Water Taxi New York City

September and early October is the perfect time of year to visit New York City. Peak tourist season is over, the oppressive heat and humidity have packed their bags and left town and it is still warm enough to comfortably take in the sights. What better way than floating on the harbor? After all, four of the five boroughs of New York City are located on islands. You can visit three of them in one day by riding the New York Water Taxi.

New York Water Taxi provides commuter and sightseeing services. To take in the sights you can board for $20 a day or $25 for a two day pass and hop on and off on a route that goes from Midtown east at 34th street to Midtown west at 44th street, zigzagging to and from Brooklyn and one stop in Queens along the way. In between you can explore DUMBO and Red Hook in Brooklyn, the South Street Seaport, Battery Park, The World Financial Center and Greenwich Village.

The ride alone is worth it. Bring your camera and sit up top to photograph the city’s icons including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

In DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) the Water Taxi docks at the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier. Right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, the pier provides some of the finest views of lower Manhattan. On weekends it’s a popular spot for brides and grooms to have their photographs taken with the Manhattan skyline as a back drop.

Red Hook is an increasingly popular outpost for artists who can spread out in lofts that were former industrial spaces. You can grab a bite to eat at the recently opened enormous Fairway food store while taking in a view of Statue of Liberty.

Water Taxi Beach
I suggest ending your ride at Hunters Point in Long Island City, Queens where you can have a drink at Water Taxi Beach and watch the sun set behind the Manhattan skyline. It’s an urban beach and bar scene where sand and picnic tables have covered concrete and a volley ball net has been set up. See for yourself in the photograph on the right. On a recent Sunday afternoon parents sat at tables sipping cocktails while their children frolicked in the sand.

If you are in town or from town and haven’t checked out either hurry up. The season for the Hop-On Hop-Off service and Water Taxi Beach ends soon. For more details go to New York Water Taxi and Water Taxi Beach.