How to See the Statue of Liberty for Free: The Staten Island Ferry

As a tourist in New York City, the cost can add up quickly. If you don't want to spend even more money to wait in a long line just to take a boring boat ride over to the Statue of Liberty just to wait in another line to get into the Statue ... I think you get my drift. It's a lot of waiting and it costs a lot of money. I, however, have a suggestion for you as to how to save money, time, and the agony of waiting in all of those lines.

If you're not particular about needing to go up inside of the Statue of Liberty, you can always take a ride on the free Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry leaves from Whitehall and Water St. every half hour, and it provides a scenic ride all the way over to Staten Island. As you ride, you'll past the Statue of Liberty quite closely and you'll be able to take some great pictures as you stare in awe at the beauty of the statue. Again, you won't be able to actually go up into the statue nor step foot onto the island, but in all reality, you'll actually have a better view this way. If you are on the island, your pictures won't be able to capture the entire statue as she is too tall and you'll be too close.

The Staten Island Ferry is a 25-minute ride each way. When you get to Staten Island (which is just a borough of NYC), you will get off the boat, go out to the hallway, make two rights, and you'll board back right on the same boat you just got off of. It is required that you disembark the boat, but rest assured there won't be too many people and you'll be able to just get right back on.

As you ride back, you'll be able to stand outside on the deck of the boat and see the Statue of Liberty again. You'll also be able to look at the breathtaking view of the water and the New York City skyline.

If you're wondering why the Staten Island Ferry is free yet offers such a great view of the Statue of Liberty, it is because the ferry is run by New York City to transport people who live on the island between Manhattan and Staten Island. Do not worry - the boat is huge and big enough to carry the tourists as well as the locals. The Staten Island Ferry transports 20 million people a year, and is the only non-vehicular transport between Manhattan and Staten Island. I guess we all just got lucky with the opening of this ferry - now we can all see the most beautiful views of the water, the Statue of Liberty, and the New York City skyline for free.

Sources:
http://www.siferry.com/