Liberty State Park

Liberty State Park is a beautiful escape right across the river from Manhattan. The park offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York City skyline. It’s spacious, clean, and perfect for walking, biking, picnics, or just relaxing by the water. Plenty of green lawns, pathways, and even spots for fishing. It’s less crowded than the touristy areas and feels peaceful. Parking is convenient and reasonably priced. A hidden gem for locals and visitors alike!

It’s my 3rd time to be at Liberty State Park and the grandeur and imposing presence is as magnificent as it was in 1998 when I visited it the first time. We took the ferry from NJ side and for people looking to drive in with targeted Liberty Status experience then it’s much nicer and smoother with better parking and approach than from battery park side. (Though battery park is a very different NY vibe experience). There is minor construction and renovations going on - but the whole feel of the Towering Statue, with welcoming connection to immigrants, the bond of two countries and the engineering feat are all well worth multiple visits.

The park was great, free parking. The playground was nice and huge. The kids (6,9,10) enjoyed it, the bathrooms were clean. The ferry to the statue of liberty was not far, 5 minute walk. It’s like airport security there, FYI. It was a great experience. I have always drove passed the statue of liberty but never visited it. I went in April, bring a jacket, it’s colder on the water.

Liberty State Park is a fantastic spot to enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The park is spacious, clean, and perfect for walking, biking, or having a relaxing picnic. There are plenty of open green areas and a nice waterfront promenade. It’s peaceful yet vibrant, great for families and anyone wanting a break from the city buzz. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors!

Liberty State Park offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. There are plenty of walking and biking paths, open green spaces, and picnic spots. Tickets are $7.99, and you can pay easily with a QR code. Plenty of people around, and parking feels safe and convenient.

We booked a ferry from here to visit Statue of Liberty. The ferry ride itself is around 15 to 20 minutes. Liberty State Park is around an hour drive from NYC. It is such a beautiful park because the ferries from Battery Park, New York were sold out. There is a 9/11 memorial located in the park called "Empty Sky". It was dedicated to September 11 state's victims who lost their lives at the World Trade Center attack on September 11 2001. The views of Manhattan skyline , Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from here are absolutely stunning. This park has picnic areas available. It also has free picnic tables and grills. There is a grass area to sit and chill with your friends and family. There are also walking and biking trails. I think, this is a dog friendly park and the pets need to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. There are also a couple of play grounds for kids. There are clean restrooms throughout the park. This park also offers free and paid parking lots.

Liberty State Park is a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy breathtaking views of the New York City skyline without breaking the bank. The park is huge, offering plenty of space to explore, relax, and soak in the natural beauty alongside its rich historical significance in American history. One of the biggest perks is the 2-hour free parking lot, which typically has moderate availability. From here, you’re treated to stunning panoramic views of Manhattan – especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset. The park features clean and decent restrooms, and its long riverside walkways are perfect for jogging, strolling, or simply enjoying the peaceful ambiance. You’ll also catch a distant but clear view of the Statue of Liberty, making it a great spot for casual sightseeing or photography. Liberty State Park is also a launch point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Note that there is a security screening before boarding, similar to airport-style checks. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or city views, or just want a quiet place to unwind by the Hudson River and glimpse the Atlantic Ocean, this park is a hidden gem worth visiting.

Cost: FREE Beautiful park on the Hudson with a great view of the Statue of Liberty (You see her from the back). There are loads of parking spaces and a long promenade along the river with an unobstructed view of the statue. You also have access to Ellis island, but be prepared for a long walk from the parking lot. There is a large shady area with picnic tables and a playground for kids. Or bring a blanket and set up on one of the large lawns. The park offers biking and walking paths. There are public restrooms. It's an excellent place to view the Manhattan skyline! Fantastic place for some stunning photos if the weather is cooperative.

We booked a ferry from here to visit Statue of Liberty. The ferry ride itself is around 15 to 20 minutes. Liberty State Park is around an hour drive from NYC. It is such a beautiful park because the ferries from Battery Park, New York were sold out. There is a 9/11 memorial located in the park called "Empty Sky". It was dedicated to September 11 state's victims who lost their lives at the World Trade Center attack on September 11 2001. The views of Manhattan skyline , Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from here are absolutely stunning. This park has picnic areas available. It also has free picnic tables and grills. There is a grass area to sit and chill with your friends and family. There are also walking and biking trails. I think, this is a dog friendly park and the pets need to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. There are also a couple of play grounds for kids. There are clean restrooms throughout the park. This park also offers free and paid parking lots.

I went to Liberty State Park for Pokémon GO Fest this weekend. Pokémon GO Fest is an annual event where players from around the world come together to celebrate the game and get access to limited-time in-game content. This was the first time the event was held at LSP (for the past two years, it had been held on Randall's Island). As I've said in previous reviews, Liberty State Park never disappoints with its views of NYC and Ellis Island. So I was very excited to hear that this year's GO Fest would be here. According to NJ.com, an estimated 90k fans descended upon the park. All things considered, I think LSP and Niantic did a good job with ensuring the safety of visitors and preserving the park (from what I saw). If GO Fest is held again in the NYC area, I hope it returns to Liberty State Park in Jersey City. You can get to the park by ferry/water taxi, HBLR service, rideshare/shuttle, or on foot/bike if you're local.

A must see and do if you are on this side of the River and not heading into NYC. You get an amazing view of the manhattan skyline especially lower manhattan (aka downtown). The cost to park is $7. You will scan a QR code and pay. You can pay it once you get to your parking space which is nice. When you exit, the camera should pick up your license plate and automatically open the gate. We went later in the day around 5pm on a Sunday when most people were leaving so we had plenty of options to park. We parked in parking lot 8 which is one of the closest parking lots to old CRRNJ Terminal and the Empty Sky Memorial which is extremely moving. It's dedicated to the 9/11 victims. We walked along the riverfront and took photos and also checked out the old terminal since we love train stations in our family. This is also where you would pick up the ferry to Liberty Island and also Ellis island. This is a great option is you want to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and again not wanting to head to the city. Again, this is an awesome place to take in the views of that beautiful skyline and the cost is CHEAP!

Parked at this large pork on the Jersey side on the way to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Great water views and views of Manhattan. Lots of green space and a few restaurants. Also lots of parking or so. It seemed being restored, which will make the visit even better in the future in terms of the railway depot memorable memorial to 9/11.

Beautiful park overlooking the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island. The remains of the old train station are under renovation but serve as the ticketing booth for the ferry to liberty and Ellis island. Parking fees are charged when you leave the lot ($11 for the day).

My initial thought of Liberty State Park was this is just some place in New Jersey where I'm catching the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. While a portion of the park does have ferry services to the statue, and parts of New York in Manhattan as well as a quick stop to bring you over from Jersey City to the park there an entire other side that is a full functioning park. The ferry side has a beautiful view of downtown New York in view, and the Empty Sky Memorial which is the New Jersey tribute to 9/11 just a few things you can explore/see at the part before or after your ferry ride.

Great little park where you pick up the ferry in New Jersey to see the Statue of Liberty. Much better and easier than catching it in New York. Incredible views, and apparently is prime spot for wedding photos. Old railroad station that is being revitalized from what our tour guide said. Nice breeze off the water too. Even if you're not taking the ferry it seems like a good spot just to take a walk around the waterfront.

Fantastic sight lines of the downtown NYC skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty! Having lived in the metro area for all of my life, I had never, everrrrr been to Liberty State Park once...not even ONCE. As a native New Yorker, it was just one of those, "I can go there anytime type of places" items in my mind. When I finally visited on a gorgeous summer Saturday morning, I was surprised at how huge and vast the park was. I always had a vision in my head of what the park was like and, to be honest, it was not what I imagined because it was a wholeeeeee lot bigger. Just check out the map of it on Google Maps. First, I never realized how close the park was to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty - so close that you feel that you can just reach out and grab them! And, yes, there are paid ferry rides to both that you can access from the park. Besides its proximity to those 2 tourist attractions, the view of downtown NYC is amazing. I always thought the Brooklyn Promenade had the best views of downtown, but Liberty State Park gives it a good run for its money. Also, there is LOTS and LOTS of space at the park, including a playground at Parking Lot 7, for your kids and pets to run amok. Just be careful though as there are spaces close to the river with no barriers, so keep an eye on those kids and pets! Besides the playground, there are also multiple open BBQ pits and many picnic tables for gatherings as well. If you're here to just to walk around and explore, there is also the walkway which connects 2 busier parts of the park and leads to the Statue of Liberty cruises from the NJ side. We only explored a fraction of the park, so we'll definitely be back to see the rest of it (like the September 11th memorial), but it's an awesome place to relax on your own or with your family, take a walk, do a run, sit and read a book, have a family gathering or just flat out sit and think.

This is the park where lot of tourists come to board the ferry to Statue of Liberty from Jersey side. The entrance not the greatest as the parking is next to an ancient out of service train station. You have to drive over stone road which is unpleasant. The park itself spreads across a huge area. It has a stunning view of downtown NYC and the freedom tower. The walkway along the river is very popular with locals. Once we saw fire fighters parading at the park. Lots of picnic available. But all grass areas are not properly maintained or watered. So there's lots of dead spots in the park. When at the park be cautious of surroundings and your belongings. It's not the safest, especially after sunset.

Sonia un persona un mucha qué trabaja para un tede mu especial suare un geplo andina Amable simpática. De gran ayuda en encontrar información sobre como tomar el ferry. Excelente comunicadora. Mejoren su salario...no.

JERSEY CITY: Liberty State Park may be one of the most amazing parks we have been to! So much history is beautifully featured and the park is dog friendly! There are incredible views of the NYC skyline, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Verrazano Bridge, a stunning 9/11 memorial called Empty Sky, areas to walk including a 2 mile path along the Hudson River, remnants of the old railroad terminal, and you can take the Liberty Landing City Ferry into Manhattan that lets off at Brookfield Place terminal (dogs allowed!). Pets must be leashed and cleaned up after.

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic was hosted at Liberty State Park and it was the perfect location because it was a short distance from NY which is where my hotel was at the time. I was able to commute to the park via a short taxi ride and then a ferry upon arrival. The park was very spacious and an appropriate venue for the volume of people at this event as well as the various VIP and general admission setups.

A great spot for seeing NYC and hanging out which doesn't cost an exorbitant amount of time and money like going all the way into Manhattan. Observation deck allows you to see a clear view of most of downtown and midtown which is awesome. We didn't do the ferries as it was cold and lots of time and money with kids involved , but it's a great spot to access Ellis island and Statue of Liberty if you have half a day or so to spare.

Living in New Jersey, I think it's easy to become desensitized and unimpressed by our attractions and landmarks. However, seeing how excited family from abroad was to see the Statue of Liberty put things in perspective. In this economy, I'm not paying a million dollars to stand on Lady Liberty - or worse yet nearby Ellis Island - and crane my neck for a view (can you tell I'm still mad about that 5th grade field trip?). So I decided it would either be the FREE Staten Island Ferry or Liberty State Park for a FREE visit. Our errands took awhile so the park it was. We arrived around 5pm and the park was relatively empty except for joggers and a few couples. We got to take lots of pics, our relative was very happy, and we timed it just right to also catch purple hour and a fiery sunset. After dark we drove around to the other side of the park with the cobblestone drive and got a wonderful view of the Freedom Tower. Really fun outing. Jersey has it all! Good to Know: -The park closes at 5 but the gate stays open til 10. -Plenty of parking on the side to the right of Lady Liberty (not the Liberty Science Center side). -Paved walkway that is accessible for strollers and other mobility devices. No stairs!

Truly beautiful park numerous activities to do ranging from chilin out to visit museums in area. The environment it's is beautiful very well maintained for all to enjoy and have fun.

Liberty State Park has a great view of the statue and the Manhattan skyline. It's a nice relaxing park with plenty of benches and free parking.

Liberty State Park is the perfect place to visit for a great walk or run. There's plenty of paths and benches for you to sit and enjoy the view of the water and Statue of Liberty. I've visited Liberty State Park for a few special occasions at the Liberty House. It's a beautiful venue for a wedding or celebration. I recently visited for the Water Lantern Festival. It was a beautiful night with great food trucks and views!

Revisited this park beginning of winter in the late afternoon & the view is even better. Not a lot of people, peaceful & quiet with lots of parking available. Perfect spot for walking, quiet meditation or simply watching the sun set.

Solid park for running and doing picnic gatherings as it has good space and waterfront views. I went here once for a work meet up a while back and then more recently for a jog with some friends in Jersey City. Overall quite solid both times albeit the park could have more amenities like pickleball or tennis similar to Lincoln Park. But overall still pretty good and if I lived closer I would like to walk around it more.

Awesome self guided tour from Liberty state park to Ellis island and Liberty island. The ferry from Jersey City was simple. Parking was $7 Easy arrival from the Turnpike.

One of the most underrated parks in the tri-state. It's very well maintained and has numerous grilling and picnic areas. On holidays and weekends stay away from the parking lot and playground area in the middle of the park which gets crowded. There are so many areas to enjoy nature in peace and quiet. Check out the nature reserve which has a nice little pond with benches and a walking path around it.

We are checking out lady liberty from the Jersey side. Not bad weather for a walk here today. It's actually quite busy and packed at the park here today. It's a cool day, but not too cold either. Great pics of the back of lady liberty, Ellis island and NYC city views. There's workout stations along the park. Not a bad park for a jog.

Hermoso parque para caminar... una vista hermosa en donde se divisa la ciudad desde lejos... muy concurrido.

Good walks, good views of the skyline and statue of liberty and ellis island. Free parking too

this place is beautiful with nice landscaping and great views of NYC, the freedom tower, Ellis island, Hudson River, and Statue of Liberty. The place is clean and has bathrooms

Nice park for walking, chilling, relaxing, yoga, you name it! Love that it has direct view to Manhattan shoreline. The view is amazing btw. I snapped couple of pictures to enjoy the details later The breeze on a good day is pretty amazing and relazing. We got to sit and enjoy the peaceful moment Parking is tight, needed to wait for a while for others to leave to find a spot. Quite frustrating... Would definitely come back to this place in the future

With stunning NYC skyline views, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island in the backdrop, this 36-acre park situated in Jersey City is the perfect location which my partner, our friends and I visited last Sunday. The walkway at Liberty State Park extends from the official New Jersey September 11 memorial to the state's victims of the September 11 attacks (Empty Sky Memorial) at the north end of the park - all the way to the southern end by the Liberation Monument. This location also houses the ferry docks traveling to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Free ample parking is available for those enjoying the park but pay parking for the Liberty Island tours. We like this park and would recommend it to all who want a perfect spot to relax and soak in the sun with a view.

Love this park. So proud to live minutes away. Best views of NY really come from NJ. We bring all of our family & friends here when We have the opportunity. We've come here to picnic, bike, ride our scooters, walk our dog or even throw up our hammock for a relaxing afternoon. There's so much to see and do. Parking may be tough some weekends but people are constantly coming and going so with a little patience-you'll get a spot at any of the parking locations. Please keep the park clean and pick up after yourselves.

Everyone should visit Liberty State Park. It has wonderful views of New York City and Ellis island. Being on Liberty State Park, one has proud and nostalgic feelings come over them (At least I did). Looking over at Ellis Island, I can envision my hard working European ancestors being thrilled to come to the US for a better life. Heard some sad stories about my relatives coming over in steerage. However, these were strong folks and were proud to arrive and become Americans. On the well manicured grounds of Liberty State Park, there's a magnificent bronze statue of World War II soldier holding a concentration camp survivor, the Empty Sky Memorial- dedicated to the New Jerseyans that lost their lives on 9/11, the Central Railroad Station (no longer in operation), US Flags flying and wonderful restaurants- Maritime Parc and Liberty House. The park is marvelous for picnics, bike riding, walking or just sitting on a bench enjoying the wonderful views.

It was nice we went here to catch the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty but there was a fee. Plus it started to rain. We was like we are going to just do some other things i did meet a very nice local there. The local was running she took the time to conversate with me well she said Rhode Island's ferry was cheaper than manhattan's ferry I was like wow.

What a cute part with amazing view of the city. Parking is free. Bathroom facilities close after 4:00 PM.

I've passed through here a few times going to see the Statue of Liberty or the Macy's fireworks. Today I wanted to take a walk and appreciate the scenery. The park is along the Hudson River, next to a marina, Liberty science center and the Bergen-Hudson Rail. There were a few lots to pay for parking. I parked in lot 9 and it was free for 2 hrs. I saw a citi-bike rack outside the entrance. There was a memorial for the Holocaust, Black Tom explosions and a statue of Christopher Columbus. "Empty Sky" is the 9/11 memorial which consists of two parallel walls with the victims names. This park is in a league if it's own because it's the only park with a ferry to the statue of Liberty. Take the award-winning "Liberty" walkway for a view of the statue, the Bayonne bridge and the NY skyline. There is a huge open field with plenty of benches. There were a few porto-potties and public bathrooms in the information center. There were a few areas to picnic, but groups need a permit. I saw 2 jungle gyms and a conservation center. The landscape was very impressive. There's a swamp and marsh with a path through it. My feet got soaked and I didn't have the right shoes. This is a great place for a ride, run or walk. I saw plenty of people with scooters, strollers or dogs. You can have a picnic but make sure to bring your own food. Make sure to check out the website for info if you're going to Ellis island.

My sister comes here often and I definitely see why-- it's absolutely beautiful and by the water! There are plenty of benches to people watch and pet such cute doggies!! I enjoy the view of the water and the NYC skyline from a distance. Also the Statue of Liberty is in sight from the behind. There are public bathrooms that are just okay along with port-a-potties that are not maintained at all. Besides that though, lots of places to bike/skateboard/roller skate/be on wheels. Perfect for a picnic day or taking your kids here, there are beautiful playgrounds with tons of kids and parents. Perfect also for a cook out/outdoor get together or birthday party. Which is on my list for this upcoming birthday season!!

A NYC must-do. This park is away from the city, so will be hard to get to unless you have a car. Luckily for us, we had a car this time around and were able to stop in on our way through the city. This park has a big grassy area, playground, picnic tables, public bathrooms (open during COVID), and a long walking bridge connecting the park to the city. The bridge has benches lining the way, allowing you to sit and soak in the gorgeous views and bay breezes. This spot truly has the best views of the city and was magical. It also is located right in front of the Statue of Liberty, so you can even see that up close as well. We watched boats go by while we ate our lunch and it was an hour well-spent. Enjoy!

Really big park. Perfect to see the Statue of Liberty without having to get on a ferry or going to NY. They have a playground, ferry and plenty parking and walking trail. Definitely was a better option for us.

All I can say is WOW! Not only is this park enormous, it's gorgeous and has spectacular views of the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty! From green, luscious trees and beautiful flowers in spring/summer months to the colorful foliage in the fall, this is the perfect place to go for a long walk, have a picnic or boat watch. This park also has ferry service to and from the Statue of Liberty. It is also almost a guarantee you will run into geese. They usually stay to themselves if you leave them alone. Every once in a while you may spot a deer near the edge of the park too. In all, this park is a wonderful place to visit and one of the many perks of living in/near Jersey City.

Attended a professionally set up picnic brunch here on 9/11/21 for a birthday. Free parking was offered due to the 9/11 festivities that were going on. This was my first time here--it's situated along the Hudson river with some amazing views of NYC and the Statue of Liberty. A great place to walk, picnic, bike, run, etc. Such a beautiful State Park!

Best local park, w/amazing views a nice public boat launch & ferrys that take you to statue of Liberty.

On my previous visit to the East Coast, my husband, our little girl dog and I came out to New Jersey to visit my cousin and his family. Instead of visiting New York this time around (just seemed like a lot for us since we drove from Philadelphia and still had plans to drive to Hershey, Pa and back to Philadelphia for the rest of our trip), my husband thought coming to this beautiful park would be a great way to see the Statue Of Liberty from a distance, have an amazing view of the Hudson River and have New York's skyline in the background (truly makes for some great photos, please see the ones I have added to this Yelp page). This dog friendly park is open from 6 am - 10 pm. There is free parking available but the lots are kind of a walk from the board walk. There is also parking available very close to the board walk but it is only limited to 10 minutes (and be sure to keep time because parking seems to be highly regulated). In addition to the gorgeous views of New York, you can visit the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial, catch a ferry to Ellis Island, take a Hornblower cruise or even take a kayaking tour here. We came here on a Sunday around 5:45 pm and it was pretty quiet, although there were people. It is very easy to get a lot of great people free photos and this would be a wonderful place for a photo shoot. Definitely a great place to go for a run, bike or have a picnic. Worth a drive if you are in this part of New Jersey, even if you don't have plans to take a ferry or a cruise.

Really big park with walking path along the water. It also has kids play area. It needs more trees. Very hot in the out and open.

Nice place in every way. Whether you hanging out with family all day, walking or jogging for exercise, just a romantic walk or taking a day to your self to do nothing. Only one complaint. Some of the info description cards we're not readable. But aside from that the place is very nice for so many occasions. Small family picnics. Family reunions, tourists and romantic picnics under a tree for two. Great place on a 93 degree day, low humidity day like today with the cool breeze off the water. The scenery is fabulous in nearly every direction. Great picture shoots. Depending when you there. You might see cruise ships on there way out to sea or returning. There was a ice cream truck (Mr. Softee) but no other vendors that I've seen or food place near by. So if going for the day take good work you and cooler of your favorite drinks for the kids.

After almost 44 years of living in this area, I had yet to visit LSP or even the Statue of Liberty (shame).. so, I was excited to visit on a beautiful Sunday morning for a 5k walk to support a local foundation. My daughter, myself, and my husband were in for a treat walking along with breathtaking views of NYC.. not the best view of the Statue of Liberty, as her back was turned to us the whole time lol. Anyways, it was clean and it is pretty easy to get to. There is parking (about $7) flat rate, but it was plentiful. I saw that you can take the ferry over to Ellis Island, so we plan to come back really soon for that adventure.

Took a nice stroll through the park. Lots of goose poo but otherwise worth the trip, lady liberty is so beautiful and the playground was cute and clean. Not very busy at all which was surprising. Great views of the city and the ocean. No weird smells and there is a bathroom.

There was an abduction attempt on me in Lot 7 at Liberty State Park in mid-April. There were 2 Asian men and one Black woman involved. Prior to this incident, I realized I rarely see park police patrolling the various parking lots throughout the park especially early in the morning. There is always, however, someone stationed at the bridge near Ellis Island as well as near the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I also realized there are no cameras in the parking lots so if an incident were to occur unnoticed, we have no recourse for investigation purposes. I reported this to the park police but do not see it posted anywhere for others to be aware, so I hope this helps someone.

You can state your intention to come here, but you can't park here, beacuse you can't drive here, duh. I'm not at liberty to say why. Liberty State Park is beautiful, and has great views of Manhattan in the distance, and Jersey City closer. A big wide seafront is my favourite aspect, with a pier as well, and you can see the glorious iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from afar, and also close up as well. You get to see the backside of the Statue of Liberty, as others have said, and you can also see all the way to the beautiful Verrazano Bridge. The Waterfront here is amazing. It's awesome seeing people complaining about all the walking. You're in the New York metro area. Get walking! You can actually walk miles around this park and it's beautiful. There's a memorial to 9/11 of course, but I liked it better here when I could see the Twin Towers.

This was my first time going to Jersey City. I'm glad I got to check out liberty State Park. The view was very beautiful and there was a lot of people using the area for wedding pictures!

The ongoing pandemic has definitely taken a toll on a lot of businesses and public places since a consumer's mindset to buy anything outside of essentials or to visit a public place like a park or beach, has crippled down significantly. Now by living with what has become the new normal, it is commendable on how these businesses and public places continue to remain open and cater to the general public by following the safety standards. It is now all the more important that we as customers, support these heroes during these dark hours to mankind. This place is a pride of NJ and if you are a NJ resident or visiting NJ, don't miss out on visiting this splendor of a place. The park has plenty of parking space and finding a spot won't be difficult at all. We usually park at lot # 7 that takes us to the center of the stretch. The iconic Lady might be showing her back to you but embraces people from all walks of life, age, community and color, with open arms. You would find people talking a walk, jog, bike on the well laid roads next to the Hudson River or play ball and picnic on the sprawling green lawns that face the skyline. If you walk towards the Hoboken end, you will walk past the Empty Sky memorial erected for the precious NJ lives lost on the dreadful day of 9/11. Keep walking and you will get a closer look of the Downtown Manhattan skyline. Travel tip- Plan your visit in the evening times before sunset as you will get to experience the pristine beauty of the iconic Statue of Liberty and the NY skyline view transform to lights under the dark sky.

Beautiful park, with amazing views. This was really exciting for me because this was my closest encounter with the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty Ferry was not operable when we went more than likely due to Covid. We walked a little under six miles and the entire route was enjoyable. There were benches scattered throughout the park, exercise stations, and the pathways were clean with ample space for social distancing. We plan to return in the future (warmer day) with our escooters. Highly recommend this park.

Opened in 1976 in time for the Bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the nation, Liberty State Park offers about the best land view of the west side of lower Manhattan. My first visit was to watch the tremendous fireworks display on the Fourth of July, when the pyrotechnics launched from barges in New York Harbor lit up the night sky in a near 360 degree canopy of lightning and thunder. Sitting on the grass I didn't know that I was atop landfill brought in by now defunct railroads when the Central Railroad had its terminus at the grand red brick palace station a few feet away, before oil and the combustion engine made the iron horse steel locomotive, car and track, nearly obsolete. The explosion reflected on the glass skyscrapers across the Hudson River offered a sight I had never seen before; so awe inspiring that it remains the most memorable man-made experience I have witnessed in this lifetime. I have returned several times to the park to explore more thoroughly, walk its promenade and ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A wonderful day or night excursion for family and/or romance. It isn't easy to see how this area has evolved from tidal marsh, rich fishing waters and shellfish beds. Nor, how it was created ten thousand years before when the last glaciers retreated north with the warming of the planet, leaving behinds new land and watercourses to be filled, inhabited and economically developed, on the doorstep of what would become the greatest city on Earth. It isn't well known that a nearby island (Black Tom) would be used to store tons of munitions before the U. S. entered World War I, and that it all would be destroyed in a massive explosion set by German spies who didn't want the guns and powder shipped to the Allies in their fight against them. Few remember that the Royal British navy blockaded New York Harbor to keep the Germans away, but failed to protect what would have been delivered to the Russians. All that is but prologue to what we see today - a bit of green salvation in the heart of the most densely populated real estate in the country. We are the beneficiaries of such awesome foresight. It is gloriously ironic that one disasterous pyrotechnic episode that led us to war was followed by another nearly a century later that glorified our starburst exceptionalism.