Brooklyn Bridge Cruise NYC
Cruise beneath one of New York City's most famous landmarks while enjoying water-level views of the Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and more.
A Simple Way to Experience the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in New York City. Millions of visitors walk across it, photograph it from Brooklyn Bridge Park or see it from the streets of Lower Manhattan. A Brooklyn Bridge cruise provides a different perspective by bringing you close to the bridge from the water.
Our sightseeing cruise departs from Pier 36 on South Street, placing the vessel near both the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge shortly after boarding. As the cruise begins, guests can step outside, look toward the bridge towers and see the stonework, cables and full span from a low water-level viewpoint.
The experience is straightforward. You board at Pier 36, settle in, move between the indoor cabin and open-air viewing areas, and watch the city pass around you. There is no need to plan several separate sightseeing stops or walk long distances between landmarks.
Cruise Beneath the Brooklyn Bridge
Seeing the Brooklyn Bridge from below makes it easier to appreciate its size. The towers rise above the East River while the suspension cables stretch across the sky between Manhattan and Brooklyn. From the vessel, guests can look upward at the bridge and outward toward the surrounding skyline at the same time.
The approach also creates one of the best photography moments of the cruise. Depending on where you stand, you may capture the bridge by itself, the bridge with the Lower Manhattan skyline behind it, or the structure framed by the waterfront buildings of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Because the cruise begins near the bridge, the sightseeing starts quickly. You do not need to spend a large part of the trip waiting to reach the first major landmark. Marine traffic, weather and operating conditions can affect the exact route, but the cruise is designed to provide close views of the bridge and surrounding waterfront.
Continue Into New York Harbor
This is more than a short Brooklyn Bridge boat ride. After viewing the bridges and East River waterfront, the cruise continues toward Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor. The skyline opens up as the vessel moves away from the shoreline, allowing guests to see the city from a wider angle.
Common views include the Manhattan Bridge, South Street Seaport, One World Trade Center, the Financial District, Governors Island, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The route also provides views of working harbor traffic, ferries, waterfront parks and buildings on both sides of the water.
Guests interested in a broader overview of the route can also read our NYC sightseeing cruise guide, our Statue of Liberty cruise guide and our overview of the Manhattan skyline.
Manhattan Skyline
See Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center from the harbor.
New York Harbor
Enjoy a wider view of the city, waterfront and surrounding islands.
Photo Opportunities
Capture the bridge, skyline and Statue of Liberty from the water.
Pair the Cruise With a Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
A Brooklyn Bridge cruise can easily be paired with walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, allowing visitors to experience the landmark from two completely different perspectives in the same day. From the water, you can look up at the stone towers, suspension cables and full span of the bridge. From the pedestrian walkway, you can look back toward Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and the East River.
One simple plan is to take the cruise first from Pier 36 and then walk toward the Manhattan entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge. Another option is to walk across the bridge earlier in the day, spend time in DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park, and return to Lower Manhattan for the cruise. DUMBO is known for waterfront views, restaurants and some of the city's most photographed perspectives of the Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is another easy addition to the day. Visitors can enjoy more views of the bridge, the East River and Lower Manhattan before or after walking across the span. Combining the park, DUMBO, the pedestrian walkway and the cruise creates a full Brooklyn Bridge sightseeing day without making the schedule overly complicated.
You can see the bridge from below, walk across it, photograph the Manhattan skyline and explore nearby neighborhoods on both sides of the East River. Guests visiting later in the day may also want to compare this experience with our NYC Skyline Sunset Cruise.
Guests planning the rest of the day may also find our guide to things to do near the Lower East Side useful before or after the cruise.
Who Is the Cruise Best For?
The Brooklyn Bridge cruise works well for first-time visitors who want to see several major New York landmarks in one activity. It is also a convenient choice for couples, families, photographers and travelers who want a sightseeing experience with less walking.
The approximately 90-minute duration is long enough to reach the harbor and enjoy the major views without taking up the entire day. Guests can use the indoor cabin when they want a break from the weather and return outside for photographs as the vessel approaches each landmark.
Complimentary beer, wine, soda and bottled water are available onboard. Live English narration helps identify important sights along the route, while guests remain free to move between viewing areas when it is safe to do so.
Brooklyn Bridge Cruise From Pier 36
The cruise departs from Pier 36 at 299 South Street in Lower Manhattan. This location is close to the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Lower East Side, Chinatown and South Street Seaport. Guests should plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding.
Indoor and outdoor areas are available onboard, along with restrooms and limited seating. Comfortable clothing is recommended, and a light jacket can be useful because temperatures on the water may feel cooler than they do on land.
Visitors spending additional time in the area may also want to review our guide to things to do near the Lower East Side or compare this experience with our main NYC skyline boat tour.
Brooklyn Bridge Cruise FAQs
These are the most common questions guests ask before booking a Brooklyn Bridge sightseeing cruise from Pier 36.
The sightseeing route provides close water-level views of the Brooklyn Bridge and normally passes beneath the bridge after departing from Pier 36. The exact route is always subject to weather, marine traffic and operating conditions.
The cruise is approximately 90 minutes. This allows enough time to see the bridges, Lower Manhattan, New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty without making the experience overly long.
The cruise departs from Pier 36 at 299 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Guests should arrive about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Yes. The route continues into New York Harbor for views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The boat does not stop at Liberty Island.
Yes. Complimentary beer, wine, soda and bottled water are available onboard during the cruise.
Yes. Families are welcome, and the approximately 90-minute duration makes the cruise manageable for many children. Indoor and outdoor viewing areas are available.
Yes. Many visitors make a full Brooklyn Bridge day by taking the cruise and walking across the bridge before or after departure. This lets you see the bridge from the water and from the pedestrian walkway in one outing.
Yes. Seating is available, although it may be limited. Many guests move between different viewing areas during the cruise to take photographs and see the landmarks.
See the Brooklyn Bridge From the Water
Depart from Pier 36 for a 90-minute NYC sightseeing cruise featuring the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty views and complimentary drinks.
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