Statue of Liberty Tour...What Time Of Day Is best In Late July?
 

We want to do the Statue Cruise. It will be late July on a mid week day. I was thinking getting the 9am cruise because I assume it will be hot. We are staying at the Marriott Residency Times Square. Would we have enough time to eat breakfast and get to where the ferry takes off by 9am (we are basically early risers) ? The Crown is sold out and I think we just want the 2 hour tour inclusive of the Statue (not Ellis Island). I assume the optional audio is worth the cost? Thanks!

Honestly, I think most people would say if you're skipping Ellis Island, you may as well just take the [free] Staten Island Ferry round-trip to get a view of the statue and not spend your day visiting the island.

As for whether you will have "enough time", well, that's kind of up to you -- figure out what time you have to get there and work backwards to determine what time you'll have to get up in order to get ready, have breakfast, and get there.

Thanks, Something to think about before I book this. Also, sf7307, I just asked about the Moma/Top of the Rock combo ticket on another post. We were thinking of doing those on the Sunday. Maybe you could answer my other question on the other post if you felt like it. I don't know whether you received my Tripadvisor PM, but I would love some packing advice over there if you felt like it, as well. Thank you!

Re-reading this, I guess my main concern is traffic from the hotel to 'wherever'. I just don't know what to expect from midweek morning traffic (ie. taxis to ferry landings? Which form of transportation would you recommend in getting to the Staten Island ferry or the Statue of Liberty Cruise? How much time should I allow between hotel and ferry. I sound naive....maybe because I am :-)

I agree with sf: If you are not going to Ellis Island, then just do the Staten Island Ferry for the ride by. But I really encourage you to do both and plan at least 5-6 hours. The earlier the better for this since the line at the SoL gets very slow, even by 10 am.

I was there last September and went mid-week, 9 am. We left our mid-town hotel by 7:45 and grabbed a quick bite on the street before taking the subway to Battery Park. We were there by 8:30 and had plenty of time.

MichelleY, thanks for that very helpful answer. We have 9am tickets and though I've looked everywhere on the SOL ferry website, it was hard to figure out when we actually need to be there.

And seeksocean, thanks for posing the question. For what it's worth, I've been to the SOL/Ellis Island before, and found Ellis Island to be far more interesting.

Try to get there 30 - 45 minutes before the time on your ticket. I noticed out boat left a little earlier than 9 am.

Thanks! Hmmm, now I am reconsidering Ellis Island. On that particular day, we wanted to have time for afternoon shopping and a good rest before a birthday dinner.

321go, could you please let me know how the timing went on the 9am ferry? And anything else about the trip that you feel like sharing. We'll be there late July, so I can imagine that 9am is about right. Maybe 10am if you really have to be there that much in advance. I am a little intimidated about my lack of knowledge and zero experience on a subway, but I guess on our tour the first day, we'll figure it out. Thanks again.

Here is the link to my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-big-apple.cfm

Being from the west, I also have limited subway experience, but I found a link on Tripadvisor on how to navigat the subway. Your hotel conceirge should also be helpful in planning your day.

MY

Thanks Michelle! I'll check it out.

Here is the link to the metro trip planning info:


http://www.mta.info/

You need advance reservations for the Statue and the ferry to it 0 and for July you may already be too late. If possible go for the earliest time - to minimize time spend waiting on line in the sun. You take the subway from your hotel to South Ferry to get to the SoL. If you can't get tickets to the statue and don;t want to see Ellis Island (which, IMHO is brilliant and worth about a month of shopping) then just take the free Staten Island Ferry (every 15 or 20 minutes 24/7) for a view of the statue and the Manhattan skkyline on the way bak.

Michelle, I am half way through your trip report and loving it!!! Thanks! Cracked me up about the sweater and salami, Also, I have to say (I live 200 miles north of you), not too much sunny in 'sunny' California. If somebody told me it was late May right now, I'd think they were nuts! Maybe I'll have a sunny disposition by late July! I think I'd better get back to your trip report...bye.

seeksocean, don't be intimidated by the subway; there are lots of maps in the stations on on the trains - just learn to read those and you'll be fine. Or plan ahead on hopstop: http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork

I'd be happy to let you know how our trip works out, but we're going in the beginning of July, and as nytraveler points out, you'll really want to get advance reservations very soon if you're taking the statue of liberty ferry rather than the staten island ferry. http://www.statuecruises.com/ferry-service/welcome.aspx

Okay okay..I think I am going to Ellis Island. I did look up the times for our date and it's wide open. Just not the CROWN. As far as the shopping....window or otherwise...you have to understand that our one horse town doesn't even have a stoplight. And 'shopping' is driving 1 1/2 hours to get to a Ross' Dress for Less!

<<<And 'shopping' is driving 1 1/2 hours to get to a Ross' Dress for Less!>>>

OK, you're right....go shopping!! (FYI, I haven't been to TOTR, nor to MOMA in years, so I can't answer that question. I'll check my tripadvisor messages and answer that one, though). When is your trip?

Here's a Fodors thread that explains all about NYC public transport, both bus and subway.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...nyc-subway.cfm

seeksocean - Now I am curious. Where do you live? Siskiyou County? Modoc?

Lots more to take in at Ellis Island, so don't poop yourself out at SoL. 3 of my 4 grandparents went thru Ellis, so I found it facinating and moving. But I was pretty tired by the time I got there, so be sure to pace yourself.

Seriously, thanks for your empathy sf7307. Now you can see why I needed your packing help. I am dead serious when I tell you that a wild time around here can potentially involve cow tipping.

ellenem, you are great with all your help...all of you really NYtraveler, Michelle, sf7307, 321go, centralparkgirl on another thread. What a resource you all are!

Wow, You are right about the early sell-out. That seemed to change overnight! But, 9am is still available. So, I think I'll just book it and it's not like we are loosing a bunch of money if we decide not to do it and go the Staten Island Ferry route.