Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is the must-visit-attraction when you come to New York City. The statue that located in Liberty island can be seen from several areas including the Battery Park. But since the island is closer to New Jersey, a better land-view is gotten from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Another option is to take a free ferry to the Staten Island, but it won’t land to the island. So, if you just want to travel in New York, I suggest you to get a closer view of the statue by visiting the Liberty Island. The best way is to take Statue Cruise departing from Battery Park. You can use the city passes (kasi link) like I did with customised NYC Explorer pass. You can also directly purchase the ticket in Clinton Castle at Battery Park or book the ticket in the website, though you need to select a fixed schedule in the website. Price is $18 to get to the boat and enter the pedestal area of the statue and additional $3 to enter to the crown. Visit the website https://goo.gl/XyJhrg to reserve tickets. Crown ticket needs far more advanced booking since only a limited number of visitors allowed a day. I, sadly, failed to get the crown ticket…>.<

The boat route is Battery Park - Liberty Island - Ellis Island - Battery Park for one way. Expect an airport-like security check before departing the boat and before entering the pedestal area of the statue. Handy suggestion: enter the boat and climb the deck on the right side. A better photograph chance is when the boat departing from Liberty Island to Ellis Island as usually lesser people crowding the deck.

What will you see in the Liberty island? Basically a closer view of the statue, view inside the pedestal area (and the statue if you get the ticket), and Manhattan landscape.   

Tips:

• don’t bring too much stuff in your bag as it will make the double security check takes time
• You have to put the bag inside a locker before entering pedestal area, prepare some $1 bill to rent (cost $2 for two hours).
  Check the details for the needed preparations here: http://goo.gl/iJWerT.
• There’s a small museum which visitors usually skipped as they directly heading to the observation level. The museum is pretty interesting though. Pay a short visit to find interesting facts about Liberty Statue and check the full-scale copper replica of Lady Liberty.
• Some souvenirs cannot be found at ordinary souvenir shops in Manhattan though the price is more expensive..

I did not get off at the Ellis Island stop and directly heading to Manhattan. However, historically the island was the busiest immigration inspection station until 1954. There is also wall of honour where American family names being exhibited.



Once you land back to Battery Park, continue the adventure to Wall Street.