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Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is a highly acclaimed boat-based tour company in NYC. It provides holistic cruise line tours with guided sightseeing, onboard entertainment, events, and sumptuous food/beverages. Since 1945, they have ferried over 80 million locals and tourists across New York waters, with mesmerizing views of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and so on. Their boats are also available for private parties, field trips, and group activities. 

Background on Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

New York Cruise Lines owns Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. The 79-year-old company also owns the New York Water Taxi, La Barca Cantina, a floating Mexican restaurant, and the Beast Speedboat Ride. Circle Line’s current fleet includes state-of-the-art vessels named after NYC’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) and one named after Lady Liberty.

The New York Historical Society has developed tour guide narrations for all Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. Furthermore, all their guides are certified professionals with extensive experience. The company has developed a tour translation app in Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, and Mandarin for tourists to enjoy audio tours in their native language. 

Where is Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and how do you get there?

Except for the two cruises mentioned below, all Circle Line Sightseeing boat tours depart from Pier 83, West 42nd Street, and 12th Avenue in Midtown West, Manhattan.

• The nearest subway stations are Times Square 42nd Street, 5th Avenue 42nd Street, and 42nd Street Grand Central.
• Pier 83 is 1 mile away from 42nd Street. You can walk or take the M42 bus directly to the pier.

The departure points for the ‘Liberty Super Express’ and ‘Statue at Sunset’ tours are from Pier 16, South Street Seaport. The nearest train station and bus stops are at Fulton Street, both within 10 minutes walking of Pier 16. 

What can you expect when you visit Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises?

Always double-check since two cruises depart from Pier 16 and all others from Pier 83. Reach the correct departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. E-tickets on your mobile are accepted. Purchasing tickets online will allow you to skip the box office line and head to security directly.

Smoking is prohibited on all regular Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises. On seasonal/festive cruises, there can be designated smoking zones that you can enquire about at the box office. Pets are strictly not allowed on these tours. Also, food and beverages from outside are not allowed. You can purchase beer, cocktails, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, ice cream, snacks, and light meals onboard.

Apart from the temperature-controlled indoor seats, there are comfortable outdoor seats and plenty of deck space for photo ops. With free Wi-Fi, you can stay connected and live-stream your experience. The 2.5 hours-long ‘Best of NYC Cruise’ is the only guided boat tour in NYC that completely circles Manhattan. Cruising under 20 bridges and viewing over 130 iconic NYC landmarks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you are short on time, take the ‘Landmarks- Half Island’ boat tour for 1.5 hours. 

Don’t miss the splendid sunset cruises like ‘The Beast Speedboat Ride’ and , ‘New York City Landmarks Circle Line Cruise,’ and more!

What else can you do when you visit Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises?

• Watch out for their DJ Events Calendar to attend fabulous boat parties.
• Book a private boat for a party or event. The package is for groups of 75+ and includes in-house catering and drinks.
• Before boarding from Pier 84, visit the Dive Bar and Cantina’s Rooftop in Hell’s Kitchen. If you have time, explore fascinating venues across Midtown Manhattan.
• If you are boarding from Pier 16, don’t forget to explore the historic South Street Seaport neighborhood and museum. 

FAQs

Does Circle Line provide discounts?

Yes, there are discounts for college students, military veterans, and group bookings. Tourists can get the NYC City Pass to club sightseeing venues with Circle Line boat tours. NYC residents can avail of discounts on Tuesdays.

Do I need to buy children’s tickets for Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises?

Children under three don’t require a ticket. For ages 3 to 12, discounted tickets are available.

What is Circle Line’s ticket cancellation policy?

Once purchased, tickets cannot be canceled or refunded. However, you can change your ticket for a different cruise and pay the difference if applicable. 

What happens if I miss the boat?

For daily cruises, the company allows you a one-time opportunity to reschedule within 90 days of the missed journey. This is not applicable for seasonal or holiday tours.

This award-winning boat tour company has been an intrinsic part of NYC tourism, culture, and maritime entertainment for over 79 years. In 1985 and 2008, NYC mayors proclaimed ‘Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Day’ to commemorate occasions. 

From the unparalleled ‘Best of NYC’ full island tour around Manhattan to the picturesque ‘Statue at Sunset’ cruise and adventurous high-speed boat rides, their offerings are diverse and exceptional.

Bask in the sun, soak up the misty air, and gaze at the wondrous views as you assimilate the informative commentary. With ample comfort, convenience, and top-notch photography opportunities, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is one of the best ways to explore and experience NYC.

The post Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises: Voyaging NYC With Grand Views appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Anime lovers residing in New York, rejoice! This fall, Kodansha, one of Japan’s largest publishers of manga, will debut a special immersive pop-up experience dedicated to all things anime at 45 Grand Street near West Broadway in Lower Manhattan.

Kodansha House: Where Manga Meets will officially open on October 4 and welcome guests on Wednesdays to Sundays between noon and 9pm through the end of October.

There will be lots to do at the pop-up, with activities and programming spanning in form and topic. You’ll get to look through a robust manga library, for example, and meet fellow fans. Other activations include live discussions and trivia nights about your favorite anime, movie screenings (Akira, Blue Lock, Ghost in the Shell and Blame! are already on the schedule) and dress-up scenarios where you will get to suit up like popular characters before posing against a projected anime background. You’ll basically feel like an anime star in no time. 

A mere look through the various scheduled activities makes one thing clear: the organizers really want fans to get together and are hoping that the experience will be about much more than grabbing merch showcasing anime stars. As a matter of fact, the already-announced “speed friending event for fans to find their perfect manga-loving match” sounds absolutely delightful

Considering that Kodansha is behind hits like Sailor Moon, we can only imagine how popular the temporary destination will be this fall so heed our advice and try to get there towards the beginning of the month, before word spreads about the fun to be had in there.

* This article was originally published here

Halloween in NYC offers a treasure trove of activities for families with children, especially during spooky season! From the iconic Village Halloween Parade to the thrilling Boo at the Zoo, we’ve curated a list of kid-friendly Halloween events happening that you should bookmark for your family.

Be sure to keep this list handy and stay tuned for even more Halloween kids activities to be announced soon, we’ll be updating this list regularly!

1. Boo at the Zoo

The Bronx Zoo’s favorite fall tradition, Boo at the Zoo is back again this Halloween season, bringing the spooky spirit and awesome family-friendly festivities to the beloved zoo. This event is truly a Halloween spectacle, complete with costume parades, Halloween crafts, pumpkin carving demos, magicians, a pumpkin trail, and so much more. Plus, new thrills and chills this year include a “Trick or Truth Maze,” face painting, a creepy crawly mystery wall, and plenty more. It’s an incredible animal-themed event that’s perfect for kids of all ages. See the full list of Boo at the Zoo happenings here!

The Bronx Zoo

September 28 – October 27

2. Halloween Harvest at Luna Park

The 11th annual Halloween Harvest returns to Coney Island’s Luna Park, and it’s a kid’s Halloween fantasy! Little ones can experience all sorts of Halloween-themed activities including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing, and trick or treating. Plus, for the adults there will also be plenty of pumpkin spiced and apple cider flavored carnival style treats to try throughout the park too! Wristbands are required for Luna Park entry, which grant access to all of the Halloween fun! Learn more about Halloween Harvest and see the full list of activities here.

Luna Park in Coney Island

   September 20 – October 27

3. Halloween at BCM!

One of our favorite NYC kid-friendly museums, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, is hosting a Halloween event this year which is sure to be exciting! Kids can expect a full day of costumed fun, trick-or-treating around the Museum’s exhibits, and a special anime-themed celebration curated by AniTOMO Con. There will be 3 different sessions throughout the day of 2.5 hour duration! Reserve your spot for BCM’s Halloween celebration here!

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

   October 27, 10 am – 12:30 pm, 1 – 3:30 pm, 4 – 6:30 pm

4. Halloween on the Farm

Head to Queens County Farm Museum for Halloween this year, where they’re hosting a family-friendly celebration on the farm with loads of kids activities! This year’s Halloween festivities include live Halloween music performances, a 3-acre cornfield maze, hayrides, a Spooky Barn Experience, trick-or-treating, and so much more. Tickets are required for the event and cost $20 for general admission! Get all the details on the official Halloween on the Farm page.

Queens County Farm Museum

  October 27, 11 am – 4 pm

5. NYC Village Halloween Parade

NYC’s popular Village Halloween Parade is a smash-hit for kids, bringing together families from all over the city to enjoy a festive atmosphere in their costumes. Kids can dress up and explore the decorated streets of Greenwich Village during the day and watch incredible performers, floats, and costumes later in the night. Depending on age, kids can also join in on the parade at night (if dressed to this year’s theme of MEOW !!!) and become a part of the action. For full details head to our NYC Village Halloween Parade guide.

Greenwich Village (exact route TBA)

  October 31, 7 pm

6. Halloween on the Harlem Meer

Central Park’s incredible “Halloween on the Harleem Meer” will return this year, as they get ready to conduct the wholesome Pumpkin Flotilla once again this October. Perfect for kids, they can watch their decorated pumpkins float on the Harlem Meer in Central Park starting at twilight. Plus, there’s plenty of pumpkin carving, spooky stories, and costume parades happening too. Stay tuned for an official announcement on this year’s festivities!

Harlem Meer in Central Park

  TBA

7. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Bring your kids on one of the most exciting Halloween walks happening this spooky season! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze returns for 2024 just a short drive from NYC (Croton-on-Hudson, NY) for another epic gathering of over 7,000 illuminated jack o’ lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by a team of artisans.

The Halloween light display has of course tons of synchronized lights and music, but also lots for kids like pumpkin-ified classic movie monsters, life-sized dinosaurs, a 24-foot spider web, a Pumpkin Planetarium, a working carousel, and so much more. It’s very much worth the drive for a family-friendly activity! Learn more about this year’s Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze by visiting the event’s official page.

Van Cortlandt Manor (Croton-on-Hudson, NY)

September 13 – November 17

8. Tricks and Treats at Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s annual kids Halloween event returns this year, with a ghoulish night ahead of fun and frights. Bring your kids to the park for a free celebration of eerie magic tricks, face painting, arts & crafts, and a costume parade! The event is completely free and even more details are soon to be announced! Learn more about Tricks and Treats via Bryant Park’s website.

Bryant Park

October 31,  4 – 6 pm

9. Trick or treating

Trick or Treat! The classic hunt for candy is a children’s tradition like no other, and NYC is a playground of sweets ready to be discovered! Some of the city’s popular neighborhoods go all-out for kids trick-or-treating by hosting events, decorating buildings, and so much more. Find the best places to bring the kids this year by using our trick-or-treating neighborhood guide.

10. Pumpkin picking

Halloween is all about the pumpkins, and little ones can pick out their favorite ones at patches all across the city and Tri-State area. From local outposts like the beloved Greg’s Pumpkin Patch in the city to some on the outskirts like Happy Day Farm and Fishkill Farms, taking a little day trip for some pumpkins to carve can be the perfect kids activity. Explore all of the best pumpkin patches near NYC by visiting this guide on pumpkin picking.

The post 10 Best Halloween Events & Activities In NYC For Kids appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Us New Yorkers will be expressing our hatred towards rent prices until the end of time–and when we’re paying 164% more than the average American and less than 5% of NYC rents are affordable for those making the city’s average salary can you blame us?!

So when we hear about affordable housing opportunities being offered by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC), we flock to them the same way we would to a baconeggncheese. Why? Because it’s our chance to snag a beautiful apartment for a fraction of the cost, and if the one that recently opened in Hudson Yards wasn’t enough, there’s now another one in Harlem with units starting below $1K!

And no, this isn’t a drill! Known as the Marcus Garvey Apartments the latest housing gem is a brand new 117-unit, affordable residential project located in the heart of Harlem. New Yorkers with an income between $29,555 and $117,390–between 40 and 70% of the area’s median income–are eligible.

Designed for comfort and convenience, each unit features state-of-the-art amenities, spacious layouts, and premium finishes. Amenities include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Bike storage lockers
• Shared laundry room
• Dishwasher in unit
• High-end kitchen appliances
• Air conditioning
• Outdoor terrace
• Security cameras
• Elevator

Of the 117 available units 30 are studios starting at $788, 43 are one bedrooms starting at $993, and 44 are two bedrooms starting at $1,184. And considering apartments.com notes that the average monthly rent for a studio in NYC is $3,133, you can see why this lottery has grabbed our attention!

20% of the building’s units are preferred to go to Manhattan Community Board 10 residents, 5% are preferred for New York employees, 2% is for vision/hearing, and 5% for mobility. The lottery doesn’t require deposits or application fees and, in addition to rent, selected tenants will only have to worry about paying their electric bill.

Interested residents have until September 30, 2024 to apply.

The post Believe It! Units Below $1K Are Available In This Harlem Affordable Housing Lottery appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Back in February, we told you all about the Las Vegas-style casino that could open inside a new Hudson Yards skyscraper. Today, we’ve got a bunch of pretty awesome-looking new renderings of the possible project to show you. 

Related Companies and Wynn Resorts released new images of their $12 billion proposal, specifically looking at how Hudson Yards West, as the building would be dubbed, could impact its surroundings. In fact, High Line enthusiasts previously launched a campaign against the project, citing concerns about how the development would affect the view from the elevated park.

If the renderings are to be believed, the High Line will keep looking as beautiful as ever, offering passerby great views—including that of a casino, a 5.6-acre public park, a public school, office spaces, a hotel resort operated by Wynn and more.

A word about the public park, officially called Hudson Green: the would-be space is about as big as Bryant Park and would be home to playscapes, gardens, open lawns and more of the sorts of features that area residents associate with public green spaces. Think of it as the Central Park of Hudson Yards.

Needless to say, we’re still a long time from this whole proposal maybe becoming a reality as the city still needs to review all pertaining data and information.

Below, check out the latest renderings:

* This article was originally published here

Fall into savings with a visit to one of the top destinations for affordable fall travel just a 3 hour ride from NYC! Maybe you had to skip out on a vacation this summer to save some extra cash, but autumn travel is actually one of the best ways to explore new places without having to break the bank.

According to a report from Airbnb, Somers Point, New Jersey is one of the most desirable off-season destinations with the greatest fall savings in the U.S. And since 85 percent of people booking an Airbnb consider price a determining factor for their stay, you’ll most likely agree.

Top 10 U.S. cities with the most savings for fall travel:

• Somers Point, NJ
• Myrtle Beach, SC
• Norfolk, VA
• Panama City, FL
• West Des Moines, IA
• Bangor, ME
• Cheyenne, WY
• Spokane Valley, WA
• Erie, PA
• Omaha, NE

So when are the best months to visit Somer’s Point, New Jersey? Airbnb found September and November to have the lowest costs when comparing the average price-per-night of stays across the U.S.over the years. Therefore, you can either look to book now and spend your Halloween in NYC, or get in the right headspace to visit family this Thanksgiving with a fall escape prior to the chaos that’s sure to ensue in November.

You can explore some of the major savings for Somers Point stays on Airbnb.

Now, if you’re hesitant to visit a spot on the Jersey Shore during the fall rather than in the summer, rest assured there is still plenty to do as the weather cools. Explore Somers Mansion, the oldest house in Atlantic County still in existence, slurp down oysters at Smitty’s Clam Bar, or go pumpkin picking nearby Somers Point at Butterhof’s Shady Brook Farm.

Explore even more things to do during your visit in Somers Point, New Jersey on its city website.

The post Find The Top Fall Travel Deals In The U.S. At This Seaside Escape Near NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here