The 5 Best Fall Foliage Cruises in New York

What could be more beautiful than marveling at the colorful autumn leaves on board a historic ship? That’s exactly what you can do on these fall foliage tours, which are among the most popular boat tours in autumn.

This year there are several different tours to choose from. What they all have in common is the destination: the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Valley is located north of Manhattan, and on the way there on the Hudson River, you’ll pass through the famous George Washington Bridge and be able to enjoy the view of the impressive rock formations called Palisades.

But which fall foliage tour is the best? You can find out here in 👉 my comparison. And below you’ll find 👉 all the details about the fall foliage cruises.

My tip

As with all boat tours for special events like the Dinner Cruises, Brunch Cruises and Lunch Cruises or Jazz Cruises tickets are very popular and often book up quickly. Therefore: if there are still tickets available, you should book quickly!

The Best Fall Foliage Cruises in NYC

Here are the best fall foliage boat tours along the Hudson River:

My recommendations

Which Fall Foliage Cruise in New York is the Best?

Personally, I have two favorites: Number 1 is the Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Yacht Tour because it is on board the beautiful yacht “Manhattan”. My 2nd recommendation is the yacht tour.

Fall Foliage Cruises NYC in Detail

1. 01

   Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Yacht Tour

   Cruise in Chelsea

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   On this tour you are on board the Manhattan, a beautiful boat in the style of the yachts of the 1920s. Lots of wood and glass await you and you can either enjoy the view of the colorful autumn leaves in the heated salon or go out on the outside deck.

   The cruise starts at Chelsea Piers, not far from Hudson Yards. Afterwards, you can relax and cruise north along the Hudson River. On the way you can enjoy the view of the New York skyline and the ride under the George Washington Bridge.

   On your left and right you will see the forested banks of the Hudson River.You will be surprised how many colorful autumn leaves you will see.  And the best part? The price of the 2.25-hour cruise even includes a free drink!

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2. 02

   Hudson River Fall Foliage Afternoon Sail

   Cruise in Chelsea

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   If you’re looking for a relaxing boat tour where you can experience fall in New York in a very special way, check out this 3.5-hour sailing tour.

   You’ll be aboard the Schooner Adirondack or Schooner America 2.0, which depart from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers. It’s a leisurely sail from here toward the George Washington Bridge and the famous “Palisades” rock formations. Your destination? The Hudson Valley! 

   On this autumnal sailing cruise you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors and just have a good time on board. I love sailing tours because it feels like a vacation on vacation to me. And in the fall, this one is one of my absolute favorites!

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3. 03

   Hudson River Fall Foliage Yacht Tour

   Cruise in Chelsea
   

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   The Hudson River Fall Foliage Yacht Tour is very similar to the Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Yacht Tour. The only difference is that you will travel on the elegant yacht “Kingston” and the tour lasts 2.5h. 

   The Kingston is another ship of the fleet, built in the style of the yachts of the 1920s. Therefore, you can expect a very special atmosphere on board, which cannot be compared with the sightseeing cruises. That’s why these fall foliage cruises are so popular around autumn. 

   You start your tour at the Chelsea Piers and then sail along the Hudson River. On the way you will pass the George Washington Bridge, look at the Upper West Side of NYC and then reach the cliffs of Palisades Park.

   By the way: only on weekends in the fall the Kingston leaves for the Hudson Valley. If you are in NYC during the week and want to take a boat tour where you can enjoy the colorful fall foliage, just check out the other tours on my best list!

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4. 04

   Circle Line: Bear Mountain Cruise

   Day Trip in Hell's Kitchen
   

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   New York City has far more to offer than just shopping, museums and skyscrapers. After this trip you will definitely realise how much nature and beauty New York has to offer as well. The nature surrounding New York City is defintiely something you dont want to miss, especially as it provides the perfect contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

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5. 05

   New York City Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise

   Cruise in Chelsea

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   The New York City Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise is one of the best boat tours you can take in New York in the fall. You’ll see an incredible amount of nature as you make your way up the Hudson River – that was something that really surprised me personally. On top of that, this Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise takes place on a very beautiful 1920’s style ship. The atmosphere is really great!

   The ship takes you from Pier 62 towards Palisades Park and the George Washington Bridge. You will pass the last part of Manhattan on your right with the Upper West Side and Harlem and go under the impressive George Washington Bridge, the only bridge that connects the state of New Jersey with the state of New York. And on your left you will be able to admire Palisades Park in New Jersey. 

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FAQ

When is the best time to see the colorful autumn leaves in the Hudson Valley NYC?

From mid/late October to early/mid November the colors are most impressive. Only for this short period you can book these special boat tours.

Which Fall Foliage cruise in NYC is the cheapest?

The cheapest fall foliage cruise start at around $88.

Where do the Fall Foliage cruises depart from in New York?

The departure point depends on the operators. But most of the fall foliage cruises depart from Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River at Pier 61/62.

Is there a dress code?

No – there is no dress code.