PW excursion

[LMcGean]

Just got off the phone with my DS. He sounds great! He is looking forward to PW (as am I!!). Having grown up in what he affectionately calls "the sticks", he has never showed any enthusiasm for visiting NYC. However, today DS mentioned that he would really like to go up in the Statue of Liberty, specifically into the newly opened Crown. Naturally, I immediately went online to try to get tickets, but they are sold out until November! Do any native/local New Yorkers know of any way to obtain 4 tickets on short notice (no matter how shady - just kidding- or expensive)? I really want this to be a great weekend for DS? Thanks from a desperate mom!

 

[RLS1346]

I'm amazed to read that tickets are sold out until November. Perhaps it's because of your point of embarcation. I live in New Jersey and have taken the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island on numerous occasions and never had to wait any longer than the next ferry out. The ferry "terminal" is at the north end of Liberty State Park in Jersey City where the restored train terminal is. You can land on either or both islands and just take the next ferry back to the terminal. Take the Williamsburg Bridge and go straight through lower Manhattan to the the Holland Tunnel over to Jersey. The park itself is quite nice with places to eat and great views of the islands and lower Manhattan as well as museums. If you go, you may find Ellis Island more fascinating than the Statue of Liberty. Check the Liberty State Park website for info.
Good luck

 

[kdbax]

It's not a case of getting over to the island - you can do that same day. It's getting tickets to go up inside the statue. They're difficult to get. I've never been higher than the top of the pedestal. First two times the statue was closed for renovations, second time was post-9/11 and the statue was off limits. We settled for a tour around the island, which has great views and I'd visit even if I can't go to the top of the statue. Ellis Island is also well worth a visit - I don't have any ancestors who went through Ellis Island (they all arrived earlier in various ports), but it is a really compelling story of American history. If nothing else, I'd go for the boat ride in the harbor - although you can also do that for free with the Staten Island Ferry. If you're taking the LIRR into town from Great Neck, take the #1 subway from Penn Station down to South Ferry, and you can get to either the Statue ferry or the Staten Island Ferry. (I can give more specific directions for the subway and MTA information if you need it).

 

[LMcGean]

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice. We did look into going from the Jersey side but that was also sold out. Now we are considering the Empire State Building as a consolation prize. According to the web site, men/women in uniform are admitted free. Bonus! I am sure that no matter what we do, DS will be thrilled to see us and sleep/eat/relax, and I will be thrilled just to sit and stare at him! Only five more days!

 

[wolfe834]

Don't forget the "Power of the Uniform"!!! It has been known to cut ticket prices by 100% and move you to the head of the line...

It's not a guarantee...but worth the try...

 

[RLS1346]

A trek up the Empire State Building would offer some breathtaking views. Times Square, Rockerfeller Center and St Patrick's Cathedral are all in walking distance from there too.