Circle Line Bear Mountain Cruises

As the leaves start to change throughout New York, we stop having dreams of hot pool days and lemonade leaving watery rings on our bar tops and we start looking forward to the fall season and all of its glorious festivities. Maybe we’re a little biased, but one of our favorite autumn activities is celebrating Oktoberfest. Although traditionally held in Germany for 16 days running from mid-to-late September to the first week in October, Americans have grown to treasure this festival too. We see it as a way to welcome fall, drink a few adult beverages, and enjoy the start of a new season. What better way to truly celebrate fall than getting out of the city and celebrating it on our cruise to Bear Mountain?

For those of you who haven’t joined us in years past, Bear Mountain State Park is an upstate New York gem! The park is nestled between rugged mountains that jut out of the west bank of the Hudson River. It’s an incredible setting, and the boat ride up the river is equally gorgeous.

For those of you who have joined us before, our cruise is a bit different than years past. How? WELL! What takes our annual autumn cruise to the next level this year is the addition of an on-board party! Just like years before, Circle Line is offering access to Bear Mountain State Park, where you’ll get to enjoy a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, brunch at the Bear Mountain Inn, and outdoor activities such as hiking and even visiting a zoo. However, if you’re ready to get down German-style, the fun begins the second you step foot aboard our boat. This year’s Bear Mountain Cruise features our first ever onboard Oktoberfest! Talk about riding in style.

Our onboard festival offers live German oom-pah bands on Saturdays, traditional German food, and beer specials galore. And we’re talking serious Oktoberfestin’ here… guests will enjoy the fun on the ride to the park as well as the way back. What better way to take in the scenic sights and sounds of fall than with this truly special event?

Ready to come aboard but not sure what to expect? For those of you that haven’t celebrated a true Oktoberfest before, allow us to share a little advice from the pros. Here’s a little Oktoberfest to-do list to make your cruise experience even more memorable:

• Drink a beer (if you’re old enough – if you’re not, the rest of this still applies)
• Try traditional German food like pork schnitzel, Wurst (sausages..don’t forget the sauerkraut!) along with Brezen (pretzel).
• Dance the polka… it’s really easier than it looks!
• Learn to belt out "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit"
• Wear lederhosen (traditional German garb).

So what are you waiting for? Escape the city’s hustle and bustle and enjoy a day of incredible fall foliage, an assortment of tasty beverages, German food, and of course polka music! What would an Oktoberfest be without some authentic polka dancing to dance always all of those consumed calories? It would be boring. Don’t settle for boring – hop aboard a Circle Line Bear Mountain Cruise and celebrate fall like it’s meant to be.