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Where is the best place to sit on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty?

For the best view of the Statue of Liberty, sit on the right side when traveling from Manhattan to Staten Island or the left side when traveling from Staten Island to Manhattan.



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It's up to you where you want to stand/sit, but if you want a prime viewing spot for a picture of the statue, head to the side of the boat that's facing Manhattan. Once it turns to head to Liberty Island, you'll have the perfect view.

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When traveling to Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty will be on the right side of the boat. It's also worth noting that while the statue is visible from boats going in both directions, it is much closer to the route taken by ferries going to Staten Island.

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Staten Island Ferry The ferry route brings you directly across New York Harbor and right by the statue and Ellis Island. Pros: Of all the free options, the ferry has the best and closest view of the statue. You'll get other great views of Brooklyn and Manhattan on the ride, too.

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Visitors arrive and depart Liberty Island and Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor, via ferries operated by Statue City Cruises. These ferries leave from two locations: The Battery, at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City, and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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BEST VIEW: Hands down, the best view on land is from atop One World Observatory. Located in the southern most part of Manhattan, it's the closest observation deck to the Statue of Liberty, giving you the most intimate view possible from land.

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We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes (1 hour during peak travel season) prior to your scheduled tour time to allow ample time to pick up your tickets and go through the security screening process (airport-style security).

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Being on the 9:00 am slot means there will be less crowds on the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, the Pedestal and even Ellis Island, and your visit will be much smoother. Alternatively, opt for an early afternoon visit – though at that time of day there will definitely be more people than in the early morning.

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More than a means of transportation, the Staten Island Ferry is an attraction unto itself. For no charge, visitors can take a 25-minute voyage by...

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But it's also a pretty amazing way to see Lady Liberty and Liberty State Park, as well as beautiful Brooklyn Heights. From the Brooklyn Bridge, one gets an incredible 360-degree view of New York City, and looking south over the water, you can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

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If you're getting on from the Manhattan side, go to the right (starboard) side of the boat for the best view of the Statue of Liberty. From the Staten Island side, go to the left (port). The ride is 25 minutes each way with boats departing every 30 minutes on either side on weekends.

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Find a seat in the middle of the ferry; the lower you are, the better. So stay low (not the upper deck) and sit in the middle.

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The Ferry operates between the St. George Terminal on Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. The trip is about 25 minutes. The Ferry ride is free.

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There is not much to do there but it's a nice boat trip and you can just join the queue, jump back on board and head straight back to Manhattan. The ferry runs frequently but it's suggested that you avoid rush hour as it does get very congested. Definitely worth a trip especially as it's free!

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Staten Island is worth visiting if one has the time in New York City; a 10-day itinerary for NYC is enough time to see all five boroughs. But if one only has a weekend in NYC, and it's one's first time in the Big Apple, then perhaps one is best focusing on the key highlights in Manhattan.

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Activities, Attractions, & What to Do
  1. Staten Island Ferry. ...
  2. Barrett Park Staten Island Zoo. ...
  3. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. ...
  4. Garibaldi - Meucci Memorial Museum. ...
  5. Alice Austen House. ...
  6. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. ...
  7. Oakwood Beach. ...
  8. Historic Richmond Town.


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Statue of Liberty Tips
  1. Stand on the port side (right side) at the back of the ferry going out to the Statue of Liberty. ...
  2. Book ahead of time on the Government Website, for reserved tickets and skip the security lines.
  3. If you want to go up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, book your tour at least a week in advance a.


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These passes do not apply at the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which does not charge an entrance fee. The cost of the ferry ticket is not an entrance fee but a transportation fee. There is no additional charge to visit the museum on Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

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Take the Staten Island Ferry If you want to see the Statue of Liberty for free, this is the best way to do it. This public ferry will take you to the borough of Staten Island, passing by the Statue of Liberty along the way. To get there, head to the Staten Island Ferry terminal next to Battery Park.

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You can take an elevator to the pedestal level of the Statue, but beyond that, there are just steps. Depending on your pace, it will take about 15-20 minutes to climb to the top of the crown and back, but you might want to spend some time on the pedestal level before or after your ascent.

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Visiting the pedestal is a great addition to your trip to Liberty Island. There are 215 steps or approximately 10 stories to climb to the top of the pedestal. There is an elevator for those who cannot use the stairs. Tickets to the pedestal are limited and can sell out in advance.

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Make sure to keep your visit to the statue shorter, so it's closer to 2 1/2 hours, and you can save some time for Ellis Island. To see all of Ellis Island would take a few hours. But if you're in a rush and don't want to skip it, I'd say 1 hour to see the highlights.

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