This article is dedicated to the best and most memorable ferry rides in the US. There are so many candidates for this list as the US is famous for its iconic ferry rides, but we will attempt to give you the ones that made the top cut. Enjoy reading and enjoy exploring!
Ellis Island Ferry, NY
If you want to experience an inkling of what your ancestors did, then go on the ferry that takes you to Ellis Island, NY. Try to imagine what it must have been like for the millions who arrived on ships and saw the New York skyline for the first time.
The ferry ride is exciting and once you arrive at Ellis Island, you can visit the museum that details the history of European immigration to the US. You can also see the authentic building that processed applications.
Staten Island Ferry, NY
Here’s another New York ferry ride. The Staten Island ferry ride is iconic and has been featured in all sorts of films (Manhattan, Working Girl) and TV shows (Sex and the City, How I Met Your Mother). This ferry ride is the most commonly used one in the city, serving over 70,000 passengers weekly.
It offers mesmerizing views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. We advise you to take it in the evening, so you can see the flickering lights of New York that resemble a million fireflies. Oh, and let us remind you that the ride is free of charge!
Cape May-Lewes Ferry, NJ & DE
The ferry ride linking Cape May, New Jersey, with Lewes, Delaware, will show you the charm of New England. You can see the little harbors and the numerous lighthouses while enjoying this 85-minute-long ferry ride.
Once you arrive at your destination, you’d be welcomed by the smell of the delicious clam chowder offered by the restaurants across the shore. You can also choose a Cape May-Lewes ferry with a restaurant so you can have a nice meal on board.
Ben Harbor-White Harbor Ferry, ME
Take a ride and revel in the beauty of New England. The Ben Harbor-White Harbor ferry in Maine takes you around charming fishermen villages and you can even counter the majestic bald eagle and various marine animals such as seals and porpoises. This ferry is perfect for exploring the breathtaking Acadia National Park.
Alcatraz Ferry, CA
In order to visit the most secure prison that ever existed in the US, you have to take a ferry from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island. As you ride this ferry and you appreciate the beauty of San Francisco and the Bay, the sight of the Alcatraz prison would strike both fear and excitement in your hearts.
The prison-museum is very well preserved and the self-guided tour has you listen to the stories of prisoners and guards, and is in fact narrated by them! We highly recommend visiting Alcatraz, both because the ferry ride is fantastic and because it’s worth to enter the famous prison.
S.S. Badger Ferry, MI & WI
We are not even sure we can call this ferry, despite the word “ferry” in its name. The S.S. Badger is a massive ferry that best resembles a cruise ship and that’s what it’s commonly referred as. It takes passengers from Lake Michigan to ports in Wisconsin and Michigan.
The ferry ride is four hours long, but you’re sure to never get bored on it as the ship is fully equipped with bars and restaurants. It’s needless to say that it offers some of the most scenic views you can imagine.
Alaska Marine Highway System, AK
For this entry on the list, we decided not to name a single ferry ride but the whole Alaska Marine Highway System. Due to the geography of Alaska’s southwestern coast, ferries are required to reach certain towns, which is why we created a modern marine highway system that serves 3,500 miles of routes!
Ride in one of the many Alaskan ferries to indulge in the beauty of the virgin nature of the state. You can reach the Glacier Bay National Park with one of the ferries!
Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry, WA
As a city surrounded by water, Seattle has a complex system of ferries that serves millions of passengers each year. We decided to pick the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island for our list because of the gorgeous views that reveal Seattle’s skyline and the Cascade Range. If you’re visiting Seattle, you should definitely go to Bainbridge Island which has many wonderful hikes and lovely restaurants and cafes.
Halls Crossing Ferry, UT
If you’re curious to see one of the biggest man-made lakes, Lake Powell, then hop on this Utah ferry to explore it. The clear lake combined with the red ancient stone formations will surely take your breath away. It’s easily one of the top attractions in the state.