breathtaking view
There are those who say that you haven't truly experienced the wonder of the Hudson River until you have sailed its timeless currents and watched its scenic shorelines drifting by.
Exceptional sunsets add to the beauty of the Hudson Valley (Photo by James Bleecker)
From May through October, visitors can choose from a variety of river experiences, each offering special views of the region's rolling hills, riverfront villages, great estates and natural features that distinguish the Hudson from every other river in the world.
The extreme beauty of the Hudson Valley is captured in this outstanding photo by James Bleecker
Carless New Yorkers, or visitors who have tired of the Big Apple's frenetic pace, can enjoy a relaxing day-trip by boarding a NY Waterway ferry at 38th and 12th Avenue in Manhattan. The boat steams northward under the George Washington Bridge to Tarrytown, where a bus meets passengers at the dock and spirits them away to many of the great estates in the area. Visitors already in Tarrytown can enjoy the North Hudson Cruise, a two-hour narrated tour that tells of the region's history. Fall football enthusiasts can even get to West Point home games via NY Waterway (1-800-53-FERRY).
A different angle on the history of West Point is sure to please with boat trips to Constitution Island, once the home of Fort Constitution and the Warner sisters, who wrote inspirational books and conducted Bible classes for generations of cadets. Tour boats leave South Dock at West Point every Wednesday and Thursday during the summer at 1 and 2 pm. Reservations are a must (845-446-8676).
The MV Commander plies the Hudson Highlands, providing narrated excursion cruises April thru October, with departures from West Point, Haverstraw Marina and Peekskill (845-534-7245) The Commander is available for private charters, as is the River Queen out of Verplanck, June through October (914-788-4000).
The HV Commander is shown on one of its excursions. (Photo by Nancy Gold)