On June 26, Open House New York held a boat tour exploring the transformative role of financial, cultural, and community capital on New York’s waterfront. Andrew Gustafson of Turnstile Tours led a tour highlighting capital projects, housing, and industrial development that are shaping neighborhoods and shorelines along the East River. Passing by Randalls, Rikers, and Wards Islands on the way to the mouth of the Bronx River, this tour offered participants the chance to see waterways rarely traversed by tour boats.

With over 500 miles of waterfront, New York’s harbors are home to a variety of projects and places that generate economic, environmental, and cultural value for the city. From community land trusts to affordable housing developments to the industrial food center at Hunts Point, this tour highlighted areas of investment along the waterfront while offering breathtaking views of the city skyline.

This program is part of Building Capital: The Value of Place, a multi-year series exploring how different types of capital—including financial, cultural, and community capital—combine to shape quality of place and quality of life across the five boroughs and how these intersecting systems of capital can reverse legacies of disinvestment. This program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Discounted tickets are available for OHNY members. If you have not received the code, please email membership@ohny.org.

All persons who board the boat, including infants and children, require a ticket. Email info@ohny.org to purchase discounted tickets for children 12 and under.

Guests must check-in and be on board the boat by 6:20pm. The boat will depart from Pier 16, South Street Seaport (John Street and the East River), promptly at 6:30pm.

Ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds for bad weather, tardiness, unforeseen route modifications, or any other reason except in the extremely rare instance where the cruise must be cancelled entirely. If you have purchased a ticket but can no longer attend, we can donate your ticket to a community partner.

Additional FAQs are available below.

AIA CES credit (2.5 LU) is available for new attendees of this program.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No, Circle Line’s policy prohibits outside food and beverages. There is a snack bar with options including hot dogs, sandwiches, and salads, and a full bar and non-alcoholic beverages on board.

Does my child need a ticket?

All persons, including children and infants, require a ticket to board the boat. Email info@ohny.org for information on purchasing discounted ($20) tickets for children 12 and under.

May I bring my pet?

Animals are not permitted on Circle Line boats, except for certified service animals. Service animals in training cannot be accommodated per Circle Line policy.

What happens in inclement weather?

Boat tours are rain or shine. The boat has indoor seating in the event of rain. Except in the very rare instance when the cruise must be cancelled entirely, there will be no refunds for inclement weather.

Can I cancel my ticket?

All ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds for bad weather, tardiness, unforeseen route modifications, or any other reason except in the extremely rare instance where the cruise must be cancelled entirely. If you have purchased a ticket but can no longer attend, we can donate your ticket to a community partner.

Is smoking permitted?

No smoking or vaping is permitted aboard the boat.

Guests utilizing a standard wheelchair can access the first level of the boat. Other levels are accessible by stairs only. The tour narration will be audible on speakers throughout the boat. Electric wheelchairs/scooters may not be able to board the boat due to the narrow boarding gangway at Pier 16. Please email info@ohny.org with any questions about accessibility.