We will be in NY in mid August and the top to-do in my kids' list is SOL. I hear that the lines and time for security check are horrendous. But if we have decided to go what would be the besst time/method to do this? We would also like to do Ellis Island. Also what are the other sights close to the ferry area?

Thanks

You should absolutely do Ellis Island

Go to the SOL website and get your timed tickets in advance of your trip. You purchase the tickets for SOL and EL together. Best time would be early in the morning, since the tour will take at least half a day depending on how detailed a visit you take to both places. You will be able to see the calendar when you book your visit.

Take the audio tour of Ellis Island. My kids really liked it, too.

By all means, buy the timed tickets on line, for the first or second time slot in the morning. When I was there a couple of weeks ago, they opened at 8 am for the first ferry at 8:30. We got there at about 7:30 and there were maybe 20 people in line ahead of us. At about 7:45 they asked who had bought tickets in advance and then an employee went in and got their tickets, gave them to them and showed them the security line. We hadn't bought tickets in advance, but were still on the first ferry.

When we returned at about 3 pm, all of the timed tickets for the day were gone, and the security line was one of the longest lines I've seen in my life. So...worth getting up early for!

Just be aware that there are 3 lines, 1 to buy tickets (buying in advance will save this) securityline for the boat and another line on Liberty Island to get inside.

The ferry stops first at Liberty Island. When you're done there is will take you on to Ellis Island. After you're done at Ellis Island it takes you back to South Ferry (tip of Manhattan).

If you do both it will take a good part of the day.

I would go back to your hotel to recruit yourselves - and then go out again in the evening (a show ans then dinner?)

Thanks all. I will try to make it to the earliest ferry. That is going to be hard with a teeenager who loves to sleep in!

Anything interesting near battery park?

One more thing. Depending on the time, there can be large crowds waiting for the return ferry. Just don't cut it super close if you have tickets to a show, for exmaple, that evening.

In lower Manhattan, you can see Trinity Church, Wall Street and Federal Hall (where Washington took the oath of office). You can also walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (though most people suggest taking the subway to Brooklyn and walking over to Manhattan, so you are facing the Manhattan Skyline).

I would recommend going to the American Indian Museum at The Custom House. It is across the street from Battery Park at the foot of Broadway. Admission is free. It's not very large so you can do it in a short amount of time. Some of the exhibits are stunning. When you leave, you can walk across the street, go thru the little park and then take a picture at the statue of the huge bull (representing the bulls of Wall Street of course.) Real touristy but fun. Enjoy!

Personally I would not visit the Statue of Liberty. There is little to see or do once on the Island. I would take the Staten island Ferry, which is free, and stay on the right side going out and the left returning for a great view of the statue.

Both of my grandmothers came through Ells Island and I did not find the experience that rewarding and I extremely interested in immigration history.

Personally I would definitely visit the Statue of Liberty. For visitors to NY it is one of those 'do once' type of things. Passing by on the Staten Island ferry is not the same as standing at the base, looking up at the immense size and appreciating all that she stands for.

I would not bother with waiting to go inside. Stroll around the base, take your pictures, then head over to Ellis Island museum.

Does anyone know how to get to the SOL from New Jersey, is it easier?

Getting to SOL from NJ is easier than from Manhattan - shorter lines, handy parking, easy freeway access.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandf...s/liberty.html

thank you, my sister, daughter and I are planning a trip there this summer. I am 63 and have never been there.