Forget booking a sightseeing tour. I lived in New York for 20 years, and this $4.50 ferry is the best way to see the city.

The Astoria line begins at East 90th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and runs all the way to its final stop at Wall Street.

The journey takes about 50 minutes and includes scenic stops in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.

The trip can also be done in reverse, depending on what's next on your itinerary and where you want to end up.

The ferries run on a schedule and depart once or twice an hour, depending on the time of day.

I've never found them to be too crowded, but for the most relaxed vibe, I recommend catching a ride on a weekday.

Tickets cost $4.50, and are available at the terminal or on the NYC Ferry app.

Once on board, I like to grab the best seats for sightseeing. There's a spacious lower deck for inclement weather, but the views from there aren't typically as good.

Instead, I like to go to the upper deck, where seats are arranged in banks of three or four. In my opinion, the best seats are along the railing.

A selection of snacks and beverages is available on the boat, including alcoholic options like spiked coffee, wine, local beer, and canned mixed drinks, typically priced between $7 and $10.

There are skyline views throughout the whole journey on the Astoria line, as well as several notable sights to take in — especially after dark, when the city feels magical.

I love passing Roosevelt Island and spotting its small stone lighthouse. At the Long Island City landing, you can get close-up views of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign.

The ferry also passes the Domino Sugar Refinery just north of the Williamsburg Bridge on the Brooklyn side.

The ferry passes under several landmark bridges like the Williamsburg Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is a classic NYC experience, but passing underneath it by ferry offers breaktaking views and a chance to see its architecture from a unique angle.

In my opinion, getting up close to the Brooklyn Bridge makes the ride worth it.