Hello, lovely collegiettes™! I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
If you talk to a person who has interned in New York City, chances are they weren’t paid for their work. I’ve made my pact to get the most out of this city while I live here, but sometimes exploring on a tight budget takes a little ingenuity.
The Statue of Liberty is such an icon of New York City that I would be remiss not to see it while I live here. However, a ferry out to Liberty Island can set you back some $15, not including an optional audio guide ($21). If you want to climb up into Lady Liberty’s head, expect more cost. Personally, the whole affair sounds like a major tourist trap—not to mention a strain on my wallet. And while sometimes it’s definitely worth it to bite the bullet and do as the tourists do, I found an option much more to my liking.
The Staten Island Ferry runs regularly from the southernmost tip of Manhattan to Staten Island (hence the name). Even though it is a form of public transportation, guidebooks have consistently ranked it as a top to-do for New York City, even calling it a good outing for a romantic date. The ferry takes 25 minutes to go across the New York Harbor and shuttles you right past the Statue of Liberty. Best of all, it’s free!
I went after work with my friend, Grace. We didn’t have to wait long to board the ferry. Luckily for us, it was the perfect day to make the trip across the harbor—cooler and a bit overcast. The atmosphere on the ferry was completely different than that of New York City, with salt water in the air, a cool breeze, and breathtaking harbor views. To say the least, it was relaxing and rejuvenating.
When the ferry docked at Staten Island, everyone on board has to disembark. It might be possible to get off the boat and try to get right back on immediately, but Grace and I decided to look around the St. George terminal (Staten Island) before catching the next one. We thought about exploring Staten Island itself but were going to catch a movie later and decided to skip it. I’ve heard that Staten Island is more residential, without as many sites to see. After all, according to the Staten Island Ferry website, “The Staten Island Ferry is run by the City of New York for one pragmatic reason: To transport Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan.”
Although there truthfully isn’t much to see in the St. George terminal, we did get some delicious lemonade at Au Bon Pain and waited for the next ferry. This time, we stood on the bow and watched the whole trip back to Manhattan from the best seats in the house. I, of course, snapped some pics to share!
So—here’s my Staten Island Ferry tip! When you board the ferry at Whitehall terminal on Manhattan, go to your right and stand at the railing. That way, you get the best views of Lady Liberty as the ferry goes by. Then, on the return trip to Manhattan, go to your left. Don’t miss out on this free trip!