Are you looking for a fun and unique way to visit New York City as a family? We recommend taking the Staten Island Ferry!
The Staten Island Ferry is a fun and relaxing way to head into Manhattan from Staten Island and points south. We love this as an alternative to taking NJ Transit from Trenton to Penn Station.
Instead, we drive from our home in Southeastern Pennsylvania and park in St. George. And it feels like a fun adventure into New York City, especially as you see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in the distance.
There are a lot of pros (and some cons) to riding the State Island Ferry with kids. The guide below shares everything you need to know before you embark on this method of transportation. We even share some of our favorite things to do in Lower Manhattan after you arrive!
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How to Get to the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry travels between Staten Island and the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. To get to New York City, you will board the ferry at the St. George terminal on Staten Island.
The St. George terminal is located at 1 Bay Street on Staten Island, New York.
The Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan is on the most southern point of the island at 4 Whitehall Street.
Both terminals have numerous shops and restaurants to patronize while you wait for the next ferry.
Parking for the Staten Island Ferry
There are many privately owned parking lots near the St. George Terminal on Staten Island. However, there are two DOT Municipal lots near the terminal as well.
One of the lots is adjacent to the terminal at 1 Bay Street. It is the smaller of the two lots with just over 200 spaces. The parking spaces are on the smaller size, so avoid driving a large SUV to this lot.
The second DOT parking lot has over 700 spaces and is located at 54 Central Avenue on Staten Island. It is approximately a half-mile or a 10-minute walk from the St. George Terminal.
Parking at these lots is FREE on Sundays. Otherwise, the lots charge for parking Monday-Saturday.
Staten Island Ferry Cost and Schedule
The Staten Island Ferry is FREE to ride. It operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Boats leave every 15-20 minutes during peak travel times and about every 30 minutes the rest of the day.
Staten Island Ferry Boarding Process
At both terminals, riders wait to board the ferry in the spacious seating area. Once the ferry docks and the other passengers disembark, doors will open to allow the waiting riders to board the boat.
The Staten Island Ferry is a popular form of transportation into the city for both tourists and native New Yorkers. It can be a crowded and slow process to board the boat.
Once aboard, there are plenty of seats inside the ferry.
Passengers can also enjoy the fresh air on the 3rd and 4th levels of the boat, though seating and standing room may be limited.
The ferry also has a snack bar and restrooms, just in case you or your child are hungry or can’t wait to use the bathroom.
The Best Things About Riding the Staten Island Ferry with Kids
1. It is FREE to ride the Staten Island Ferry!
One of the best reasons to take the Staten Island Ferry into New York City is the cost. There is none! The Staten Island Ferry is FREE for everyone to ride.
Travel tip: Beware of scammers! Scammers will try to sell you a ticket to the Staten Island Ferry. You do not need a ticket or MetroCard or anything to board the Staten Island Ferry.
The only stipulation to ride is you must disembark the ferry before boarding for the return trip.
If you are only going for a scenic ride, then you will exit the ferry and re-enter the waiting area at the terminals.
However, we recommend walking around and exploring some of the FREE things to do in New York. You can easily spend a full day with spending very little money.
2. You Can See the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island From the Ferry
Just to clarify, the Staten Island Ferry will NOT take you to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island.
You will need to book a tour with Statue City Cruises, the only authorized and official provider of tickets and tours to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
However, if you want a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty, then the Staten Island Ferry will give it to you! It is probably similar to what immigrants saw when they first arrived to the United States.
To get a good view of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you will want to be on the left side of the ship when leaving Staten Island.
3. The View of Manhattan Skyline and Bridges
No where else in the city will you have views like the ones from the Staten Island Ferry. Passengers are offered so many beautiful sights from the boat.
The city itself provides a grand welcome to you as you arrive. However, you also have fantastic views of the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Verrazano Bridges.
Some Cons About Riding the Staten Island Ferry
There aren’t too many bad things about riding the Staten Island Ferry with kids. The biggest con is seating.
Although the ferry boats have lots of seating on board, on busy days and times, it could be difficult to find a seat. Especially outside on a nice day. If you’re nervous about getting a seat, try to line up close to the doors while waiting to board the ferry.
Fun Thing to Do Near the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal
The Staten Island Ferry’s Whitehall Terminal is within walking distance of some popular attractions in Lower Manhattan.
1. Battery Park
Battery Park is adjacent to the Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. Kids will love this park for a few reasons.
First, there is a beautiful and unique carousel in Battery Park. The Sea Glass Carousel takes kids on an atypical carousel ride under the sea. Between the lights, music, and gorgeous sea creature seats, kids will love this one-of-a-kind experience.
Second, if you are visiting New York on a hot summer day, there is nothing like the Battery Fountain to cool you off! Kids young and old will enjoy frolicking through the water spray. Bring a towel and maybe a change of clothes!
2. 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Many people want to visit the 9/11 Memorials and Museum when they visit New York City. Both are approximately a 15-minute walk from the terminal. While you are there, you can take in the views of the city at the top of One World Trade Center.
3. Trinity Church
Fans of the movie National Treasure may recognize the Trinity Church. You can stop by and walk the grounds or enter the chapel. Visitors can pay their respects to Alexander Hamilton at his gravesite.
4. National Museum of the American Indian
A short walk from the Whitehall Terminal is the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Like the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, this museum is FREE to visit.
Kids will love the museum’s imagiNATIONS activity center, with many hands-on exhibits and attractions for them to learn more about our country’s native peoples.
5. South Street Seaport Museum
The South Street Seaport Museum shares about New York’s role as a major world port and becoming the largest city in the country.
Included with admission to the museum are two anchored ships on Pier 16; The Lightship Ambrose and the Tall Ship Wavertree.
Tours for both boats can be reserved online. Admission to the museum and ships are FREE.
Facts About the Staten Island Ferry
- A single route is 5.2 miles and takes about 25 minutes to travel
- The ferry operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
- Boats leave every 15-20 minutes during peak travel times and about every 30 minutes the rest of the day
- It originally cost 5 cents for a one-way trip on the ferry. The ferry became free to ride in 1997.
- Cars used to be allowed to travel on the ferry until the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Wrapping Up Riding the Staten Island Ferry With Kids.
We love riding the Staten Island Ferry. There is no better way to get to Manhattan. And with those views, you’ll never want to take the train again! Okay, maybe when you visit New York City in the winter. But that’s it!
And with so many FREE things to do nearby, it makes for a perfect day trip activity. We think you should put riding the Staten Island Ferry on your New York bucket list!
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