NY Waterway (212/512-0550) offers a wide variety of special sightseeing options year-round, including New York harbor cruises, evening cruises - even a Broadway cruise, complete with on-board entertainment. New offerings for spring and summer include a day-trip cruise to Sandy Hook Beach and, for baseball fans, cruise packages that includes a roundtrip sail on the Yankee Clipper or Mets Express, tickets, souvenir and, of course, a hot dog.

Circle Line Seaport Cruises (212/563-3200) makes available a plethora of opportunities to cruise the city and take in the sights. The 3-Hour Full Island Cruise showcases three rivers, all seven bridges, the five boroughs, over twenty-five landmarks, and an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty. For those with ice water in their veins, check out The Beast, a 45-mph thrill ride on the fastest speedboats in town.

SeaAir NY Inc. (212/681-4779) can provide a unique perspective of New York: from a seaplane. Passengers take off and soar in a 30-minute flight around Manhattan that includes bird's-eye views of the United Nations, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center.

Spirit Cruises (212/727-2789 in NY, 201/333-3603 in NJ) offers a more refined experience, an evening cruise requiring casual clothing and nice pants. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time at the aforementioned phone numbers. Bar packages are available, and the menu is upscale. Definitely recommended for a romantic rendezvous or relaxing evening, or both.

What better way to see the best of Central Park then on a bicycle? Bite of the Apple

Tours (212/541-8759) offers a "Spring Celebration" bike tour from April through June, a leisurely, two-hour escorted ride that includes stops at Shakespeare Garden, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle and other notable sights. Rental bikes are available for adults and children.