Take the subway to Bowling Green or South Ferry, and hop on a Staten Island ferry for a free ride across New York Harbor. The boats run 24 hours a day. There's always a crowd of tourists on deck taking photos as the boat passes the Statue of Liberty.
Other cruises
Many vessels offer sightseeing cruises of New York Harbor and Manhattan that sail right past the Statue of Liberty. They include the Circle Line, Manhattan by Sail's schooners, Hornblower Cruises, Spirit Cruises, New York Water Taxi and Bateaux New York. Some offer live music, or fancy lunch or dinner cruises that can top $100.
Battery and Lower Manhattan
To see the Statue of Liberty without getting on a boat, just head to the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, an area known as the Battery (subway to South Ferry or Bowling Green). While you're there, explore other parts of Lower Manhattan, which includes the financial district and the 9/11 Memorial.
Brooklyn Bridge
A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the classic New York experiences. As well as a close look at the bridge's Gothic arches, it offers a magical view of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. To get the full impact of the skyscraper canyon coming into view, take the subway to the Brooklyn side (A or C to High St) and walk back.
Governors Island
Governors Island, a former coast guard facility now used for public recreation, offers inviting lawns, old forts, concerts, art exhibits and food vendors, along with great views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Get there by ferry, weekends through September 29 from Manhattan or Brooklyn, then walk or bike around the island.
Red Hook, Brooklyn
One of the best views of the Statue of Liberty is from Red Hook, an up-and-coming waterfront neighbourhood in Brooklyn. In one corner of the area is a cruise terminal where the Queen Mary 2 homeports is located, and lots of popular eateries such as the Fort Defiance Bar and Red Hook Lobster Pound line the main street, Van Brunt. Oddly enough, one of the best spots for viewing the Statue of Liberty is from the parking lot of the local Fairway supermarket, 480-500 Van Brunt, as well as from Fairway's rear patio, which sells ready-to-eat fare.
Museum of Jewish Heritage
The Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, at 36 Battery Place, has tall picture windows that look directly out on to the Statue of Liberty.
While you look, you can listen to the museum's Voices of Liberty sound installation in which Holocaust survivors, refugees and others discuss why they chose to make the United States their home.
Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
Most guest rooms at the Ritz-Carlton's Battery Park hotel have views of the Statue of Liberty, and they are even equipped with telescopes for an up-close look.
Liberty State Park, New Jersey
This waterfront park on the New Jersey side of the harbour offers the closest view you can get of the statue from land. There are three ways to get there: drive; take the Path train from Manhattan, followed by a light rail and a 10-minute walk into the park; or take a ferry from the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan.
While you're there, check out the Liberty Science Center, a great museum for kids.
CHECKLIST
Getting there: Hawaiian Airlines flies from Auckland to New York, via Honolulu.
Further information: See nycgo.com, statuecruises.com and libertylandingferry.com.
- AP
