Staten Island Ferry

A completely free but truly priceless experience! Zero cost, high value travel and sightseeing The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to enjoy stunning views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York’s waterways. Fresh breeze, beautiful scenery, and a sense of calm in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. A real pleasure and a perfect little getaway. Best views: Sit right side outgoing, left side incoming Best time: Late afternoon around sunset or post-rush evening Highly recommend!

A fantastic free experience in NYC. The Staten Island Ferry offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. It’s a smooth, relaxing ride perfect for photos and enjoying the breeze. Whether you’re commuting or sightseeing, it’s a must-do that gives you iconic views without spending a dime.

A completely free but truly priceless experience! The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to enjoy stunning views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York’s waterways. Fresh breeze, beautiful scenery, and a sense of calm in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. A real pleasure and a perfect little getaway. Highly recommend!

Staten Island Ferry Experience The Staten Island Ferry offers a free and scenic ride with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline, and New Jersey. Both the terminal and the ferry are clean, spacious, and well-maintained, with restrooms, stores, and a variety of food options available. Operating 24 hours a day, the ferry is not only convenient but also safe, thanks to the visible presence of the NYPD on board and at the terminals.

I wasn't aware that the ferry was free at first, but once I boarded, I noticed it was quite crowded due to the lack of fare. However, it offers a fantastic opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty at no cost. If it's your first time visiting the statue, you might want to consider other options for a better experience. That said, the ferry provides an excellent view of New York City, showcasing the stunning Manhattan skyline. I recommend sitting on the right or left side, preferably outside, for the best views. There's no need to worry about scams while onboard; just enjoy the ride!

The Staten Island Ferry is a budget traveler’s dream—it’s completely free and offers excellent views of Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty. It departs every half hour and is often used by tourists looking for a cost-effective sightseeing cruise. One thing to note: you can’t stay on board for a round trip. You have to disembark upon arrival and rejoin the boarding line. It’s a breezy, scenic ride, particularly nice on a hot summer day when you want to feel the wind in your hair. But unless you’re looking to tick a box or have a lot of time to spare, it’s more of a filler activity than a core attraction.

The Staten Island Ferry is such a great experience, especially if you're a tourist like we were. It's completely free, runs every 30 minutes, and gives you an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty without having to pay for a separate tour. The full round trip takes about an hour if you head back right away, and it's totally worth it just for the views. You get amazing photo ops of the skyline and the harbor, and hopping on and off the ferry is super easy. No, it doesn't stop at the statue, but for the views and the vibe? Absolutely recommended.

Riding the Staten Island Ferry is an amazing experience! It's a free service that operates 24/7, shuttling passengers between Manhattan and Staten Island. The ride takes around 25 minutes, during which you can enjoy stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, NYC skyline, Staten Island harbor, and much more. What's great about the Staten Island Ferry is that it offers a unique perspective of the city that you can't get from other boats or tours. Plus, it's free, so you can enjoy the ride and take in the sights without spending a dime. If you're looking for something to do after the ferry ride, Staten Island has a rich history and great food options. Don't miss out on visiting the South Beach boardwalk, which is especially beautiful at night with the city lights reflecting off the water.

A free ferry ride from Manhattan to Staten Island and vice versa! The terminal is surprisingly clean and well maintained. The entry process into the ferry is a bit haphazard with no clear lines so people just crowd around and try to beat others to get inside. The ferry itself is clean with a large heated indoor seating area, windows and an outdoor deck for better views. You get a great view of the Manhattan skyline as well as a look at the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island from a little far away.

Large restrooms! YES! I've visited the ferry terminal on two occasions: once to simply see the Statue of Liberty from the water and another to travel to Staten Island for the start of the NY Marathon. Upon entering the terminal, there are large restrooms on the left. I was surprised that on both my visits, I could easily access a stall! Yay! I will say that if you aren't familiar with how the ferry "works," the terminal could come across as a little confusing. I tend to navigate new places and transportation quite well, so was pretty OK with it. I didn't spend much time in the terminal on either location, so I will take that as a positive: I was able to easily get onto a ferry and to my final destination. Note: if you take the ferry and plan to return to Manhattan, you will need to disembark the ferry and reboard in Staten Island. You cannot remain on the boat once it's docked. (There could be another ferry that will depart sooner, too.) 2024: 82/100

Let's start off with it being FREE for everyone. Located right by battery park, it runs every 15 or 30 mins depending on the time of the day. You might get overwhelmed with the amount of people waiting to get on but don't worry you'll most likely get to board because the ferry is huge. The staff on the station and on the ferry are friendly and helpful. It also has a clean bathroom so make sure to use it before you get off because in NY you never know when you'll find another public bathroom. Overall highly recommend giving it a try. If you go early you'll even get to see the Statue of Liberty.

What a fun, and free, way to get a great view of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline. Took the free ferry from the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal Station. The ferry runs fairly often. Easy to get a spot on the starboard/right side for the best views of the Statue of Liberty on the way to Staten Island. On the way back we wandered around, but mostly stood at the front. So interesting to see how they docked the boat. The Staten Island Ferry is one of the few remaining ferries in New York. Before there were bridges, the ferries vied for space on the crowded waters. The Staten Island Ferry was founded over two hundred years ago in 1817. At some point, a very young Cornelius Vanderbilt ferried people across these waters. Today, 22 million people use this service annually. It still operates 24 hours a day, seven days in a week. The ferries run every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day. Check the schedule. It is a great way to get a very scenic ride.

Minus the people hustling you to get Statue of Liberty tickets. This was a short walk from our hotel to get to the subway to get to midtown. Super convenient!

This is one of the only free thing in NYC. If you're looking to see the Statue Of Liberty for free this is the way to do it. Sit on the Right (starboard) side of the boat on the way there and then in reverse back. Plenty of room inside and outside so don't get stressed to find somewhere to sit outside. If need be you can stand in many areas. Remember even if you are just taking it to see the Statue of Liberty you have to get off and back on. Don't stress to make it back on it's huge and there's plenty of room enjoy. The pictures make it look small for some reason FYI

Huge terminal , with frequent departures to Staten Island. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside, with a view of The Statue on your right as you depart NY and the opposite when returning from Staten Island. This free service is such an incredible activity whilst in NYC! Don't miss it!

Big ferry's great views and no tickets required great place to see the lady when it isn't raining!

Living in a island has its perks ! Best part is I get travel with a ferry . It gives me the chance to smell the water , it calms me some how. Reminds me of home , Altho I am not from the riverside area but I have always loved water ! Funny thing I can't believe all this time I have never post a review of the terminal ! It's been seating on my draft for ever ! The workers have a tough job keeping this terminal clean 24/7, they do try their best. Security is on point , I know for a fact because I live in the island so I gotta take the ferry to be able to go home. Lots of good places to grab a bite, the people who works here on the terminal always have to be fast & sometimes they get overwhelmed! I appreciate all of their hard work. Btw, the Staten Island Ferry is free so if you don't feel like going all the way to see the Statue of Liberty, take this ferry instead. Have fun.

If you are visiting NYC, definitely use the FREE service. If you are boarding from Manhattan side, board and go to the top and stay on the right side. As the ferry heads to SI, you'll enjoy the nice view of the Statue of Liberty. When you come back from SI to Manhattan, stay on your left side, if you wish to see the Statue again. The ferry is about 20 minutes, once you get to SI, exit the boat and get back into the terminal to take the boat back to Manhattan.

The Staten Island Ferry was so much fun! I went on a rainy and overcast day, so I was worried that the weather might take away from the experience. However, the fog made the view of the harbor that much cooler! I can't say enough good things about how fun, convenient, and cost-effective the ferry is. The only thing I'll say is this: be very aware of the scammers outside of the gate. They'll try to sell you tickets to the ferry, despite the fact that it's offered free of charge. I have no idea why the police don't crack down on this, but don't let them scam you. Everything else was amazing, and I can't recommend it or speak highly enough of it!

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: A Ferry service transporting commuters between the Boroughs of MANHATTAN and STATEN ISLAND. The Ferry originated in 1817 with ownership in the hands of private companies. In 1905 the CITY OF NEW YORK took control over the Ferry. Spent many times taking a joyride on the Ferry during my youth. WORTH VISITING.

Free ferry rides! The ferry leaves every 30 minutes and takes ~20 minutes to get to Staten Island. Hoards of people bottleneck through the few doors onto the ferry - a minor nuisance that's worth enduring for panoramic views of NYC's skyline and the Statue of Liberty over the Hudson River. The terminal itself has small snack shops, public restrooms, and seating.

Free ferry to Staten Island. If you don´t want to pay for a ride to the Statue of Liberty, this is a great way to at least pass by it. The view on Manhattan from Staten Island is pretty nice too. The Staten Island Ferry was so much fun! I went on a rainy and overcast day, so I was worried that the weather might take away from the experience. However, the fog made the view of the harbor that much cooler! I can't say enough good things about how fun, convenient, and cost-effective the ferry is. The only thing I'll say is this: be very aware of the scammers outside of the gate. They'll try to sell you tickets to the ferry, despite the fact that it's offered free of charge. I have no idea why the police don't crack down on this, but don't let them scam you. Everything else was amazing, and I can't recommend it or speak highly enough of it! The Brooklyn Bridge is a nice landmark to visit if you have some time while in New York. The views of the city skyline and the river are great, especially if you're walking across, but be prepared for heavy crowds, especially during peak hours. It's a well-known spot, but there's nothing particularly extraordinary about the experience beyond the historical significance and views. If you're into sightseeing, it's worth a visit, but I wouldn't go out of my way if you're short on time. Still, it's an iconic part of New York, so it can be worth checking off your list.

What's not t8 love?!! And it's free!! Huge waiting hall, with limited eating options to see the Statue of Liberty, and parts of Ll Manhattan. Be sure to walk around the ferry. Ferry ride is about 15 minutes. Watch your stuff, and watch out for tons of solicitors and annoying peeps.

Review is for the Whitehall Ferry Terminal: We spent the day at Governors Island to check out the history and sites while visiting NYC this fall. Parking conveniently available across the street if needed. We never use public transportation in NYC, so no advice on getting around downtown. Great way to see the Liberty statue without actually taking a tour to see the Statue Of Liberty. Ferry terminal, ferry and bathrooms were very clean. The ride was pleasant and well worth the parking fees that NY robs you blindly of...public trans you will pay for delays, hoards of Covid carrying folks, so we decided to pay for the convenience. Choose wisely your transportation and parking. We caught the ferry in October at 0900, it was literally on a few people, so no wait at all. Ferry roundtrip was free before 12pm, so plan accordingly. You can give a donation for the up keep of the island. Once we arrived we noticed quickly that the island needed some tender loving care badly. I was complete shock on all the money that floats thru the USA for entertainment and over charging of health-care, and we cant keep up a national landmark, SMH. The ride last approx 10min, so take all your picks. Everything was orderly and on time with the ferry service roundtrip. We went a absolutely beautiful day, kinda of cool weather but still enjoyable. You can walk or rent a bike to get around, we chose to walk and get some much needed steps. You will get very nice views of Lower Manhattan, Statue Of Liberty and more. They have clean bathrooms on the island and food trucks, just walk and read sign, everything is labeled on the island. I saw quite a few people in line for the spa on the island. Maybe I will check that out next time. There is alot of history to see, pick up a map before arriving, I didnt see any upon arriving. As stated before the island needs a do over badly. Yes, I highly recommend the ferry to see the islands in NY! We had a lovely drama free day. Tip: Ive been to Staten Island several times before, but the ferry is next to the Governors Island ferry also. You could possible visit both on the same. ~Dani on to the next adventure

FOR FREEEEE?!?! If you're not from NYC, the red line #1 train runs right to South Ferry where you can get in the Staten Island Ferry. It runs like every 30 minutes I think. There will be a big crowd ready to board the ship. You may get worried that you won't get on. No need to worry cause the ship is wayyyy bigger than you may think. Everyone will fit on. Goes right by the Statue of Liberty, although, only one side has a view of it. Just follow the crowd to find out which side you need to be on. Takes about 25 minutes there, 25 minutes back.

The Staten Island ferry is one of the best deals in New York. The ferry is free. You will see some lovely skylines of New York, New Jersey and Brooklyn. The Statue of Liberty is also a main sight on Ellis Island. The ferry runs every 30 minutes on the dot. The weather was cooperating . You could stand outside with freezing. It's about a 20 minute ride. In order to sail back you must depart the ferry and board a new one. Free WiFi.

The Staten Island ferry is free, it's almost always on time. It runs every half hour off rush hour and every 15 minutes during rush hour. Several boats have been refurbished or are new. Nice paint jobs and lots of space. It's a fun and romantic little trip. You can see the Statue of Liberty on the way by if you don't wanna pay to go. The terminal itself is large, open. Multiple sets of steps and escalators. Basic bathrooms, several shops and some restaurants. Pretty secure spot, doesn't feel unsafe.

This is a absolutely must see when in NYC because its free, there a lot of history here plus the ferry is the only way to get here, also the ferry is the only way to visit Ellis Island in New Jersey also the Staten Island in New York City. The ferry leave every 30 mins. 7 days a week for the 20 min ride, it holds about 140 people, but before you can get on the ferry everyone has to go through the exact same security screening like TSA at the airports. Being on the river is the best place to get the perfect picture of the Statue of Liberty, the statue's was in 1870s and 1880s it was proclaimed to be the eight wonder of the world, as she set on top of its pedestal in 1886 it wes the tallest structure in New York City, plus the tallest statue in the world. On the Island there are museums, bookstore, gift shops, exhibits, tours are available in multiple languages. If you wan to tour the pedestal there is a second security screening, the Statue of Liberty is 151 ft. 1 in. in height and 305 ft. 1 in. from the ground to the torch, the thickness of the copper shell in 3/32 in.

The terminal was clean, tickets were easy to get, and the ferry came and left really quickly. It was a nice and easy transition to get to and from where I needed to go. I would recommend this place. It's also quite pretty on the inside with all of the art on the walls. The outside though wasn't that great because it's not clear where the sidewalk is and where the bike path is so someone could get hurt. It was a nice ferry ride, though.

Went on the ferry. It was free. Got to see the Statue of Liberty and get good pics outside. Bummed we had to get off, since we were just going to ride it back to Manhattan. Had to wait to get back on. No issues with anything!

Can't beat a free view of the Statue of Liberty and lunch on Staten Island! Don't worry about the crowded gates at the ports. You will have a great view from almost everywhere in the ferry.

YES YES YES! If you are visiting NYC and have some time to kill, THIS IS A MUST. We took the ferry to see The State of Liberty and would not take it back for a second!! It was definitely crowded, but we expected that. Bring some lunch or a coffee and take some time to relax and get some beautiful views of the city and lady liberty. There was even live music in the terminal!

A likely well-known hack to seeing Lady Liberty herself as the ferry is entirely FREE. Not only are you not spending the $$ for the tours to pass by the Statue of Liberty and/ or dock at the island for the best close-up possible, but expect to spend only 30-45 minutes for all docking, boarding, and ferrying across both ways. You might not be deterred by the number of people waiting to board at the spacious and clean terminal, BUT if you aren't near the front, you could miss out on the outdoor seating which offers the best views of Lady Liberty. To see her from the Lower Manhattan side, look for seating on the right side of the ferry and then on the left on the way back. The caveat is that you will see her at a great distance, but close enough to experience her supreme majesty. Any picture you take will not do it justice, therefore, you need only peer and wonder at her image to seer her forever in your memory. Oh A'murica the Beautiful! One weird process is that all guests must travel off the ferry and re-board even if they are not exiting the terminal to go into Staten Island. Either way, this is the perfect activity for any visitor. Plus, you can explore Battery Park and Wall Street after your morning ferry ride. DO dress in layers as the winds can pick up out on the open water.

Reviewing a Ferry? Well, yes! This is my go -to thing to do with out of town guests. Sure, you have to dodge the guys hawking tickets to tour buses and what not, but you get the most amazing views of the city from the water, nice breeze on a summer day, get to pass the Statue of Liberty. All for free! Upon arrival you can either get in line and turn back... or hit up the outlet stores.

Staten Island ferry is super convenient for Staten Islanders to get to/from home to/from the City. We rely on it the way others rely on the subway. The terminals have a nice amount of stores on each side. FREE way to see the Statue of Liberty and to get nice views of the NY skyline. If you time It right, you can get great sunrise and/or sunset pics. Always security or police there to ensure we have a safe trip. If you're visiting New York- would definitely recommend adding this to your list. Leaving the city and heading to SI, the statue is on your right side and on the left when heading back from SI to the city.

A must do in NYC. Go non-peak times. It is fun, efficient, and free. Great water views of the City and Statue of Liberty.

10/10 would recommend doing this as an activity when in New York. It's a free ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty! New York is an expensive place in itself. Why not save a few bucks and do this activity?

Provides great views of the Statue of Liberty as well as the New York City skyline, recommend going

In my opinion, this is one of the best free activities to do in NYC. This gives visitors the same views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan skyline as the paid cruise tours. My partner's family and I took the Staten Island Ferry from the Battery (Manhattan) to Staten Island. The ferries are frequent and depart every 30 minutes. You do have to exit the ferry and re-enter through the terminal waiting room to make the return trip. So take it day or night, you will not regret it.

A FREE BOAT RIDE BETWEEN MANHATTAN AND STATIN ISLAND. The best things in life ARE free. As a boy my father would take my younger sister and I on the Ferry. Back then. It only cost a nickel each way. We'd grab some hot dogs and a Yoohoo from the onboard concession stand. We'd enjoy the view while we pass the Statue of Liberty on the way to Statin Island. Then after we land on Statin Island, we'd get off and get right back on again, for the return voyage to Manhattan. Today the ride is much the same. The concession stands are gone, and the car deck is now outfitted for passengers only (Since 9/11). And it is no longer a nickel. It is free! On the way back as I leaned out a window, enjoying the view of Lady Liberty, The fellow next to me who told me he was from out of town, on business remarked "It's not as big as I thought...". "Oh it's big. See those little doors at the top of the base? Those are huge! The people are a fraction of that size. We are too far away. You should take the Statue tour if you really want to see it. You get it at Battery Park". He thanked me for the info. We chatted a bit more till we pulled into the "new" terminal. Built in the 60s. Hint; The old terminal is still standing. It is right next to the new one. A beautiful old 19 century structure. Take some pictures to add to your memories. A New York institution, unlike and other. And free to boot. And for those reasons I am awarding five stars. I LOVE NEW YORK. Cheers

A Free adventure if you like a boat ride. In my case I usually need to go to Staten Island for some reason. That doesn't stop me from acting like a tourist and taking photos on the way. I also like to take photos on the dock side. I enjoy all the colorful ships working hard transporting their cargo. The ride on the Ferry is pleasant. I always bring a sweater. I sit inside also. I try to get a seat up front so I can be first to disembark. There's beautiful views of the skyline. I hope you enjoy my random photos. If you enjoy boat rides you'll love a ride on the Ferry!

Do not fall for scammers out front. They will tell you ferry will take hours and you need a reservation. None of that is true! Walk past them and right into terminal. You may have to wait but ferry's come often and are free. Don't go on rainy day you can't see anything

This free ferry is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty, without paying to get on the island with it. It can be crowded, but I enjoyed the experience with my family. There are bathrooms in the station, which is nice since they can be hard to find.

This was a very cold experience, all in all a good one. The ride was worth it. I got to see the Statue of Liberty and the Wonder View of the Harbor. The ride by train was on $2.75 all the way, which was about a 15-minute ride to Staten Island to hope on the ferry. But one thing you all to do is be careful when the guys in jackets greet you to take a tour because the local people are watching for those pulling out wallets. I was warned by one of the authorities there to keep belongings in front pockets while riding public transportation.

Where you go from Manhattan to Staten Island on the ferry. Hey, why the fuck would you want to leave Manhattan for Staten Island? It's okay, because you're coming back, you know. For one thing, it's free, which is good. There's also opportunities for taking great pictures. If you're in Manhattan you go to this terminal, which is located close to The Battery. It's conveniently located on Whitehall Street. Taking this from the World Trade Center will take you right to Whitehall Terminal. It has a convenient to remember schedule that makes it easier to know when you have to arrive. The ferries leave every 30 minutes. Of course the best thing about this is that it's free. There's no need to get online and get tickets. It's pretty clean on the ferry. The terminals aren't as much but they're okay. It's hard to keep clean when it's busy. They also have a farmers market. It has good Instagram moments on the ferry. On the right side of the ferry you can get lots of great Statue of Liberty pictures. The ferries are always on time, which is hard to get used to after riding subways.

The best things in life are free and while this isn't the best thing in your life, take this one hour trip back and forth on the ferry and enjoy the views! The crowds can be annoying and there's always a rush to get off and get right back on to return. Deal with it. There is a snack bar and restrooms on board which can be a relief at times as well as seating throughout the interior of the ferry. Plenty of room on the outside deck to get all of the pictures you need of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty.

A great way to see the Statue of Liberty for free! The ferry runs out of this terminal (about a 20 min ride each way) and runs 24/7. You can enjoy the views of the city and see the Statue of Liberty all at the same time. Lots of room to move around the ferry. Can sit inside or out. I would definitely recommend wearing layers. It was SO cold and windy when we were there last March. Be aware that you have to quickly depart the ferry and go to the opposite terminal if you want to take the next ferry back. Otherwise, you'll have to wait another 20-30 minutes! While you are waiting in the terminal for the initial departure, you can enjoy live music and grab a quick snack to enjoy on the ride. I don't remember the guy's name but he had such a wonderful voice accompanied by his guitar. Such chill vibes.

Lovely ferry terminal. It's clean and has enough seating to wait for the ferry. It also has quite a few fast food options, which is great for waiting. Definitely wouldn't complain if I need to take/wait for the ferry again!

Free free free! As I like to say: "If it's free, it's for me and give me three!" This ferry gives you a free ride from manhattan to Staten Island (vice versa) every half hour, and every 15minutes during peek hours. Very scenic ride, you get to see Ellie Island, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, Manhattan, NJ, Staten Island.

SOME of the best things in life ARE still free, including this wonderful NY institution/"luxury cruise!!" It's one of my "go-to" attractions when I'm showing off my home city to friends and family, and there are few better ways to get a view of downtown, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge (and the lovely Verrazzano Bridge bet. Brooklyn and Staten Island), and more!! There's already TONS of useful information here in other reviews. Day or night, this is an AWESOME way to cool off (in the crazy hot days of the summer) and appreciate just how AMAZING this beautiful city really is. If you live or work here and are lucky enough to take this ride every day, enjoy!!!

Okay, hopefully someone is reading this before they make their way to the Statue of Liberty on one of the tours. The Staten Island Ferry basically gives you a semi up close shot of the Statue if you want to see it from somewhere outside of the docks in NYC. The best part is it runs you a whopping $0.00, who can complain about that...really, who can? The ferry leaves quite often from both sides, so standing around is not too much of a chore. Tons of room on board the ships, pretty clean, free WiFi and power outlets. Of course they offer outdoor access where you can snap shots of the Statue of Liberty, from a good distance away, but obviously much closer than the shores. I was not too hip on a tour to the Statue, so this fit the bill for me. This is not to take anything away from those who prefer to visit it up close and personal, so just want to throw that out there. Back to the ferry, the ride only takes about 20 or so minutes, so it is not too long, plus you can check out State Island after getting off. All and all a big shout out from me on this one as a local told me about it as I was literally standing in line to buy my ticket for a tour to the statue. Three cheers to him!

I didn't take the free ferry but came in the view the plaza. I'll have to take the ferry the next time I'm in town. It was very clean and maintained well. There are a couple of dogs on patrol. Restrooms are cleaned on a regular basis and fairly clean.

Nice free ride, although very crowded. I loved the ride and the view! I was surprisef the terminal was so nice and clean. Theres even a few restaurants to indulge in while waiting for your ferry. Fun times!

19 December 2018 - review date. FREE, FREE, FREE. STATUTE OF LIBERTY -- If you are a tourist or an NYC resident who is looking to see the Statute of Liberty for FREE then hop on the FREE Staten Island ferry to do just that. You don't actually get to go to Ellis Island but you will see the Statute of Liberty in the distance. Depending on where you are standing or sitting on the ferry boat, you may not get a good view of Lady Liberty but you'll still see her standing strong. I didn't see the Statute of Liberty from the ride to Staten Island but I saw it on the ride back to lower Manhattan (see my attached photos). ***I highly suggest standing outside the Ferry to capture clear pictures of the Statute of Liberty. If you sit inside, your photos may not be as great unless you are by a window seat. LOGISTICS -- Arrive early because lines to enter the Ferry are long. Also come early so that you can get a good spot on the ferry to take your Statute of Liberty photos. I visited NYC for my birthday in October 2018. My friend and I took the FREE Staten Island Ferry from lower Manhattan to Staten Island. We then waited for 30 mins at the Staten Island ferry station to take the ferry ride back into lower Manhattan. There are some places to buy food while you wait inside the ferry station. If you don't want to wait 30 mins for the next ferry to arrive, then I recommend that you SPRINT off the ferry when you land in Staten Island to get unto the next ferry ride back into Manhattan. The ferry leaves immediately once it arrives in Staten Island or every 30 mins. FERRY-- When I got on the ferry, I realised that there was no top deck to stand on to get a good view of the Statute of Liberty. Luckily, I was able to stand outside on the dock area to take my photos. I was later told that there are different types of Ferries. Some have an actual top deck area while others just have just inside seating. The ferry that I was on both times only had inside seating but as I stated earlier, I was still able to go outside to take my photos of Lady Liberty. (see my attached photos) I didn't use the bathroom on the ferry but there are bathrooms available. There are plenty of seats for you to sit on while on this 25 min ride. Also, the Ferry is pretty basic inside. It's not a fancy cruise ship so just enjoy your time inside because it's FREE. Who can complain? OVERALL EXPERIENCE -- I wasn't planning on actually visiting Staten Island when I got on this ferry. My goal was to see the Statute of Liberty which I did. For a FREE Ferry ride, I think this ferry is really great. I absolutely recommend this ferry. THINGS TO DO beforehand (Sidenote) - Since you will already be in lower Manhattan, then take a walk around Battery Park. I didn't get to visit this park but I'm writing this as a note for my future visit....haha. The Battery is where the famous iridescent fish are located at the Sea Glass Carousel. The carousel rides are $5 a person but free for children under 3 years old. Perhaps visit Jane's Carousel instead which is in Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The rides there are $2 only and the area is kept clean. *** - This is my 171st total Yelp review. - I have written 125 Yelp reviews in 2018.

The ferry terminal is easy to get to on the subway and you don't have to walk much outside. We were taking the ferry during off peak times so the terminal wasn't too crowded and there was still some available seating. There are food vendors if you want to grab a meal or snack for the ride. The washrooms are clean and when there was a line, they opened the other side to more stalls. The ferry is every half an hour and a crowd starts forming near the hour. It was pretty orderly to board and you could tell the tourists from the locals as the tourists are rushing to get a spot outside to take photos. The ferry is large and there was a lot of available seating inside but most were outside. It's great for a free ride and getting views at Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The weather wasn't ideal when we went but still great to spend an hour and half taking the ferry to and from Staten Island.

FREE FREE FREE RIDES to and from Staten Island from Lower Manhattan with great views. The ferry teminal is clean and well maintained. They have numerous shops inside to eat and a bar if you want to have a drink while you wait for the ferry. Boats leave every half hour, 20 min and 15 min for rush hours. (See posted weekday schedule photo) There is a Dunkin' inside the terminal on the second floor. There is a Wendy's as well with decent food. They have an Auntie Anne Pretzel shop and a convenience store. Although they are slightly higher priced here then surrounding locations. The lower level has a Subway Sandwich shop, Rita's Ice, Arthur Treacher's, and Nathan's. There is also a bar on the first floor. The security here is tight. They have numerous armed guards and dogs that sniff explosive materials. They only have one elevator here though. And sometimes you'll see a few crazies walking around harassing people.

One of the free things you can do in NY! I think this is so great that people can ride this for free. I got on before sun down and went back when it was night time. You can easily get great shots of the Statue of Liberty and the city itself. It's a very relaxing ride in the summer :) Although, I would recommend once you get on, you should claim your spot immediately on the sides of the ferry. You won't have to fight people for a spot later when they are all trying to get photos.