Let's Go Out This Weekend

CHASING 'WATERFALLS' Among New Yorkers who consider themselves natives, or at least sophisticates, there are those who would not deign to take a sightseeing boat tour of the Manhattan and Brooklyn coastlines. The boats, they would argue, are usually filled with gum-chomping, khaki-wearing tourists.

But the recent construction of the artist Olafur Eliasson's "Waterfalls" project gives a city dweller good cause to rethink her perspective on sightseeing tours. Sponsored by the Public Art Fund, "The New York City Waterfalls" features four sheets of cascading water, all along the East River. The official tour provider of the "Waterfalls," Circle Line Downtown, is offering three different routes covering the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Governors Island shores, all of which include views of the enormous artworks. The four waterfalls are situated at the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; between piers 4 and 5 on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade; at Pier 35 in lower Manhattan, and on the north shore of Governors Island.

In the spirit of the Public Art Fund — which contends that art should be available to everyone — Circle Line Downtown is offering a limited number of free tickets for one of its three tours. This first tour, a 30-minute ride specifically designed to show the four waterfalls, sets off on either the company's catamaran, the Patriot, or a yacht, the Zephyr cruise. Spectators wanting to reserve free spots for this "Waterfalls"-only jaunt should call ahead to reserve: On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the company said that the first two weeks' worth of free tickets had already sold out. But tickets can still be purchased for this weekend's tours.

Another 30-minute tour will sail on the Shark speedboat — its bow painted, appropriately enough, with the fish's eyes and sharp teeth. This tour, as well as a third hour-long tour on the Zephyr cruise boat, will also include the Circle Line's time-honored stops, including Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. (Neither tour offers free admission.) Between Mr. Eliasson's expansive falls and the majesty of Lady Liberty, even the most dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker will be reminded of what makes the city so great.

Details

Circle Line Downtown boats originate at South Street Seaport's Pier 16, between Fulton and South streets. The official 30-minute "Waterfalls" tours on the Patriot or the Zephyr run seven days a week through Monday, October 13. Sailing times begin at 9 a.m., with the last tour departing at 9:15 p.m.

To reserve free tickets in advance, call 866-925-4631. If you miss out on complimentary tickets — or find yourself at the docking area, wanting to take a spontaneous trip — tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 for children.

Schedules and prices for the 30-minute sightseeing tour on the Shark can also be found on the company's Web site. The one-hour Zephyr cruise runs seven days a week at noon and 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, and 7:30 p.m. Additional weekend trips have been added through the summer; tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $15 for children.

Visit the Web site for complete details on all of the tours: circlelinedowntown.com.