Ride the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty

What it is like

Be realistic about the view. You do not get close to the Statue, and she will look about the size of a thumbnail held at arm's length. What you do get is the whole Lower Manhattan skyline pulling away behind you, open water, wind, and a six-year-old who has just discovered that boats can be big. Most people head for the right-hand rail on the way out for the Statue, and the return leg hands you the skyline.

This is a working commuter boat first and an attraction second. The city's own figures say about 22 million passengers use it a year, so at rush hour (four boats, a departure every 15 minutes) the decks are full of people heading home who are not interested in your toddler's rail position. Off peak, boats leave roughly every 30 minutes and you can have a bench to yourselves. Go mid-morning on a weekday and thank me later.

The honest downsides: it is cold and windy out on the water for about half the year, and the ferry itself does not take you to the Statue. If you want to stand on Liberty Island, that is a different, paid boat (see our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island entry). Treat this one as a ride with a view, then turn round and come back.

Best time to go

Weekday mid-mornings, when the boats are quiet; late afternoon for harbor light.

Tips before you go

• Go mid-morning on a weekday to dodge the commuter crush.
• Use a restroom before you board; the DOT pages I checked do not detail onboard facilities.
• Bring a jacket even in summer, because the open decks catch the harbor wind.
• Boats keep running through the night, so a late ride for older kids is possible; check the schedule first.