So the Staten Island Ferry is really free? Where do you go to get on it and where does it take you? What views do you see?

It goes from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan to Staten Island. (For the return trip, you must depart the boat and reboard.)
Among the wonderful sights are the Statue of Liberty, the harbor and the skyline of lower Manhattan.

If you've never been to NYC before have a look at a map. It's built on a series of islands - and New York Harbor is huge - one of the largest deep water harbors in the world.

So the Staten Island ferry is not a 5 minute trip - great views and experience - esp for the price. Just be aware that at rush hour it can be mobbed.

Unless you can afford multi million dollar views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry has the best views of the above available.

Joel, please buy a guide. It will really help you.

Just go to the library, the guidebooks on NYC are FREE there! (I cleaned my local library out of them last week.)

Hi

My wife and I took it when we went to NYC a couple of years back. I have written a bit about it in my NYC trip report on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/new_york_city_trip_report.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Gard Karlsen web site is TERRIFIC
Many other trips and picxtures besides NYC
Thank you Gard.....

For a little more perspective:

The trip takes about 25 minutes for more than 5 miles

The ferries carry more than 65,000 people daily

For more info go to:

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/masstran
/ferries/statfery.html#trip

Thanks to all. Gard - I also looked at your Venice page. I am planning on going there next year.

The ferry ride is free and unless the rules were changed recently you don't have to get off the boat. Sailing to Staten Island take a position on the railing to the right for a view of the Statue of Liberty. On the return trip go to the front of the boat. You get a great view of the southern tip of Manhattan, the Hudson River to the left and the East River to the right. You can get a good picture of the Brooklyn Bridge

You now have to get off the ferry after each crossing. It's been that way since shortly after 9/11.

topping

It is also cool that you can still buy beer on board. Be one of the first ones to board. Rush quickly to the cafe on the lowest level. Buy a 16oz can and enjoy he ride.