What Could You See on a Statue of Liberty Cruise?

Whether you’re a frequent visitor to New York City or a life-long resident, you’ll eventually manage to find your way to Liberty Island in the middle of the harbor. Since there’s no bridge to drive a car over to this major attraction, you’ll have to climb aboard a boat to make the brief journey. You can click here to learn about circle line cruises to Statue of Liberty destinations, but here are some of the things that you might see while you’re making the trip.

Lady Liberty

Originally a gift from the French for America’s 100th anniversary, this gleaming symbol of freedom has stood watch from her prime location in New York Harbor since 1886. Once climbing ashore from your cruise ship, you can see her up close in all of her glory from the base of the statue, and then climb the 215 stairs or take the elevator to the top of the pedestal. If you’re after a more iconic experience, and you’re in decent enough shape, you can embark on the journey up the 377-step double-helix spiral staircase to take in the view from Lady Liberty’s crown.

Ellis Island

The story of immigration is the tale of how America was built, and many of the arrivals to the shores of the United States came through the processing facility at Ellis Island. Not only can you tour some of the dormitories that housed quarantined patients who were suffering from smallpox, tuberculosis or other infectious diseases, but you can also search ship manifests to see if the name of a relative shows up. Many people find this to be an extremely powerful experience as they walk in the footsteps of their own ancestors.

New York’s Skyline

There’s no more iconic cityscape than the New York skyline, and circle line cruises to Statue of Liberty destinations provide a unique vantage point that can’t be achieved from the land. You’ll be able to see some of the more famous buildings like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and the newly-opened One World Trade Center, but you’ll also take in a few of the lesser-known, but architecturally-significant designs in the process. This view alone can be an attraction unto itself.

Wildlife

Depending on the time of year, you have the opportunity to see a variety of different animals as you make your trip. If you look towards the sky, you could be delighted by the sight of geese, osprey, bald eagles and other avian wildlife soaring above. The waters below are also teeming with sea creatures like fish and mollusks, and you might even be able to catch a view of the occasional bottlenose dolphin or harbor seal. The juxtaposition of the natural world against the backdrop of a modern city is truly a unique experience.

Climb Aboard

These are just a few of the things you could see on circle line cruises to Statue of Liberty destinations, but every visitor’s experience is completely different. From architectural achievements to natural splendor, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Whatever sight strikes your fancy, you can get on the boat with the knowledge that you’re about to visit one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world.

Taryn Johnson is an avid writer. She loves all things about electronics and marketing. In a perfect world, Taryn would be writing from the beaches of Hawaii all day long.