New York: Lady Liberty, local fare and fireworks

We really could have planned this day better...

Our first day in New York was a busy one, with a late arrival back home. It didn't really sink in that the following day would, by necessity, have to be an early one until after we’d got back (late & tired). We were going to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but first, we needed to get tickets. It being Easter Friday, I had no idea how busy it would be, so I got up early and took the 8:30 am ferry across the harbour to Liberty State Park, where you purchase tickets (Literally a 2 minute ride, for $2; most expensive jaunt across the street, ever!).  I was hoping to luck out and get tickets up to the pedestal (hence the early morning exodus), but being a holiday they were sold out. We still got tickets to tour the grounds, and with the audio tours available that worked just fine. (PS, you can & should purchase tickets on-line ahead of time to save the hassle and get the ones you want. I would have, except for those hoped for FCFS pedestal tickets that are sometimes available at the Ticket booth. Tickets to the crown sell out months in advance, while pedestal tickets are a few days to a few weeks, depending on season.)

NY skyline in the background

Our friends had a 10 am reserved time on their prepurchased tickets, and so Bob and the kids hopped the ferry across the street with them an hour after I had left them at the trailer (and both of us forgot the camera, so we have only phone pics of the day). I met them at the dock and then we walked over to the ferry which would take us to Ellis & Liberty Islands. We had to go through an airport style security check before boarding the ferry (which Morgan thought was rather curious). In our travels throughout the US we have often encountered bag checks & security checks such as this. I don’t remember ever coming across this in Canada, but we haven’t really done that many “big” sights back home. I’m quite curious to see if we find something similar in the big eastern Canadian cities.

First stop, Ellis Island, which served as the entry point for millions of people looking to make a new life in the new land. Ellis Island has a museum providing timelines, stories and details of the life many immigrants were leaving behind in their homelands, and what they hoped to find here. An audio tour was available as well, but it was hard to figure out so I didn't use it much. The history was interesting for us grown-ups, but rather dull for the kids.

It's really hard to get a pic of it all

We spent an hour or so in the museum and then hopped on the ferry over to Liberty Island for a closer visit with the Statue of Liberty. She’s big (350 ft tall). She’s green. And she’s majestic, with quite a history. The audio tour here was better, and it meant that we didn't feel like we were losing anything by not getting to go in the pedestal. There was a kids version (these are great when we find them at the National Parks because they really are kid oriented while still providing lots of information). The kids and I listened to that one while Bob listened to the adult version (he could fill me in on all the extra details later).  

We walked all the way around the statue (now to be forever called Lady Liberty by my children), learning about her French designer, her construction (many, many pieces of copper only the thickness of two pennies supported by an iron frame), and some of her history and that of the island, fort and pedestal on which she stands. It was all quite interesting. (Morgan has been spouting Liberty trivia for the past few days, so I know it got his attention.)

View from the ferry

The day had started off chilly and as the afternoon progressed, the wind off the water had grown colder. By the time we finished our circuit of the statue we were thoroughly chilled and ready to head back to our trailer. Somehow we managed to just miss both of the ferries we needed, and spent (what seemed like) forever to get back. By the time did get home, all of us were cold and tired and we decided to order some authentic New Jersey pizza rather than try to find the energy to cook. They were big and tasty (who’d a thought caramelized onion would taste so good), but not like the pizza we’re used to. 

Yum

An hour later and we were off to Carlo’s Bakery (of CakeBoss, fame), to sample their desserts (It was only a few miles away from us, and I never pass up a tasty bakery if I can help it.). We lucked out and the lineup on a Friday evening was rather small (evidently it can get hours long sometimes). With an assortment of mini cakes, cannoli and other yummy things we headed back to raise our blood sugar just a wee bit.

Later, just as Bob & I were finishing tucking the kids into bed, BOOM<BOOM<BOOM<BOOM!  Fireworks! We were treated to quite the show of fireworks to the southeast of us (I’m guessing Staten Island, but I can’t be sure). They lasted at least 10 minutes, and were full of shapes and colors I'd never seen in a fireworks display before (there were even heart shaped ones!). I’m not sure what they were for, but on learning that there was another display two nights previous I can only assume they had something to do with Easter. I joked with our fellow Canadian neighbours (who had come out of their RV to watch as well) that they were New York’s way of welcoming us Canucks. Whatever the reason, it was a nice cap to the end of our day.