Staten Island Ferry
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
1-1.5 hours (round trip)
Best Ages
All ages
About
The Staten Island Ferry is the greatest free attraction in New York City, and it's not close. A 25-minute boat ride past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governors Island with skyline views in every direction — for zero dollars. No tickets, no reservations, no tourist trap upsells. Just walk on.
The ferry departs from Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan (near Battery Park and the 1 train to South Ferry). Boats run every 30 minutes during rush hours and every 60 minutes otherwise, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The vessels are large and stable — even in choppy weather, it's a smooth ride.
For families, the sweet spot is a weekday midday departure or, if you can swing it, a sunset ride. The evening light hitting the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan skyline is genuinely stunning. Weekend mornings work too but the boats are busier with tourists who've figured out the secret.
One important logistics note: you must exit the boat at the Staten Island terminal and re-enter through the waiting area for the return trip. You cannot stay on the boat. The turnaround takes about 10-15 minutes. If you want to extend the trip, the Staten Island terminal has a small food court and there's a minor league baseball stadium (Richmond County Bank Ballpark) nearby with harbor views.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Nursing / Changing
true
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Sunset departures for the best views, or weekday midday for the emptiest boats
Wait Times
5-15 minutes depending on schedule
Nearby Food
["Shake Shack in the Battery (5 min walk from Whitehall Terminal)","Stone Street historic district restaurants (5 min walk, multiple options)","Fraunces Tavern for a historic sit-down meal (3 min walk)"]
Why Kids Love It
A free boat ride past the Statue of Liberty. That's the pitch, and it's as good as it sounds. The Staten Island Ferry runs 24/7, costs nothing, and passes close enough to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island that you'll get great photos without paying $24+ per person for a dedicated cruise.
For kids, the boat itself is the attraction. The ferries are enormous — 4,500-passenger vessels — and kids can explore the indoor and outdoor decks, watch the tugboats and container ships, and feel the harbor wind. On the Manhattan side, you pass Governors Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the downtown skyline. It's a 25-minute sensory overload in the best way.
The round trip takes about an hour including the turnaround at Staten Island (you don't even need to get off — just stay on the boat and ride back). For the price of nothing, you get views that rival any paid harbor cruise in the city.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Stand on the RIGHT side of the boat heading to Staten Island for the best Statue of Liberty views
- You must exit the boat at Staten Island and re-board for the return trip — you cannot stay on
- The sunset departure from Manhattan (check sunset time) is the single best free activity in NYC
- Avoid the 5-6 PM weekday ferries — they're packed with commuters
- The Whitehall Terminal has clean restrooms and a small waiting area — use them before boarding
What to Bring
- Camera or phone
- Light jacket (it's windy on the water)
- Snacks and drinks
- Stroller if needed (plenty of space)
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$0
Tips to Save
- ["Completely free — no tickets, no reservations, no catches","Skip the paid Statue of Liberty cruise entirely — the ferry passes right by her for free","Bring your own snacks; the onboard vending machines are overpriced"]
Hours & Contact
Hours
- friday
- 24 hours (every 30 min rush, 60 min off-peak)
- monday
- 24 hours (every 30 min rush, 60 min off-peak)
- sunday
- 24 hours (every 60 min)
- tuesday
- 24 hours (every 30 min rush, 60 min off-peak)
- saturday
- 24 hours (every 60 min)
- thursday
- 24 hours (every 30 min rush, 60 min off-peak)
- wednesday
- 24 hours (every 30 min rush, 60 min off-peak)
