the mommy avenger

Whenever I visit a city, I love finding ways to see it from a new perspective — whether that means heading up to the highest rooftop I can find or taking to the water to see it from a distance. There’s just something about stepping back and looking at the whole picture that makes a city come alive in a completely different way. Even though I know New York City so well, on my last trip back, I decided I wanted to slow down and simply take it in — to see the skyline, the bridges, the layers of the city, and let it all sink in. The Circle Line Best of NYC Cruise ended up being the perfect way to do exactly that.

This cruise is like pressing pause on the busy pace of New York City while still soaking up everything that makes it incredible. Over the course of a little more than two hours, you glide completely around Manhattan — yes, the entire island — with a front-row seat to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll pass by three rivers, five boroughs, and seven bridges, including the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge, all while taking in more than 100 legendary sights. It’s a full, panoramic New York experience — one that’s both exciting and peaceful at the same time.

There’s truly a certain kind of magic in seeing the city this way. From the water, New York feels even bigger, more beautiful, and somehow more personal all at once. The skyline stretches endlessly in every direction, the bridges arch gracefully overhead, and neighborhoods you’ve walked through a hundred times suddenly look brand new from this angle. It’s breathtaking to realize how all those moments and memories fit together on one island.

And what I love most is how this experience works for everyone. It’s not just for tourists — it’s for anyone who wants to fall in love with the city all over again. Kids are amazed by the sheer size of it all — the skyscrapers, the bridges, the boats. Adults get to slow down, breathe in the fresh air, and see the city without rushing. It’s the perfect outing for both the young and the young at heart.

On board, you can move around to different viewing areas, grab a drink or a snack from the bar, and settle in wherever you’re most comfortable. You can sit outside in the sunshine and feel the wind off the water or head into the covered area if you want a cozy seat protected from the elements. When we went, it was a brisk, windy day — the kind that makes you pull your scarf a little tighter — but it was still incredibly relaxing and refreshing. There was something about that crisp air and the hum of the boat that just felt peaceful.

Our guide was funny, insightful, and full of that classic New York personality. He shared stories and history about the sights we were passing — from Yankee Stadium to The Cloisters, Grant’s Tomb, Gracie Mansion, and even the tiny Little Red Lighthouse tucked under the George Washington Bridge. And, of course, one of the most unforgettable moments was when the ship glided right up close to the Statue of Liberty. You get an absolutely stunning view — closer than you can get standing at her base — and the photos are unreal. But even more than that, it’s one of those moments that gives you chills. Seeing Lady Liberty from the water, standing tall against the skyline, feels both humbling and inspiring.

As the city wrapped around us and the sun began to dip, it really hit me — this was New York at its most cinematic. The glitter of the skyline, the steady rhythm of the waves, the mix of locals and visitors all quietly taking it in — it’s an experience that captures what makes the city so special.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or someone who’s walked these streets your whole life, the Best of NYC Cruise is an incredible way to experience the Big Apple from a whole new vantage point. You see its energy, its beauty, and its history come together right before your eyes.

If you’re heading to New York — or even if you live there and need to fall in love with it all over again — I can’t recommend this enough. Set sail on an unforgettable full-island cruise around Manhattan, and let yourself see the city the way it was meant to be seen — surrounded by water, bathed in light, and absolutely alive.

You can book your adventure at circleline.com. Trust me — it’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’ve stepped back onto shore.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}