Hudson River Cruises
From the Manhattan skyline to the state capital at Albany, America’s first great steamboat river is cruising again.
Compare Hudson River CruisesThe River That Started American Steamboating
Hudson River cruises follow one of the most storied waterways in the country. It was on the Hudson, in 1807, that Robert Fulton’s steamboat proved that passenger service under power could work, running from New York to Albany. Two centuries later the same 150-mile stretch offers something rare in the Northeast: a real river cruise, with a cabin, a different town each day and mountains rising straight from the water through the Highlands.
There are two very different ways to cruise the Hudson. Overnight riverboat voyages of about a week, run by American Cruise Lines, travel the length of the valley between New York City and Albany. Short sightseeing and foliage cruises, run by several New York operators, leave Manhattan for an afternoon on the lower river. This site covers both, with the ports, the seasons and the history that make the valley worth the trip.
| Overnight riverboat cruise | Day or foliage cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 8–9 days | About 1 hour to half a day |
| Where | New York City to Albany and back, with stops in valley towns | Lower Hudson from Manhattan or New Jersey, or local trips from valley towns |
| Ashore | Guided visits to West Point, Hyde Park, Sleepy Hollow, Kingston and more | None; the view is from the water |
| Best for | A full vacation; history and scenery | A taste of the river and its autumn color |
Start Here
Hudson River cruises overnight
The week-long voyages between New York City and Albany, summer and fall.
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Foliage cruises from NYC
Half-day leaf-peeping trips from Manhattan, and the overnight alternative.
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Why the Hudson
- Close to home for millions. No flights for many Northeast travelers, and no passport.
- Dramatic scenery. The Palisades, the Highlands around West Point and the Catskills on the western skyline.
- Presidential and Gilded Age estates. Hyde Park’s Roosevelt and Vanderbilt homes, Lyndhurst at Tarrytown.
- Art history. The valley inspired the Hudson River School painters; their homes still overlook the river.
- Autumn color. Foliage cruises are the season’s best-known way to see it.
Planning Notes
The overnight Hudson program is small and popular, and most 2026 departures sold out ahead of the season. For 2027 the line plans to run its Hudson cruises round trip from Albany, with a call at New York City. Learn the region before you go through the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, and compare the Hudson with other American rivers on US River Cruising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs overnight Hudson River cruises?
American Cruise Lines operates the multi-night riverboat cruises on the Hudson, with a summer program and a fall foliage program. Many other operators run sightseeing and dinner cruises of a few hours from Manhattan and from towns up the valley.
How long is a Hudson River cruise?
Overnight cruises run about eight or nine days, the fall version including a hotel night first. Day cruises from New York last from about an hour to half a day.
When is the best time for a Hudson River cruise?
Summer for long, warm days; late September and October for autumn color. Peak color moves south down the valley through October, and varies year to year.
Do I need a passport?
No. Hudson River cruises stay in New York State; you need the ID you would use to fly within the U.S.
USA Riverboat Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check Hudson River dates and cabins for you and arrange hotel nights and flights too. Meet Mister Cruise →
Hear about new Hudson departures first in our cruise-offers newsletter, and watch Wave Season each winter for river cruise promotions. All river lines are listed in the Official River Cruise Directory, ocean cruises in the Official Cruise Directory and every kind of trip in the Official Travel Directory. Discover more of New York State on Best of the USA; to turn your love of travel into a business, visit Be a Travel Agent.
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