4 Best Sights in New York City, New York

This spruced-up, modern pier serves the NYC Ferry's East River route. Take in the stunning views of Midtown while you wait for the ferry to arrive.

NYC Ferry's East River route stops in North Williamsburg at this clean, modern pier, but even if you're not taking the ferry, it's a nice place for a walk, with benches and excellent views of the Manhattan skyline. On summer days, you're likely to see teens skateboarding and people eating ice cream from OddFellows, just two blocks away.

The East River Ferry provides a fast and easy connection to nearby North Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, and Manhattan. The landing on the South Williamsburg waterfront was named for the 19th-century Schaefer Brewery—the last operating brewery in Williamsburg before Brooklyn Brewery brought beer-making back to the neighborhood. The pier is clean, with great views of the Brooklyn Bridge, but there's not much nearby except new high-rise condos.

Back before the age of giant shipping containers, barges owned by the railroad companies plied the New York Harbor, transporting cargo. The restored all-wooden Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge Number 79 dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and currently operates as a small museum (Saturday 1--5 and Thursday 4--8) dedicated to Brooklyn's maritime heritage. Check out the 1938 Mary A. Whalen (weekdays 10--6, and second Sunday of the month May--September; Pier 11, next to the NYC ferry stop) nearby, too.