Whoever thinks the Statue of Liberty is a "monument" is delusional. It's boring, it's meaningless, and it's falling apart. And it's not as big as it looks in pictures. It could also use a good power wash. I'd choose the Space Needle over the Statue of Liberty any day.

We bought our tickets to the Statue of Liberty at Castle Clinton. $12 tickets get you passage only on the Circle Line ferry. For $18 you get an audio tour. Our son's ticket cost $5.

You need a reservation to visit the 10th floor of the Statue of Liberty, but not to wander around the island. The return-ferry ticket also includes a visit to Ellis Island.

We queued 5 minutes to buy the tickets, but a further 1.5 hours to go through security. Wrap up warm - it is freezing down there.

On-board the ferry sit up-top. Despite the icy wind, you get wonderful views of Liberty and the skyline.

The Statue of Liberty - official name Liberty Encircling the World, was designed by Bartholdi and Eiffel and presented as a gift from France to the USA to commemorate America's 100th birthday. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, it is 305 ft tall and very green - it's covered with a copper skin.

Liberty's crown has 7 rays, symbolising the 7 seas and 7 continents. The tablet she holds is inscribed with July 4, 1776. Her nose is 4ft long and her mouth is 3ft wide. Bartholdi used his mother's face as inspiration. The Statue is the universal symbol of democracy and still the epitome of the American dream.

Walk all around the island. As well as a close-up of the statue you get lovely views of Manhattan and the water. Avoid the restaurant - fast-food and very crowded. Wait until you get to Ellis Island and visit the coffee-shop/restaurant there - so much nicer.

Ellis Island was once the first glimpse of the New World for countless immigrants. It was the processing station for around 12 million immigrants between 1892-1954. 40% of Americans today have an ancestor who entered the country through the island.

It is a moving memorial and interpretive centre where Americans can research their ancestors' arrival, entering through a replica of the baggage and registry room. We found it fascinating.

Back in Manhattan, when we got off the ferry we walked up to Wall Street. This is the New York from the black and white movies - narrow streets, big skyscrapers, suited businesspeople.

We walked down Wall Street - so narrow. It was named after a wall which the Dutch built to fend off Indian attacks and has been the centre of commerce in the New World for 2 centuries.

We also walked past Ground Zero. The 16 acre site of the World Trade Center is now a construction site, as the World Trade Center Memorial is now being built. It is a poignant and sad place, but the really moving memorial to those who died is at Battery Park.

The orb there used to stand on top of a granite fountain between the World Trade Center Towers. The plaque says "in honour of those who were lost, the sphere stands as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country."

The idea of the Statute of Liberty conjures up many different ideas of what it is, but almost everyone’s first though when they see it is “wow, it’s small.” The Statue is 152 feet tall and weights 225 tons. France gave the statue to the US in 1865 as a sign of friendship and close historical ties between the two countries (France helped the US win their independence from Britain during the Revolutionary War). The ferry for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leaves every 15 minutes from Battery Park starting at 8:30am. Tickets ate $12 more if you want an audio tour. If you want to go into the Statute then order the monument time passes online. They sell out quickly, and when you get to the Statue the lines are LONG to get inside, even with the pass. Get to the park early, because you need to pass through security. The ride to the Statue of Liberty takes about 15 minutes.

There isn’t much to do on Liberty Island. There is a gift shop and usually a park ranger giving talks about the history of the Statue. When getting back onto the ferry to the Ellis Island is careful of which ferry you board; one heads to Ellis Island and then back to New York and the other goes to New Jersey. Ellis Island was my favorite of the two destinations. The space in the complex is devoted to the history of the island and the immigrants who passed though it. Tourist can learn about the whole process that the immigrants went thought once they arrived in New York through photographs, documents, and even quotes from the people who were there. Other exhibits such as “Treasures from Home” show off items that immigrants brought with them from home, and “Ellis Island Chronicles” tells the history of the island itself. How it started as fishing to how it grew in size from 3 acres to 27 acres. There is also a show for an extra $6. The show Island of Hope/Island of Tears is decent. It lasts 25 minutes and tells the story of a few immigrants and their journey to Ellis Island. It was decent but reminded me more of a bad High School play then a professional production.

There is even the American Family Immigration History Center, where for $5 you can research your family. All you need to know is the name of the person who came through island and you can find a wealth of info. My search lead me to a manifest of two people who could possibly be my great-great grandfather, but what I didn’t know is that they both came over with family members that I never knew about.

She's beautiful! The ride over to see her on the Circleline Ferry was very enjoyable. It costs $11.50 for Adults (13 and up), $9.50 for Seniors (62 and up), $4.50 for Children (4 to12), 3 and under free. You must go through 3 security checkpoints. One before boarding the ferry (www.statuereservations.com/security.html) and two after you reach Liberty Island (originally Bedloe's Island). Once there, they have a nice gift shop and cafe. Had a hotdog and some hot chocolate. I had a nice chat with a man they hired to portray Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, Architect of the Statue of Liberty. We skipped Ellis Island since none of our relatives came through this immigration point, and we were trying to fit as much as we could into 3 days. Definitely go to see her, she is awe-inspiring. The steps are strenuous so you might opt for the elevators. You can only go to the top of the granite base now, but looking up inside the structure is awesome. Here are some useful websites: Statue of Liberty: www.nps.gov/stli; Circleline Ferry: www.circlelineferry.com; Ellis Island: www.ellisisland.org.  

Since we didn't have time to spend half our day actually visiting the Statue of Liberty, we satisfied ourselves with the view from the Staten Island Ferry. From the Bowling Green subway station, we walked two blocks to the ferry. The ferry is free!

Once you board the boat, go to the back of the boat and then up the stairs one level. Find a seat on the right near the doors to the outside deck. You can see the closest view of the Statue and Ellis Island from the inside deck or you can stand on the outside rail or sit on benches outside.

The trip takes about twenty minutes one way. At the other side, everyone must get off the boat. Follow the crowd off the boat but stay to the right. After walking around the terminal, you will be able to walk back into the loading dock and back onto the very same boat for the return trip.

The return trip doesn't go as close to the Statue, but you will still get a nice view of Manhattan as well. The back right is still the best view. The hurricane deck is the top deck, and if you wish to be outdoors, it is fine. However, their is less space outdoors on the top deck and no benches. Also, the indoor area on the top deck does not have seats immediately in front of the windows. The best seating is the middle (second) deck on the back right side as you face the rear of the boat.