Seeing the city from the water

Compiled by amNY.com | Newsday Staff Writer

May 26, 2006

New York is a water city. Depending on where you are, you are surrounded by the East River, the Narrows, Long Island Sound, or the Hudson River. Majestic bridges link the boroughs together -- and boats, from sleek kayaks to oceangoing ships, glide along the surfaces. So, what better way to see the city than from a boat deck? Here are seven ways to do it.

Staten Island Ferry South Street at Whitehall Street. Daily, year-round. Free. A trip aboard the ferry offers the same views that the pricier trips offer, including the skyscrapers and bridges of lower Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. For more information: 718-727-2508; www.siferry.com

Chelsea Screamer Pier 62 (West Side Highway at 23rd Street). Operating May-end of Sept. weekends only 1:30, 2:45, 4, 5:15. Adults $20, Children under twelve $15 (no charge for children under 2 years of age). Purchase tickets at Pier. Take a tour of the city's waterfront on one of these high-speed boats. A one-hour tour starts at Chelsea piers and goes up to the Intrepid, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, up the East River, back around Battery Park and ends at Chelsea Piers. For more information: 212-924-6262; www.chelseascreamer.com

Circle Line Pier 83 (West Side Highway at 42nd Street). Daily, year-round. Call for ticket prices. Three-hour boat tour of Manhattan and Lady Liberty. Also, evening sunset cruises, music cruises, speedboat rides, and private parties. For more information: 212-563-3200; Fax: 212-631-0569; E-mail: info@circleline42.com; www.circleline42.com

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry Battery Park. Regularly scheduled, about every half-hour. Call for prices. Sight -seeing trip to Ellis Island includes stop at the Statue of Liberty. Views of Lower Manhattan. For more information: 212-269-5755; www.statuereservations.com

NY Waterway Terminals at: West Side Highway and West 38th Street; Battery Park City; Pier 11/Wall Street. Prices vary according to cruise. Daily, year-round, scheduled ferry trips to New Jersey as well as sightseeing trips. NY Harbor Cruises, two-hour full Manhattan cruise, 90-minute harbor cruise, twilight cruise, Fantastic Friday Dance Party Cruise, full-day cruises and combination packages. For more information: 1-800-53-FERRY; www.nywaterway.com

Skyline Cruises World's Fair Marina, Flushing, Queens. May-October. Prices vary by cruise. Sightseeing tours sail down the East River past the majestic New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. For more information: 718-446-1100; E-mail: info@skylinecruises.com; www.skylinecruises.com

The Beast South Street Seaport; Circle Line Terminal (Pier 83, West Side Highway at 42nd Street). May-Oct. Daily on the hour from noon till dusk, adults, $17; children 12 and under $11. The Beast takes you on a 30-minute speedboat cruise through New York Harbor, with views of New York City and a stop at the Statue of Liberty. Better yet, the captain's name is "Mad Dog." For more information: 212-563-3200; E-mail: infocl@circleline.com; www.circleline42.com

The Yankee Clipper. Join a floating tailgate party and cruise to a NY Yankees game, with pre-game food service and a beer, wine and soda bar onboard. Return boat departs 30 minutes after the final out is recorded. Round-trip post-season fares: Adults, $25; children 12 and under, $21; free for those under 3. For more information: 800-533-3779; email customerservice@nywaterway.com;