Trusty, Tried and True New York

City-Kid Review:

Has wanted to go for forever. Can we go today? Can we go today?

Yay! We went!

City Kid had wanted to ride on the Staten Island Ferry, since birth I suspect.

We have been going to Governors Island since it was opened to the general public, from which the the orange ferry looms enormously large as it passes near Castle Williams. So, it has always had an appeal.

It is hard to believe the Staten Island Ferry still exists. It harkens back to the pre-bridge days of New York, so folks could travel from Manhattan to the developing boroughs, and the ferry is still the only way you can get from Manhattan to Staten Island without a car. Apparently, 22 million folks travel on this ferry every year and it is free!

Years ago, I was invited by a theatre company to write a ten-minute play on the Staten Island Ferry. You could go back and forth between the boroughs as many times as you like, until the play was written, within a 24-hour time frame. Then the actors had 24-hours to rehearse, and the festival of plays opened that night, in Staten Island. I am happy to report my play was revived for their ‘Best of’ tenth anniversary festival in 2012.

Love Dust told the love story between a Wall Street socialite and a ferry worker, based on the folks I met and observed on my travels back and forth.

The ferry is very equalizing – Wall Street commuters, tourists and ferry workers intermingle for the 25 minute ride.

When I returned recently, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much the terminals have improved, particularly the investment on the Staten Island side. So much construction going on over there! I look forward to seeing it when it is finished, and it is certainly very different.

Along with Governors Island, the Staten Island Ferry offers one of the very best free views of Lady Liberty.

Need to Knows:

You pick up the Staten Island Ferry at the terminal on Whitehall street, at the very tip of the island. It travels between there and the St George terminal on Staten Island.

Nearest subway: 1 – South Ferry Station (the closest stop); 4/5 – Bowling Green; R – Whitehall Street Station.

Cost: Free

There are plenty of food options in the ferry terminal and in the surrounding area. Stone Street is filled with restaurants and al fresco dining, with the cobbled street completely taken over with restaurant tables.

Information correct at time of writing. 

Top-Tip

If you are going to Manhattan and back, why not hop on over to the adjacent ferry terminal and pop over to Governors Island? You have to check when it is open as it is usually closed during the winter months.

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