Things You'll Need:
- MTA bus and subway transit maps
- Heavy clothing for colder weather
- Wind-breaker type clothing for warmer weather
-
Step 1
The Manhattan terminal for the Staten Island ferry is located at the southern tip of the island, just east of Battery Park. The closet subway stops are at South Ferry station and Whitehall St. station.
-
Step 2
Enter the terminal waiting area upstairs. When the ferry arrives and is ready for you to board you will know. Just listen for the big doors to open and follow the waiting crowd. The ideal time to take the ferry for sightseeing purposes is during the evening rush hour in the winter and just after the evening rush hour in the summer, so you can experience daylight views going across the harbor and nighttime views coming back.
-
Step 3
Most everyone else on the ferry will be actual day-to-day commuters, not tourists. They will all go sit towards the front of boat after entering, eager to get off when it reaches the other side of the harbor. This is the point where you want to stop following the crowd. Stay at the back of the boat. When the boat gets going, walk out onto the back deck so you can see the best views as it crosses the harbor.
-
Step 4
On the way over to Staten Island look to your left to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Stay on the ferry when it arrives. If you get off you will have to pay a return fare. There is a snack bar in the middle of the boat and the whole ride takes about an hour round-trip.
-
Step 5
No matter the season, it is always 5 to 20 degrees cooler on the deck of the ferry and the breeze is strong, so bring an extra layer of clothing. The back deck of the boat becomes the front on the return trip, but that's still where you want to be to see the best views, especially as the lights of the city are coming on for the evening.
Comments
ezyas123 said
on 8/31/2009 Great article, thanks for sharing