Replace The Summer Seaside Vacation With New York Harbor Fun

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River cruises make it easy to take advantage of the waters around New York City for fun and sun this summer. NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

Staying cool on the water this summer doesn't have to mean a trip to the beach. Here’s a trio of river cruises for all ages.

Keeping the kids entertained can be smooth sailing, now that Circle Line is introducing three morning cruises around the Big Apple this summer boarding from Pier 83 on the West Side.

The 75-minute cruise sails around Manhattan with a boatload of kid-friendly activities, boarding at 9:30 a.m. Cruises are set for the first Saturdays in June, July and August. It’s $28 for adults, $20 for children ages 3-12 and little ones 3 and under are free.

For more of an adrenaline rush, take Circle Line’s jet-powered speedboat known as The Beast. Traveling at speeds up to 45 mph, the half-hour ride is a thrill a New York minute, with a quick breath at the Statue of Liberty for a photo-op.

The Beast operates every hour on the hour between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., also boarding from Pier 83. Tickets for adults are $25 and $19 for children ages 5-12. Kids less than 40-inches tall are too small. More details are at www.circleline42.com.

New York Water Taxi is another popular way to see NY from the waves with its Hop-on/Hop-off Pass, letting passengers go at their own pace. There’s a free double-decker guided bus tour of Midtown that can be tacked on to the boat ride.

The 90-minute loop includes a pass by Pier 84 near the USS Intrepid, conveniently in sync with the arrivals and departures of the water taxi ride. The bus can be boarded at several stops along its route including near the new visitor center in Times Square.

Also included this year with the Hop-on/Hop-off Pass is admission to the 9/11 memorial.

Tickets for the pass are $26 for adults and $16 for children ages 3-12. For more information, visit www.nywatertaxi.com.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.