Hi

I am planning a day trip to NYC to see the ESB and the Statue of Liberty up close and climb on top as well.

We are presently in Edison,NJ and have planned our itinerary with the help of NJ Transit service upto ESB.

However i am not able to plan the trip from ESB to Liberty and back to Edison and need your guidance for that.

As we don't have a car we will use public transportation. we will start from Edison around 10 am and plan to return to our hotel around 7 pm same day.

Pls suggest.

thanks and great to be back in Fodors

ST

You should look into get tickets in advance for the statue. Also keep in mind that the lines for the ferry, and also the security are very long, so the entire trip can easily take several hours.

There are lines for ESB as well, so be prepared for lots of waiting.

Usually first thing in the morning is best for either. I think you have to start much earlier than 10am from Edison, NJ.

See this website for info (tickets, security rules, etc) on SOL: http://www.nps.gov/stli/

I just wanted t omake sure you realize that you when you are at t the Statue of Liberty you cannot "climb on top as well"
You can visit Liberty Island and with reservations, get a "monument pass" which "enables holders to visit the museum gallery and pedestal observation levels. Access into the Statue of Liberty above the pedestal observation level is not permitted."

The transportation between the ESB and the Ferry to Liberty Island is very easy.

From the ESB, walk west across 34th street (2 long blocks, one long block past Macy's) to get the number 1 subway. Take it southbound to the last stop, "South Ferry". When you exit, follow signs to the Statue of Libery ferry area.
OR you can take the R or W train (get it near Macy's ) to Rector Street, which leaves you near the north end of the park where the ferry is . If you are traveling on a weekend, make sure you check here for schedule changes which are very common http://mta.info/nyct/service/subsrvnweekend.htm

(the routes work in reverse too if you start at the Statue and then go uptown)

I don't know if this is still the case with the #1 train because I haven't taken it to south ferry in a long time but, access to the platform to exit the train, was only in the 1st 5 subway cars.

Due to recommendations on this board, I went to the Top of the Rock this trip (instead of the ESB). Loved the prepaid ticketing for entry, loved the view (including the ESB) and was glad I made that choice for this trip.

thanks for your valuable inputs -it will surely help us plan better.

are there available any day passes for the entire travel by bus,train,subways,ferries,etc... which we can purchase in advance ?

thanks again ... sorry we can't plan to the top of the rock since NJ transit doesnot propose any bus or train for that destination.

ST

Here's info about the different transit passes for NYC:

http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited

Top of the Rock is in Manhattan at Rockefeller Center, 50th St between 5th an 6th Aves. It is just uptown from the Empire State Building.

Similar to the way you will take the subway from the ESB downtown to the Statue of Liberty, from the ESB you can take the B, D, F, or V subway uptown to Rockefeller Center.

here's a subway map:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

The Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building are the 2 most time consuming places to visit in NYC. You should order tickets to both in advance online to avoid ticket buying lines. It's also the only way to be sure you go go inside the statue (although you can only go up to the pedestal).

You can actually get to the Statue of Liberty from the New Jersey side. Have you go a rental car? You could drive to Liberty State Park in New Jersey and get the ferry to the Statue of Liberty from there (to go by train is more complicated and takes longer). You could park the car there for the day, take the ferry to SOL, continue by ferry onto Manhattan from there. Use the subway to get to ESB or Top of the Rock.

hopstop.com will help you get around in Manhattan by subway or bus (or taxi).

thanks for all that help guys.....

thanks a lot to all you guys ... we made the trip last weekend and it was indeed memorable...the SOL,G0 and the views from the top of the ESB were simply awesome... thanks for all the wonderful tips and subway ,path train maps,etc...

... if only the waiting time could have been a slight lower...

best regards

ST

SInce you cannot walk up the Statue, I would suggest you pass by the Statue by taking the Staten Island Ferry. Right side out, left side returning.

You will save a half day and will be able see much more of NYC.

The Staten Isalnd Ferry is free and you get it near the boat that takes you to the Statue.

"... if only the waiting time could have been a slight lower..."

If you had chosen the Top of the Rock, you could have skipped the wait AND gotten a great view of the ESB. But, glad you enjoyed your day.

Adu, the visit is over.