachon

    There are skyline views throughout the whole journey on the Astoria line, as well as several notable sights to take in — especially after dark, when the city feels magical.

    I love passing Roosevelt Island and spotting its small stone lighthouse. At the Long Island City landing, you can get close-up views of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign.

    The ferry also passes the Domino Sugar Refinery just north of the Williamsburg Bridge on the Brooklyn side.

    Going under the Brooklyn Bridge is breathtaking.


    The underside of the Brooklyn Bridge, with the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

    The ferry passes under the Brooklyn Bridge.


    Pamela Vachon

    The ferry passes under several landmark bridges like the Williamsburg Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

    Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is a classic NYC experience, but passing underneath it by ferry offers breaktaking views and a chance to see its architecture from a unique angle.

    In my opinion, getting up close to the Brooklyn Bridge makes the ride worth it.

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