I just found out that I (and my two sons) will have a layover in NYC on our way to Europe. We will arrive at JFK on Friday evening (June 8) and won't be leaving until Saturday at 7:30 pm. The tour company is putting us in a hotel near the airport.

Is it reasonable to plan a trip into the city on Saturday morning? My boys are interested in going to the Statue of Liberty. Can we do this trip in six hours or less and can we rely on public transportation? Is there anywhere near the ferry dock to eat lunch? How much would a taxi from the JFK area to the ferry cost? Any other relevant information would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd guess about $50 for the taxi, I think the price from JFK to midtown is fixed and then you'd have to pay to get to battery park.

I'd say that you have enough time to taxi to the ferry, go to liberty island, look at the statue and return to battery park. I don't think you have a compfort zone time wise to walk up the statue, it could take hours and hours.

Near teh ferry dock there's all kinds of fast food type stuff but I'm not sure if you're looking for a good restaurant.

I'd say you have enough time to see the statue itself but not that much more. Public transportation is reliable but traffic is not so leave plenty of time.

Michelle, yes you will have plenty of time if you come into Manhattan very early in the am and be in line to get on the Ferry. That will take up alot of your time though, so my suggestion would be to take the Staten Island Ferry that goes by the statue, docks on Staten Island and then comes back into the city that will take about an hour and that way you have time to wander about the Financial District, have lunch, see Wall Street, the World Trade Center maybe even Chinatown and then get another cab back to your hotel around 3:00, that should give you enough time to get your bags and get to the airport for your flight. That way you will be making the most of your time here, have a nice ferry ride and still see some of the sites without waisting alot of time standing in lines.

You might look for Trinity Church at the foot of Wall St, interesting graveyard there. The Southstreet Seaport, lots of shopping and restaurants and history there. And of course the World Trade Center, all walkable from the Staten Island Ferry.

Have a great time while you are here oh and enjoy your trip to Europe.

To be safe, I'd leave at LEAST an hour to travel from JFK to lower Manhattan. I've made it in 1/2 hour, just as it can take 1 1/2....depending on traffic, construction, etc. While you can take the A train from near JFK to Manhattan, its not easy and not for someone not used to the City (a bus just to get to the train, and then on the return trip, not all of the A's go to the Airport).

I agree that the best bet is an early morning start, a cab into the city, and great ride on the Staten Island Ferry (a great view of the Statue). You can make it to Liberty Island itself (the Ferry for that leaves from Battery Park) but the trip isnt that great, unless you like long lines and a hot slow climb up the steps for a pretty bad view of lower Manhattan!

As for Lunch, not much down their worth stopping at on weekends, as its in the Financial District. Besides Hot Dog carts and fast food, China Town is a 20 minute walk north. There is also the South Street Seaport pretty close, which in addition to old sailing ships and stores, has a food court, Pizza Uno's, etc etc etc.

Just a note about cab fare: there is a flat rate of $30 from JFK (airport itself, not hotels) to anywhere in Manhattan, not including toll or tip, so expect to pay about $40. The return to your hotel, however, will be metered, so it will probably cost more, depending on traffic (waiting time). As others have said, you must get to the ferry dock in time for the first ferry of the day if you want to do this. Do not plan to climb to the top of the statue, as the lines and wait will be long (don't know if it will be open anyway). You'll be slightly better off on a Saturday because you won't be stuck in weekday commute traffic in the morning, but I'd allow an hour for transportation each way.

You could have more than 6 hours for this if you left for the city by 8am. Assuming you have to be back at the hotel by 4pm or thereabouts, this gives you 8 hours for this trip. The fixed $30 rate is airport to Manhattan. If hotel is not on airport grounds the metered rate will most likely by charged. Trip would probably take less than 45 minutes and cost with tip and toll would be between $40 and $45 dollars. Return trip would cost the same. You could use the subway and cost would be $1.50 a person and trip would take less than 1 1/2 hours. You could do this if hotel where you will be staying is convenient to the hotel. Four hours would be sufficient time to see both Statue and Ellis Island.

(212) 363-3200 is the Monument hotline. The Crown is open.

(212) 269-5755 is the ferry schedule/company.

1(800)600-1600 to purchase ferry tix in advance. www.statueoflibertyferry.com

[From nps web site] 2001 Crown Ticket Policy: For protection of our visitors and the park's resources, access to the crown of the Statue of Liberty will be via ticket only. Crown tickets will be given to visitors arriving only on the first ferry from New York and New Jersey. All other visitors will have access to the Statue's 10th floor pedestal only. The Crown Ticket Policy will be in effect during the following times:

May 26 - May 29, 2001(Daily),

June 2nd - June 24th, 2001 (weekends only),

June 30th - September 3rd (Daily)

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With kids, I'd try to go for it. It is true it can take a long time and the view "aint" much (I agree w/ other answers), but I suspect your kids would like to go on the island and climb the 353 stairs to her crown. So.. be sure to be on the first ferry from Battery Park. If you go directly (& quickly) to the statue once you disembark the ferry, you will be able to climb it relatively quickly. It is a real-slow go once many people are ahead of you, as it literally is taking one step, waiting (up to a minute), then taking another step. If you get there early enough you will have plenty of time.

I also suspect that you aren't the first family to try to visit NYC this way; perhaps the tour and/or hotel can help with transportation; baggage storage; extended check out time (so you can return to the hotel mid afternoon to freshen up) or other ideas to 'blow' a half-day with kids.