There are few sites as iconic as the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island. Both represent a profound period in the history of New York City and the United States. This guide is a full day spent exploring both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with recommendations on where to start and end the day if you’re aiming to stay in Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan - the Financial District.
If you are staying in Brooklyn you will have to pass through Brooklyn Heights on your way to lower Manhattan. Make a stop in Brooklyn Heights in the morning. Grab a coffee along the charming Montague Street and an egg sandwich from Lassen & Hennigs. This a local landmark that’s been serving some of the best breakfast sandwiches and lunch salads and sandwiches in the neighborhood for 70 years.
From L&H, you’ll be just a couple blocks from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the quaint streets of Brooklyn Heights. Take a stroll and then enjoy your breakfast with the skyline of lower Manhattan in the background. It’s a great place to scout out your stops for the day and take in the Statute of Liberty from a distance.
After breakfast you can grab a cab or head back to the subway at High Street - Brooklyn Heights to catch the A or C train or the 4 or 5 train from Borough Hall. Either way you’ll need to get to the Battery Park Ferry Station to catch the ferries to Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty. There is a ton of information available on the National Parks Service site about visiting Ellis Island. Linked above and here: https://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/index.htm While there is no fee to enter Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty the islands are only accessible via ferries and tickets are required to board the ferries. You can checkout the Statute Cruises site here: https://www.statuecruises.com
After a full day exploring Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty you might find yourself feeling in the mood for a classic New York dining experience. If you’re looking for a great historic steakhouse check out Harry’s. The restaurant recently underwent a pretty massive renovation to update the interior. Steaks will run about $40-$50 and fish entrees about $30-$40. If you’re looking for something a little more casual there a number of great options near Stone Street (cobblestone street hangout for the Financial District work crowd). Fraunces Tavern on Pearl, Stone Street Tavern, Ulysses or OBAO are all great options.
