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Visitors across America love to get out on the water, and - it seems - nowhere moreso than in New York. After four weeks of voting, readers of USA TODAY and 10Best have selected, through their online ballots, their 10 favorite boat rides from the original list of nominees.
The beautiful Thousand Islands (1000 Islands) area - between northern New York and southeastern Ontario - was called "Garden of the Great Spirit" by native Americans. The combination of beautiful shoreline, where woods meet the lake, is an inspiring place to take a boat ride.
New York scored the second spot as well, as iconic Niagara Falls garnered the second largest number of votes. Tour boats like Maid of the Mist thrill visitors by taking them close to the massive falls.
A boat ride on Washington's Puget Sound landed at #3, while Alaska's Inside Passage and a boat ride down the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon, rounded out the top 5.
Amazingly, New York state took a third spot in the top 10 with its nomination for a New York harbor tour.
The full list of winners in the 'Best Boat Ride' contest category for 10Best Readers' Choice is as follows:
- Thousand Islands
- Niagara Falls
- Puget Sound
- Alaska's Inside Passage
- Colorado River & Grand Canyon
- San Antonio River Walk
- Chicago River
- Sunset in the Florida Keys
- New York Harbor
- Pearl Harbor
Now that summer's here, this list of winning destinations makes a perfect checklist for warm weather activity from coast to coast. We'll see you on the water!
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The Experts
Libby McMillan
Senior Editor Libby McMillan may be one of the few... Read More
Senior Editor Libby McMillan may be one of the few longtime travel journalists who loves the water so much she's lived on a houseboat. She also co-owned a sailing charter business in southwest Florida for many years, and has visited many of America's great waterfronts in pursuit of a great boat ride. Although she's adept at captaining a small powerboat and is a graduate of Colgate Sailing School, Libby is just as happy as a passenger, so she can sightsee. While she won't name her favorite, she's personally enjoyed the majority of the boat rides in this category.
Libby McMillan

Senior Editor Libby McMillan may be one of the few longtime travel journalists who loves the water so much she's lived on a houseboat. She also co-owned a sailing charter business in southwest Florida for many years, and has visited many of America's great waterfronts in pursuit of a great boat ride. Although she's adept at captaining a small powerboat and is a graduate of Colgate Sailing School, Libby is just as happy as a passenger, so she can sightsee. While she won't name her favorite, she's personally enjoyed the majority of the boat rides in this category.
Travis Seward
10Best Editor in Chief Travis Seward is an... Read More
10Best Editor in Chief Travis Seward is an adventure and foodie traveler. When he's not on a grand journey, he makes regular treks to the coast near Charleston, where he's been known to take a sunset sail. Travis appreciates the great outdoors, beautiful vistas, relaxing with friends and a great story . . . all of which can be enjoyed on these 20 nominee boat rides.
Travis Seward
10Best Editor in Chief Travis Seward is an adventure and foodie traveler. When he's not on a grand journey, he makes regular treks to the coast near Charleston, where he's been known to take a sunset sail. Travis appreciates the great outdoors, beautiful vistas, relaxing with friends and a great story . . . all of which can be enjoyed on these 20 nominee boat rides.
Lydia Schrandt
Having grown up in the middle of the desert... Read More
Having grown up in the middle of the desert Southwest, Lydia never considers a trip a true vacation unless it involves the water. Boats are by far her favorite form of transportation. She spent two years on the Texas A&M varsity sailing team out of Galveston, and she's experienced many of the nominated boat trips. Others, especially the Inside Passage, are high up on her bucket list.
Lydia Schrandt

Having grown up in the middle of the desert Southwest, Lydia never considers a trip a true vacation unless it involves the water. Boats are by far her favorite form of transportation. She spent two years on the Texas A&M varsity sailing team out of Galveston, and she's experienced many of the nominated boat trips. Others, especially the Inside Passage, are high up on her bucket list.