Thoughts on taking the Staten Island Ferry for an evening ride with 13-yr-old son to see the lights come up on the city? Hours of operation? Safety concerns? Picnicing on the ferry for dinner? Thanks

Hi cj:
24 hours a day...every half hour from 10am until 4pm every 20 minutes until 7pm every half hour until 11:30 then every hour until 7am, every 20 minutes until 10 AM. Hope that is not confusing!


No safety concerns,,,just use your same common sense you always do! Picnicing, ummm don't think so your son will be so busy looking you won't have time to eat! 30 minutes over...you can usually stay on the same Ferry for the return trip...unless you are told other wise stay on the ferry for the return trip. Snack bar on board
and the best part???ITS FREE!! Enjoy
and welcome to NYC!

I finally did the evening ferry trip a few years back after having visited NYC many times, and it was fantastic. I timed it so that I left South Ferry (on Manhattan) at dusk, when the lights were going on at the Statue of Liberty, and the return trip was just after dark. I hadn't realized that there would be a full moon that night, but there was one, low over the bridges. It was magic.

The area near the pier in Manhattan is busy during rush hour, but gets kind of deserted later. I took the subway to and from South Ferry, and didn't feel unsafe. FYI, I'm a woman, and accustomed to urban areas.

Maybe it's just my luck, but on my three SI ferry trips (the others were in daylight) I've always had to change boats for the return trip, so if I were you, I'd ask!

Was downtown last week for a free concert at the World Trade Center. After the concert we decided to walk down and take a ride on the Staten Island ferry. Took a ferry over at 9:30, returned on the same boat when it left SI at 10. I was amazed at the numbers of people taking the ferry at that time of night. I can imagine how crowded it is earlier in the evening. Unless you are told to get off because the ferry is being taken out of service remain aboard for the return ride. Trip takes about 25 minutes so there is hardly enough time to eat. When going go to the right side of the ferry for the best view of the Statue. For the return go to front of the ferry for the best view of the skyline as you approach Manhattan.

Thanks for all the advice! Sounds like a good deal and we can still do the daytime thing and actually visit the Lady if we decide to so so. I haven't done that since I was in 4th grade! Lets just say many moons ago, long before the renovation, crown closing, etc.

If you want the view of the Statue of Liberty, make sure you are on the right hand side on the way to S.I. and the reverse on the way back to NYC. Forget about a picnic.

As an ex-Staten Islander...I would highly recommend taking one of the "old" boats as they are called. It is the one that also carry's cars. The new boats are fine, but the older one's are more unique and have more character.

In my opinion, the best view is on the stern (back of the boat) as you pull away from the dock. You can even stay there as you pass the Statue of Liberty on your right going towards the Island.

About 5 minutes past the Statue, go to the other side of the boat as you will have a great view of the Verranzano Bridge.

The other guy is right, you won't have time for a picnic. Safety is not an issue, at all.