Powering NYC: East River Ferry Tour

What keeps the city that never sleeps running all the time? Explore the history of NYC’s power infrastructure by focusing on the East River!

Tour Highlights

• Sail past the abandoned North and South Brother Islands and hear about the demolition of multiple islands in Hell Gate
• Find out what happened to the coal plant next door to the United Nations
• View Manhattan’s largest undeveloped parcel, where there are plans to build a casino and a Museum of Freedom
• Hear plans for the future of Rikers Island and how it may be a catalyst in our clean energy future
• Pass the huge steam plant at the foot of East 14th St. and see what it’s actually producing
• Discover shipwrecks in the Long Island Sound
• Ferry tickets included in ticket price

About this tour:

This tour explores the history of New York City’s infrastructure by focusing on the East River and its islands, shores, tunnels, and bridges. Our tour begins by illustrating the history of electricity in the city and how industry consolidation led to over 170 companies becoming…Consolidated Edison! We then board the NYC Ferry Soundview route for a better look at the current and former electricity, steam, and gas plants along the banks of the East River and its infamous Hell Gate. As we traverse by U Thant, Roosevelt, Mill Rock, Randall’s, North and South Brother, and Rikers Islands, we examine the role they have played in New York City’s development. On the way back down, we take a look at the power infrastructure in Astoria Yard and DUMBO and their clean energy future.

About Your Guide:

Cullen Brown is an energy professional who specializes in bringing people into closer contact with the infrastructure that makes our lives easier. He is passionate about learning from the long-term visionaries and the working people who worked to make power, gas, steam, and water plentiful and dependable in our modern society. With experience in the private and public sector, he focuses on commercial/industrial energy users who are looking to use energy more efficiently.

Photos are encouraged! We'd love to see your shots on social media, so tag us: @untappedny