This continues my blow-by-blow account of what I did in New York. For Part 1, see yesterday’s post.
On Monday, my mom and I had planned to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. While we had both been to the Statue of Liberty (in a whirlwind tour of NY provided by my grandfather almost 30 years ago), Ellis Island was a must-see on both of our lists. We left our hotel at 8:00 and by the time we took the subway to Battery Park, bought our tickets, waited in the security line and then were screened by security, it was 10:00 before we were on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
It was a bit of a gloomy day. My mom and I decided that since we were there we might as well hoof it up to the top of the pedestal, which is as far as you can go without a special ticket. That we didn’t have. The top of the pedestal is that platform you can kinda make out before Liberty herself starts. It was only 192 steps. My mom probably could’ve run up them.
We also wandered through the museum, where I learned that the Statue is made of copper (okay, I knew that part) molded over an iron frame. Well, originally she was iron. Poor thing corroded, and now she’s steel. Also, security at the Statue is fierce. Despite the fact that we were screened at Battery Park (and it’s just like being screened at the airport) we were screened again before being allowed into the Statue.
After that little escapade, we hopped back on the ferry and headed to Ellis Island. The one thing that really surprised me about Ellis Island was the Receiving Hall (where immigrants were processed and screened). It was actually on the second floor (I always imagined it would be the first room you entered) and it seemed so small. The rest of the building, however, was huge, and devoted to exhibits and displays about the immigrant experience, both at Ellis Island and in the US. It was all very interesting, and seemed to go on forever. I especially liked the photos that showed Ellis Island after it had been abandoned and before its restoration. It’s hard to believe it was almost a total ruin.
After we returned to Battery Park, we took the subway up to City Hall and took off walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite the drizzle, the walkway was busy! It’s a little over one mile across the bridge and let me tell you, it’s odd to know that you’re walking above the traffic. Billy was quite excited and he agreed to pose for his first New York picture:
He also snapped a few photos from the bridge:
Once we got to the end of the bridge we promptly found the subway and rode back to Manhattan. Walking across the bridge was fun, but we were tired. So tired, in fact, that we were too lazy to think of what we wanted to do for dinner. We ended back at the same place we ate the night before. Hey, at least we had pasta this time. And dessert. And it was good.
Tomorrow, there will be books involved. I promise.
You did three things I’ve always wanted to do (well four if you count a photo with Billy) — Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. What a great day you had — tired or not.
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I’ve been to NY twice, but never been to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty. They are must-do things on my next visit (whenever that is!). I definitely visit the same restaurant multiple times on a trip. Once I know I like a place and where it is, it just seems like such a great idea at the end of a tiring day
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Reading Confusion =-.
Great picture of Billy, and that person with him!
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Trisha and I did Ellis Island on Tuesday and oh man that line was insane! We’d even bought out tickets a week in advance! We didn’t go to the Statue, though. Just Ellis.
I’ve never been across the bridges by foot. that would be fun!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Shortcomings, by Adrian Tomine =-.
I wish I had come early to do more touristy things now!
.-= bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last blog ..BEA/NY Day 1 =-.
Jill, I’ve seen some great photos of NYC/BEA, but yours are totally awesome. You really captured great shots of NYC> Thanks for sharing!
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I think a cloudy day is probably best for seeing the Statue of Liberty – I expect there would be fewer people. Or am I wrong?
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Sounds like Billy had fun! I need to go to Ellis Island next time I’m in New York.
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Ellis Island and the Brooklyn Bridge are two of my favorite NYC attractions – glad you were able to get to them while you were here!
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Wow, great pics Jill! It would have been great seeing all these places. I’m glad Billy had fun too!
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I have always wanted to go to Ellis Island. If I ever get to NYC, that will definitely be on my list. Pretty pitiful that I grew up in Mass. and have never been to NYC. Sounds like you had a fabulous day. Very cool that you also went to the Statue of Liberty and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.
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I so want to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Week In Review – 6/6/10 =-.
Can I just say one last time how jealous I am? Looks like you and Billy had an absolutely fabulous time tromping around the city and meeting all the other bloggers. You look great, by the way.
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