It's the season of sunny skies and warmer weather. I am finally ready to leave the comfort of my bed and go somewhere fun. Amongst my many hobbies, one that I've missed the most is boating. I had the best time rowing my kayak in the Downtown Boathouse. LISTEN UP! Make sure you get there early, as lines can get super long. I got there with my friend at 2:30PM and got into the water at 3:20PM. We were one of the last groups to get into the water because the volunteers had to leave for the day. We were allowed into the water for only 20 minutes at a time. The water was a bit rough and WILL seep into the kayak, so I recommend bringing a change of clothes and/or a protective phone case. There are other locations in the city offering free kayaking, but you must check out their respective webpages. Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26 Weekends 10 AM - 4:30 PM, Tues/Thurs 5:30 PM-7 PM read more

Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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Quality, value, and LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Always lots of different food choices and a good selection of local beers!

On their website, they state: "Closing time is when the last boats go out" and that every ride lasts max 20 minutes. However, even you get there 1h before the closing time and there is nobody (!) in line, they will rudely tell you that they are not accepting any more people and that you were supposed to get there at least 1.5 h earlier. read more

Located on Governors island, this Boathouse offers free kayaking all day on the weekend! Until noon, you could take a free ferry onto Governors Island. From there, walk a few yards, and you'll see the Boathouse with kayaking on your left side. This is one of the worlds largest free kayaking programs that provides water access to all! It's first come, first serve. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a group of 3 people. We ended up using one single and one double kayak. The double kayaks were often given to the people with young children since they need to be accompanied by an adult. Hours: 10am-4:30pm on the weekends. In addition, they offered free lockers. You could kayak as long as you want, but keep in mind of how long you're out on the water in case there is a line. For kayaking, you're limited to around a football field or 1.5 football fields of water for safety reasons. They give you a few minutes lesson on how to use the kayak and paddle as well. I highly recommend this place, especially if you're on a budget. After this, there's a restaurant nearby called Gitano Island. It's a beach paradise in NY, but a little pricey for the food amount. read more

I'm partial because I'm a volunteer but the Downtown Boathouse may be the greatest thing in NYC on a hot summer day. We have lockers and locks for everything you don't want to get wet, and life jackets and paddles. Bring your own kayak. Just kidding! You get 20 minutes out on the water but you can get back in line as many times as you like and did I mention it's free? Never paddled before? That's our specialty! You have to know how to swim, and be over 18 or with a legal guardian. See you on the water! read more

Downtown Boathouse - One of our star volunteers at the Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

Kayaking has become one of my favorite free summer activities in NYC. It's quite incredible that free kayaking is even an option here but I'm thankful for it. In fact - their website promotes it as the world's largest free kayaking program. The Downtown Boathouse is a volunteer run project since 1994. The season runs from late May to early October and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4:30pm. Free Kayaking sessions last 20 minutes but you can get back in line as many time as you want. Often there might be no line so you can continue longer. You'll sign a waiver upon arriving and will be given a lock for a locker. From there, you'll put on a life jacket and grab a paddle then head down to the dock. One of the volunteers will help you into a kayak (single or double) then you're free to roam the bay while enjoying incredible views of lower Manhattan - including One World Trade Center. They even have sun block, changing rooms, and first aid equipment if needed. Children are allowed but an adult will need to accompany them if they're under 13. No animals though. There is also a location in Governors Island but I haven't been to that location as of yet. I highly recommend checking out this incredible opportunity next season - it's a great way to beat the heat in NYC! read more

Can't believe kayaking on the Hudson was FREE! A friend and I came here at 9:30am on a Saturday and we were among some of the first kayakers on the water. We arrived at the white tent, signed waivers, received a free lock + locker, put on life vests, and picked up our paddles all in less than 10 minutes. A volunteer did a final check on our life vests and then we were off to the pier to hop in our kayaks and start paddling. We opted for two singles instead of a double. The kayaking area is not too constricted and there are amazing views of the one world trade center. Your lower body will certainly get wet, so dress appropriately. We stayed on the water for around 20-30 minutes and had a very enjoyable time on the river. Thank you to all of the volunteers at Downtown Boathouse for organizing this, providing assistance to kayakers, being friendly, facilitating access to the water, and dedicating their precious time to serving the community! read more

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Downtown boathouse Free kayaking! Free lockers! Donation based! Nice volunteers that teach you how to use your paddle correctly. I came on a dreary saturday morning in august around 1115am and surprisingly there weren't that many people there for the free kayaking. There was hardly a line, and when we got on and off the kayaks, there were still alot of leftover kayaks on dock. When you get there, you sign a waiver to make sure you know how to swim. They lend you locks and lockers for free. You wear a life vest and then pick your own paddlestick, then proceed to the dock. They have both single and double kayaks. The kayaking area is decently sized for beginners, marked off by buoys and floating plastic animals. You have to be careful when you're not paddling for a while, cuz the currents will eventually push you out of the buoy area and if you're not paying attention, you would not even notice. (It happened to me several times when I was busy taking pictures with my waterproof camera). The suggested time limit is 20 minutes on the kayaks, but if noone is waiting, you can stay as long as you want. I think I got tired within 30 minutes Your pants and feet will definitely get wet on the kayaks so bring a small towel, some cleaning wipes and change of pants cuz you really don't want Hudson River water to stick on you the whole day. It will probably get itchy. They do have a small area with curtains for you to change your clothes in. They have a single handheld showerhead for rinsing on the side, but while I was using it, a guy said that that's the only thing they charge for, and I'm not sure if he was just joking or not, but I stopped using it. Anyway, it was a nice activity that didn't cost any money with nice views of the freedom tower. I highly recommend it. Thank you to whoever started this program. read more

Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

FREE!!! 30 minutes in the water and almost always a kayak available with a short wait time. Fun activity for the summer and did I mention it's FREE? With todays times it's a little unbelievable and too good to be true. But it's good and it's true! Great time with great views read more

If you've been Kayaking and wanted to try for your first time for free this is the place to go! Found out about Downtown Boathouse on a an instagram page I follow called NY Bucket list. I read the information on the location and hours and found out it was free! They're summer hours were very convenient with my schedule, so I decided to go on a Tuesday evening with my friends and mom! The location was very easy to get to from where I was! The view was absolutely stunning! The staff was very friendly! They make you sign a waiver, give you a free lock and locker for your personal items. They also provide you with life vest and everything you need. They give you instructions on how to row and to stay calm and enjoy the ride. I truly loved my experience, they give you 30 minutes to enjoy your experience which was more than enough. You can go as a single or as a 2 person on the kayak! Amazing time! Definitely recommend before they close for the season! read more

Downtown Boathouse - Me - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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*It was the last day of summer kayaking, a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon leading to a striking sunset.* The all volunteer run Downtown Boathouse Kayak Club on Pier 26 provide a valuable, free kayaking experience, for experienced and beginning rowers... and they provide everything. I mean everything, from the paddles and boats, the life jackets, and even sunscreen, lockers, and locks. *The waves were gentle, the breeze was soothing, and the beads of sweat were just a gentle reminder that the sun still had one last touch of heat before it dipped for the remainder of the year.* There can be a line but it runs fairly quickly. You don't need ID but if you look young they will ask for it. A group of kids tried to pass by but the volunteer quickly snuffed them out. 18 and up people. *The boat caressed the lips of the wave, like lovers meeting for the 1st time in a long time. The waves grew stronger, but there was no time for fear... only an escape.* The best thing about the staff is that they are trained. They do a good job in explaining the rules and are experts in water rescue. * Suddenly the waves came crashing, the kayak tipped over, and into the surprisingly frigid waters of the Hudson River did our adventure lead us to.* True story but again they were super professional and handled everything with ease. Funny, you get naturally wet from the kayak as there are openings along the bottom so dress accordingly. This was a nice coincidence as no one notice the dripping clothes or the wet hair; if they did, it was seen as par for the course. Tip: Don't row backwards... unless you want a quick way to take a dip in the Hudson. read more

Downtown Boathouse - Getting on board - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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OMG FREE KAYAKING! Yes it's 100% free Fill out a form with your information I believe it's for safety reasons. Put your shoes away in the lockers. Yes they provide LOCKERS AND LOCKS FOR FREE!! Get ready to Get your self WET! Perfect yo go with a group of friends or romance day with your other half. Reminder; IVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE BUT IT WAS HELLA FUN! Most likely would do it again! Ps: please don't be scared. Be confident and stay strong. You'll be fine. it's a great experience! read more

Downtown Boathouse - Yup that's me in the water! I'm in the front because I weight less. - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

Wonderful opportunity to kayak and be on the water. Patient, happy and knowledgeable staff. Beautiful, breathtaking views on a sunny day! Just sitting out there, bobbing up and down with the waves and movement of the water, was so relaxing!! Be sure to bring a phone/camera in a waterproof case so you can memorialize and share your time. And to top it off, it's free! What a blessing. read more

If you're reading this thinking about the free kayaking, JUST DO IT! Free use of the locks and lockers, a changing station - pretty much all you need right? I went on a Friday afternoon and had a great experience. While there's a very relaxed feel to it, the people there are helpful and do know what they are doing. They helped us pick out our life jackets, and gave quick instructions on how to paddle. They ask you to stay within the invisible barriers, but that's plenty of space to paddle around and get a good view of Jersey and the rest of lower Manhattan. It also offers the Freedom Tower as a backdrop! TIPS: - Your bottoms will get wet. Either wear bottoms that will dry quickly or bring another pair of pants. - They do allow you to wear sandals or go barefoot, so go with whatever you're comfortable with. - Don't put anything in your pockets. It will get wet. Instead, have some kind of waterproof packaging if you can't just stick your phone in your bra. - Bring wipes for after! My legs were itchy and a bit dirty after kayaking. read more

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I went to the Pier 40 location on a Sunday morning for a Meet Up group outing. Best decision of my life. On a recent trip upstate where I canoed, I got it into my head that I will be a kayaker now. Thankfully Downtown Boathouse can make this possible! And for free too. You can't beat free. I got there around 11am, there was absolutely no line even though a substantial amount of people were already out. The first time you go they have you sign a waiver (good for the whole season) and you are all set. You have to be at least 18 and know how to swim. They provide you with a key to a locker, a life jacket, a kayak and paddles all for free. You can choose to keep your shoes on or off. Someone is right on the dock helping you get onto the water (its not hard, just take it slowly if its your first time and you will be fine.) There are some rules. For instance you can't get within 75 feet of either end of the embayment. One of the sides happens to be the United States coast guard. Get too close and there is a RIDICULOUSLY expensive fine. Thousands of dollars. Don't do it people, don't go there. You also can't get too far onto the actual Hudson River. This is something I fail to understand because I saw a small group of people kayak all the way out to Jersey, it seems. Maybe they were not part of the Downtown Boathouse people, who knows. Other than that, you can stay out for as long as you like, kayak around and enjoy the views. Its very relaxing and fun. Do put on sunblock. Do wear a swimsuit. Its possible to take your phone with you (like I did), but be VERY careful because it gets wet in your kayak and sometimes very rocky. If you have a case with a lanyard, I definitely recommend that. I was clutching onto my phone for dear life when I tried to snap some pictures. 4 stars ONLY because it would be nice if you can kayak out onto the Hudson more. Its understandable why this would be against the rules but it takes away from the experience a bit having to stay in the embayment. There are several other locations for this company, as well as several others around the boroughs. I recommend you try this! Really a great weekend activity. read more

Downtown Boathouse - Kayaking on the Hudson; Pier 40. - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

FREE KAYAKING!! Kayaking is already a really fun thing to do on a hot sunny day. Add the word "free" in front of it, and it becomes irresistible. I went to the Pier 96 location which is off of W 56th Street on the Hudson. All you have to do is sign a waiver (which is valid for a year) and you're good to go. They require you to know how to swim, but life jackets are mandatory and provided for you. There are also lockers for you to store your stuff so don't forget to bring a lock. You will get wet, so I'd recommend kayaking in a swim suit and bringing a change of clothes. I was impressed with how much space they block off for us to paddle around in. Yes, the Hudson is disgustingly dirty, but it's not like we have to swim in it. My sister and I opted for single kayaks instead of sharing a double one, so that we could race each other around the boundaries. When we got tired, we hooked our oars together so we could lean back to chat and enjoy the nice weather. There's a 20 minute limit that's loosely enforced. Since it wasn't busy when we went, we stayed out on the water for a little over half an hour. Then we stayed another half hour on the dock to sun bath. Awesome, FREE fun! read more

Downtown Boathouse - pier 96 - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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I always bike by all three of these free kayaking locations, but yesterday, I finally decided to take the plunge (no pun intended)! We showed up a little after noon on a sunny Sunday afternoon, pleased to see that there were plenty of kayaks for our use. After signing waivers and grabbing some life jackets, we walked down the ramp to the floating dock. There, another friendly volunteer eased us into two separate single kayaks. An easy-to-read drawing shows participants the "boundaries" to which they should stay within. While sunny, it was also a bit windy, so the water was choppy and we drifted a bit when not paddling. After about 20-25 minutes, we both returned to the floating dock and took out one of the double kayaks for a spin. If you head over to their web site (http://downtownboathouse.org/), you'll see their different locations, as well as other free programs they offer, including trips up/down the Hudson (depending on the tide/current). I'd highly recommend this little excursion for anyone looking for a taste of something different! Considering it's free too, and I see no reason not to give it a try! read more

It was my first time kayaking and they made the experience a great one! I came on a Saturday afternoon at around 3pm with a friend and there wasn't much of a line. All the volunteers are super friendly and helpful, from getting your waivers signed to fitting you in your life jacket to helping you onto the kayak. As a first timer, I was very relieved and comforted by how thoroughly they checked to make sure the life jacket was secure and how they taught us how to get on the kayak and how to paddle. Honestly, all places need people who care about their jobs as much as they do. It definitely makes a huge difference for the public. Kayaking itself was super relaxing and fun. You get a great view of lower Manhattan from the river. Many said that their bottoms were soaked but I only got slightly wet. Wear thin bottoms so they dry quickly without having to change clothes! Also bring your own lock because they only have a limited number of locks and they run out fast. It's a free activity, but definitely worth a donation because they have a great thing going on here. I definitely recommend this great opportunity to be outdoors in the city. Looking forward to the next time I come back here! read more

Downtown Boathouse - View from the river - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

My friends and I did this on Sunday and it was awesome. Can I start by saying this is 100% FREE! You sign a waiver, get a life jack, and hit the water. They said you must know how to swim to do this. I don't know how to, so I did the double kayak with my friend. They have the single kayak if you're riding solo. I'm not sure if they have a time limit. I heard you get 20 minutes in the water. But my friends and I stay in the water for almost 40 minutes..Warning, wear comfortable clothes because you will get wet. They have a change area and lockers. read more

Okay, I haven't been to the other Downtown Boathouse locations in Manhattan, but...shhh...based on the zero minute, zero seconds wait time we faced when we came here this GORGEOUS past Saturday, I suspect this may be the best spot to go kayaking on the island. We seriously just walked right up to the pier, affirmed that we could swim, signed a waiver, did not owe anything because it's free, put our stuff in a locker, and were out getting into our respective kayaks in a minute flat. The kayaking was really fun. I think I may have done it once before as a kid, but I definitely hadn't in a long time, but it is easy enough to get the hang of. Definitely a bit of a workout for the arms, but it's not so difficult that it feels frustrating. And true, you are somewhat limited by how far you can row out, but the space isn't so small that it feels constrictive. A couple of notes you might find helpful: I felt comfortable bringing my cell phone, as I had a pocket to keep it in. If you have something to keep it dry, you'll probably be fine taking it out unless you are really klutzy and anticipate capsizing. Despite all of the construction in the area, the view is pretty decent, so I'd say it's worth it. Also, I did wear my swimsuit and a cover, and brought clothes to change into afterwards. The kayak it already kind of wet when you first sit down, so there's really no avoiding getting the healing, restorative waters of the Hudson on you. The only bad thing was that the restroom facilities were out of order so I had to use the port-a-potty... MEGA DISGUSTING. Do not, under any circumstances, come here with a full bladder. read more

Can you believe NYC has something that is free? Yes kayaking here at downtown boathouse is FREE. It is beautiful place for kayaking with a view of new port(NJ) on one side and downtown on other side. They provide free lockers, sunscreen, life jackets, kayak and paddle(ofcourse) Staff is very friendly. There are several people inside and outside water to help and for safety reasons. read more

This was my favorite part of visiting NYC. With it being one of the most expensive to travel in the US we couldn't pass on free kayaking. The process was quick and easy. It's sort of first come first served. It was about 10AM on a Saturday for us, and we didn't have to wait at all. The volunteers at the Boathouse are so awesome. You sign a waiver they give you a life jacket, paddles a locker to put your belongings and a few tips. then help you get on the kayaks and off you go. We spent about 30 minutes. You don't get to go that far off shore but the view is amazing and it's such a relaxing way to get away from the noise and craziness of the city. Would definitely recommend and make sure you tip the guys at the boathouse the project is ran all on donations. read more

Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

My boyfriend and I went kayaking here this past Sunday. You just have to sign a waiver, stow your belongings in a locker (free of charge), put on a life jacket, take off your sneakers (or any nice shoes you may have, sandals/flip flops are fine) and boom you're in a kayak. We had no wait for two singles, although there was a couple before us waiting for a double. You definitely do get wet, so I would recommend putting your things away and not having them in the boat. Wear clothes that you won't mind getting damp too. The area where we could kayak was limited, but they just want to make sure everyone's within eye sight in case there is trouble. I did see someone fall in the water due to the windy weather, so be careful. We had a great time being out on the water and I love that this place is donation-based and so accessible. The staff were very friendly and helpful too. read more

Who knew that they had this FREE activity in NY on the Hudson??? I didn't. Wow. Wish I had known sooner so as to get more time on the water. It is a fun activity for anyone! It gets crowded, so I recommend going early. Also, bring a pair of extra shorts to change into afterwards. The only downfall is that there is no bathroom. My friends and I had a great time! So will you! read more

Free kayaking in NYC! Nothing can beat that. We went to pier 96. We were asked only 1 question to see if we met the criteria to go kayaking and that is do you know how to swim? I mean if you really want to do it and will be careful out there, I say you just say yes. They informed us that no one will save you if you did end up flipping. But I guess they were just saying it as I saw this lady out there on the guard. So we signed the waive and we were given free locks, yay! We took a life jacket and waited in line for the double. If you want to do single you dont need to wait. But the double is more fun. We were third to wait and it wasnt that long before it was our turn. We were even given free sun block. I didn't want it because I don't mind being tanned. So we were given instructions before we set off. It was then I notice that I should have worn a bathing suit or bring some spare clothing because I got wet just sitting on the boat. Our boat had a hole which was why water keep entering into the boat. We were limited in the area we kayak. We couldn't go right or further up because thats where the waves are the deepest and they didn't want you to be in danger. I like the experience and the staff were nice. Definitely will come back again. read more

FREE?????? OK! They will lend you a locker (if you have a lock) and a life vest and a kayak and paddles for as long as you want. Sign the waiver that says that you are really putting your own life in peril and you are off to kayak the hudson for free. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. Come early. read more

Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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I've only gone to Pier 40, but there you can borrow 1- or 2-person kayaks FOR FREE! My friends and I went there a couple times over the summer, and the wait was never more like like 5-10 minutes. The area is kind of small, but it's great being out on the water! A great workout too :) The staff is really friendly and they help you into the kayaks so you don't just flip over. They have tiny lockers, so I wouldn't recommend bringing too much stuff. You also might get wet, so maybe bring an extra pair of bottoms. They also have rowing, I think.. in some capacity. read more

If you are doubting that a free kayaking service in the heart of manhattan might not be good, you are so wrong! This place is amazing, staff is extremely friendly and helpful. This is a great way to get breathtaking views of manhattan while chilling in Hudson. There are single and double kayaks available to choose from. Lockers to put your bags. We came here on a Sunday evening at 4PM and had an amazing experience. I would definitely go again. Best way to soak in the summer heat! read more

Downtown Boathouse - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

This was one of the worst experiences I have had in recent memory. My boyfriend and I were really excited to check this out - the wait was not too long and we got set up in the kayaks easily. I had to wait a few minutes for a second kayak to open up, so he waited in his kayak for a few minutes near the entry point for me to catch up. At this point, a volunteer forcefully spoke to him and told him to move. When he let the volunteer know that he was waiting for me, the volunteer continued to raise his voice and let him know he needed to move immediately. He did so. I then caught up, and the volunteer continued to follow us, letting us know that we could not kayak any further than we already had (the borders, we had been told, were several buoys lining the area, which we were very far from). Though there was no need, we started coming back towards the volunteer after exchanging words between each other. The volunteer followed us still, exclaimed "What did you just say? Are you not listening to me? This is unacceptable." Again, we had done absolutely nothing. He then chained my boyfriend's kayak to his own, told him that he was not allowed to continue his trip, and forcibly brought him back to the pier. Literally involuntarily moved his person towards the pier. The exchange ended with the volunteer stating to my boyfriend, verbatim, "you are an idiot, you are a dumb idiot. Get out of here." Cherry on top of the sundae - we let the staff know of this and they did nothing, we were not able to get back into the water (though we would not have wanted to in any case), and yet ANOTHER volunteer literally pushed us away (and also called us "stupid"). This was really, really a despicable experience. I have not been this offended or disrespected in a long time. Pathetic, odious, awfully run. Though this review is definitely volunteer-specific, the vetting process should be much better for volunteers for the boathouse. Truly an indescribably rude and repugnant experience. I would give this negative stars if I could. This went beyond "bad" to a level of offense and intrusion into personal space that, again, I have not experienced in a while, if ever. read more

5 out of 5 undoubtedly, and here's my suggestion: #Your lower body will inevitably get wet. Either can you bring your bathing suit/pants and get changed in the changing room (which is thankfully available), or you better wear some quick-dry outfits. #The kayaks here are not camera-mount equipped(as I know). Make sure you wear your Contour or GoPro on your head or chest. #First-timers need to listen carefully to the staff and obey the rule, or you'll get yelled at (in a pleasant way, of course). Thank all the staff for providing the activity FREE, especially a Mets-fan personnel who helped us. read more

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Anything free is for me! (Feel free to give a donation if you'd like though) I had a great experience for my first time kayaking! The views are amazing, staff was friendly and everything is provided. All you have to do is fill out a waiver before you get started. They have sunscreen, locks for the lockers, life jackets, paddles and single/double kayaks. Remember to bring a change of clothes because you're 100% going to get wet. They have a freshwater shower head which you can rinse yourself off (make sure you rub) because the salt from the ocean will stick to you. read more

A really cool experience (even if a bit scary). The staff here was very helpful and the opportunity to kayak on the hudson was very fun.

One of us fell off the kayak in the Hudson River. First off, there are multitude of piers on the west side of Manhattan that offer free kayaks. You need to know how to swim, sign a waiver and off you go. With the One World Trade Centre in the backdrop, it is the perfect setting for a ride along the river. Fair warning - do not lean out of the kayak if you don't want to taste the Hudson. Visit their website - www.downtownboathouse.org/pier26/ to know more about free kayaking in New York. To know more about top things to do in New York, read more at https://90percenthumour.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/top-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/ read more

Downtown Boathouse - Kayakers from all over the World - Boating Near Me - New York, New York

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How can anyone rate this place less than 5 stars when everything provided is FREE? Just be prepared for a wet butt (I elaborate in the last paragraph of this review). Yes, let me repeat- the kayak, paddle, locks, lockers, changing room, and even sunscreen are all free! This place is completely run by volunteers and is something I highly recommend to all NY visitors and residents. Take note: as of July 2014, this kayaking organization is located at pier 26, with its sister organization at pier 96. (They're no longer at pier 40.) I personally recommend the pier 26 location because there is a much larger area to kayak, and as a sweet bonus, you can see the Statue of Liberty if you paddle out far enough! Also take note: your feet and butt are almost guaranteed to get soaked because the kayaks are designed with holes to let the water drain. I recommend wearing quick drying shorts and/or bringing a change of clothes/underwear. The first time I went, I didn't bring a change of shorts and walked around all afternoon with a wet backside. Not pleasant. read more

Want to do something fun and free? Totally, 100% FREE? Get thee to the Downtown Boathouse for some kayaking on the Hudson. I gave the boathouse five stars, but it really deserves six. Or seven. I've been to the lower Manhattan location, off Houston St, twice now, and I plan to go back. All they require before you get on the water is that you know how to swim, that you sign a waiver, and agree to their rules. Once you've done that, you grab a lifejacket and throw your personal belongings into one of the lockers provided (they even have locks so if you don't bring one, no worries!), and head down to the small dock. A volunteer will get you settled in a kayak and give you some pointers on how to kayak if you've never done it before. They have both single and double kayaks, so if you don't want to go it alone you don't have to. The kayaking area seems fairly large to someone like myself who has now only kayaked twice in my life. The area is restricted so newbies don't go out onto the Hudson in the path of speedboats and barges and such. The second time I went, I actually saw JELLYFISH in the water. Jellyfish! In the Hudson! Who knew?!? You are supposed to return to the dock after about 20 minutes but I haven't seen this enforced yet; I guess it depends on whether they have people waiting to get out on the water. I've never been there when it's very busy. After you are finished, you can hose off the Hudson River water and then change into dry clothes in the "changing room" which is just a private area designated by a white tarp. It's a good workout and a really good time. Also...FREE. My recommendations: wear a bathing suit; also, bring a change of clothes, a towel, and a plastic bag to put your river-y clothes in when you're done. You WILL get wet. read more

I went to the one at pier 40. Let me tell you firstly, this establishment should deserve nothing but 5 stars. Dude its FREE. Everyone working there are volunteers so you should definitely make at least a 5 dollar donation for their hard work and ability to operate an amazing free program. I went there on a particularly overcast cloudy day so there weren't many people. I had a chance to kayak for a good hour. Let me tell you that day was my first time ever kayaking. It was kinda easy. I know a lot of people are really scared they'll flip over and drown in the Hudson but yeah... Don't worry about that. Your fears are only going to put you to your downfall. Anywho, if you've never been there before you just have to sign a waiver stating that you're able to kayak. Children younger than 16 need a parent's signature of permission. Also, Children under 16 need to ride with an adult in a double boat. So after all that jazz is over with, they make you put on a life jacket, take a paddle and then you'll proceed to walk down a dock. They'll ask if you'd want a single or double boat. You choose which one you'd like they'll make you sit in the kayak and then they push you into the water. voila. You're now free to kayak anywhere in the perimeters of the pier. They usually let you know if you're going too far from the dock but just be around 75 feet away from the edges and you'll be fine. I usually just kayak around the middle area, around the docked boats. anyway. Have fun and don't forget to donate a few dollars! yay. p.s. this event is going to go on until mid October. Check the website for any updates they might have. read more

This is a great place to know about once you discover it. It's hardly a secret anymore, and yet it's still the best kept secret on the Hudson River. I've gone several weekends in the middle of my run along the Hudson, and I've never had to wait in line. It's completely free and they even give you lockers to put your stuff in while you're out! They say you get 25 minutes to kayak but that's not really enforceable and if there's no line you can stay much longer. The people working here are so nice, and it's a great activity to do and one of the best free things in NYC! read more

I went last Saturday and it still feels like one of those Manhattan experiences you "got away with." How can it be free? I was assuming we'd hear some kind of hard sell from them to buy their tours but nope - pure enjoyment on the water. Choose from a 1 or 2 person kayak, strap on a life vest, stay within 75 feet of the designated area and GO! We stayed out for over an hour, did a bit of kayak bumping and the only time we ever received a gentle yelling was when we got too close to the docks. Paddle over to one of the boats and ask to come in! Head over to the Frying Pan afterwards to complete your day as a mariner. read more

Kayaking season is open. All 3 locations have already been open and putting people on the river for 3 weekends. Weekday evening kayaking starts at the Pier 96 location on June 21st, every evening at 5pm 'til the end of August. The weekend morning paddling trips up or down the Hudson are very popular. Due to overwhelming demand, spots are allocated by lottery among those who arrive BEFORE 8am on a Saturday or Sunday morning on a trip day. Recreational paddling is available at 9am on weekends and holidays, even when trips are out. Some volunteers run the public program, while others simultaneous escort the group out on the morning trips. Waits are usually short, especially early in the day. Lines can get quite long toward the end of the day, especially when the weather is amazing. Late arrivers are often not able to be launched when those waiting on line exceed the capacity of the facility. So go early and have fun. FOR FREE. Kayaking is absolutely free. No one guilts you into a donation, but they gladly direct you to the donation box if you insist on making a contribution in gratitude for the awesome experience. How can you beat the opportunity to paddle on the Hudson? Did I mention that it's free. Sometimes the best things in life are free. Kayaking on the Hudson is one of those things. read more

Free kayaking is an amazing opportunity, and a Sunday morning guided three hour tour is also an amazing thing. Unfortunately, due to the interest of a lot of people and the lack of kayaks, you may find yourself getting up early on a Sunday to be disappointed. I think their Sunday morning three hour tour is a fantastic option for people who live in the immediate area of Pier 96, but perhaps not so much for people who have to make a trek there. Their website stresses that you should arrive by 7:45AM on Sunday to get into the lottery for the kayaking that morning. Your name is pulled from a hat(which you indicate solo or double) and the first 7 or so solo kayaks are chosen, and the first 3 or so double kayaks are chosen. In total, about 15 people will get the opportunity to kayak that morning. Expect about 45 people to show up for the 15 spots. Their website does say that you have a 50% chance of getting the chance to kayak. I think during the peak summer days, it might really be about a 25% chance. I might try the Sunday morning kayak trip again towards the end of the season, but probably not. read more