What exactly is the East River in New York?
Posted on Feb 24, 2026 / Travel
The East River isn’t actually a river but a tidal strait that connects Upper New York Bay with Long Island Sound in New York City. It separates Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens and mixes saltwater from the Atlantic with freshwater from other waterways. The river is about 16 miles long and varies widely in width at different points. It’s a major route for boats, ferries, and freight, which makes it super busy most days. Several famous bridges, like the Queensboro and Williamsburg bridges, cross it. The tidal nature means the water can flow fast and even switch direction with the tide. Knowing it’s a tidal estuary helps explain a lot of its currents and how water moves there.
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