We are all getting bored sitting mostly at home and it’s getting stale. But outdoor activities, when possible, are still a great way to break the monotony. One great activity that’s safe and fun will be taking a cruise on the Hudson (not that cruise). Statue of Liberty cruises have been a popular staple on New York fort the longest time. But right now you can experience a Statue Cruise, like you have never before. Statue Cruises- is the official operator of ferry service to both islands on behalf of the National Park Service from Battery Park in lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. Now is the ideal time for NY & NJ residents and locals to visit and experience the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, especially since the weather forecast this weekend looks great. 

Both islands are open seven days/week with daily departures from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. From the great outdoors, to the history and simply coming together in a safe and socially distant way, eight reasons why now is a great time for a visit to the Crown Jewels of New York Harbor:

·         Open Space Galore & The Weather – Plenty of open space on both islands to enjoy the great outdoors and the spectacular views of New York Harbor. Plus, the weather looks great!

·         Lean and Clean – With strict social distancing guidelines and cleaning protocols in place, including deep cleanings of vessels throughout each day, mask requirements and more, Statue Cruises is taking all the necessary precautions to help keep guests safe on their journey.

·         Alone Time with Lady Liberty - When can you visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with no wait times and without the peak crowds.

·         A socially distant way to get together before or during the holidays in the heart of NY Harbor.

·         Fun and Educational for the Kids – A great way to pass the time when the kids are out / off line from school with Veteran’s Day and holiday breaks coming up.

·         Head South… to the South Side of Ellis Island and its historic Hospital Complex that was used to treat sick immigrants at the turn of the 20th century with an Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour.

·         Coping with Pandemic Fatigue – If you need to get away and get out, there’s nothing like a Staycation to the Statue.

·         Timed and contactless ticketing via statuecruises.com helps manage capacity while providing easy flexibility to change the date/time of a reservation, especially if you want to give the gift of Liberty and culture to loved ones in advance of the holidays.

Few tips to make it more fun:

• Dress warm, in layers. It’s colder on the cruise, warmer in the museum.

• Get there 15 mins early, so you can get a good spot on the boat.

• If open, go sit at top level of the boat, for the best views.

• Make sure to visit the Ellis Island museum, a good place to warm up and lot of history to check out. Ships leave every 1 hour 10 mins, so keep an eye on the schedule.

• You can only visit the Ellis Island Museum before you go to Statue of Liberty.

• Make sure to take free audio tour devices available at check in, both at the Ellis Island and Liberty Island, they are great.

• Maintain social distancing, wear masks and stay safe.

This is a great way to have some fun and a great time with family or even by yourself, enjoy some outdoor time, and learn about some New York and American history. Usually it’s very crowded, of course. But during the pandemic, you can get much less crowd and a unique experience, worth trying. if you have been putting Statue of Liberty on hold for years (like most New Yorkers!), or just want to do something fun outdoors, this is a good one.

Have a safe and fun Holidays. Happy Holidays!!