The feeling of having your biggest dream come true is absolutely unreal, the most surreal feeling you could imagine. It may have taken about 15 years for me to visit but it was worth every single day of those years.
I was so snap happy this trip that I'm breaking down all the sights into their own posts with tips and recommendations for all of you lucky so-and-so's who are visiting some time soon!
I'll admit, seeing the Statue of Liberty has never been high on my list of 'NYC - Tourist To Do List', whilst it's so iconic, it's never appealed to me nor made me want to part with my money for a boat ride. This is precisely why I'm glad that my first NY trip was with my university friends because they wanted to do all the things I wouldn't have done off my own back.
Seeing the statue itself wasn't too shabby but the best thing of all was seeing the Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridges and the all of the buildings that surround the waterfront - uh wow.
Tips
1. Book in advance and check the boat times
We bought our tickets on the day from a street vendor without checking the boat schedule first which resulted in us hanging around for 2 hours all because we didn't get the shuttle bus about 15 minutes earlier. As students we bought our tickets for $28 which included the boat ride, and shuttle to and from Battery Park/South Ferry & Pier 36, however normal prices are around $35 so I would suggest checking online first to see if there are any better deals.
Maybe you'll also be able to get the shuttle back from the Pier, not be stranded for 40 minutes and not have to take a limousine back to Battery Park unlike us. Check for reputable retailers!
2. If it's Winter, layer up!
Going in January made me expect dire freezing conditions, and thankfully we were lucky for it to not be so extreme but if you're taking the Statue of Liberty boat ride, make sure you take an extra layer because it's gets bloody cold out there!
3. Choose the best time of day
We knew the Wednesday would be the best day, in terms of weather, during our trip which is why we decided to do all of our tourist-y outdoors-y stuff that day. If it's a beautiful day like we had, I would really recommend a later excursion, seeing the sun starting to set over the water and the bridges was a truly stunning sight.
4. Eat beforehand
Okay, so maybe don't eat 15 minutes before the boat because you may see your food much sooner than anticipated, however do not do it on an empty stomach because there's nothing around the Pier area. I mean nothing. If you're stuck there longer than planned, you will definitely feel your stomach eat itself. Oh boy, have I learnt that lesson.
5. Take that obligatory selfie
You most certainly will not be alone if you fill your camera roll with (mostly failed) selfie attempts with the Statue of Liberty. I tried to resist - and failed - but in the end I took a few awful ones (no, you really won't be seeing them - ever) and stuck to the group selfies.
Side note; Be Careful. An unfortunate selfie taker ended up on the floor because she was a little to eager to get the perfect one.
6. Enjoy
Enjoy this adventure, and experience, for what it is. Take in every feeling, sight and even the cool, brisk air because who knows if you'll experience this again?
I really recommend doing this trip, even if you feel indifferent like I first did, you won't know what you're missing out on until you experience it.
Check back on Sunday for the next NYC-filled post!
S xo
these photos look incredible, never been to NY but always wanted to go! x
ReplyDeleteAriadna || RAWR BOWS
Thank you Ariadna! Fingers crossed that you get to experience it :) xo
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