Weekend Layover: See New York City by Boat

Go glam on a Bateaux New York dinner cruise which sails along the Hudson River past iconic sights such as the USS Intrepid, the Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. The 3-hour tour aboard this intimate, high-end boat with a glass-enclosed dining room includes a 3-course meal with options like rib-eye steak and sweet berry galette, live music and dancing, an open bar featuring fine wines and of course, 2 outdoor decks with unbeatable skyline views. Brunch, lunch and even full moon cruises are also available. The romance factor is high on the Bateaux; woo your partner by booking an anniversary jaunt.

Any tourist will tell you that a few days exploring Manhattan can empty your wallet. Save money and still enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island and more by hopping aboard the very inexpensive -- read: FREE -- Staten Island Ferry. This commuter boat departs daily, around the clock on its 25-minute, 5-mile trip from Lower Manhattan's Whitehall Terminal to St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. Sure, you miss a guide's commentary and a proper tour's frills, but you can enjoy the same spectacular city views from the water, at zero cost.

For a variety of sightseeing-only cruises, book a tour with Circle Line, which has operated boat tours around Manhattan for more than 60 years. All tours include informative and, at times, pretty darn entertaining commentary, on boats with outdoor viewing decks as well as indoor seating surrounded by oversized windows. The Best of NYC Cruise takes visitors past 101 city sights, including the Intrepid, Yankee Stadium and the Cloisters, while the Landmark Cruise sails past the iconic sights of Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Food, snacks and drinks are all available to purchase onboard.

From the Empire State Building to the Freedom Tower and all that glitters in between, Manhattan's skyline is one of the most iconic in the world. Visitors and locals with an urge to experience those epic views from a new perspective should venture out on the mighty Hudson and East rivers aboard a boat tour.