Statue of Liberty Archives - Globetrotting Mommy

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC …

January 6, 2022 By admin

I’m always getting asked about my top picks for a family-friendly NYC vacation so today I’m sharing some of my favorite New York City outings for kids. If you’ve got a family trip to NYC in the calendar, be sure to check out these 5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids…

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids

In no particular order, these attractions are great for kids of all ages and parents (and grandparents) will enjoy them too.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty, Battery Park

This outing will take a half-day but it will be well worth your time. The ferry ride gives you some amazing NYC views and photo ops and the expansive Liberty Park grounds are perfect for little ones to run around. Older kids will love going up to the crown level while the pedestal level is great for younger kids. Buy tickets in advance and check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty before you go.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park.

The Seaglass Carousel, at the Battery Conservancy

New York City’s newest carousel is a showstopper sure to thrill kids and grown ups alike. Unlike traditional horses, this ride features an array of gorgeous translucent fish that are up to 14 feet tall. Guests will feel like they are swimming as they glide and swirl around while the fish change colors and magical music comes from every direction. At $5 a ride, this is a must for the whole gang.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise.

Circle Line Cruise, Pier 83

Since Manhattan is an island, one of my favorite ways to take it all in is by sea. With a choice of family-friendly tours and longer sightseeing trips, this is one of my family’s favorite things to do on a sunny day. You can’t go wrong with the 1.5 hour Landmark Cruise which takes guests along Manhattan’s west side to the Statue of Liberty and back.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. One World Trade Center.

One World Trade Center.

With 360 degree views of New York City, the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center is a must see for tourists and locals alike. From the history lesson in the elevator ride to the on site concierge desk, kids will be sure to learn some interesting tidbits about NYC along the way. Be sure to check out the nearby sights like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Brookfield Place, the Oculus and the new Eataly before or after your visit.

5 Awesome Things to do in NYC with Kids. The Highline, NYC.

The High Line, Chelsea.

Located above Manhattan’s west side, The High Line is free and fabulous. Kids will love exploring all the fun views and kid friendly spots (look for the seesaw bench and secret tunnels) while parents will love the laid back (and car free) ambiance. Check out the events calendar before you go and leave time to explore nearby Chelsea Market and art galleries. There are several staircase entrances and exits and a few elevator entrances so map out your arrival spots carefully if you’ve got a heavy stroller.

Have you visited any of these spots? Tell me below in the comments.

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Statue of Liberty Tips – …

April 19, 2021 By Globetrotting Mommy

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most popular monuments and a must for family visits to New York City. Read on for my Statue of Liberty tips including what you need to know before you go.

(Note: Due to Covid restrictions, the pedestal and crown are currently closed. Statue of Liberty Museum and theater are open with limited capacity. Ellis Island Museum is open, but theaters remain closed. All visitors must wear face coverings and keep socially distanced.)

Top 5, Tips, Statue of Liberty tips, Travel, New York City, Tourist Monuments — Statue of Liberty Tips – What to know before you go

Top 5 Statue of Liberty Tips

Everyone rushes to The Statue of Liberty in the summer but fall and spring are also ideal seasons to visit. Be sure to charge your cellphone and bring binoculars for kids.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty. The ferry offers amazing views of The Statue of Liberty. — Statue of Liberty tips. The ferry offers amazing views of Manhattan too.

TICKETS AND PRICING

1- To avoid long lines, buy tickets in advance! Book tickets online at Statue City Cruises, the official operator of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on behalf of the National Park Service. Prices for the ferry and museum/grounds are $12 for children 4-12, $23.50 for adults and $18 for seniors. Additional charges apply for crown and or pedestal access (NOTE: These options are currently closed due to Covid). Children under 4 are free and you will definitely want to bring a stroller.

Summer and fall are the busiest times to visit so reserve a week or two in advance for pedestal access and four-six months in advance for crown access. Print tickets at home and go straight to the Battery Park security line behind Clinton Castle. Weekdays draw fewer crowds and unless you visit in summer, be prepared for a breezy ferry ride.

WHERE TO GO? CROWN VERSES PEDESTAL AND GROUNDS

2 – Before you book tickets, assess your family’s stamina and patience levels and decide on your viewing plan. To visit the crown, kids need to be at least 48 inches tall and able to climb 377 steps. Keep in mind that the security and ferry lines can be fairly long and it might take an hour or so to arrive on Liberty Island. Be sure to board the ferry at least two hours before your ticket time.

On our first trip, we got pedestal tickets and the views were amazing (I did have to lift my daughter to see over the ledge). With these tickets, you can also walk around the entire star-shaped multi-level base which wasn’t crowded and offered plenty of room to run around and take in the amazing views.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty. Pedestal tickets offer amazing NYC views. — Statue of Liberty tips. Pedestal tickets offer amazing NYC views.

On our second visit with friends, we went up to the crown.

STATUE OF LIBERTY TIPS – WHAT TO BRING

3 – This day trip will take at least a few hours so bring snacks and pack lunch if you’re planning an afternoon visit. Food and beverages are allowed on the ferry and on Liberty Island but you will need to store these items in a locker ($2 for two hours so bring dollar bills) if you go inside the statue. Cameras, phones and water bottles are permitted inside. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island but choices are limited/fast food and pricy.

GRAB A FREE AUDIO TOUR

4 – When the ferry arrives on Liberty Island, go directly to the audio tour booth and pick up a free audio tour for everyone in your group. Tours are available in multiple languages and there is a children’s version narrated by a bird that even young children will enjoy. You can go at your own pace and still listen to the tours which is nice. This was my daughter’s first audio tour and I was amazed to see her pointing out the information she was hearing and talking about what the bird was telling her.

DON’T MISS THE MUSEUM AND JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

5 – For families with kids of all ages, be sure to check out the new Statue of Liberty Museum which opened in 2019. The new space features sweeping views, a theater experience, the original torch, historical mementos and more. For kids ages 7-12, print out a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet. Return a completed copy to the Liberty Island information center to receive a Junior Ranger Badge.

If you still have energy, continue on to Ellis Island and explore the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Each return ferry stops here before heading back to Battery Park.

Have you visited The Statue of Liberty? What was your favorite memory?

Visit City Experiences for other world-class water and land-based experiences across the US including iconic NYC sightseeing cruises and attractions including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Observatory and more.

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NYC With Kids: Take a Sail …

August 9, 2019 By admin

Cruising around Manhattan is always a good idea but it’s extra fun on an authentic 1930’s tugboat! If you’re looking for a unique way to see New York City, try this one-of-a-kind sail around Lower Manhattan.

Sail around Lower Manhattan aboard W.O. Decker, New York's last working tugboat. — Sail around Lower Manhattan aboard W.O. Decker, New York’s last working tugboat.

Perfect for tweens and teens, a sail aboard W.O. Decker, New York’s last working tugboat offers stunning views of Lower NYC and the Statue of Liberty and an opportunity to get up close and personal with the captain and crew.

Definitely memorable and just $35 ($29 for kids ages 10+) gets you a 60-minute cruise and admission to the South Street Seaport Museum!

Check out the city views from our sail around Lower Manhattan and super cute tugboat below…

To see the schedule and book tickets, click here.

Pin for later…

NYC With Kids: Take a Sail Around Lower Manhattan

Bon voyage!

2016 Best Family Vacations in …

April 25, 2016 By admin

Since I’m in Disney World this week (be sure to follow along on Instagram and Snapchat!), I thought I’d share some exciting findings from the 2016 Family Fun Travel Awards which ranked some of the best family vacations. The winners include the most family friendly resorts, historic sites, national parks, museums, cities and more. Without further ado, here are the winners in the Northeast category…

2016 Family Fun Travel Awards – Northeast

Best Family Vacations in the Northeast – Hershey, PA

Top Family Resort: The Hotel Hershey, PA
This is one sweet hotel. You could spend a whole vacation on the premises, enjoying indoor and outdoor pools, walking trails, a ropes course and zip line, kayaking, and more. But you wouldn’t do that, would you? No, you wouldn’t, because the roller coasters and waterslides of Hersheypark and the delicious desserts of Hershey’s Chocolate World are minutes away by shuttle.

Hershey, Pennsylvania is one of my favorite vacation spots! If you’re heading to the sweetest place on earth be sure to check out my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark and Top 10 Family Friendly Things to Do in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Best Family Vacations in the Northeast – The Statue of Liberty

Top Historic Site: Statue of Liberty National Monument/ Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, NY & NJ
Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants debarked on Ellis Island under the blazing torch of Lady Liberty. Today, families still visit these iconic American monuments by boat, but they’re highly advised to reserve tickets far in advance. Ellis Island’s kid-geared audio tours paint a vivid picture of life as an immigrant; and if you’re ready for the burn (and are over 4 feet tall), venture the 377-step climb to Lady Liberty’s crown.

The Statue of Liberty is a perfect day trip for a NYC vacation or staycation. Before you go, be sure to check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting the Statue of Liberty.

Top National Park or Preserve: White Mountain National Forest, NH
This wilderness park takes up about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire—and outdoor fun is serious business here. In winter, families flock here to ski; in summer, they come to hike, bike, boat, and explore granite caves (try Polar Caves Park in Rumney, NH). The base towns of North Conway, Jackson, and Lincoln all offer diverse lodging and dining options.

Top Children’s Museum: The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester, NY
A leader in the field of play and games, The Strong is a research center, toy museum, and all-around amazing interactive kid space rolled into one. The indoor butterfly garden, climbing wall, aquariums, and mini passenger train complement a host of hands-on learning areas, including the new Build, Drive, Go exhibit that features construction toys and vehicles of all types.

We’ve visited this museum on several occasions and it is definitely worth the trip.

Best Family Vacations in the Northeast – Boston, MA

Top Kid-Friendly City: Boston
Boston is big enough to offer a smorgasbord of awesomeness, from the New England Aquarium and Fenway Park, to first-class art, science, and children’s museums. Even so, it never feels like a mega-city—it’s walkable and clean, with good public transport and distinct areas to explore, like the Italian North End (homemade pasta!), Boston Harbor, and the bustling college town of Cambridge. Plus, it’s the birthplace of the American Revolution, which even the most jaded tween has to admit is pretty cool.

Boston is one of my favorite US cities. If you’re headed to Beantown this summer, be sure to check out Boston with Kids: Top 10 Family Friendly Attractions.

Have you visited any of these family friendly spots? Tell me below in the comments.

Thanks to Momtrends for inviting me to the #Momtrendstravel blogger event and providing me with a goody bag. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!