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Editor Pick
Statue of Liberty and Staten Island Ferry
- March 13, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
bathtubjake from chicago, Illinois
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.
From journal Midwest Gals in New York
Editor Pick
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated to the US from France in 1886. Its copper skin is 1/8 inch thick and has turned green through the years due to oxidation. In order to understand how large the Statue is, Lady Liberty's eyes are 2 feet in diameter and the book she carries is 2 stories tall.
There are a variety of ways you can see the Statue of Liberty. You can request a window seat on your flight and look at it from above. You can go to Battery Park and catch a glimpse of it from far away. You can take the Staten Island Ferry or you can do the Statue of Liberty tour.
Battery Park is easy enough to get to. We walked from our hotel (Cosmopolitan in Tribeca), but there are several train and bus options, for example N or R to Whitehall Street. Here you can walk along the Hudson River and see the Statue way out in the distance.
The Staten Island Ferry brings you a lot closer to the Statue and is completely free. The one-way trip is about 25 minutes. You pass right in front of the statue and can take great pictures of both the statue and downtown Manhattan. It's comfortable, but it is not a luxury by any means. You can stand outside or sit inside. There are many locals, but there is also a fair amount of "tourists" as well.
You can get here by taking many trains, for example the 1, to the southernmost point.
Statue tours. It is free to visit the Statue and Ellis Island museums. But, you do have to pay to take the ferry to get to these locations. The ferry ride is $11.50 adult /$9.50 seniors / $4.50 children. It leaves Battery Park in NY and Liberty State Park in NK. When you arrive on liberty Island there's a gift shop and a snack shop. You can purchase an audio tour of the island. Unless you've pre-purchased an in-statue tour, at this point you really only have the option of walking around the statue. They no longer let people go in the statue. It's a nice walk (if the weather is good) and it is very relaxing. Onto Ellis Island Immigration museum. The museum is well laid out. The building is large and still has graffiti from when immigrants were coming into this country. The displays give you a good feel for how it must have been to be going through the rooms. The exhibits are interesting and chances are you will leave here wanting to find out more about your heritage.
One thing to remember is Security is tight on the Island. Before you board the ferry you will go through security measures more stringent than what you experienced at the airport: x-ray machines, metal detectors, removing belts and shoes. The process and lines are long. Be prepared. Give yourself ample time. The Islands open at 9:30am and close at 5pm.
From journal Relax in NYC: On the Cheap
Statue of Liberty
- November 10, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mafnet from Lake Forest, California
Although no access was granted to enter, I could walk around the Statue and admire it. The grand symbol of liberty. Only the gift shop was open (as with any sight), but the place was still magnificent. It is surprising to see what people can do with a relatively small island. The sight was beautiful (although the statue is smaller than it appears). Hopefully, I will be able to visit it once more!
From journal New York
Statue of Liberty
- August 15, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
ranaldino from Burlington, Vermont
When we arrived at the dock to get on the boat to get to the Statue of Liberty, security was really tight. The line was long, but luckily we were at the front. The boat ride went smoothly. I say this because my kids usually get seasick, but that day they didn't. When we got there, it was a clear day, so the view was unbelievable. The view made up for the fact that we couldn't go in the statue. We ate lunch there and came back.
From journal Weekend Getaway in New York
The Statue of Liberty
- August 5, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
vi3tenvy from Jacksonville, Florida
It's pretty cool, with a very nice view of the whole city. The line is pretty long, but it's worth it. I liked it and got a souvenir.
From journal N.Y.