Bear Mountain Cruise
Cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park for an Oktoberfest cruise with scenic views, festive fun, and outdoor exploration!
- German-themed food
- Music
- Hiking
New York City's #1 Floating Oktoberfest!
Experience the Magic of the Hudson River on Our Bear Mountain Cruise!
Set sail on the ultimate fall adventure with our Floating Oktoberfest Cruise! Enjoy a scenic 50-mile journey through the Hudson River Valley to Bear Mountain State Park, surrounded by vibrant autumn colors and a festive Oktoberfest atmosphere.
Savor our exclusive fall menu with German favorites like Pork Schnitzel, Bratwursts, and oversized Bavarian Pretzels. Sip from collectible mugs filled with Warsteiner, Spaten, seasonal Sam Adams Octoberfest, and local Pumpkin Ales.
Along the way, enjoy live music, learn from our award-winning Tour Guides, or catch the game on our main deck lounge TV. At Bear Mountain, you’ll have two hours to explore trails, the lake, the zoo, and more before heading back to Manhattan.
Book now for a perfect blend of fall scenery, great music, and Oktoberfest fun!
Please note: There is no Oktoberfest festival at Bear Mountain State Park
Gorgeous Views Unlike Any Other!
Our huge, outdoor decks are perfect for getting some fall sun, fresh air and 360-degree views.
The Hudson River Cruise goes under two of the most impressive bridges in New York State, the mighty George Washington Bridge and the modern Mario Cuomo Bridge, aka Tappan Zee Bridge. You'll pass Hook Mountain, which rises to nearly 800 feet straight up from the Hudson River with sheer cliffs, covered in bright autumn foliage, surrounded by ravens, hawks, ospreys and the occasional Bald Eagle before arriving at Bear Mountain.
Once you're there you'll be able to get out, walk around paved trails for two hours, enjoying the main Bear Mountain facility, the lake, the zoo and the Merry Go Round.
Scenic River Journey
Iconic Bridges
Cruise under the iconic George Washington Bridge and the modern Mario Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee Bridge).
Wildlife Spotting
Keep an eye out for ravens, hawks, ospreys, and the rare Bald Eagle.
Natural Beauty
Marvel at Hook Mountain’s dramatic cliffs and the dazzling colors of autumn foliage.
Bear Mountain Exploration
Explore paved trails
There is an abundance of different hiking and walking trails located in the Bear Mountain area for you to choose from.
Visit the Trailside Museums & Zoo
Explore local geology & ecology, plus rescued & rehabilitated wild animals.
Cruise Route
Bear Mountain Cruise Landmark Map
Departing Pier 83, you'll pass under the George Washington Bridge, marvel at the majestic Palisades and the modern Cuomo Bridge, continuing up the Hudson to Bear Mt
Mario Cuomo Bridge
This dual-span twin bridge was completed in 2018 at a cost of nearly $4 billion connecting Westchester and Rockland counties.
Hudson River Palisades
The Palisades are a line of steep cliffs rising up from the Hudson River to about 540 feet.
Cloisters
This museum is in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. Pieces were brought over from Europe and it was completed in 1939.
GW Bridge
The world’s busiest suspension bridge spans the Hudson River and carries over 103 million vehicles per year.
Hook Mountain State Park
This mountain rises 689 feet up from the Hudson River. It was known as Verdrietige Hook, "Tedious Point", to Dutch settlers.
Schnitzel, Bratwursts & Bier, Oh My!!
Enjoy a taste of Oktoberfest with a selection of premium German and New York brands on this exclusive cruise.
Oktoberfest Snack Additions:
Prop & Peller Bavarian Pretzels
Schaller & Weber Bratwurst
Apple Cider Donuts
Oktoberfest Feast Plates (Choice of 1 Main)
Schaller & Weber Traditional or Chicken Bratwursts
Vegan Sausage with Mustard Gravy (Vegetarian)
Pork Schnitzels with Mushroom Gravy
All Sides Included:
German Potato Salad (Vegetarian), Beet Salad (Vegan), Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut
Oktoberfest & Fall Beverages
Warsteiner Premium German Pilsner
Warsteiner Special Edition Oktoberfest
Warsteiner König Ludwig
Spaten Oktoberfest
Samuel Adams Octoberfest
Bluepoint Pumpkin Ale
Montauk Pumpkin Ale
Stone Fruit German Riesling
Angry Orchard Hard Ciders
Minard Hot Apple Cider
Minard Apple Cider Mimosas
(Standard concessions items are also available)
Download our Oktoberfest menu!
If you have questions or concerns regarding food allergies or religious exemptions, please contact our call center. These inquiries will be forwarded to our team for review, and we will handle any necessary accommodations.
Traveling up to Bear Mountain has never been more fun!
Let our world-renowned tour guides and our live bands entertain you along your journey! Traveling up the Hudson has never sounded better!
You can expect Divining Rod to play both Americana and country rock, a heady mix of soulful originals and eclectic covers of your favorite laidback tunes! Street Beats Brass Band adds an element of traditional Oktoberfest polka music plus a variety of classic hits and singalongs.
Plus! Don't miss an afternoon sports game! The in-market sports games of the afternoon the can be found streaming from our TV located in the main deck back lounge!
The Premier Way to Enjoy the Cruise!
The all-inclusive way to get the most out of your cruise is with a Premier ticket!
Premier guests receive the following perks:
Unlimited Soda, water, coffee & tea.
Your Choice of 1 Feast Plate (Bratwurst or Schnitzel with all sides) !
In-seat Food Service- no waiting in lines, no missed views!
Private Bar for Premier Guests only.
Private Restrooms for Premier Guests only.
Exclusive Seating Area on the highest outdoor deck!
The Premier deck is located on the 3rd deck, the highest outdoor deck on the Circle Line Vessel. This deck is only accessible by stairs.
Guests who cannot use stairs are encouraged to join us with a standard ticket only.
The Premier Deck is located on the very top (3rd) deck equipped with a private bar and restroom.
Things to Know Before You Go
Boarding Time:
Boarding starts at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM departure; the boat returns at approximately 5:00 PM, depending on tides and weather conditions.
Bear Mountain Walking Time:
Walking at Bear Mountain State Park lasts from approximately 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Pay close attention to the Captain's announcement about the departure time from the park—you don't want to be left behind!
Important Note:
Please be aware that the Oktoberfest event does not take place at Bear Mountain State Park. The event is hosted at
Harriman State Park
, specifically at the
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area
. This has been the event's location for several years, and we encourage guests to plan accordingly.
Hiking Information:
The walk begins with a steep hill climb that can be challenging for some guests. Please wear appropriate footwear suitable for a hike.
Outside Food & Beverage:
No outside food or beverages are allowed on board.
Onboard Amenities:
Enjoy outdoor deck space, heated/air-conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms.
Weather Policy:
If we have to cancel a cruise due to foul weather, we'll provide you with a refund or the opportunity to re-book for another date.
The Bear Mountain Dock
Please be advised that the pathway from the dock to Bear Mountain State Park is a .6 mile walk uphill. The first .3 mile is extremely steep and rugged. The pathway is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
On rare occurrences, stormy weather and high tides submerge the dock at Bear Mountain which makes it inaccessible.
Guest safety is our #1 priority, so our highly-trained Captain & Crew will make the right call closer to the docking area. If we cannot dock, the vessel will simply turn around and head back to Manhattan a few hours earlier than anticipated. But don't fret, the Oktoberfest onboard party will continue for the entire time!
If we're anticipating this to occur ahead of your cruise, we will notify you in advance.
