Highlights

• Exploration of planning visions for both reclaiming the post-industrial waterfront, as the “6th Borough”, and addressing rising sea levels
• This Manhattan architecture tour is a 2.75-hour cruise. During the cruise, we will circumnavigate the island of Manhattan (passing under all 18 bridges) while taking in monuments, architecture, parks, and infrastructure.
• Insightful coverage of Manhattan’s classic spires, including the Chrysler and Woolworth Buildings, as well as a sharp focus on the new World Trade Center buildings and recent local, national, and international award-winning architects; including buildings by Frank Gehry and other noted international and local architects.
• The greater waterfront access allowed by new parks and recreation piers including the ecologically driven features designed by leading landscape architects.
• The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the newest waterfront monument: Roosevelt Island’s FDR Four Freedoms Park
• NYC’s engineering masterpieces: the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges as well as lesser-known “swing bridges” along the Harlem River
• The adaptation of the Highline as an elevated, linear park and its role in the development of West Chelsea and Hudson Yards.
• The story of post-WWII urban renewal and public housing along the waterfronts of the Lower East Side and East Harlem.

Quiet Cruising

This heavily narrated tour experience offers a Manhattan architecture yacht cruise. We recommend it for those seeking an informative, exciting, and content-rich trip. We require guest conversations to be kept to a reasonable level so that narration can be heard by all. For guests looking for a more social experience, please consider our sunset cruises, day sails, city lights cruises, or one of our other non-narrated events. This is NOT for children under 12. For guests with children under 12 please consider our Statue & Skyline tours, day sails, or any other minimally narrated daytime event.

Not Included

• We do not include a guarantee of a full circumnavigation of Manhattan. On rare occasions, the Spuyten Duyvil train bridge is inoperable and cannot open for us to pass through. Our tour oftentimes does not reveal this until it is underway. River closures may also occur for a number of reasons. There are no refunds for tours that cannot fully circumnavigate. We will accommodate such cases with a tour that features a double backing of the route and further details of the waterfront sites.
• Gratuity is not included; however, if you purchased the ‘Groups of 10’ or more ticket type, a 10% gratuity is automatically applied.
• Food is not included. Light fare options are available for purchase in advance with your tickets or once on board.

Call us directly at 212-627-1825

Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) – W. 22nd and Hudson River (Manhattan, NY)

(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)

General FAQs about all our excursions.

• A Fresh view of NYC
  Loved that we encircled the island. so much we did not know regarding the structures. The guide spoke clearly and the sound system was excellent, inside and outside. He was also personal, walking throughout the boat, taking questions. I did feel that in the beginning, there was too much detail, with continuous talk. Would have liked a few minutes of silence between explanations to speak with those on the boat with me as we had just begun the tour and were taking it all in, getting settled, etc. The snack exceeded expectations, service was very good!

  – lisa333 (Female)

• Incredibly interesting boat cruise
  Having lived in and near New York since 1970 it was very interesting to hear about buildings I had seen over the years but knew little or nothing about them. Plus there is much history on the tour about NY in addition to the structures – a fascinating trip we will take again.

  – awernicke (Male)

• HANDS DOWN – Best NYC cruise tour out there
  We’ve done a ton of different water tours. We’ve also done the free Staten Island ferry and of course the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferries a bunch of times. The boat is gorgeous, it is comfortable, and the narrator was super knowledgeable. It was not crowded at all and while my husband and I were dissapointed at first that we weren’t able to get an outdoor seat, once we settled in we were actually so glad. It was a gorgeous and hot day and the inside was spacious with those windows everywhere (it was like a large floating sunroom with the transom windows and glass ceiling). We could see everything perfectly. It was a 2.75 hour tour and I could have done it again immediately upon returning. The crew were awesome. I will do it again when I return.

  – Nansully(female)

• The Best cruise in NYC
  There is no better way to spend time than on the Manhattan II. The AIA guides are articulate. The boat’s crew is very nice. Comfortable and informative and fun! I’ve taken visitors and locals, ages 12-82 and all have had a great time !

  – jollyroger6 (Male)

• Perfect NYC activity
  As a New Yorker, this was a new and beautiful way to spend the day. Had a chance to see the city in a way I had never seen before. The boat itself was clean, beautiful and the staff were exceptional. Highly recommend.

  – mollyhott1(female)

• Highly recommend this NYC gem.
  We had a great time on the AIANY Around Manhattan tour. We did it as a family outing and everyone enjoyed it – from teenagers on up to grandparents. The guide was engaging and funny and we all learned a lot. The boat was extremely comfortable. I definitely recommend this tour.

  – LBrierCole (Female)

• Best NYC tour
  Sixth visit to NYC and this by a long way is the best tour in terms of value for money, knowledge, relaxation and customer service. You see so much of the island with excellent tour guide and boat staff. Thank you to all.

  – sallyc2127 (Female)

• See the Statue of Liberty
  A beautiful tour for all ages. Very informative and a true understanding of the size and capacity of NYC. Sailing past the Statue of Liberty was my highlight.

  – mcgovern100 (Female)

• AIANY Manhattan Architecture Tour, simply amazing.
  As an architecture enthusiast, this was an insightful and fantastic tour. The tour guide, a NYC native and NYC architect, knew his stuff and was able to give both historical and architectural information. Circling the island of Manhattan via boat not only afforded views you don’t get when walking but allowed views of other islands and burroughs. Well worth the time and money. Highly recommended!

  – Arsmiller (male)

• Perfect NYC activity!
  The tour was AMAZING. I am a native New Yorker and learned a ton, saw parts of the city I have never seen before and had an amazing time doing it all.

  – rstack (Male)

Refund/Rescheduling Policy
Bookings of 1 to 9 guests have the option to reschedule or convert to a gift certificate up until 24 hours prior to departure. 10 to 16 must notify us 1 week in advance to reschedule or convert to gift certificate credit. 17 or more must notify us 2 weeks in advance to reschedule or convert to gift certificate credit. Requests for cancellation, rescheduling or conversion to gift credit must be sent by email to [email protected]. *Unique cancellation terms can be offered upon request. Please call 212-627-1825, option 4.

Other Policies
The activity takes place rain or shine but within reason. Activities runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability), receive credit for a future event, or receive a refund.