Visiting the Statue of Liberty the normal touristy way is expensive and time consuming – here is the ultimate hack on how to see the NYC’s landmark for free!
When I visited NYC I first visited the Statue of Liberty the touristy way with a cruise to the little island of the statue and it was exhausting!
Don’t get me wrong it was nice to see the skyline of Manhatten and to stand on the exact spot where my mom stood 25 years before me.
BUT if you want to ditch 4 hours waiting in a queue outside in the freezing cold (I went in December), the whole security process and tourist crowds, take the Staten Island Ferry!
Image by bethbernier from Pixabay
The Staten Island Ferry is a commuter ferry, which runs frequently on 365 days a year. The ferry travels between Lower Manhatten and the Staten Island and the ride takes about 25 minutes.
It departs regularly throughout the day, about 2-4 times every hour. Check out the Staten Island Ferry schedule beforehand.
I advise you not to hop on the ferry during rush hours as it tends to get quite crowded! Remember that it is a commuter ferry and locals use it to get to and from work.
The ferry passes the 93 meter tall Statue of Liberty which means you’ll get a quite close look of the city’s landmark!
There is no need to get tickets to see the Statue of Liberty as the Staten Island Ferry is completely free at all times – which makes this the most budget-friendly and local experience to see the statue of liberty and the skyline of Manhattan.
The view you’ll get here for free is absolutely amazing and I can recommend this to anyone!
If you are not in a hurry, you can always spend some time on Staten Island before catching the ferry back to Lower Manhatten.
The ferry departures from Lower Manhattan on Whitehall Terminal. (Address: 4 Whitehall Street New York NY 10004)
You will arrive on the State Island on St. George Terminal. (Address: 1 Bay Street Staten Island NY 10301)