Courtesy Public Art Fund

Inspiration and innovation take new form this summer with the arrival of one of the most highly anticipated exhibitions in years—The New York City Waterfalls—a monumental-scale public art installation conceived by the Danish/Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

The project, commissioned by the Public Art Fund and presented in collaboration with the City, is on display through October 13, 2008. It features four 90- to 120-foot-tall waterfalls installed along the East River: one at Pier 35 in Manhattan, north of the Manhattan Bridge; one on the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge; one between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn adjacent to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade; and one on the north shore of Governors Island. The Waterfalls flow daily from 7am to 10pm (and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 10pm) and are lit after sunset. Starting September 8, the Waterfalls will operate Thursdays through Sundays and on Tuesdays from 12:30pm to 9pm, and Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 9pm.

The New York City Waterfalls are visible by land and boat, from multiple vantage points from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Governors Island. Dedicated boat journeys to view the exhibition, organized by the Public Art Fund in partnership with Circle Line Downtown, leave from Pier 16 in Manhattan and provide up-close views of the installations. Free and discounted trips available daily. And if you’re planning on hosting a private event and want to wow guests with views of Eliasson’s work, the New York Academy of Sciences Conference Center is another option for a great Waterfalls experience.

In addition, the free Governors Island Ferry—which runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the length of the project—and the free Staten Island Ferry offer great opportunities to see the Waterfalls. Check out other recommended viewing sites and bike routes along the waterfront.

You can make the most out of your Waterfalls experience with a specially created hotel or tour package. Start planning now with the offers below.

Hotel Packages:

In partnership with Yacht Smart, Le Parker Meridien presents a Waterfalls package perfect for thrill seekers. In addition to lodging in a top-notch room, guests will enjoy an hour-and-a-half speedboat ride around Manhattan to view Eliasson’s creations. The speedboat will even circle the Statue of Liberty. Find out more.

The luxurious Hôtel Plaza Athénée New York, located at 64th Street and Madison Avenue, is offering the Waterfalls in New York City Package, featuring a guestroom for two, a one-hour cruise to view the Waterfalls, and an optional add-in of a Waterfalls-inspired lunch or dinner at the hotel’s Arabelle Restaurant. Get rates and restrictions.

Guests at participating NYC Marriott and Renaissance Hotels can enjoy a New York City Waterfalls Package that features viewing of the art installation by land and by sea. The offer includes two tickets for a Gray Line bus tour, along with two Circle Line Downtown tickets for a half-hour Waterfalls boat tour. The package is available at the following hotels: New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, New York Marriott Downtown, New York Marriott East Side, New York Marriott Marquis, Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square and Hotel 57.

Guests at the chic Loews Regency Hotel can take in Eliasson’s monumental work in style with a special two-night stay package including tickets to the exhibition, a relaxing cruise, car service to and from the cruise and a basket of Perrier and chocolates to take along for the ride. Situated on Park Avenue at 61st Street, Loews Regency Hotel also provides a free breakfast at their renowned 540 Park Restaurant. Call 1-800-233-2356 for more information.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts offers exclusive Waterfalls packages to guests staying at participating hotels at various Manhattan locations. Find the offer that best suits your style at one of the following hotels: the W Hotels of New York, the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea, the Westin New York at Times Square, the St. Regis and Sheraton New York Hotels.

Last but not least, a Fantastic Waterfalls Package is being offered by the stylish and sophisticated Mandarin Oriental, New York. Located at Columbus Circle on the southwest corner of Central Park, the Mandarin Oriental, New York is offering guests upscale rooms with great views as well as an opportunity to take in the Waterfalls installation from the privacy of their own chartered yacht. For more information, e-mail or call 212-805-8800.

For additional hotel packages, check out these options:
Embassy Suites New York, Waterfalls offer
Hilton New York, Waterfalls Package
Shoreham Hotel, New York, The Shoreham Waterfalls Package
W Hotels of New York, W Hotels of New York Waterfalls Package
Roosevelt Hotel New York City, Waterfalls Package
The Ritz-Carlton New York, The New York City Waterfalls Package

Tour Packages:

Liz Young Tours offers the Waterfalls Culinary Tour, featuring a walking tour of Lower Manhattan, a three-course lunch and a water tour down the East River. Find out more.

New York City Vacations Packages (NYCVP) offers packages for at least two nights accommodation at a Midtown Manhattan hotel, free admission to select iconic NYC attractions and a choice of a midday or sunset cruise from one of two participating tour operators.