We stumbled upon Manhattan Community Boathouse free kayaking program while exploring the city and what a glorious experience. The program is run by volunteers and funded by donations. Kayaking is offered on a first come, first served basis. They supply everything: life jacket, paddle, a single or two person kayak and a locker. You have 20 minutes and must say within the boundaries of the cove. Participants must be at least 18 years and know how to swim. Under 16 must share the kayak with an adult. Our experience felt like finding a treasure but in our case we want to share it with others read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - Our family kayaking on the Hudson River - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

I first came here back in 2016 for the free kayaking. It was a blazing hot day and I just HAD to find a way to get out on the water, somewhere in the city. Manhattan Community Boathouse was just the place! I felt so welcomed and had so much fun during my first visit that I decided to become a volunteer. 5 years later, I still spend almost every summer weekend here, helping the organization offer the public the priceless (FREE!) experience of paddling on the Hudson river. Sharing this unique experience with the public is one of my favorite things to do in the city, and seeing the smiles on people's faces makes it all worth it. As a volunteer, I enjoy the extra training classes offered and volunteer-only kayaking trips we get to go on as well! A few things to know for the 2021 season, some of which is different from prior year reviews: MCBH is operating by reservation to prevent overcrowding. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM - 6 PM through October 10. You can reserve your spot up to 2 weeks in advance on the website. Paddlers of all skill levels are invited to participate as long as you know how to swim. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. They offer changing rooms and lockers with locks provided, so you can bring a change of clothes if you want, because you will get wet. There's no public restroom here though, so be sure to stop in Clinton Dewitt park at 54th & 11th Ave before walking over if you need to use the facilities! Otherwise, a portapotty along the bike path near the boathouse is the only toilet option. Did I mention it's all free? The program is run entirely by volunteers, and funded solely by donations from the public, but there is absolutely no pressure to donate. Whether you come as a volunteer or as a member of the public, I think this is the best free activity in NYC! read more

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If you're looking for something fun to do on summer day, definitely check out free kayaking at Manhattan Community Boathouse! They're apparently a spinoff of Downtown Boathouse, and decided to stay uptown after Downtown Boathouse moved downtown. There are two locations: Pier 96 (at 56th Street) and the 72nd Street dock. My three friends and I went to the Pier 96 location on a lazy Sunday afternoon and waited about 15-20 minutes for kayaks. Two of us grabbed a double, and the other two got singles. The area you're limited to isn't very big (you unfortunately can't go far out into the Hudson River) , but it's still fun to paddle and float around. Just don't fall out of your boat because apparently swimming in the Hudson is illegal. The people working there didn't really enforce a time limit and there wasn't a line for kayaks either, so we ended up staying out for about 30 minutes. Just be mindful of how long you're out there if you see people waiting! There are also lockers, two curtained changing stalls, and an outdoor showerhead. I would recommend bringing: - A lock (they only have a few locks to give out) - Sunscreen - Bathing suit bottoms or something you don't mind getting wet (...your butt will definitely get very wet) - Change of clothes (if you don't want to walk around with a wet butt afterwards) read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

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My friends and I came here after we did a search on free things to do in NYC. We came here on a Saturday at noon and to our surprise there weren't too many people. We were worried about how crowded it might be since it's a sunny Saturday after a week-long period of rain. It was such a fun experience and I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Pier 96 is one of the 3 boathouses that offer free kayaking in Manhattan - there's one by Riverside Park and one by Tribeca. Once you arrive, you are warmly greeted and are asked to fill out a waiver. They have lockers to the side and provide free locks for your belongings. Everyone has to grab a life jacket too. They also have two changing rooms in the back so definitely bring a change of clothes, especially bottoms, because your butt will get wet from sitting on the kayaks. Once you are all suited up and ready to go, other volunteers by the water help you get into your kayaks and give you a briefing on safety and how to use the paddles. They were very patient and funny and made beginners feel very confident and comfortable. They offer single or double person kayaks. Each session is about 20 minutes, however if there aren't too many people lined up waiting, you can extend your session. Definitely a great family and friends outing experience and I can't recommend it more than enough. I can't wait to come back and maybe I'll check out the other boathouse locations too next time. read more

What can I say? Free Kayak with friendly staff and amazing views. What more do you want? We came here for a music festival right next door on the pier back in the summer. The festival was too crowded with long lines for "meh" food that was overpriced. The group of us decided to leave and just stumbled upon the free kayak. There is a row of lockers with keys to store your stuff while you are kayaking. There is a donation box by the desk when you sign the waiver but at no point did I feel pressured to donate. I don't think the staff even mentioned the donation box. Yes, there is a limit of how far you can go out but the area is very big. It's a surreal experience to be in the middle of the water surrounded by skyscrapers in the horizon in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world. I've been to numerous "cool" places/experiences and this one is definitely special. Tip: bring a change of shorts/pants because your bottoms will get wet. If it's a hot summer day, it'll dry in no times though. read more

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Free kayaking in The Hudson which doesn't seem as clean as the East River. Lots if little things floating by. Nice touches like free lockers, sunscreen. People running operation are super nice, very chill. The kayaks are the really wide ocean type so they're very stable but not fast. Nice park along river to dry off. read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm going to echo all the other reviews and say to take advantage of the FREE kayaking here before we're smack in the middle of a freezing winter wasteland again. The kayaking here is great for beginners who've never gone white water rafting before - the waters are almost always relatively placid, and you get the option of a double boat if you're a scaredy-cat who wants someone right in the boat with them (aka, me). Plus you can't beat how phenomenal the deal is: you can chip in a donation if you want for a boat, a life vest, sunscreen, hair ties, and a free locker. We went on July 4th, expecting to wait in line for at least a few minutes, but they sent us on our way as soon as we put our things away and didn't give us a time limit. There's also an outdoor shower if you need to rinse the sunscreen and Hudson River grime off your legs, and two changing rooms. Which brings me to: bring a pair of fresh bottoms to change into because your pants will get wet from kayaking. The water is light and muddy, but no foul smell hanging off it. You're kept to a very restricted area but it's nice to just float and listen to the sounds of the city ebbing away. Perfect for a first date or just hanging out with you SO/friend/parent on the water. read more

Walked up on a Saturday morning with my family including two small children and we were in kayaks on the water 7 minutes later. So easy and it's FREE!! FREE IN NYC, people. They made sure we had correct life jackets for my 4 year old and 8 year old. FREE lockers to keep your wallet, phone, purse, change of clothes safe. Paddled around, took in the beautiful views of the skyline and the Palisades, gentle waves from wakes in the bay. Terrific. Wonderful outdoor experience in the best city in the world -- for free. This is why it's all worth it to live in the NYC metro! Tips: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, wear swimsuit bottom and change afterwards -- your entire rear and never-regions WILL get completely wet, including any unprotected phone you put in your pocket, don't do that. (Our pics are from a waterproof GoPro.) Go now! read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - (GoPro photo -- don't risk your smartphone getting wet!) kayaking on the scenic Hudson for free. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

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Just can't believe this is Free in Manhattan, all volunteers are super nice, they never ask or demanding for donations, they have two changing room, and any lockers, only thing is they don't have a restroom, you have to use the Porter potty outside, go have fun you will love it! read more

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Free kayaking. Hang on, did I really say free? Nothing is free right? What is the catch? Well, there is no catch. I went there without any money and managed to kayak! Here are a few tips to get the most out of the FREE kayaking: 1. It is first come first serve. There were 2 college groups in front of us, taking up most of the boats, but luckily we didn't have to wait too long. 2. You get to kayak for about 20 min, after which they will blow a whistle and ask you to come back. 3. There are single kayaks and double kayaks. 4. There are free lockers for you to store your things. 5. I would recommend wearing t shirt and shorts that you don't care about. Your butt will get very wet because the kayak is wet. You can also leave your shoes and socks on the dock. I would recommend wearing flip flops as your feet will get wet. 6. You will be confined to a small area, which means you cannot kayak up and down the Hudson. You cannot kayak over to Jersey either. This is a great FREE outdoor activity to in the summer. Guys, it's a great idea if you are trying to impress an athletic chick! read more

It's pier 96. It's beautiful and peaceful and sunny on the docks. Four of us met up and went kayaking - first with trepidation - in boats 2X2. Once courage had settled upon us, we each went out on separate kayaks and caused a serious ruckus! Racing up and down past the buoys and markers - it's amaaazing to be out on the water. You can really fly! And the best part is, you get life vests! Although the website says you ought to know how to swim. Anyhow, the kayaks are super stable and there are half a dozen volunteers (harbormasters) out and about on the docks. This is really an amazing resource for this city. It's paid for by donations and staffed by volunteers doing an amazing thing for this city. It was my first time kayaking and now...I LOVE it! If I lived close by, i'd probably come every single day! Also, they have lockers and a changing room, and the volunteers are very friendly and helpful. read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - first time kayaking...and i'm a fan! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

Helpful information (aka all the questions I had, now answered after going). -Lockers: They have lockers, and a few keys (bring your own just in case, keys tend to run out). Free. -Changing Room: There are a few areas to change inside the boat house (like dressing rooms in a store). -How to get there: From downtown, recommend taking that NQR or 6 and walking west. Taking a taxi from downtown was a disaster because the west side highway blocked the entrance so I had to walk from 59th and 12th on the running path. Boathouse is a little south of 57th. -Process: Sign a waiver, get a life jacket (put stuff in locker), go sit in line at the bottom of the docks and wait for other kayakers to come in and then for your turn. -Kayaking: on the water in a little area for about 20-30 minutes (if theres not a lot of people), The voluneteers help you get in and out of the boat. You mostly just float in the water, not a lot of paddleing, -What to wear: I wore jean shorts and my entire bottom was wet. You will get wet, all over your butt. Everything else will stay dry (that is if you don't capsize, which doesn't happen). But be aware that you will definitely get wet there is no way around it, luckily it will be localized to only your butt. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Our experience- Came at 6:30 on Monday, waited about 30 minutes (there was a huge group in front of us) and were able to be on the water for about 20. Really nice way to view the river and also think twice about ever littering again, because there aren't any fish in the water, just garbage. read more

It's free, staff it's friendly and it's hard to find that in New York loo and there are so many other places that you can get kayaks but it's not free and they are kinda rude so this place it's definitely amazing and the view it's so beautiful read more

We stumbled upon Manhattan Community Boathouse one day while bike riding. I think that it is a jewel in the city. It operates primarily with volunteers. Anyone can take a kayak out and I think it was pretty awesome to see a huge cross section of people taking advantage of this free program. If you want to take a real ride on the river, all you need to do is volunteer and then you can participate in the volunteer paddles on the river (and do a trip on the river). I highly recommend getting out there and trying out kayaking on the Hudson! read more

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It was really fun! I can't believe it's free! The staffs are very nice. I donated some $ to support :)

Exactly as advertised. Free kayaking in the Hudson. Staff who are all volunteers are very friendly and helpful. Can be a bit scary as water is choppy and not all kayakers are watching where they are going but that just adds to the adventure! read more

This boathouse is a discrimination to kayaking. You have to be over 16 to go on a kayak alone, my daughter wanted to go with her friend but they would not let her, my family has much experience with Kayaking and my daughter is an expert they should at least have a waiver that parents can sign if they want their kids to go alone. Its fun but that just bothers me a lot. read more

Manhattan Community Boathouse - Pier 96 boathouse - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - New York, New York

If you're looking for a fun summer activity in the city, I'd absolutely recommend the Manhattan Community Boathouse. It's free, the staff is friendly, and we had a great time kayaking. Plus, it's free! There was a bit of a line when we showed up (around 11 on a Sunday in August), but the staff was on top of things so it moved quickly. I only wish we'd stayed out a little longer, but we got hungry for lunch! read more

Happy New Year! I am one of countless visitors who have enjoyed the pleasures and good Karma of free kayaking on the Hudson, thanks to the awesome efforts of volunteers (leadership and staff) associated with the Manhattan Community Boathouse. Please join me in donating to the Manhattan Community Boathouse as much as your budget will allow, so that a new floating dock can be purchased to replace the one that some jerks stole. Without the floating dock there can be no kayaking. Together we can unite and make this happen. Please donate now. Let's not allow the theft of the dock and the creeps who stole it, to defeat this very worthy community experience. The awesome spirit of the Volunteers, the Kayakers, and the People will prevail. Blessings and light to all. Jim Savage read more

I came here two days in a row - once alone and once with a friend. We both had a fantastic time and the wait on a Saturday afternoon was only about 10 minutes and the wait on a Sunday afternoon was about 5 minutes. The staff is incredibly helpful and everything is organized well. There are small lockers to store cell phones and backpacks. Best of all, everything is free (all staff are volunteers and they work off of donations). Very highly recommended. read more