We took the NY Water Taxi from Brooklyn to Manhattan quite a bit last summer and it was the perfect antidote to feeling landlocked on the playgrounds. We took the Hop-On/Hop-Off service to Christopher Street and Chelsea Piers, but I just found out that both those stops have been eliminated and instead you now have 2 options with various other stops:
1. NY HarborWay Ferry Brooklyn/Manhattan Express:
Start your trip from either water taxi stop in Brooklyn: the DUMBO/ Fulton Ferry Landing or the new stop at Atlantic Ave at the southern tip of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Then shuttle your way to South Street Seaport and/or Governors Island. The Brooklyn service is only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays. It only goes to Governors Island on Fridays. Service runs from June 5th- September 6th. If you want to get to Governors Island on Saturdays and Sunday, use Governors Island Ferries which are FREE.
Ticket Prices:
Fridays
One-Way $2 | Round Trip $3 | Family (2 adults & 2 children) $6
Saturdays & Sundays
One-Way $6 | Round Trip $10 | Family (2 adults & 2 children) $15
2. Statue of Liberty Downtown Express:
This is a harbor cruise where you can hop on and hop off at any of the points. Start at Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn, pass the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, W. 44th Street in Manhattan, Battery Park and then back again. The full loop is 90 minutes. The ferry runs on Saturdays and Sundays only. Service runs from June 5th- September 6th.
Ticket Prices:
Adults $25 | Child $15 | One-Way $15
What to do at the various stops:
South Street Seaport: For what to do at South Street Seaport, see this post by us and one by Mommy Poppins. Also, check out the Water Taxi Beach site for what you can do just there.
Governors Island: For what to do on Governors Island, see our post here and the Water Taxi beach site too.
Battery Park: Some of the best parks and monuments in the city are here: I love the moving and innovative Irish Hunger Memorial, Teardrop Park (it has an amazing Ice Wall, slides and sand boxes and water play) and of course the beautiful Esplanade for walking along the river. The Battery Park City Conservancy puts on a ton of family-friendly events including baby yoga, soccer, preschool play and more. Check their event schedule here.
W. 44th Street: Buy a bagel from my favorite H & H bagels and then head to the Intrepid to check out the massive carrier.
Having a blast at Battery Park City