Staten Island Ferry
Updated January 4, 2026—Most visitors—and even some New Yorkers—don’t know that the Staten Island Ferry makes its own daily excursion within Instagram distance of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor’s Island. And riders pay absolutely nothing for the great views. You simply board the ship (be sure to wait for one of the older orange-and-green boats—newer ones don’t have decks for viewing). As with the Circle Line, sit on the right side (stay at the back of the ferry for the best view of the Manhattan skyline). Locals joke that this is the best “cheap date” in the city, so don’t be shy about toting along a bottle of wine, some bread, and cheese. But be sure to dress warmly: In winter the outdoor decks can be frigid.
One-way, the trip takes approximately a half-hour, after which you can either embark on the next ferry back, or take a 10-minute stroll to the National Lighthouse Museum (200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point; lighthousemuseum.org; $7 admission; Tues–Sun 11am–4pm). It’s housed in what was once (from 1862 on) the depot for the U.S. Lighthouse Service, a major center of production for the specialized gear lighthouses needed; all of the Fresnel lenses that came in from France were tested here before being sent to lighthouses around the United States. The museum has an excellent short video on the history of lighthouses in the United States, as well as exhibits about how the lenses work, lighthouses around the globe, and portraits of the men and women who undertook this (often) isolating career.
Updated January 4, 2026—Most visitors—and even some New Yorkers—don’t know that the Staten Island Ferry makes its own daily excursion within Instagram distance of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governor’s Island. And riders pay absolutely nothing for the great views. You simply board the ship (be sure to wait for one of the older orange-and-green boats—newer ones don’t have decks for viewing). As with the Circle Line, sit on the right side (stay at the back of the ferry for the best view of the Manhattan skyline). Locals joke that this is the best “cheap date” in the city, so don’t be shy about toting along a bottle of wine, some bread, and cheese. But be sure to dress warmly: In winter the outdoor decks can be frigid.
One-way, the trip takes approximately a half-hour, after which you can either embark on the next ferry back, or take a 10-minute stroll to the National Lighthouse Museum (200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point; lighthousemuseum.org; $7 admission; Tues–Sun 11am–4pm). It’s housed in what was once (from 1862 on) the depot for the U.S. Lighthouse Service, a major center of production for the specialized gear lighthouses needed; all of the Fresnel lenses that came in from France were tested here before being sent to lighthouses around the United States. The museum has an excellent short video on the history of lighthouses in the United States, as well as exhibits about how the lenses work, lighthouses around the globe, and portraits of the men and women who undertook this (often) isolating career.
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