Sail past the Statue of Liberty and skyline aboard NYC's only passenger tall ship
1 Hour & 30 Minutes
Scenic sail, Experienced crew
Sail New York Harbor aboard the Clipper City, the city’s only passenger tall ship. Glide past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and skyline views as the crew sets the sails.
Check in 15 minutes before departure; the boat leaves on time. Sailing runs in light rain; the captain may cancel for unsafe weather. Seating is limited and not guaranteed.
Bookings are non-refundable. Reschedules more than 72 hours before departure may incur a fee; within 72 hours, tickets are forfeited. Sailings operate in light rain; no refunds for weather cancellations. If the operator cancels for non-weather reasons, you may reschedule.
The temperature can be cooler out on the water so dress accordingly - best to be prepared! Hats and sunscreen are recommended on summer days.
Yes! It is customary to tip the crew & bartender if you enjoyed your experience.
Occasionally. Sailing is an all-weather activity; & we do sail in light rain or intermittent sprinkles, however, the Captain will cancel due to severe or unsafe conditions. MBS will do its best to notify you promptly, but last-minute cancelations do happen. If the Captain must cancel a sail, customers will be offered alternate departures, subject to availability, or receive a sailing credit for the current or following season.
Pier 17
The Statue of Liberty rises out of New York Harbor like a promise kept, and there is no finer way to meet her than from the deck of the Clipper City, a 158-foot tall ship that glides past Liberty Island with sails billowing overhead. Lady Liberty has welcomed travelers, dreamers, and new arrivals to these shores since 1886, and seeing her copper silhouette from the water rather than from a crowded ferry line gives you a sense of why generations have found her so moving. The harbor itself frames the Statue of Liberty against the lower Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn shoreline, and the open Atlantic beyond, a vantage point that walking tours and observation decks simply cannot match.
As the Clipper City heels gently into the wind, you will pass close enough to the Statue of Liberty to make out the folds of her robe, the seven rays of her crown, and the tablet she cradles in her left arm. The breeze carries the salt of the harbor, the creak of rigging mixes with the soft slap of water against the hull, and the crew shares stories about the statue's journey from France, her assembly on Bedloe's Island, and the role she played in greeting immigrants steaming toward Ellis Island just a short distance away. Unlike the rushed pace of a commuter ferry, the sail lingers in the waters around the Statue of Liberty, giving you time to take photographs, sip a drink from the onboard bar, and simply look.
This sail is perfect for couples seeking a romantic afternoon, families who want their children to remember more than a museum line, photographers chasing golden hour light on Liberty's torch, and travelers who care about how a place feels rather than just how it looks. If you have ever wanted to see the Statue of Liberty the way she was meant to be seen, framed by sky and saltwater from the deck of a working tall ship, the Clipper City offers exactly that kind of afternoon in New York Harbor.
Sailing around Manhattan at sunset, with jazz playing and the Statue of Liberty drifting into view, is the kind of experience that tends to stick with people. Reviewers consistently describe it as a highlight of their entire New York trip, with the open-water perspective of the skyline offering something genuinely different from the city's usual tourist circuits. The vibe is relaxed and unhurried, with blankets on hand for cooler days and drinks available to help set the mood. The crew gets mentioned constantly, and in the best possible way. Captain Steve and the rest of the team come across as warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaged with guests. Experienced sailors have even been invited to take the helm, while first-timers are encouraged to help with the rigging. That hands-on energy seems to be a big part of what makes the experience feel special rather than just scenic. Highly rated across a wide range of travelers and seasons, this one earns its reputation. One reviewer summed it up well after 11 years of New York adventures, calling it the single best experience the city has to offer. That's a bold claim, but reading through the reviews, it's hard to argue.
The best NYC experience I have ever had. NY has no shortage of tourist attractions or things to do. After 11 years of boat, bike, bus rides - this is the hands down number one experience I would recommend. The wind, sea, sail takes you away from the daily grind. Would do it once a week over a massage session. The staff also made it a great experience. Yacht rock playing all the classics. Can’t wait for the next trip out. I
Vincent C
March 31, 2026
The best NYC experience I have ever had. NY has no shortage of tourist attractions or things to do. After 11 years of boat, bike, bus rides - this is the hands down number one experience I would recommend. The wind, sea, sail takes you away from the daily grind. Would do it once a week over a massage session. The staff also made it a great experience. Yacht rock playing all the classics. Can’t wait for the next trip out. I
Vincent C
March 31, 2026