8 Day American Cruise Lines River Cruise from New York to New York 2024

Day 1 New York, NY

New York City is the perfect destination to start your cruise along the Hudson River. Referred to as the city that doesn’t sleep, New York City is home to Broadway theaters, world-famous museums, iconic department stores, and Radio City Music Hall.

After boarding your ship, enjoy a delightful afternoon cruising from this bustling metropolitan area to the idyllic Hudson River region.

As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Meet the crew, your onboard experts, and fellow guests. Learn more about the wonderful adventure ahead of you.

Day 2 Catskill, NY

The scenic beauty of the Catskills has long been an inspiration to artists, writers, and naturalists who draw inspiration from its tranquil forests and expansive mountain landscapes. Explore the Hudson River School Art Trail, which includes the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill village, and sites like Kaaterskill Falls and Sunset Rock, which inspired 19th-century landscape painters.

This active shore excursion is in 2 parts:

Hudson River Skywalk provides panoramic views from hundreds of feet in the air and is one of two pedestrian crossings over the Hudson River. As you look towards the mountains, see if you can identify the features of Rip Van Winkle sleeping. The walkway is over 2 miles round-trip.

Kaaterskill Falls Viewing Platform: Witness the highest two-tiered cascading waterfall in New York and one of America’s oldest tourist attractions. It has been a featured topic of prominent books, essays, poems, and paintings of the early 19th century.

Activity Level: High | ADA Accessible: No

Traverse the historic formal approach to Olana's Main House and learn about the ideas that influenced Frederic Church and architect Calvert Vaux in sitting and designing this Middle Eastern-inspired Hudson Valley villa. Explore the intact, richly decorated historic interiors of the main floor, including the stunning central Court Hall, Isabel Church's Sitting Room designed around her husband's masterpiece, El Khasné, Petra (1874), and Frederic Church's richly appointed painting studio.

Explore the landscape on a walking explorationalong Olana’s upper carriage road loop. Learn about Frederic Church’s work as an artist and landscape designer, as well as his engagement with environmental conservation. Along this route, enjoy exquisite, panoramic views of the Hudson River Valley, Catskill Mountains in New York, Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, and the Green Mountains of southern Vermont.

Activity Level: Moderate| ADA Accessible: Partially

A visit to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site provides entry into the world of the man who became the father of American landscape painting and founder of the Hudson River School of Art. Tour the 1815 Federal yellow-brick Main House and visit the historic rooms where the Cole family lived, including the West Parlor where Thomas Cole was married and the upstairs rooms where his children were born and where Cole died in 1848.

Discover the Old Studio where Thomas Cole created many of his major works. The building was restored in 2004 and is now furnished with his original easels and other art-making equipment and tools. Enjoy an exploration of the formal gardens including a variety of flowers, including hollyhocks, larkspur, poppies, roses, china asters, dahlia, and valerian. Admire the wide variety of fruit trees, including a honey locust that grows close to the front porch of the house. View a small portion of what was once an extensive kitchen garden with vegetables, bush fruit, and grape vines.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Partial

Explore this impressive museum, featuring over sixty fire engines on exhibit, as well as numerous examples of firefighting gear, as well as equipment and art, depicting the heroic history of firefighting in New York City. Current exhibits include Touchstone: Remembering the 20th Anniversary of 9-11, which contains artifacts from this tragic event. The exhibit The Romance of Firefighting includes one-of-a kind wooden hand pumpers with original artwork and intricate woodworking, and also features amazing oils on canvas. And don’t miss meeting Molly the Museum dog, the Museum’s resident Dalmatian.

Activity Level: Moderate| ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 3 Albany, NY

The city of Albany was discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609 on a failed attempt to find an expedited passage to China for the Dutch East India Company. Today, the capital city of New York welcomes visitors with majestic architecture and grand views of the beautiful Hudson River Valley. Be sure to explore the New York State Museum and the newly renovated State Capitol building, originally built in the late 1800s.

Discover Albany and see what has enticed visitors for over 400 years. Albany is one of the oldest surviving settlements from the original thirteen colonies, and the longest continuously chartered city in the United States. Enjoy a narrated exploration of the city, with stops at the New York State Capitol, Albany Visitors Center, and Albany Institute of History and Art.

Activity Level: Moderate| ADA Accessible: No

Enjoy exploring the New York State Museum, a center of art, science, and history. Established in 1836, it is the oldest and largest state museum in the country and explores New York State’s significant natural and cultural diversity, pastand present. From its beginning, the Museum has been home to some of the nation’s leading scientists, with collections that rank among the finest in many fields and total more than 16 million scientific specimens and one million cultural objects.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Indian Ladder Farms is a centennial farm founded in 1916, which boasts over 90 acres of orchards producing over 40 varieties of apples. Enjoy a classic New England autumn past-time at the farm, admire the breathtaking fall foliage, and take home some fresh apples!

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 4 Kingston, NY/Hyde Park, NY

When the steamboat debuted in 1807, the Hudson River became a waterway of leisurely travel. Kingston preserves the heritage of the region at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Kingston is also located in an area of the Hudson River often referred to as "Millionaires Row," replete with palatial estates and grand mansions built by wealthy New York businessmen as a summer retreat.

Due to Hyde Park’s natural beauty and proximity to the city, families such as the Astors and Vanderbilts built weekend homes nearby. The area is most famously known as the birthplace of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is the site of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, as well as his home, Springwood Estate, which is designated as a National Historic Site.

Led by an expert guide, visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, one of the great historic homes of America. Learn about the fascinating history of this neo-Georgian home, filled with memorabilia of the Roosevelt family andthe birthplace of the president in 1882.

Enjoy a self-guided exploration of the FDR Library and Museum, which features exhibits that tell the story of the Roosevelt presidency beginning in the depths of the Great Depression and continuing through the New Deal and World War II, with an emphasis on both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s relationship with the American people. Special interactives, immersive audio‐visual theaters, and rarely seen artifacts convey the dramatic story of the Roosevelt era.

Activity Level: Moderate| ADA Accessible: Yes

Historically known as Hyde Park, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is one of the region's oldest Hudson River estates. For nearly two centuries, this home has been the epicenter to the socially prominent and the elite class of New Yorkers in late nineteenth-century America. Led by your guide, get a glimpse of estate life, the social stratification of the period, and the world of the American millionaire during the era historians refer to as the Gilded Age. Discover the over 200 acres of the original property, including historic buildings, original furnishings, manicured landscapes, natural woodlands, formal gardens and associated documents. Explore the centerpiece of the estate, the mansion, a masterpiece of American Beaux-Arts design by the distinguished architectural firm McKim, Mead & White.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Expand your palette and knowledge of Hudson Valley foods during this informative and delicious cheese and apple tasting. New York state is the fifth largest producer of cheese in the United States, with a long history of dairy farms. The state is also famous for the variety and unique flavors of their apple orchards. Local experts will present a rich variety of cheeses and apples and discuss the history of both in the region. Stroll down the dock and step into a beautiful, hand-build barn to sample the bounty of the Hudson Valley.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

On a guided exploration of the Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Wooden Boat School, discover the unique marine history of the Hudson River. Explore the museum which houses unique artifacts from the age of steamships and canal boats to ice sailing and the tugboat industry. Learn about the lighthouses and keepers that kept the traffic on the Hudson River moving. During your excursion, get an introduction to the Wooden Boat School and enjoy a boat building demonstration of half hull lofting. The techniques used and taught in our Wooden Boat School are as old as shipbuilding itself.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 5 West Point, NY

The United States Military Academy at West Point offers visitors the opportunity to walk on the hallowed grounds once traversed by some of the nation's greatest generals. Founded in 1802 by an act of Congress, the Academy has been of significant military importance to America. Tour the West Point Museum and Cadet Chapel, while viewing magnificent vistas of the Hudson Valley from atop the campus grounds.

Discover America’s most notable military academy, considered by George Washington to be the most importantmilitary position in America. Its establishment as the United States Military Academy occurred in 1802 when Thomas Jefferson signed legislation to that effect. This guided exploration of the historic grounds of West Point includes Cadet Chapel, Trophy Point, and other stunning areas of campus. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking vistas and magnificent views of the Hudson Valley.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Visit this idyllic setting that brings a piece of Olde New England to Hudson Valley. Enjoy a hayride through the DuBois Family Farms and orchards as you take in colorful Fall scenery. Take home a bag of four apples.

Activity Level: Moderate / ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 6 Sleepy Hollow, NY

The riverside town of Sleepy Hollow is forever immortalized in the works of one of the country's first great writers, Washington Irving. The author found inspiration in the Hudson Valley, creating legendary stories like Rip Van Winkle. Today, Irving's country home, Sunnyside, is a National Historic Landmark and welcomes visitors with tales of the man himself.

Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, NY is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Join us on a guided exploration of this remarkable example of the Hudson River’s grand and historic estates while enjoying the spectacular beauty of the Hudson River.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Celebrate fall with a visit to historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Washington Irving, the celebrated author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is buried. Learn more about his famous short story, his enduring legacy within the community, and visit Irving's final resting place.

Activity Level: Low| ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 7 New York, NY

As we approach New York City, admire its famous skyline with buildings that disappear into the clouds. Once you have docked in Manhattan, experience all that this vibrant city has to offer. American Cruise Lines has a variety of shore excursions to suite your preferences, from freestyle exploration to guided excursions.

Be greeted by your guide at the ship as you board your motorcoach to travel to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Located at the World Trade Center, this museum honors those who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks, those who risked their lives to help others, and the courage of those who survived. Enjoy a guided exploration, during which this poignant story is told through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. After, explore the grounds on your own which include the Memorial Pools where the towers once stood, the Survivor Tree, and the 9/11 Memorial Glade.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Join a local New Yorker for a food and crime tour of one of New York’s most famously nefarious neighborhoods, Little Italy, and get a behind the scenes look at its dark underbelly. Begin with a briefride up to Little Italy, followed by a walking and eating tour, including at least four dedicated food stops to sample cannolis and true New York pizza, among other delicious dishes. Along the way, explore sites and figures related to La Cosa Nostra.

Note: This excursion will be offered on embarkation day for cruises on American Star and American Independence. This excursion will be offered the day before disembarkation for cruises on American Constitution.

Activity Level: High | ADA Accessible: Yes

Day 8 New York, NY

End your journey, where it began in the vibrant city of Manhattan. Reflect upon your wonderful adventure as you begin your travels home. Or, stay an extra day or two to explore more.

Stay an extra day or two to enjoy all that New York City has to offer. Enjoy a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, view exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, or simply explore New York City, freestyle. Ask your onboard Hotel Manager for recommendations on area hotels, attractions, and more.