Bannerman Castle New York

"We had the perfect day and the last day of the season to visit the castle. The ferry ride was great. Our captain and co captain were great hosts. The guides on the island were very helpful and knowledgeable with information and answered questions for people too. Definitely wear comfortable clothing and shoes. I took a lot of pictures and do believe I have a ghosts in two of them. Looking forward to going back in the spring and exploring more of the area. One of the guides recommended a Thai restaurant in town. It was great. Lots of shops and bars in the area too."

Rita Cohen

"Such a memorable trip! The $45 ticket includes both the round-trip boat ride and the guided tour on the island.
I recommend arriving a bit early to stroll around the town before boarding.

The check-in process is easy. They simply ask for your name, no printed ticket needed. Our captain was incredibly charismatic and funny, making the short 15-minute ride to the island even more enjoyable.

On the island, a guide meets you for a brief but interesting tour (around 20 minutes). I wish it had lasted a little longer, but you can stay after to walk around, take photos, and even talk to one of the caretakers whose grandfather once lived there.

It’s a beautiful spot with a mix of history, nature, and ruins. I highly recommend it, especially on a sunny day."

Alena Baza

"I've wanted to take this tour ($45) for a while now but finally got around to it recently on a lovely fall Sunday morning.

While the tour is timed at 2.5 hours...you spend closer to 1.5 hours on the island itself, factoring in the 30-minute boatride to and from the island.

There was lots of parking available as the Metro Station's parking is free on weekends.

I opted for the early 9:30am departure. I arrived around 9:05am and there were a few people there waiting. They started checking tickets and allowing people onto the boat at around 9:15am.

The boat left on time at 9:30am. Tom was at the wheel and Jen was assisting. (Forgive me if I got the names wrong) Jen gave an overview of the sites, buildings and history of the Newburgh waterfront during the 20-minute boatride to the island.

We arrived around 9:50, docked and climbed up some stairs to a waiting/dock area. We were then greeted by _ who was our tour guide for the visit. She explained the history of the island as we made our way through the tour path...passing the castle, garden and museum.

After the tour (about 30-40 minutes), visitors can explore the island on their own. There are a few areas that are accessible but not on the tour path, such as Wee Bay. I suggest exploring those areas as you will be rewarded with some amazing views! The museum is also small, but very informative...lots of little interesting facts about the island in there. Be sure to check it out.

While the tour path itself is fairly flat, the other explorable areas are rocky and uneven. Its best to wear comfortable hiking/trail shoes if possible...otherwise, you will feel every sharp/uneven rock particalarly if wearing flat-bottomed shoes.

There is a small shop there with snacks and some souvenirs.

Bathrooms on the island. None on the boat.

The group met up at the dock at around 11:30am to take the boat back to Beacon. A group was arriving at that time...likely the 11:00am tour.

Overall I had a great time on the tour...learned a lot and captured some great views.

Be sure to leave time afterward (or before) to explore other attractions in Beacon...such as the shop-filled Main Street."

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