NYC Sunset Cruise: Statue of Liberty & Manhattan Skyline

Glide Past the Statue of Liberty as the Sun Sets Over Manhattan

You board at Battery Park and spend 60 or 90 minutes on the water, passing within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island while the guide points out One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the Manhattan bridges. Indoor and outdoor seating means you can move around; a cash bar is available. The boat doesn't land at the islands, but the close-up views and sunset timing make the distance irrelevant.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Depart for scenic sunset cruise
• View Manhattan skyline and skyscrapers
• Pass Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges
• See One World Trade Center
• See Empire State and Chrysler Buildings
• Pass Wall Street and Financial District
• Pass South Street Seaport
• Pass Battery Park waterfront
• View Statue of Liberty up close
• View Ellis Island immigration museum
• See Liberty State Park in Jersey City
• Take photo with Statue of Liberty
• Return to departure point

The Experience

The boat pulls away from Battery Park and you're moving into the harbor before you've finished finding a spot on deck. The water opens up, and suddenly the Statue of Liberty is there—not a postcard, but the actual thing, close enough that you can see the detail in the torch. Your guide is pointing out One World Trade Center rising behind it, the Empire State Building catching the last light, and the whole Manhattan skyline turning gold as the sun drops toward New Jersey. It's the kind of view that makes you understand why people keep coming back to New York.

You get to choose between a 60-minute or 90-minute sunset cruise, which matters more than it sounds—the longer one gives you time to actually sit with the view instead of rushing through it. The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating, so if the wind picks up or you want a break, you're not stuck. There's a cash bar on board, and the guide keeps up a steady commentary about what you're passing: the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge as you cruise the East River, Wall Street and the Financial District from the water, the whole lower Manhattan waterfront that you can't really see from street level. The boat gets within 100 feet of both Liberty Island and Ellis Island—close enough for photos, though the tour doesn't actually land at either one.

The thing about doing this at sunset is that it's not a morning tourist rush. The light is different, the crowds thinner, and there's music playing somewhere in the background. You're watching the city shift into evening mode while you're floating in the middle of the harbor, which is a perspective most people never get. It's the kind of moment that feels both completely ordinary—you're on a boat in New York—and somehow still rare.

What’s included

• 60- or 90-minute sunset cruise through New York Harbor, Hudson River and East River.
• outdoor and indoor seating.
• English-speaking guide with landmark commentary.
• close-up views within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
• views of One World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.
• music on board.
• cash bar for drinks and snacks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Statuewalks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the iconic New York Harbor views without arranging separate ferry tickets to the islands—the boat gets close enough for photos and the sunset timing means you're not competing with the morning crowds.

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Top questions

Do I need to buy tickets to Liberty Island or Ellis Island to go on this cruise?

No. This cruise passes within 100 feet of both islands but does not land at either one. If you want to visit the islands themselves, you'd need separate ferry tickets.

What's the difference between the 60-minute and 90-minute options?

The 90-minute cruise gives you more time on the water to see the sights and sit with the views. Both follow the same route through New York Harbor, Hudson River, and East River.

Can I bring my own food and drinks on board?

There's a cash bar on the boat for drinks and snacks. Outside food and drink policies aren't specified, so check with the operator when you book.

Is the boat accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible for push-wheelchairs, but it cannot accommodate electric wheelchairs.

Can I take photos of the Statue of Liberty from the boat?

Yes. The boat passes within 100 feet of the Statue, giving you plenty of opportunity for photos.

What if the weather is bad?

The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can move inside if needed. Check the operator's weather policy for cancellations or rescheduling.

Is there a guide on the boat?

Yes. An English-speaking guide provides commentary pointing out landmarks throughout the cruise.

Can children and infants go on this cruise?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Infant rates apply if they don't occupy a seat.