Classic Harbor Line's Architecture Boat Tour

Classic Harbor Line's Manhattan II on the Architecture Boat Tour - Image courtesy of Classic Harbor Line

A major component of New York City’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry is sightseeing. And the city’s iconic skyline, monuments, and bridges are attractions every sightseer looks forward to viewing. One of the best ways to experience these attractions is on a boat cruise with Classic Harbor Line. And the one cruise we recommend is their popular Architecture Boat Tour.

Viewing the Manhattan skyline aboard the Manhattan II – Image courtesy of Classic Harbor Line

Cruising in style

Classic Harbor Line operates six vessels in New York Harbor – each a finely crafted, classically-inspired yacht. Four are exquisite motor yachts reminiscent of 1920’s luxury motor launches. The other two boats are the Schooner ADIRONDAK and the Schooner AMERICA 2.0 – a modern tribute to the first boat to win the America’s Cup in 1851. Construction has begun on a seventh boat, the all wood Manhattan III, a 1920’s-inspired classic power yacht. All of Classic Harbor Line’s yachts are elegant vessels featuring teak decks, varnished mahogany rails, gleaming brass fixtures, comfortable seating, a cocktail bar, and restrooms.

Classic Harbor Line’s *America 2.0* sails past the Statue of Liberty – Image courtesy of Classic Harbor Line

The variety of cruise offerings are designed to appeal to visitors of the Big Apple looking for unique sightseeing opportunities, as well as local New Yorkers looking for a new idea for date night, entertaining friends, or simply a way to escape the city without leaving the city.

The sightseeing cruises offer outstanding views of the NYC skyline and its many bridges, and, of course, an up-close experience of the Statue of Liberty. These cruises offer a variety of narration: non-narrated, lightly narrated, or fully narrated. Specialty cruises include Brunch Cruises, Eco Tours, Jazz Cruises, Sunset Cocktail Cruises, and Sunset Sails on the schooners. There are also Fall Foliage Cruises, Statue Day Sails, and a nighttime City Lights Sail.

New York’s iconic buildings

We remember how much we enjoyed the Architecture Boat Tour in Chicago – one of that city’s most popular visitor attractions. Classic Harbor Line’s tour is every bit as enjoyable as Chicago’s. This 2 ¾-hour tour aboard Manhattan II, done in collaboration with AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York), circles the island of Manhattan and offers fascinating insight into the development of New York’s skyline over the past one and a half centuries. The host/narrator from AIANY had a wonderful sense of humor, a very pleasant presentation, and a wealth of knowledge about various architectural styles and engineering marvels, as well as the events that influenced these architectural trends.

The AIANY narrator aboard the Architecture Boat Tour – Image by Stephanie Sylva

The presentation included a lot of historical background about many of Manhattan’s famous buildings like the Chrysler, Empire State, and Woolworth Buildings and the World Trade Center. Famous landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Yankee Stadium, and Manhattan’s 18 bridges were also included.

Little Island with the Empire State Building in the background – Image by Stephanie Sylva

We learned a lot about the city’s successful post-industrial vision for reclaiming its waterfront. The city’s shoreline is now predominantly residential and recreational giving so much more access to residents and visitors. In addition to details about Manhattan’s skyline, the AIANY narrator also pointed out many notable sights on the other side of the Hudson River in New Jersey and the East River in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

Classic Harbor Line’s *Kingston* on the Fall foliage Tour – Image courtesy of Classic Harbor Line

A family business

Classic Harbor Line is the brainchild of John Scarano, who followed his passion for sailing and boat design to found his company in 1974. John’s brother Rick joined him in 1984, and Scarano Boat Building found a niche in the production of replica sailing vessels and motor yachts with classic styling and appointments. Classic Harbor Line, the only family-run sightseeing cruise line operating in New York Harbor, was launched in 1994 with one vessel sailing Narragansett Bay out of Newport, RI. In addition to its New York harbor location, Classic Harbor Line cruises are offered in Newport, RI, Boston, and Key West. All of Classic Harbor Line’s 14 vessels were designed and built by Scarano Boat Building in its Albany, NY facility.

Cruising under the George Washington Bridge with a view of the Little Red Lighthouse – Image by Stephanie Sylva

Enjoy the iconic New York skyline from a whole new perspective – and do it in style with a Classic Harbor Line cruise.

Author

Jeff and Stephanie Sylva

Jeff and Stephanie Sylva are retired English/Journalism and Social Studies high school teachers who have been freelance travel writers for over 34 years. They live in Bergen County, New Jersey and had a monthly travel column with the North Jersey Newspapers for 15 years. In recent years they have had articles published with New York Lifestyles Magazine, Gallagher’s Travels, Hospitality 21, JustSayGo, Family Travel Network, Family Travel Forum, Travellady, The Parent Paper, Bergen County: The Magazine, The Asbury Park Press, Bergen County Kids Magazine and Family Destinations. Jeff and Stephanie enjoy tennis, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, and of course, traveling. Much of their writing reflects their love of the outdoors and their active lifestyles. Some of their favorite travel experiences include a hike on the Solheimajokull Glacier in Iceland, a trek across the Kilauea Iki Crater on the Big Island of Hawaii, and snorkeling with penguins and white-tipped reef sharks in the Galapagos Islands.
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