Best Boat Rides for Families in NYC

There's just something magical about being on a boat. Whether it's taking a ride out into the harbor or rowing out onto a lake, being on a boat is a great experience and a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day. And for kids, it may be an opportunity to see NYC from a different perspective–or just have some fun on the water.

Everybody knows about the Circle Line, New York Water Taxi and the free Staten Island Ferry, and we wrote about kayaking and canoing in our recent free sports for kids post. But, there are many other cool ways for families to get out on the water in NYC that you might not know about. Here are the best boat rides for kids and families in NYC:

Best Booty
Possibly the most fun boating trip for kids in New York would be the Pirate Sails aboard the South Street Seaport's historic schooner Pioneer. Kids aged 5 and up get to dress up like buccaneers, hoist sails, tie knots, chart a course, and take a turn at the helm as they maneuver their way through the NYC harbor. Pirate sails are just one of many sail options aboard the schooner Pioneer and occur once a month. Kids can also go on marine ecology tours and other interesting and educational trips. Reservations are highly recommended. Call 212.748.8786 or email reservations @southstseaport.org.

Best for Getting Wet
If your family's objective for getting out on the water is to get the water on you, then the Shark or the Beast may be the boat ride for you and the kids. Both rides are high adrenaline speed boat tours that go out into the harbor, up close to the Statue of Liberty, and then race back usually splashing loads of water onto the passengers. That'll cool ya down! Children must be at least 40" tall.

Best New and Touristy
The newest addition to the NYC boat ride scene is New York Splash Tours. It's an aquabus (like the duck boats they have in some cities) that starts in Times Square and then heads toward the river. Before splashing into the Hudson, it stops in the "Aquabus theater" for a multimedia simulated sea voyage. It may be kinda touristy, but sometimes being a tourist in NYC is a great thing, even if you live here.

Best European Vacation Substitute
Can't make it to Venice this year? Just head over to Central Park for an authentic Venetian Gondola Tour on the Central Park Lake. Gondola rides must be reserved in advance, but are sure to make a lasting impression on your impressionable youth.

Best for Do-It-Yourselfers
If you and the kids want to be the captains of your own vessels, then a row or pedal boat is the thing for your family. Row Boats can be rented daily from the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park and enjoyed on the 22 acre Central Park Lake. If you're more in the mood for a lower body workout, pedal boats are available for Thursday through Sunday from the Prospect Park Boathouse.

Best for Birdwatching
The Prospect Park Audubon Center at the Boathouse offers guided tours every weekend around Prospect Park's freshwater lake to view birds and other wildlife. Binoculars are provided. For further information, call the Audubon Center at (718) 287-3400 or visit prospectpark.org.

Best for Bringing Home Dinner
If your kids like to fish, they can get a real fishing experience on a fishing excursion from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Boats leave daily for half-day trips. All equipment and bait are provided and the guys on the boat will even clean and fillet your fish for you so it's all ready to fry up when you get home. When I was in high school, a bunch of us did this for my friend's birthday. It was really fun. For more information call 718-646-4057 or visit dorothyb.com.

Best for Landlubbers
If you prefer the kids to do their boating from solid ground, they might enjoy sailing a model boat around the Model Boat Pond in Central Park. Miniature boats can be rented at the concession for a classic New York scene that was immortalized in E. B. White's Stuart Little.

Stuart Little.