One week from now, the Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26 throws open its doors for the 2026 free kayaking season. Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse follows the same weekend. But this weekend — with a high near 84°F on Sunday — is your last chance to claim the waterfront before the summer paddle crowd arrives. Here’s how to spend two full days on the water without picking up an oar.
Ride the NYC Ferry as a $4.50 sightseeing cruise
The single best-kept secret of the NYC Ferry system: a one-way ride costs $4.50 — the same as a subway swipe — but the views compete with $40 sightseeing boats. Two routes are the standouts this weekend:
South Brooklyn Route
Connects Wall Street/Pier 11 down through DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6), Atlantic Avenue/BBP Pier 6, Red Hook, and Sunset Park/BAT to Bay Ridge. On weekends, the South Brooklyn route extends to Sunset Park/BAT and Bay Ridge and skips Governors Island. The full ride takes about 50 minutes and gives you front-row Brooklyn coastline views.
Astoria Route
Runs Wall Street up the East River past the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Long Island City, Roosevelt Island, the Upper East Side, and into Astoria. Best paired with brunch in Astoria or a stop on Roosevelt Island for the Tramway ride back. NYC Ferry’s summer schedule begins May 18 — this weekend is the last spring schedule, so check ferry.nyc for exact times.
How to ride
- Tickets: $4.50 per ride, buy on the NYC Ferry app or at the dock
- Best seat: Top deck, facing the side that looks toward Manhattan
- Bring: Sunscreen and a layer — the wind on the open water cuts about 10 degrees off the air temperature
Photoville turns Brooklyn Bridge Park into the city’s largest free outdoor gallery
Photoville’s 2026 opening weekend — Saturday and Sunday, May 16–17 — takes over Brooklyn Bridge Park with 65+ free outdoor photography exhibitions displayed in shipping containers and across the lawns. The festival runs through May 30 with 85+ exhibitions citywide, but opening weekend is when the park itself becomes the show. Saturday night includes "Boroughs In Focus," a special projection of photos from 35+ photographers cast onto the Brooklyn Bridge after dark. Sunday’s community celebration runs 12–8pm with a Smorgasburg pop-up at Emily Warren Roebling Plaza.
Pair the ferry with the festival: ride the South Brooklyn route to Pier 6, walk north through the exhibitions, grab food from Smorgasburg, then catch the ferry back at golden hour.
Mark your calendar: Free kayaking returns Saturday, May 23
Two free public boathouses open the same weekend — both 100% free, both completely volunteer-run, both walk-up only:
Downtown Boathouse, Pier 26 (Tribeca)
- Opens: Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Weekend hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am–4:30pm through October 4
- Weeknight hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30–7:15pm, June 16–August 27
- Memorial Day (May 25): Open 10am–4:30pm
- Address: Pier 26, Hudson River Park (just north of Tribeca)
- Subway: 1 to Franklin St or Canal St
- Rules: No reservations — arrive early. Must know how to swim. Sign a waiver each visit. Free lockers and changing rooms on-site.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, Pier 2
- Returns: Late May (check bbpboathouse.org for opening date)
- Typical Saturday hours: 10am–3pm
- Cost: Free, donation-supported
- Sessions: 20-minute paddles in the protected embayment with skyline views
For paid kayaking this weekend, Manhattan Kayak Co. at Pier 84 in Hudson River Park is open year-round May 1–October 31 with lessons, sunset paddles, and SUP rentals.
Hudson River Park: 11 miles of car-free greenway
The Hudson River Greenway runs car-free from Battery Park north to Inwood — the longest car-free running and biking path in Manhattan. May is its peak month: trees fully leafed, the river breeze takes the edge off the heat, and the summer cyclist crush hasn’t started yet. Pier 84 (W. 44th St) and Pier 26 (Tribeca) are the two best entry points for a one-hour stroll with maximum waterfront views.
What to bring for a waterfront day
- Layers. The water keeps the air cooler than the forecast suggests. A long-sleeve thrown over a t-shirt covers you for sun and wind both.
- Sunscreen. Reflected light off the water doubles UV exposure.
- Refillable water bottle. Fountains run along the Hudson River Greenway and at every NYC Ferry landing.
- NYC Ferry app. Real-time arrivals beat trying to read paper schedules.
- A camera or phone with charged battery. Photoville rewards the visitor who actually takes pictures of the pictures.
Safety note for next weekend’s kayakers
If you’re planning to hit the Downtown Boathouse on May 23: you must know how to swim, there are no reservations (line up by 9:45am for the first session), and you’ll get wet below the waist. Children 12 and under share a double kayak with an adult; ages 13–18 can paddle solo. Group sizes are capped at 10. Pets aren’t allowed in the boats.
The weekend strategy
Saturday: Take the South Brooklyn ferry to Pier 6, walk Photoville’s exhibitions, catch the Brooklyn Bridge Kite Festival at Pier 5 (11am–3pm), grab dinner in DUMBO, ferry back at sunset. Sunday: Hit the Hudson River Greenway by 9am while temperatures are still under 80°F, ride the Astoria route up the East River for lunch, walk back across Roosevelt Island. Two days, $9 in transit, and most of New York’s best views — without ever sitting in traffic.
