The Battery: Our most recommended tours and activities

New York City: Manhattan Helicopter Tour

1. New York City: Manhattan Helicopter Tour

Manhattan brings to mind grand skyscrapers, taxi cabs, and a world-class attitude all of its own. See all this and more as an expert pilot flies you over NYC on a 15 or 20-minute helicopter tour. Soar over the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden, among other landmarks. After take-off from the Downtown Heliport, swing down over lower Manhattan to see the skyline and streets below. Swoop over Battery Park to glance at Wall Street and its labyrinth of streets. Then sail over to Governor's Island, an island once reserved only for the city's dignitaries that now hosts summer concerts and public art. Then, fly over Ellis Island and see Lady Liberty shining brightly in the distance. Cruise right up to her eye for a new perspective of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy all this before heading up the Hudson past the piers of Chelsea and the lights of Broadway. On your way back to the pier, head around the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and fly over Ground Zero where you can have a look at the exceptional work they're doing at the sight. Continue past Madison Square Garden and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. See Central Park as your flight turns around to return to the heliport. Sights included in the 15-Minute tour: Statue of LibertyEllis IslandOne World Trade Center9/11 MemorialBrooklyn BridgeBattery ParkWall Street/Financial DistrictEmpire State BuildingChrysler BuildingMadison Square GardenTimes SquareU.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space MuseumCentral Park Sights included in the 20-Minute tour: Brooklyn BridgeBattery ParkWall StreetStatue of LibertyEllis IslandOne World Trade Center9/11 Memorial SiteEmpire State BuildingChrysler BuildingMadison Square GardenU.S.S. Intrepid MuseumTimes SquareCentral ParkGrant’s TombGeorge Washington BridgeHarlem and Harlem RiverThe Bronx and Yankee StadiumPalisades CliffsSpuyten Duyvil Bridge

New York City: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

2. New York City: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the perfect introduction to New York with a Hop on Hop off Big Bus tour. Relax on an open-top double decker sightseeing bus while listening to insightful and engaging digital commentary. The bus route takes you on a captivating journey through New York's rich history and vibrant modern life, as well as its many memorials and museums. You'll have the opportunity to hop off and explore the city's most iconic historical sites, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Broadway, and the One World Trade Center with its 360-degree view of the stunning skyline. Pay tribute to the memory of those lost in the tragic event at the 9/11 Memorial just steps away. The Downtown Loop is a 90 minute circuit, while the Uptown Loop is 75 minutes. Many guests choose to ride a full loop to see the city before deciding where to hop off on the next loop around. Buses arrive every 10-15 minutes on the Downtown Loop and every 30 minutes on the Uptown Loop throughout the day. Explore Lower Manhattan on the Downtown tour, including popular neighborhoods such as the Flatiron District, World Trade Center, Battery Park, SoHo & NoHo, Greenwich Village & East Village, Chelsea, and the Financial District. Wander around Wall St. to see the famous Stock Exchange and Charging Bull. Eat your way through Little Italy and Chinatown, shop at the high-end boutiques in SoHo, or see the open-air observation deck at The Edge in Hudson Yards. Then make your way to the Upper East Side, home to some of New York’s most popular museums. Explore the Frick Collection and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). The Uptown Loop takes you through Midtown, passing by Grand Central Terminal and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Add a relaxing and scenic cruise around Liberty Island to complete your trip. Enjoy spectacular views of Lady Liberty and many more New York landmarks from a prime position on the Hudson River. Cruises last 1 hour and feature an onboard cafe and full bar, restrooms, outdoor deck space, air conditioning and indoor seating with large windows. Journey through New York on two wheels with an included offer at Unlimited Biking, NYC's premiere bike rental company. Purchase a 1-hour (minimum) bike rental and receive an extra hour free! Or, enjoy $5 OFF per person for any bike tour or Segway tour.

NYC: Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

3. NYC: Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

Experience New York at sunset on a cruise of the harbor, and take in all the sights and lights of Manhattan aboard a climate-controlled boat. Grab your friends, family, and coworkers - or even a random stranger - and embark on an unforgettable journey of the harbor with "Lady Liberty" keeping watch. With a drink in your hand, purchased from the fully stocked bar, feel the breeze on your face and be mesmerized by the shimmering skyline. Get endless photo opportunities to make you an Instagram star as you sail past legendary attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and get perfect views of the Freedom Tower - One World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Pier 54 (Titanic Pier), Battery Park, and more. See where millions of immigrants were processed when they arrived in America at Ellis Island, cruise past Governors Island, the South Street Seaport, and Brooklyn Bridge. Marvel at unrivaled views of the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, and Chrysler Building, and discover the East Village, United Nations Building, and USS Intrepid Pier from a different perspective. 

New York: 1-10 Day New York Pass for 100+ Attractions

4. New York: 1-10 Day New York Pass for 100+ Attractions

See all that NYC has to offer with the official New York Pass by Go City. Visit 100+ attractions with a single mobile pass for one great price. Check in the view from the top of Empire State Building, take a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty, hop on and off a Big Bus Tour, and more. Simply choose how many days you'll be in New York and get unlimited admission to many of the city's best attractions, tours, and experiences. Activate your pass at the first attraction or tour you go to. Once activated, your pass records when and where you first used it and how long it will remain valid for. Your New York Pass is then valid for the number of consecutive days that you've purchased. Activities include: Popular Experiences • Empire State Building • Big Bus 1-Day Downtown & Uptown Hop-on Hop-off Tour • Top of the Rock Observation Deck • 9/11 Memorial & Museum • Edge • One World Observatory • Statue of Liberty Ferry & Ellis Island Immigration Museum • Best of NYC Cruise by Circle Line • Madame Tussauds New York • Central Park Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking • Guggenheim Museum • The RIDE Museums & Galleries • American Museum of Natural History • MoMA - Museum of Modern Art • Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum • Museum of Sex • Whitney Museum of American Art • Fotografiska New York • Museum of the City of New York • New York Historical Society • Museum of Arts and Design • Museum of Jewish Heritage • Skyscraper Museum • Fraunces Tavern Museum • New York Hall of Science • Museum at Eldridge Street • International Center of Photography • MOMA PS 1 • Staten Island Museum • The Paley Center for Media • The Museum of Chinese in America • Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum Family-friendly • Central Park Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking • 9/11 Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour • Marvel & DC Superheroes Walking Tour • Yankee Stadium Tour • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, Westchester • Staten Island Zoo • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center New Jersey • Staten Island Children’s Museum • Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts Walking Tour Hidden Gems • New York Botanical Garden • Catacombs by Candlelight Tour • Harlem Jazz Series – Tuesday and Friday • New Museum • Cathedral of St. John the Divine • Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • ARTECHOUSE New York Tours & Cruises • Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour • Rockefeller Center Tour • The Official Chinatown Walking Tour • How Money Was Made: Wall Street Walking Tour • Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line • Landmark Cruise by Circle Line • Clipper City Tall Ship – Statue of Liberty Cruise (seasonal) • The Official Little Italy Walking Tour • New York City News Media Tour • Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Neighborhood Walking Tour • Brooklyn Bridge Guided Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking • See 30+ Top New York Sights Walking Tour Attractions and tours are subject to change. Check the digital guide for an up-to-date attraction line-up including opening times and instructions on how to access each attraction before you go. Some tours and attractions require advance reservations. * Savings based on sample itineraries on Go City website.

NYC: Statue of Liberty Tour and Ellis Island Guided Tour

5. NYC: Statue of Liberty Tour and Ellis Island Guided Tour

Begin your Statue of Liberty tour at Battery Park, the historical gateway to Liberty Island. If you've chosen the FOUR HOUR TOUR, your guide will share a bit of Manhattan history with you in Battery Park before boarding the ferry with your small group to sail away from Manhattan to greet the Statue of Liberty. Once on Liberty Island, your guide will dive deep into the story of how Lady Liberty came to be. As you tour the island, your guide—an expert in setting the stage, creating the scene, and invoking your imagination—will share the incredible historical facts that fuel your understanding of just how important this monument truly is. Take in beautiful views of the famed New York skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the surrounding environs. Wander through the Statue of Liberty Museum and stand mere feet from Lady Liberty’s original torch! After the Statue of Liberty, board the short ferry to Ellis Island—another mammoth site in the history of the United States. Your guide will set the tone with a brief introduction and provide recommendations on how to get the most from your visit. Then you can explore this special place at your own pace. Knowing how touching Ellis Island can be, we give everyone time to wander the site, enjoy the official audio guide, search the passenger records for family names, or pause for a quick bite to eat at the popular cafeteria. You are also welcome to return on the ferry with your guide. If you choose the 30-MINUTE EXPRESS TOUR tour, your guide will give you a crash course in all things Lady Liberty as they show you around the park and lead you to the ferry. From the essential, must-see sights at the Statue and Ellis Island to practical tips that will ensure a hassle-free visit, you'll be properly equipped with all the knowledge you need for a smooth, insightful outing by the time you part ways from your guide at the ferry.

NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise

6. NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise

Departing from Downtown Manhattan in Battery Park, this express cruise is the fastest way to get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty and enjoy best views from the water. Enjoy insights onboard from your tour guide with live narration. Begin your cruise experience at Battery Park's Slip 6. Get your souvenir photo with Lady Liberty in the background while you wait. Board the vessel, sit back, and set sail on your round-trip sightseeing cruise. Bask in the panoramic view of downtown New York's celebrated towers, memorials, and Landmarks while you relax on board the state-of-the-art boat.  Cruise right over to see the Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic symbols in the world. On your way to Lady Liberty, you’ll sail past and learn about Ellis Island, once home to the United States’ busiest immigration station, where approximately 12 million immigrants came through.  You will also see Governors Island, a former military base that has since been redeveloped with a beautiful park for the public to enjoy.

New York City: The Sightseeing Flex Pass

7. New York City: The Sightseeing Flex Pass

Take a bite out of the Big Apple! Pull up your Sightseeing Flex Pass on your phone and enjoy cash-free access to over 100 experiences, destinations, museums, and tours, including some of the city’s most popular attractions like the Top of the Rock Observatory, Madame Tussauds, MoMA, the New York Aquarium, and more. Simplify and save, as you can tailor your trip to New York City to fit your ideal itinerary with the easy-to-use Sightseeing Flex Pass. With the option to select 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, or 12 attractions, you can enjoy full admission to the attractions that interest you most, saving up to 65% and with no fixed start date. This pass is recommended for visitors with limited time for sightseeing and want to visit only a few most popular attractions. Get out and explore to get an authentic taste of New York City from the streets on one of the many walking or biking tours. See the internationally renowned skyline up close with access to five bus tours or take it all in from the harbor on a ferry tour. Sightseeing Flex Pass holders also have access to the Hop-On, Hop-Off Uptown and Downtown Bus Loops for 1 day. New York Top Destinations: • One World Observatory • Central Park Zoo  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) • Top of the Rock Observatory  • Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours by Big Bus • Whitney Museum of American Art • Empire State Building Experiences: • Artechouse NY • Ground Zero Museum Workshop: 100 Images & Artifacts Tour  • Luna Park Coney Island • Harlem Gospel Series • Harlem Jazz Series Attractions: • Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine • The Edge • Escape Game New York • Escape Virtuality • Madame Tussauds NYC • New York Aquarium • New York Botanical Garden • Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • SPYSCAPE Museums: • American Museum of Natural History • El Museo Del Barrio  • Museum of Broadway • Fotografiska NY • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum • MoMA PS1 • Museum at Eldridge Street • Museum of Jewish Heritage • Museum of the City of New York • National Lighthouse Museum • New York Historical Society Museum and Library • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum  • Staten Island Museum and Children’s Museum • Brooklyn Children's Museum • South Street Seaport Museum Bus Tours: • Big Bus NY Discover Downtown • Escorted 5-hour Manhattan Experience Tour • On Location Tours - Central Park TV and Movie Sites  • Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Bus (with discount booklet) • The Ride • Go Airlink Airport Shuttle (outbound) Cruises:  • Circle Line Landmarks Cruise • Circle Line Liberty Express tour Walking and Bike Tours:  • Brooklyn Unplugged Tours  • Food on Foot  • Hush Tours  • Inside Out Tours  • Central Park Bike Rental • The St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour • Manhattan and Beyond Central Park Walking Tour • Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour • 2-hour Central Park Bike Tour

New York City: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour

8. New York City: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour

Take a ferry and see two of New York's iconic islands: Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty and learn the history behind the statue and how it came to be on Liberty Island. The tour includes priority, reserved access to the islands; a professional, licensed NYC tour leader who will guide you through both islands; and access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island. On Ellis Island, you will learn about the journey of the millions of immigrants who passed through the island from 1892-1924, arriving in America, in search of a better life. Due to site regulations, your tour guide might not be able to accompany you inside the sites; regardless, they will offer a complete explanation of what you will experience inside. If you prefer to visit the Statue on your own, select the Basic Option, which includes an Interactive Audio Guide. All the information on your device! If on the contrary, you want to enhance your experience, take the premium option. You will enjoy a guided tour with a professional guide like in the Classic option, but also, you will also have access to the interactive Audio Guide to complete the information in those places where the guide is not allowed to explain.

NYC: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry

9. NYC: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry

Enjoy your visit to an iconic monument on this guided tour to the Statue of Liberty. Experience the beautiful panoramic views of the New York City skyline, which includes the Brooklyn Bridge, The Empire State Building, and more.  30 minute Introductory Tour Includes a round trip ferry ticket plus tips and tricks from an experienced seasoned guide. Then go at your own pace as you make a self guided visit to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Guided Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Benefit from the experience and knowledge of your guide as they navigate you through the crowds and the two mandatory security screenings. Immerse yourself in the experience and enjoy the entertaining and informative stories that they will share, bringing your experience to life. Includes round trip ferry service and a live guide.  Continue to Ellis Island, home to America’s Immigration Museum and the spot where tens of millions of immigrants took their first steps toward becoming Americans. Follow in the footsteps of this journey, as you visit the Great Hall, the Stairs of Separation, and the Kissing Post.

NYC: Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

10. NYC: Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

Celebrate the holiday season in style this Christmas aboard a luxury 90-minute yacht cruise of New York Harbor. Step inside the yacht’s toasty solarium, decked out in full holiday décor, and enjoy a warm and cozy tour with your friends, family, and loved ones. Delicious hot cocoa, cookies, and treats will be served as you sail past Battery Park, South Street Seaport, the Financial District, Governor's Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Relax in the heated main observation cabin, join in the caroling, or enjoy the beats of a live jazz trio. Sip on a complimentary glass of champagne, wine, or beer, and purchase mixed drinks from the on board bar. Then, watch as the gorgeous views of Manhattan Island sail by, all from the comfort of a heated back-deck salon and glassed-in observatory of the 1920s-style yacht.

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What people are saying about The Battery

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 9,772 reviews

It was a very enjoyable experience and the guides were really lovely.

Absolutely brilliant well worth the money. Best views of New York

All the staff were amazing and the view was breathtaking.

Absolutely amazing and heartbreaking!!! Loving it! Thanks

It was a really nice experiance to se NY from above.