Take a ferry ride for free and see some of the world's most iconic landmarks? It almost sounds too good to be true, right? Cast aside your scepticism and hop aboard New York City's
Staten Island Ferry for that perfect recession-friendly outing.
The Staten Island Ferry is a 24 hour passenger vessel that runs from South Ferry, the southernmost tip of Manhattan, to the St George Ferry Terminal on Richmond Terrace, Staten Island. The ferry has been connecting the islands since the early 1800's and now provides its service to a whopping 60,000 passengers a day (20 million per year) who make use of the 109 daily trips. The ferry became a free service in 1997, and is without a doubt one of New York City's greatest bargains.
The journey is five miles each way and takes around 25 minutes. Passengers are treated to an incomparable view of the Lower Manhattan skyline as the ferry
makes its way across the Upper Bay. Other visual delights include the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, Governors Island and of course,
The Statue of Liberty, so if you're a tourist or new to the city, don't forget to bring your camera!
Whether you're a local who hasn't left the island in a while or a visitor to New York City, a journey on the ferry is definitely a fun thing to do. Grab a beer and some snacks from the food concession and enjoy the ride.
