aiany around manhattan architecture boat tour

Cruise Route

Key Points on the official NYC Architecture Tour

• The official architecture boat tour of NYC cruises for 2.75 hours
• Private elegant tables are assigned to each booking. Each features a cushioned section, a large sliding exterior window, and clear partitions
• This NYC architecture boat tour is $116 for Adults and $86 for Students (12 years and older)
• Offered aboard Manhattan or Manhattan II (1920s-inspired yachts)
• The architecture boat tour fully circumnavigates the island of Manhattan
• Hosted and narrated by a member of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter
• Indoor climate-controlled seating and outdoor seating are available
• One complimentary beer, wine, champagne, or soda is offered. Additional beverages and light fare are available for purchase
• AIA CES 1.5 to 2.5 LU HSW Continuing Education Credits offered

During this architecture boat tour of NYC, you will explore new and enduring architecture, engineering marvels, and the revitalized waterfront from the teak decks of Classic Harbor Line’s elegant motor yachts. This fully narrated NYC architecture boat tour is in collaboration with the AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York). The story of NYC’s development is described as a broad overview for visitors but includes deeper insights to satisfy demanding locals. During this New York architecture tour you’ll catch new and alluring sites including Little Island at Pier 55, the Hudson Yards “mega-project”, the continuing ascent of “supertall” luxury residential towers, and join a discussion of how cities might adapt in the post-Covid era.

Continuing education credits available »

Our AIANY Architecture Boat Tour makes a great gift! Purchase a CHL gift card at the link below

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Highlights, topics, and themes of the AIANY NYC Architecture Tour include

• Exploration of planning visions for both reclaiming the post-industrial waterfront, as the “6th Borough”, and addressing rising sea levels
• This Manhattan architecture tour is a 2.75-hour cruise. During the cruise, we will circumnavigate the island of Manhattan (passing under all 18 bridges) while taking in monuments, architecture, parks, and infrastructure.
• Insightful coverage of Manhattan’s classic spires, including the Chrysler and Woolworth Buildings, as well as a sharp focus on the new World Trade Center buildings and recent local, national, and international award-winning architects; including buildings by Frank Gehry and other noted international and local architects.
• The greater waterfront access allowed by new parks and recreation piers including the ecologically driven features designed by leading landscape architects.
• The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the newest waterfront monument: Roosevelt Island’s FDR Four Freedoms Park
• NYC’s engineering masterpieces: the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges as well as lesser-known “swing bridges” along the Harlem River
• The adaptation of the Highline as an elevated, linear park and its role in the development of West Chelsea and Hudson Yards.
• The story of post-WWII urban renewal and public housing along the waterfronts of the Lower East Side and East Harlem.

Quiet Cruising

This heavily narrated tour experience offers a Manhattan architecture yacht cruise. We recommend it for those seeking an informative, exciting, and content-rich trip. We require guest conversations to be kept to a reasonable level so that narration can be heard by all. For guests looking for a more social experience, please consider our sunset cruises, day sails, city lights cruises, or one of our other non-narrated events. This is NOT for children under 12. For guests with children under 12 please consider our Statue & Skyline tours, day sails, or any other minimally narrated daytime event.

What is Not Included?

Not included.

• We do not include a guarantee of a full circumnavigation of Manhattan. On rare occasions, the Spuyten Duyvil train bridge is inoperable and cannot open for us to pass through. Our tour oftentimes does not reveal this until it is underway. River closures may also occur for a number of reasons. There are no refunds for tours that cannot fully circumnavigate. We will accommodate such cases with a tour that features a double backing of the route and further details of the waterfront sites.
• Gratuity is not included; however, if you purchased the ‘Groups of 10’ or more ticket type, a 10% gratuity is automatically applied.
• Food is not included. Light fare options are available for purchase in advance with your tickets or once on board.

Are you a Group of 17 or more?

Call us directly at 212-627-1825

Meeting Location

Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) – W. 22nd and Hudson River (Manhattan, NY)

(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)

General FAQs about all our excursions.

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Refund/Rescheduling Policy Bookings of 1 to 9 guests have the option to reschedule or convert to a gift certificate up until 24 hours prior to departure. 10 to 16 must notify us 1 week in advance to reschedule or convert to gift certificate credit. 17 or more must notify us 2 weeks in advance to reschedule or convert to gift certificate credit. Requests for cancellation, rescheduling or conversion to gift credit must be sent by email to [email protected] . *Unique cancellation terms can be offered upon request. Please call 212-627-1825, option 4.

Other Policies The activity takes place rain or shine but within reason. Activities runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability), receive credit for a future event, or receive a refund.

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AIA New York and the Center for Architecture offer a wide variety of architecture tours for all audiences, across New York City and beyond. See tour options in each category below.

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AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture Boat Tour

Join us aboard the teak decks of our elegant 1920s style classic boats, yacht Manhattan and Manhattan II, and enjoy NYC's architectural landmarks - as best seen from the water.  

The "Around Manhattan" tour narration, provided by members of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) NYC chapter, is general enough for visitors yet detailed enough for the locals.

Aboard the yachts, experience a comfortable and unique tour through the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers from the climate-controlled and enclosed back-deck observatory or wander to the outer decks for fresh air and sweeping views of the  

On this 2.75-hour cruise , you will circumnavigate the island of Manhattan (passing under all 18 bridges) while taking in monuments, architecture, parks and infrastructure. One complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda or water is is included with each ticket. Light snacks available for purchase online or while onboard. Best for those 14 and older.

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Architecture Boat Tours NYC

• Chelsea Piers, Pier 62 (22nd St. & Hudson River)
• Manhattan, NY 10011
• (212) 627-1825
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The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), in collaboration with Classic Harbor Line, offers an AIANY Around Manhattan Boat Tour. Cruise with them around NYC while learning about the architecture of this famous city.

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AIANY Around Manhattan: Architecture Boat Tour

This 2-hour-and-45-minute cruise circumnavigates the island of Manhattan via the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers, and is AIA New York’s signature tour experience. Enjoy the views from one of Classic Harbor Line’s heated yachts, warm drinks, and expert narration by an AIA New York guide as you explore the architecture, infrastructure, and urban planning of New York City. Tour highlights are thematically linked to illustrate the recent transformation of an industrial waterfront to one of booming real estate development, ecologically-driven landscape design, and resilient infrastructure.

Tour features include iconic Art Deco spires, historic engineering marvels, adaptive reuse, progressive waterfront parks, and recent buildings by local, national, and international award-winning architects.

Save The Date

• Sep 20, 2024 Reenergizing the City: PlanScapeArch Conference 2024

• Sep 26, 2024 The Nature-Based Industrial Revolution: Redefining Future-Forward Architecture
• Sep 26, 2024 Resilience Squared: Modular Affordable Passive House Tour

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