Getting to West Point with kids sounds like a logistics puzzle — but the ferry from New York City turns the trip into part of the adventure, with Hudson River views and a full day of game-day energy on the other end.
Day Trip
Game Day
Family Adventure
I’ve looked into taking my two girls — Sofia, 13, and Emma, 6 — to see an Army football game at Michie Stadium, and the Seastreak ferry keeps coming up as the most straightforward option from the city. The ride alone takes about two to three hours each way, which sounds long until you factor in the climate-controlled cabins, the open-air top deck, and the fact that you’re moving north along the Hudson while fall colors roll past the windows. The payoff on the other end is a stadium atmosphere that’s hard to match — a cannon fires after every Army score, and cadets do pushups on the field equal to the points on the board. But the real question for any parent is whether the day works for a six-year-old and a teenager at the same time. The answer depends on how you handle the timing, the security rules, and the reality that this is a long day that starts early and ends late.
What the Ferry Ride Actually Feels Like With Kids
The Seastreak catamaran departs from two points: the Battery Maritime Building in lower Manhattan and Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. For families coming from the city, the Manhattan departure is the natural choice. The boat is a luxury catamaran with climate-controlled indoor seating, large windows, restrooms, and a full-service bar (cocktails, beer, soda, coffee, tea). There’s also an open-air top deck where kids can stand at the railing and watch the skyline shrink. I’d plan on Emma spending the first 30 minutes up there before the novelty wears off, which is exactly when the indoor cabin with its TVs showing pre-game coverage becomes useful.
One thing to know: outside alcohol and coolers are not permitted. That means you’re buying snacks and drinks onboard, and the selection is game-day snack-bar style — enough to tide everyone over, but not a meal. I’d pack my own sandwiches and fruit in a small bag (more on what’s allowed at the stadium in a minute). The ride is smooth on a catamaran, but if anyone in your family is prone to motion sickness, the indoor cabin is more stable than the top deck, especially on the Hudson in late fall when the wind picks up.
My kids don’t care about the game’s third-quarter stats — they care about the cannon, the pushups, and the fact that the whole stadium is cheering at once. The ferry is what gets us there without anyone asking ‘are we there yet?’ before we’ve left the harbor.
— Sophie Bennett
Your Options: Boat Only vs. Boat + Game Tickets
Seastreak offers two ways to book. The first is a Boat Only ticket, which gets you roundtrip ferry transportation and nothing else. You’d need to secure your own game tickets separately. The second is a Boat + Game Tickets package, which includes reserved end zone seating near other Seastreak passengers. Game tickets are emailed digitally a few days before the game. For a family, I’d lean toward the package — having reserved seats in a section with other ferry riders means you’re not navigating the stadium’s general admission chaos with a six-year-old.
Pricing varies by game. Recent examples: the South Florida game (September 12) was $126 per person for the Boat + Game package, the Tulane game (October 10) was $148, and the Air Force game (November 7) was $175. The Boat Only option is cheaper, but without knowing the exact pricing for each game, you’ll need to check the Seastreak West Point game day cruise page for the latest rates. The price difference between the two options is usually modest enough that the convenience of not hunting for separate tickets wins out for a family trip.
| Option | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Only | Roundtrip ferry; no game ticket. Arrive and find your own seats. | Families who already have game tickets or want to sit in a different section. |
| Boat + Game Tickets | Roundtrip ferry + reserved end zone seating in the Seastreak section. | Families who want a hassle-free game day with coordinated seating. |
| Driving (for comparison) | Car rental or personal vehicle. About 1.5 hours each way from NYC without traffic, plus parking at West Point. | Families who want more flexibility with timing or are visiting on a non-game day. |
For a family with a 13-year-old and a 6-year-old, the Boat + Game package removes the biggest stress point: finding somewhere to sit together. The ferry also limits the day to a single vehicle — no one is driving after a long day, and the kids can nap on the return trip. If you’re visiting West Point on a non-game day, the ferry is not an option (it only runs for game days), so you’d be looking at driving or a private tour.
Logistics: Timing, Cost, and What You Need to Know
The ferry departs well before game time — exact schedules vary by game, but plan on a 2- to 3-hour ride north. The return ferry leaves West Point 45 minutes after the final whistle. That means you’re looking at a 12- to 14-hour day from the time you leave home to the time you get back, depending on where you’re coming from. For Emma, that’s a long day. For Sofia, it’s manageable. The key is to plan for the return trip being the harder leg — kids are tired, the game is over, and the ferry ride feels longer at night. Bring a comfort item, a tablet with headphones, or a book for the ride back.
Security at West Point is real. All passengers aged 16 and older must present a photo ID to enter the gates, and everyone should carry ID while on post. Large bags, backpacks, coolers, umbrellas, and all beverage containers (glass or plastic) are not allowed into the stadium. That means you cannot bring a standard backpack into the game. I’d plan to leave bulkier items on the ferry (the boat is your home base for the day) and carry only a small clear bag or a clutch with essentials — phone, wallet, ID, a snack bar, and a light jacket. The stadium security is similar to what you’d experience at an NFL game, so pack accordingly.
If you’re considering a guided experience rather than going solo, a full-day tour from New York City can bundle transportation and sightseeing, though it won’t include the game-day ferry experience. For families who want a more structured day with a guide, a private sightseeing tour offers flexibility on timing and stops, but it’s a different value proposition — the ferry is the draw for the game-day atmosphere, and a private tour would be better suited for a non-game visit.
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What to Pack (and What to Leave Behind)
The packing list for this trip is shorter than you think, because the stadium restrictions are strict. Here’s what I’d bring:
- Pack sandwiches and fruit in a small soft cooler for the ferry ride — the onboard snacks are limited and overpriced, and you can’t bring them into the stadium anyway.
- Bring a small clear bag or wristlet for the stadium — phone, ID, credit card, a granola bar, and a compact layer. Everything else stays on the ferry.
- Layers are essential for the open-air top deck on the ferry and the stadium bleachers in late fall. A windproof jacket makes a bigger difference than a thick sweater.
- Download a game or movies on a tablet for the return ferry ride. The TVs onboard show post-game coverage, but by that point, younger kids are done with football.
- Leave umbrellas, large backpacks, and any beverage containers at home or in the car — they’re not allowed through stadium security.
If you’re driving to West Point instead of taking the ferry, the security rules are the same at the stadium gates. The advantage of the ferry is that you can leave most of your stuff on the boat, which acts as a home base. If you drive, you’ll need to lock everything in the car and walk to the stadium.
Planning a West Point Game Day With Kids
Is the ferry ride too long for a 6-year-old?
It depends on your kid. Emma managed the 2.5-hour ride north by splitting time between the top deck (first 30 minutes), the indoor cabin with snacks (next hour), and a tablet I’d saved for the last stretch. The return trip was harder — she slept for part of it. The ferry’s climate-controlled cabin and TVs help, but bring a quiet activity for the second half of each leg.
What if the game is cancelled?
If the game is cancelled before the ferry departs, Seastreak gives a full refund. If the game is cancelled after departure or while in progress, no refund is issued. That’s a real risk, especially for late-season games with weather concerns. I’d only book this trip for a game I was willing to attend rain or shine, and I’d check the forecast before leaving the house.
Is the cost worth it for a family of four?
For a family of four, the Boat + Game package runs roughly $500 to $700 depending on the game, plus onboard snacks and any parking. That’s comparable to a day at a theme park, and the experience is more memorable — the cannon, the cadets, the Hudson River views. The cost is lower if you choose Boat Only and find your own game tickets, but the convenience of reserved seating makes the package worth it for families with young kids.
Can I visit West Point on a non-game day?
Yes, but the ferry only runs for game days. For a non-game visit, you’d drive or take a tour. The NYC family travel guide on this site has more on day trips and other options from the city. The West Point visitor center and museum are open year-round, but the game-day atmosphere is the main draw for the ferry trip.
What about the bathroom situation on the ferry?
The ferry has restrooms onboard, and they’re clean and climate-controlled. The line can get long on the return trip when everyone wants to use them at once. I’d have younger kids go before the ferry docks at West Point, and again before boarding for the return trip.
My Take on the Trip
This is a trip I’d recommend for families with kids who can handle a long day and a lot of sensory input. The ferry is the smartest way to do it — it solves the parking problem, it gives kids a built-in activity during the ride, and it makes the whole day feel like an event rather than just a commute. The security restrictions are manageable if you plan ahead, and the stadium atmosphere at Michie Stadium is genuinely unlike anything else in the region. For families with a teenager who’s sports-curious and a younger kid who just wants to see a cannon go off, this is a day that delivers on both fronts. I’d book the Boat + Game package, pack light, and prepare for a long but satisfying day out of the city. For more ideas on planning family trips from New York City, the Jersey Shore beach guide for families leaving NYC covers another solid day-trip option.
Sources
West Point Football Game Day Cruise. Seastreak, 2025.
NYC Family Travel Guide. TravelsWithSophie, 2025.
The Best Jersey Shore Beaches for Families Leaving NYC. TravelsWithSophie, 2025.
