AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture Tour

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 sunlight with a complimentary beverage in hand.

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.

What's included

Key Points about this Tour:

• Elegant tables assigned to each booking. Each features cushioned section, a large openable exterior window and clear partitions.

• Offered aboard Manhattan or Manhattan II (1920s inspired yachts)

• Fully Circumnavigates the Island of Manhattan.

• Hosted & narrated by a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA NY)

• Indoor climate-controlled seating and outdoor seating 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.

What's not included

• Guarantee of a full circumnavigation of Manhattan is not included. On rare occasions, the Spuyten Duyvil train bridge is inoperable and cannot open for us to pass through. This is often times not known until our tour 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 detail of the waterfront sites.

• Gratuity is not included unless you purchased the ‘Groups of 9 or more’ ticket type where 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.

Highlights

Topics and themes of the AIANY tour include:

• Exploration of planning visions for both reclaiming the post-industrial waterfront, as the "6th Borough", and addressing rising sea levels

• 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.