Army Football Fans Take a Unique River Boat Ride to West Point

A Unique Tailgate on the Water

On a chilly morning in Lower Manhattan, football fans board a high speed ferry at Maritime Building Slip 5. The 140 foot catamaran, named Seastreak Highlands, sets sail up the Hudson River just before nine in the morning. Passengers head toward West Point for an afternoon Army game against Florida Atlantic.

The two hour boat ride covers 52 miles and costs 104.52 dollars per ticket. Passengers get views of fall leaves along the riverbanks while visiting a full service bar on the lower deck. The boat ride offers fans a unique way to start game day before arriving at the historic military post.

A Mixed Crowd on the Hudson

The ferry carries up to 505 passengers, drawing a diverse crowd of supporters. Finance professionals, military veterans, attorneys and travelers fill the decks. Some passengers attend with group outings, including Navy fans and a bachelor party.

"It's not your typical SEC game day or anything like that," said Cannon Kearney, a Brooklyn lawyer and Army veteran. "But where else across the country do you see people from Bum-Nowhereville, Arkansas, and posh Madison Avenue tailgating in one place?"

Others choose the boat for the relaxed experience. Craig Palmer, a 65 year old educator from Middletown, New Jersey, enjoyed an early morning drink on the lower deck. "We could drive and get there quicker," Palmer said. "But why would you want to?"

History Meets Modern Game Days

West Point sits on the longest continuously occupied military post in the nation. General George Washington directed Continental Line soldiers to build Fortress West Point in 1778 to protect against British invasions. Washington moved his wartime headquarters to the riverside post in 1779.

Today, the site opens its gates to football fans arriving by riverboat. Social media posts have helped spread the word, bringing in fans from near and far, including international travelers from Toronto and London.

Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis highlighted the balance between history and new habits. "This place is about preserving tradition. But it's also about building for the future," Theodorakis said. "I don't think we have to choose between both."