The S.E.A.L. Adventure: Sea, Air, and Land Across NYC
See NYC From All Views
Experience New York City’s most unique transit and breathtaking views through this S.E.A.L. (Sea, Air, and Land) route without ever setting foot on a plane. This itinerary strings together an aerial tramway, a quiet island exploration, and a river cruise dropping you directly into historic Lower Manhattan.
At A Glance
$10 Per Person
3-4 Hours
Subway, Cable car, Bus/Bike, Ferry.
2.5 Miles
1. Start in Midtown:
Take the NRW456 trains to the 59th St & Lexington Ave station in Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway station is a quick one-block walk east to 2nd Avenue.
2. Take to the Sky (Air): The Roosevelt Island Tram.
Skip the ticketing machines and simply tap your contactless credit card, smartphone, or OMNY card at the turnstile. Because you just got off the subway, this counts as a completely free transfer. Crucial rule: You must tap the exact same card or device you used on the subway for the free transfer to trigger. Grab a spot by the windows and glide 250 feet above the East River right alongside the Queensboro Bridge.
3.Explore Roosevelt Island (Land): Check the schedule immediately.
As soon as you step off the tram, open the NYC Ferry app to check the departure time for the next Astoria route ferry heading towards Pier 11/Wall St. Off-peak ferries can run 45 to 60 minutes apart, so knowing your deadline up front lets you explore without stress.
Because the island is wonderfully uncrowded and mostly car-free, unlocking a Citi Bike is one of the best ways to get around. You can also take the free red bus to the southern tip to see the stunning Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. If your ferry isn’t coming for a while, you can head up to the northern tip of the island to visit the historic 19th-century lighthouse.
4. Cruise the East River (Sea):NYC Ferry to Pier 11 / Wall St.
Buy a $4.50 single-ride ticket right at the dock’s vending machine or directly on the NYC Ferry app and board the Astoria route heading south towards Pier 11/Wall St. You can hop off at Gantry Plaza State Park to explore and see the massive vintage Pepsi-Cola sign, or stay on the boat as it glides under the Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges all the way down to the Pier 11 / Wall Street terminal. The Transfer Hack: Your NYC Ferry ticket is valid for 120 minutes from activation and includes free transfers. Because Pier 11 is the main hub, you could seamlessly hop onto another NYC Ferry route and continue cruising for free.
5. Lower Manhattan Icons:Federal Hall to the Oculus.
Disembark at Pier 11 and walk right into the Financial District. Stop by the NY Stock Exchange, (the outside anyway. the inside is closed to the public), and then go across the street to Federal Hall (where George Washington was inaugurated) and then keep heading west until you reach the World Trade Center campus. Here, you can view the striking architecture of the Oculus, head up to One World Observatory, and visit the 9/11 Museum and Memorial reflecting pools.
Finish your day just west of the World Trade Center at Brookfield Place. Sit under the towering indoor palm trees in the glass-vaulted Winter Garden pavilion, eat some snacks, and watch the boats go by—the perfect spot to relax after a full day of adventuring by sea, air, and land.
6. Head Back To The Subway,And See The Hidden WTC Doors.
Pat yourself on the back for a day well spent and then admit it’s time to go home. It’s almost time for Mincha.
Luckily for you, the World Trade Center is connected to multiple subway lines, although some may require a bit of underground walking. From Brookfield Place, take the escalators at the front entrance underground into the Oculus. The 1 runs directly through the upper level of the mall, as does the RW on the opposite side. For the 45ACJZ follow signs into Fulton Center.
To catch the E train, follow the small signs up the stairs to the left and walk through the connecting concourse, you are actually stepping back in time, as this specific corridor still features the original travertine floors from the 1970s WTC mall that survived the attacks.
Right at the entrance to the E train, look closely at the heavy metal doors. You can still see the faded neon-orange spray-paint markings left by search and rescue teams on September 13, 2001 (9/13) to indicate the area had been cleared.
For those looking to catch the 23 trains, although almost no signs advertise it, the passageway to the E actually connects to the 23AC as well. simply walk past the turnstiles for the E and keep going down the corridor to soon reach the 23 Park Place station.
Final Thoughts on the S.E.A.L. Route
The S.E.A.L. route is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune—or wait in endless lines—to see the best of New York from every angle. For under $10, you get an aerial tram ride, a peaceful island walk, and a skyline river cruise, all seamlessly connected.
Have you taken this route, or do you have a favorite stop along the way? Let us know in the comments below or check out our other Chol Hamoed NYC Trip Guides to plan your next adventure!
