BEACON BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sunset, Ruins, and a Ribbon: The Evening Reveal of THE GROTTO at Bannerman Island
A three-hour, round-trip evening boat cruise to Bannerman Island that combines a guided walk through castle ruins and the newly restored Grotto with a ribbon-cutting celebration and fundraising for historic preservation.
Sunset, Ruins, and a Ribbon: The Evening Reveal of THE GROTTO at Bannerman Island.
Board an evening boat and cross the Hudson to Bannerman Island, where weathered masonry and island light frame a guided visit through the castle ruins and the newly restored Grotto—culminating in a ribbon-cutting celebration that channels the event’s energy directly into preservation work.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Round-trip evening boat cruise on the Hudson
The experience begins and ends with an evening, round-trip boat passage across the Hudson—timed for sunset light and framed by views of the island and river.
Guided access to Bannerman’s castle ruins and the new Grotto
Guests receive a guided tour of the island’s atmospheric castle ruins and the newly restored Grotto feature, offered as an exclusive reveal of the preservation work.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception that support restoration
The event includes access to the official ribbon-cutting and a celebratory reception; ticket sales are directed to the Bannerman Castle Trust Restoration Fund to support ongoing preservation.
What the day feels like
What the evening feels like
Over the course of three hours you move from boat deck—where the Hudson’s late light sets the scene—to the island’s stonework and into a freshly restored grotto, finishing with a communal ribbon-cutting and reception that ties the evening’s discovery to the work of preservation.
THE ROUTE
Round-trip evening boat cruise on the Hudson
The experience begins and ends with an evening, round-trip boat passage across the Hudson—timed for sunset light and framed by views of the island and river.
THE DISCOVERY
Guided access to Bannerman’s castle ruins and the new Grotto
Guests receive a guided tour of the island’s atmospheric castle ruins and the newly restored Grotto feature, offered as an exclusive reveal of the preservation work.
THE CELEBRATION
Ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception that support restoration
The event includes access to the official ribbon-cutting and a celebratory reception; ticket sales are directed to the Bannerman Castle Trust Restoration Fund to support ongoing preservation.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this evening is best for—and who should check details before booking.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The special tour is a three-hour, round-trip evening boat cruise to Bannerman Island.
The itinerary highlights sunset photo opportunities and guided island access; consider camera gear and layers for an evening on the water.
This is a fundraising event: every ticket purchased supports the Bannerman Castle Trust Restoration Fund for ongoing preservation.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the event?
The special tour and ribbon-cutting event lasts three hours.
What is included with a ticket?
A round-trip evening boat cruise, a guided tour of the castle ruins and the newly restored Grotto, and access to the ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception.
What is the purpose of the event?
The event is a fundraising reveal: ticket sales go directly to the Bannerman Castle Trust Restoration Fund to support preservation of the ruins.
When will the tour take place?
The outing is scheduled as an evening, round-trip boat cruise timed for sunset conditions.
Who operates the tour?
The operator listed for the event is Bannerman Castle.