WorldGallery

We have tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for Memorial Day. I figured this would also be a good day to ride the Staten Island Ferry since we will be in this area. Then I saw that is was Fleet Week and a day of many parades in the area. They also have a ship visitation open to the public this day at the Staten Island pier. How crowded does it become in this area and will it be next to impossible to try and ride the Staten Island ferry on Memorial Day? Should we allow extra time to get to the Statue of Liberty ferry (we have 10:00 tickets)?
Thanks.

Aduchamp1

The Staten Island ferry is free and and it simply a cattle call.

If you are visiting both the Statue and Ellis Island, there is really no need to ride the ferry since it passes by the Statue and you will be there any way.

WorldGallery

We were planning to ride it as the sun was setting or after it got dark because I read that the view is beautiful at night. We were going to hang out in Chinatown during the day, eat, then walk down what looks like a path along the water in the evening (is it South Street Sea Port?). I am wondering then, is it worth it to get a different view at night?

Aduchamp1

It is beautiful to see the lights grow brighter as you approach the City.

There is really nothing to do or see at South Street Seaport. Ot is just a small part of shore line. And consider expanding your time in Chinatown to include Soho and a few stores on Grand Street in what was a much larger Little Italy.

If you walk down Broadway, you can pass St. Paul's and Trinity Churchs both with histories that include pre-colonial days through 9/11.

isabel

I disagree that there is 'nothing' to see at South Street Seaport. The main building is just a bunch of shops but there are a couple of nice old ships moored there and the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from there is very nice. From there you are very close to City Hall Park which is worth seeing, and that is directly across from St Paul's, which is right next to Ground Zero, which is right next to the World Financial Center which is at North Cove (harbor with lots of sail boats). That's where the esplanade (waterside walkway) down to Battery Park starts. So - you walk across the island from South Street Seaport to North Cove which is a very short walk with lots to see, then walk down to Battery Park. http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/new_york_city

Aduchamp1

South Street is the only mall in Manhattan below the new one in Harlem. And all the charms you mention, views of the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall, etc. have nothing to do with South Street including the World Financial Center which is on the Hudson River.

mclaurie

There are no parades in Manhattan on Memorial Day. You may be underestimating how long the visit to SOL/Ellis Island takes.
http://statuecruises.com/ferry-servi...e-options.aspx
The only reason to allow extra time to get there is the subways will be running on a holiday schedule so maybe not as frequent. You should also check the MTA website for any schedule changes due to track repair etc. that may change your route. http://travel.mtanyct.info/serviceadvisory/

I would imagine that the SI ferry will be a busy place on the Monday with ships for visiting on SI. (I think this might be new this year) and a parade on Staten Island. I doubt it will be "impossible" but busy. My recollection is in the past the ships for boarding to visit have been at the South St. Seaport. This year they're apparently splitting them between the midtown pier in Manhattan on 46-48th st. and Staten Island. http://gonyc.about.com/od/holidays/p/fleetweek.htm

nytraveler

First, no parades in Manhattan.

Second - for the SoL ferry you need to arrive at least an hour in advance for the security line (Park Service recos at least 45 minutes but on a holiday I would leave more).

Finally - from the time you arrive at South Ferry to go through security, take the ferry to Liberty Island, see the statue, take the ferry to Ellis Island, do even modest tour and then ferry back to Manhattan will take at least 6 hours.

I think doing the SI Ferry after dark is a great idea - but as noted this is simply first come first on - but they're big boats and run every 20 minutes or after dinner. RT will take more than an hour.

Agree to leave more time for all trips - since the subway will be on a holiday schedule.

nytraveler

Oh - and you will see sailors everywhere throughout the city - but it's so huge this won't really make anything more crowded - esp since so many locals will be away in the country or at the shore.

WorldGallery

Thanks for all of these great ideas. I am printing them out.
I was counting on at least 6 hours at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I figured if we arrive at 9:00, we should be done by 3:00, then to Chinatown, the other recommendations y'all gave, walk along the water, then to the ferry when it is getting dark. All of this if my kids can hold up! They have gone 12 hours straight in Disney World in the heat of the summer so I think they can do it!