When I first visited New York I had no great desire to go and see the Statue of Liberty. I could see her from Manhattan Island and that was enough for me. I could not see the point of standing in line on a hot and humid New York summers day to get on a ferry boat to see a statue.

I now admit I was wrong, very wrong. Going to see the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island is fantastic. She is huge. She is very impressive close up. You get neck ache looking up at her. The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet 5 inches tall on a 154 foot tall base. That makes her about 22 stories tall. The Staue of Liberty weighs 450,000 pounds (204, 100 kilograms) and I have know idea how they workled that out. Her bust measurement apparently is 36 feet.

If you have come from Europe getting up early is no problem on the first few days of your visit to New York as your body clock is still on European time. You MUST get to the Statue of Liberty Ferry ticket office very early. Aim to arrive at the ticket office at 08.00am. It may mean missing the breakfast at your hotel but it is worth it.

If you leave it later the queue goes around the park and can take over two hours. Get off the subway 'A' train at Broadway and Nassau Street Station. Walk down Nassau Street passing the Federal Reserve bank, Chase Manhattan bank and The Equitable building.

Walk west down Wall Street (take photos of road sign) and pass the New York Stock Exchange. Turn left at Broadway and head south towards Battery Park. Wall Street was once a defensive wall built by the Dutch to keep the British out when New York was called New Amsterdam.

The 21-acre Battery Park is named for the cannons built to defend New York residents and traders after the American Revolution. Walk through Battery Park to Castle Clinton National Monument, where you purchase boat tickets. The Castle was built in 1811 to defend Manhattan from the British. It was needed as during the second war with Britain during 1812 the British Royal Navy burnt Washington to the ground.

New York was also on their hit list. Battery Park was at one time an island but it is now part of lower Manhattan due to a landfill. Battery Park's Castle Clinton has been used for many things over the years, including a concert hall, a processing centre for immigrants and an aquarium. It is now where the ticket office for the Statue of Liberty Ferry tours is located.

It just looks like a round brick building not a medieval castle. Boats start at 8:30am until 5:00pm. A round trip ferry tickets cost about $10.00 for adults. You can save time by booking the tickets on-line. If you do so go to the pre-booked ticket desk inside the fort. Do not wait at the normal ticket booths. There is no admission fee for Liberty and Ellis Island. Since the terrorist attack of 9/11 there are extra security checks.

Tips on tipping and other stuff

Remember that what you see on the price tag will not be what you pay at the cash till as they will add 8.25% sales tax. Tipping give 15 - 20 % A good guide to how much to pay is to double the tax. Look at your bill before paying as some cafes like to try and trick tourists. Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Do not look like a tourist. Keep wallets in FRONT pocket or in zipped bags. Make sure purses and backpacks are closed and if possible hold them in front of you. Ask if there are free refills of coffee and Coca-cola.

New York Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers great views of the harbour, statue of liberty and Manhattan. You can return immediately so you do not have the hang around on Staten Island. Just walk off the ferry and then back on board. You cannot stay on the ferry. The Staten Island Commuter Ferry leaves from the pier in Battery Park.

Coney Island - New York's seaside

I sometimes forget that New York is a seaside city with beaches. If you want to do something different go to Coney Island. It is only about an hour on the subway. It is a very dated seaside resort. It looks like a 1950s movie set. There are some great beach hotdogs, burgers and popcorn stalls. You can also get beer at the local bars. Remember the US drinking age is 21. Coney Island is a nice change from the city when it gets too hot.

Travel books