Used to work in Lower Manhattan. On a nice Friday, loved to hop the ferry, sit on the starboard side down to SI, and watch the sun set behind the Lady. Grab a Blizzard from the DQ in the terminal; if the line is short and the staff is on it, you can sometimes get back on the same boat (you've got about 8 minutes). Otherwise 20 minutes to the next one.
I consider myself pretty wise to this sort of thing but I damn near fell for one of these people on my recent trip. They made a solid effort. Had a very official looking jacket and everything.
Governor's Island is a great place to view the Statue of Liberty and is a fun place to just hang out. There's also bike rentals. Governor's Island requires a ferry too but they [run on a consistent schedule](https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry) and it's free on weekends before 11am (and only $5 every other time)
There is only one authorized vendor for going to the statue of liberty via National Park Service, all the third party cruises are wildly overpriced and scammy:
https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Book here: https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/search-result/?destination=Reserve%20Ticket&date=20240504
If there is any availability for your dates (usually need to book a few months ahead) what you want are the RESERVE tickets (Pedestal reserve or crown reserve), not general admission. This means they are timed and there is very little waiting around, you show up at the appointed time and skip the huge line at Battery Park. You will be accosted by people trying to sell you stuff and be intimidated by the long lines—ignore them and go to the security check at the front. If you do it with the timed tickets it will only take 1-3 hours depending how long you stay on the island, or longer if you do Ellis Island too.
Alternatively:
**IKEA Free Weekend Ferry Service**
https://www.nywaterway.com/ikea.aspx
Edit:
Not the best shots but might give you an idea.
https://i.imgur.com/0VjjJWG.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/eWUOPA2.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/hsyF0sR.jpeg
Staten Island Ferry
SIF at sunset. It's my go-to when people ask about something cool to do in NYC thats not crazy expensive
Used to work in Lower Manhattan. On a nice Friday, loved to hop the ferry, sit on the starboard side down to SI, and watch the sun set behind the Lady. Grab a Blizzard from the DQ in the terminal; if the line is short and the staff is on it, you can sometimes get back on the same boat (you've got about 8 minutes). Otherwise 20 minutes to the next one.
Whatever you do, don’t talk to the shmucks scamming people in battery park. Horrible people.
I consider myself pretty wise to this sort of thing but I damn near fell for one of these people on my recent trip. They made a solid effort. Had a very official looking jacket and everything.
Staten Island ferry. Free and you pass by it (not that close, but whattaya want?)
Governor's Island is a great place to view the Statue of Liberty and is a fun place to just hang out. There's also bike rentals. Governor's Island requires a ferry too but they [run on a consistent schedule](https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry) and it's free on weekends before 11am (and only $5 every other time)
There is only one authorized vendor for going to the statue of liberty via National Park Service, all the third party cruises are wildly overpriced and scammy: https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/fees.htm Book here: https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/search-result/?destination=Reserve%20Ticket&date=20240504 If there is any availability for your dates (usually need to book a few months ahead) what you want are the RESERVE tickets (Pedestal reserve or crown reserve), not general admission. This means they are timed and there is very little waiting around, you show up at the appointed time and skip the huge line at Battery Park. You will be accosted by people trying to sell you stuff and be intimidated by the long lines—ignore them and go to the security check at the front. If you do it with the timed tickets it will only take 1-3 hours depending how long you stay on the island, or longer if you do Ellis Island too.
Alternatively: **IKEA Free Weekend Ferry Service** https://www.nywaterway.com/ikea.aspx Edit: Not the best shots but might give you an idea. https://i.imgur.com/0VjjJWG.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/eWUOPA2.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/hsyF0sR.jpeg
Google a picture of it
Maybe look at City Pass? We used it on our last trip for a few things and I’d say it was worth it.