New York (Brooklyn) Cruises 2024/2025

New York (Brooklyn) Travel Guide

New York (Brooklyn) Cruises Things To Do

• 
  Walk around the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

  The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a gorgeous outdoor area in Brooklyn. It was first established back in 1910 and covers over 50 acres of land. It truly is an oasis in the middle of the borough of Brooklyn! You'll forget you're in the city for a little while. The inside of the garden is split up into different sections so that the varying types of flowers and plants stay apart from each other. Some of these park sections include the Cranford Rose Garden, the Japanese Hill, and Pond Garden, and the Plant Family Collection. One of the most picturesque parts of the garden that you won't want to miss is the Osborne Garden!

  You Should Know

  The garden does have hours that it's open, and it can get quite busy. To avoid the crowds, visit first thing in the morning when it opens.
• 
  Shop at the Brooklyn Flea Market

  The Brooklyn Flea Market is one of the best shopping experiences you can have while in this borough! It officially opened in 2008 by two of Brooklyn's residents, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby. The flea market here is the best place to get vintage antiques, old jewelry, and local art from some of Brooklyn's artists. You're bound to find something while you're here that you'll want to purchase! Plus, this flea market has consistently been ranked as one of the best in the country by Travel + Leisure and Fodor's. 

  You Should Know

  The market is only held between April and October because it's an outdoor market. It's hard to have a market outside when it's snowing in the middle of winter!
• 
  See the city from the Brooklyn Bridge Park

  The Brooklyn Bridge Park covers 85 acres and is located right next to the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. From the park, you can get some of the best views of the New York City skyline. The park is filled with lots of fun activities. You can rent a kayak to go out on the water, participate in outdoor sports, go bird-watching, see fun art, grab a bite to eat, or even hop on Jane's Carousel. No matter your age, you'll have fun at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

  You Should Know

  There isn't a lot of parking near this park. The easiest way to get here is by renting a bike or taking public transportation.
• 
  Witness a performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music

  The Brooklyn Academy of Music is the best performing arts center in Brooklyn. It's known for having very out-of-the-box performances, which is why you should try to see a performance here. The building first opened in 1861 at another location and then moved to this spot in 1908. Throughout the year, there are many different performances. There's everything from comedians to dances to film festivals. The Brooklyn Academy of Music even hosts lots of events just for children.

  You Should Know

  Purchase tickets ahead of time to ensure that you get to see a performance here.
• 
  Grab a bite to eat at Juliana’s

  Juliana's is a popular pizza restaurant in Brooklyn that absolutely shouldn't be missed. They cook their pizzas in a coal-fired oven. The pizza joint is run by Patsy Grimaldi, who is said to be one of the best pizza makers. They serve a wide variety of pizza flavors at this restaurant. Some of the most popular flavors are white pizza, marinara pizza, and Margherita pizza. The pizzas here are a bit pricier than your average pizza, but you genuinely have to try the pizza here at least once during your trip to Brooklyn while waiting for your cruise to set sail.

  You Should Know

  The line here can get quite long! Try to visit in the mid-afternoon to avoid the busyness.
• 
  Relax in Prospect Park

  Prospect Park is located right near Brooklyn's botanic garden! This is one of New York City's many urban parked and is also one of the most-loved. The park covers 586 acres and is the perfect escape from the urban life of Brooklyn. There are many things to do inside the park. Some of the best activities include biking, working out, bird-watching, and just walking on the many trails! Because the park is so big, you can find a little area to yourself no matter the time of day.

  You Should Know

  There are park tours if you'd like to learn more about the history of Prospect Park.
• 
  Learn history at the Brooklyn Historical Society

  The Brooklyn Historical Society is a museum that first opened back in 1863. Inside, there are many exhibits and even a library, including information about the history of Brooklyn. It spans the past 400 years up until the modern-day! Many of the exhibits inside the Brooklyn Historical Society are rotating, so they aren't always staying the same. Some of the most popular exhibits of the past include A Queer Look at Brooklyn and Waterfront.

  You Should Know

  There is a suggested ticket price. This isn't enforced; instead, you pay whatever you think your visit is worth. Keep in mind that the money goes right back into exhibiting Brooklyn's history.
• 
  Take a photo at the Brooklyn Bridge

  The Brooklyn Bridge is truly one of the top places to visit in all of New York City. This 5,989-foot bridge is a combination of a cable and suspension bridge. It opened in 1883 and connects Brooklyn to New York City. It crosses right over the East River! The bridge is one of the top spots to take a photo in this area. If you look one way, you can see the entire New York City skyline, and if you look the other way, you can see Brooklyn's skyline. Visit at night for a fantastic photo!

  You Should Know

  Keep in mind that this bridge is actually in use by cars. There is a unique walkway just for pedestrians and bike riders.
• 
  See NYC from above at the Empire State Building

  You have to go across the bridge to check out the Empire State Building. This is one of the most iconic bridges in all of the United States. It's a skyscraper that stands at 1,454 feet and has 102 floors. The building is art-deco and is truly a marvel. There's an observation deck at the top that allows visitors to see all of the surrounding city from above. You honestly won't want to miss it during your visit!

  You Should Know

  There are two different observation decks, one on the 102nd floor and one on the 86th floor. Each one has a different price, and you will want to book ahead of time.
• 
  Walk around Central Park

  Central Park is the gorgeous park in New York City that covers a whopping total of 843 acres! You honestly couldn't miss the park even if you tried because of how large it is. It's located right between the Upper East Side and Upper West Side of New York City. Inside the park, there are a few lakes and also beautiful walking trails. There's nothing better to do than grab a picnic and relax out in Central Park for lunch!

  You Should Know

  There are many free concerts held at Central Park, so keep an eye on the city calendar! Central Park is America's very first public park that was landscaped.
• 
  See a play on Broadway

  Broadway is the most prominent theatre location in all of the United States. Forty-one different theatres make it up, so there are truly endless options when it comes to seeing one of the plays in the city. Different plays are always on tour, but some of the most notable shows to have blessed the Broadway stages include Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Many theatre enthusiasts say that the plays on Broadway are genuinely some of the best in the entire world.

  You Should Know

  Tickets for Broadway plays can be pricey, especially if you have to purchase them through a second-hand application. Try to reserve them well in advance if you can.
• 
  Visit the High Line

  The High Line in New York City opened in the 21st century. It covers 1.5 miles and is a park that stands with the city's skyscrapers, therefore offering some of the best views of Manhattan's west side. A few different architects and designers created it. Historically, the High Line was home to freight train tracks. Over the years, the area sort of got left to rot and was overtaken by nature. Before long, it was set for demolition, until the New York City community worked together to develop the idea to turn it into something new for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

  Best Time To Visit

  The park is only open for about eight hours every day, and it gets busiest in the evening. Try to visit around noon right when it opens to avoid the crowds.
• 
  Marvel at Times Square

  Times Square is the most popular commercial area in New York City. This plaza is home to some of the best entertainment in the country and is also known for its giant advertisements and billboards that can be seen no matter where you look. This part of the city is the busiest area, but it's still completely worth visiting. There truly isn't an un-busy time to visit, but even just walking through will give you an authentic New York City experience.

  You Should Know

  Times Square is home to some of the city's most popular attractions, including Madame Tussauds and the Top of the Rock.
• 
  Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty

  The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic structures in all of the United States. It stands in New York Harbor on Liberty Island and was created in the late 19th-century by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. The statue stands at 305 feet. Taking a ferry to the Statue of Liberty is one of the best experiences to have in New York City. The ferry costs around $20, but it is well worth it. The Statue of Liberty is filled with some of the country's most important history.

  You Should Know

  You'll want to book off at least a full day to have this experience and get the most out of it.
• 
  Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art

  The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to by many just as the Met, holds over 2 million art pieces. It averages almost 6.5 million visitors a year and is America's largest art museum. The museum is split up into different sections, which makes it easy to explore. Some of hte most famous art pieces inside the museum include Venus Italica, Young Mother Sewing, and The Death of Socrates.

  You Should Know

  If you don't have all day to spend at the museum, then consider planning out which areas of the museum you most want to visit by looking at a map of the Met beforehand.
• 
  Take a trip to Coney Island

  Coney Island is a part of Brooklyn that is known for having great entertainment options. It's effortless to get there from New York City and is home to some great theme park rides, including the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone roller coaster. The island started to turn into the theme park that it is today in the early 20th century. Before then, it was one of the first settlements in Manhattan, which was then called New Amsterdam.

  You Should Know

  Many fun events are held on Coney Island during the summer months. This is one of the best spots to see the city's fireworks.
• 
  Grab a bite to eat at Chelsea Market

  Chelsea Market is one of the best food halls in New York City. It's also home to some of the city's offices and even a shopping mall. It's aptly named since it's located in the Chelsea neighborhood and opened in 1997. Though the market first opened only in the late 20th-century, its history dates back even further. This was a popular spot for the Algonquin Indians to come and trade their many crops. Its prime location on the Hudson River made it ideal for exchanging with others.

  You Should Know

  It's easy to get here by public transportation. Utilize either the M11 bus or a subway line that can bring you to 14th Street Station.

New York (Brooklyn) Cruise Packages

• Spring and Fall - September to November and March to May - Shoulder Season

  The spring and fall seasons are beautiful in Brooklyn and New York City. You can see the city start to wake up from the cold winter months as the flowers begin to bloom during the spring. Meanwhile, the fall months have some of the most beautiful fall foliage. The weather in the spring averages about 58°F while the fall is around 64°F.

• Summer - June to August - High Season

  The summer months in Brooklyn can get a bit warmer. This is the most popular time to visit the city because of its warm weather. Keep in mind that accommodation prices usually are a lot higher during this time—the temperature averages around 79°F.

• Winter - December to February - Low Season

  The least amount of people visit Brooklyn during the winter because it's a bit cooler. During this time, the temperature is around 32°F. It also snows quite a bit in the winter. Prices are lower in the winter because there aren't a whole lot of visitors. However, it can get a bit busy during the holiday season because there are many fun festivities held right in New York City.

New York (Brooklyn) Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Brooklyn cruises?

  Brooklyn cruises are truly the best way to explore nearby areas and other countries if you don't want to worry about transportation between places. Your accommodation is also always with you. So you can go out and explore a new place during the day but still have your bed to go back to at night with all of your belongings. It's a great, relaxing, and hassle-free way of traveling!

• What’s included on a Brooklyn cruise?

  Brooklyn cruises include accommodation and dining. There will also be lots of other fun amenities on board, such as entertainment. Some of these entertainment options onboard include casinos, libraries, fitness centers, pools, salons, and more. You honestly won't be bored on your cruise! You'll also have an abundance of excellent amenities in your room as well. These include televisions, hairdryers, 24/7 front desk service, and more. There are also babysitters onboard if you have younger kids who might need closer watching at certain times.

• What’s included on a New York City cruise?

  Each New York City cruise has slightly different amenities depending on the cruise line, but you'll have accommodation and dining covered. You'll also have stops at the many different port cities throughout the trip, though that varies depending on which cruise you book!

• What’s the best Brooklyn cruise?

  Every Brooklyn cruise is so different, so there isn't one that's better than the other. I know that's not the answer you were looking for, but don't fret! The best Brooklyn cruise for you might not but the best Brooklyn cruise for someone else. Consider your vacation length, your budget, and the destinations you'd like to check out. These are all good things to think about when booking your Brooklyn cruise. If you find that you can't narrow down your search easily enough, don't worry at all. Just call one of our cruise ship experts who are always here to help you. They can help you find the cruise of your dreams so that you can have the best vacation possible!

• How much do Brooklyn cruises cost?

  Brooklyn cruises vary in price. They start at around $114 a day, but some cost upwards of $200 a day. However, if you book through Affordable Tours, you can save up to 75% on Brooklyn cruises. We are always running promotions to help you get the best possible discounted price on your Brooklyn cruise!

• What’s the best New York City cruise?

  No New York City cruise is genuinely better than the other because each one is so different. You'll just want to do research and find the one that most suits your needs and your budget! An excellent way to do this is to calculate the cost per day for the cruise options you're considering to see which one is affordable.

• How much do New York City cruises cost?

  Every New York City cruise has a different cost. Most cruises cost at least around $150 per day, but a lot of the cruises that Affordable Tours offers include some sort of discount or promotion. We are here to help you save up to 80% on advertised prices!