Jun 4, 2025

NYC Ferry New York

Explore the city by boat

"The "NYC Ferry" will take you from Wall Street to Dumbo in Brooklyn in five minutes - and instead of being stuck underground, you get fantastic views..."

New York City has 30 islands and 520 miles of coastline. Four of the five boroughs float off the Atlantic seaboard. But for most of history, none of it was accessible to locals or visitors. The waterfront was a crime-ridden, dangerous, and industrial place. All that changed in the last 30 years, and finally, a few years ago, we got the NYC Ferry.

All my life, the only way to appreciate the city's nautical pleasures was the Staten Island Ferry. People don't want to visit Staten Island, but they ride the ferry there and back for the free boat ride. (I love the Staten Island Ferry; if you take it, listen to Billy Joel's "Everybody Loves You Now.")

The NYC Ferry will take you to spots you want to see. For the cost of a subway ticket, you can get from Wall Street in Manhattan to Dumbo in Brooklyn in five minutes. And instead of being stuck underground, you get fantastic views. I live in Brooklyn, and the NYC Ferry makes it easy to explore within the borough. You can see Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Dumbo, and Red Hook without ever using the subway.

During the summer, I take the ferry to the beaches in Rockaway in less than an hour. It's faster than the subway, and, again, why be in a tunnel when you can be on the water?

017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

South Street

One-way ticket:

US$

2.75

+1

6465768400

Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Monumental Women

Central Park Monument Representing Real Women

"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 14, 2025

Der Krung

Best Thai spot in town

"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Christian

Neely

Jul 14, 2025

Apthorp Cleaners

Barbies, Barbies, Barbies

"Apthorp Cleaners" in NYC is different from the dozens of other neighborhood cleaners by its permanent but ever-changing window display of Barbie dolls...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 13, 2025

Taco Mix

Gorditas, Cemitas, Burrito Bowls

Taco toppings include cheese (Cotijam, oaxaca and mozzarella), pineapple, jalapeños and pico de gallo. Norteñas & Cubanos sandwiches are not to be missed.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 12, 2025

Dinastia

Cuban - Chinese

"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 12, 2025

Studio Museum in Harlem

Artists of color

"Studio Museum in Harlem" in New York focuses on local, national and international artists of African descent and other work inspired by black culture...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 12, 2025

Stand Up NY

UWS Comedy Club

Its bright neon sign is easy to spot. Stand Up NY feels like a proper theater as it has a street-level entrance and the programming is mad extensive,

019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 10, 2025

NYC Pride March

The Greatest Show on Earth!

This year's "NYC Pride March", World Pride, will be held in the city to commemorate the Stonewall Riot of 1969. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 10, 2025

Fall Foliage

Central Park

A walk through Central Park in New York is probably your best way of appreciating the folliage change colors. I recommend walking along the allée of elms.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 7, 2025

American Folk Art Museum

Free recitals

The American Folk Art Museum in New York hosts free live jazz and eclectic concerts, with thoughtful exhibits and a folksy gift shop worth browsing.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 7, 2025

Sisters

Soul/Jamaica Fusion in Harlem

"Sisters" in New York is a Jamaican restaurant. Let's put it like this: when I go to Jamaica, I don't seek a restaurant until I come back!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 7, 2025

Patisserie des Ambassades

Senegalese/French café

"Patisserie des Ambassades" in New York has extensive opening hours and prepares dishes & desserts for every time of day. It's refreshingly old-fashioned.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Jul 7, 2025

Heading to New York?

304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

304 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite New York

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 489 Spotters.
Filters