World Trade Center-transportation question

[NateNLogansDad]

We are a family of 4 driving in from Philly this Sunday but I'm banging my head against the wall trying to figure out the best way to get there without breaking the bank. I know parking is a nightmare but I'm having a hard time figuring out public transportation. To throw a wrench into it, I'd really like to take my boys (ages 5 & 7) to see the Statue of Liberty. Can anybody walk me through some easy (and not too expensive) ways to do this? Would it be better to park in NJ and take a train over? We need to be at Ground Zero by 1:15 and I'm panicking that we will miss this because of being late.

Any help would really be appreciated

 

[wishiwereindisney]

You can park in Hoboken or Jersey City and take the Path train to lower Manhattan. The path is inexpensive and pretty quick. Parking is not exactly cheap in Jersey but cheaper than NYC prices. IMHO it is faster than driving through one of the tunnels depending on traffic. to see the path train schedules go to the port authority website.

 

[rvchat]

You can park in Hoboken or Jersey City and take the Path train to lower Manhattan. The path is inexpensive and pretty quick. Parking is not exactly cheap in Jersey but cheaper than NYC prices. IMHO it is faster than driving through one of the tunnels depending on traffic. to see the path train schedules go to the port authority website.

Or even in queens -- Astoria --- take the boat from queens or the N or R subway.

 

[punkin]

Why don't you take the train from Philly? It is really convenient, drops you off at Penn station, right by the subway, and is not too expensive once you factor in tolls and parking for the car.

 

[chuckabone]

We were just up there several weeks ago. We park in Staten Island, right by the minor league baseball park and take the ferry, which is free over to Manhatten. The ferry ride is so much fun, you can see the statue from the boat. Parking was only $7.00 and we were there the whole day.
It is my understanding that the statue is closed or will be closing soon due to renovations, so check the schedule. But the ferry is awesome and runs all day long. It took about 20 minutes to get there. Have Fun.

 

[allison443]

We were just up there several weeks ago. We park in Staten Island, right by the minor league baseball park and take the ferry, which is free over to Manhatten. The ferry ride is so much fun, you can see the statue from the boat. Parking was only $7.00 and we were there the whole day.
It is my understanding that the statue is closed or will be closing soon due to renovations, so check the schedule. But the ferry is awesome and runs all day long. It took about 20 minutes to get there. Have Fun.

This would put you right in downtown Manhattan, near the WTC and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. If you are calculating the cost just be aware there is a bridge toll to get onto Staten Island which just went up to $12 (but I think it's less if you have EZ Pass).

 

[amylevan]

Coming from Philly, I wouldn't want to add additional drive time by heading into staten island to take the ferry. It seems a bit out of the way.

I'd either:
1. Take the train from Philly, or maybe drive up the NJ TPK and park in Metropark (Exit 11) and take the train from there. This will put you in Penn Station (NY stop, NOT the NJ Penn Station in Newark) where you can take a subway.

2. Drive up to Hoboken and take the Path. This will put you closer to the WTC than the train, but parking in Hoboken is more difficult that at a major train station. Although I imagine a Sunday isn't too bad.

If you plan on going to the Statue (do check schedules, as someone mentioned, I've heard something about being closed for renovations), Liberty State park (where you catch the ferry to the statue from NJ) is not far from Hoboken. Otherwise you can grab the ferry from Battery Park in NY.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you plan on going to the Statue (do check schedules, as someone mentioned, I've heard something about being closed for renovations), Liberty State park (where you catch the ferry to the statue from NJ) is not far from Hoboken. Otherwise you can grab the ferry from Battery Park in NY.

The lines for the ferry are much shorter coming from NJ than NY. Maybe come to Liberty State Park, take the ferry to the SOL, then hop on a NY ferry, go to WTC, and then reverse? I believe there are free shuttles to different areas of NYC by the ferry dock.

 

[dex08]

If you do plan to drive into Manhattan, check out this site for parking coupons. This is what we always do when we drive up for work or fun (but we usually take the train because it's easier).

http://nyc.centralparking.com/

 

[MichelleinMaine]

By "seeing" SoL, do you mean going out to the island/into the statue? FYI you need tickets to do so (and they often sell out in advance.) You would likely have better luck with availabilty coming from the NJ side.
There are three levels of tickets for the SoL ferry- going to the crown (which is almost definately sold out), going to the top of the pedestal {eg statue's feet} and just going to Liberty Island and walking around.
Check the SoL ferries website http://www.statueoflibertytickets.com/

If you just want to see the statue- the (free!) Staten Island ferry goes right by it and is a great way to see it. (Just go over, get off other side and hop right back on to come back to Manhattan. Round trip took about an hour if I remember right.) It also runs later (all night?) than the SoL ferries does if you have schedule issues.

I don't know best way to get into the city from Philly- but once you get to Ground Zero- the docks for both Staten Island Ferry and SoL are a short walk away (5 or 6 blocks? plus little walk through the park.)

 

[MaleficentRN]

If you want to travel easy and cheap go by either NJT out of Trenton or take Mega Bus from 30th street. Both leave you right at a subway stop. This is dependent on which one you are closer to and you'd have to pay for parking at 30th St.
If you take the Mega Bus, go right down the steps on that side of the street and take the R downtown to Courtland.
Or if you take NJT to Penn, take the E downtown to WTC.
Or you can take a cab with either.
You can walk to Battery Park and get a ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

IMO, I will never use Amtrak again after using Mega Bus. So much cheaper and cleaner!

 

[disneemama]

I have been wanting to take this trip with my family for sometime. I am thinking the MegaBus is a great idea, I have used it before and loved it. Thanks to OP for posting and to everyone for the great suggestions, so appreciated

 

[momxx5]

Was in NYC this past March with a high school band field trip.

One of our days was spent in Lower Manhattan, near the Statue of Liberty. At that time you could take a boat to the island and walk around the island but to have a tour you need to have reservations.

One real cool thing my group found was this small bus sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Businesses. It is free and has a small route that makes a loop from the piers, South Ferry, and up to World Trade Center. I believe it is call the Manhattan Express. The bus stops for this route are close the the stops for the larger bus system.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

here is a link to buy tickets online and below is the info on the Statue of Liberty closing for renovations

http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm



Liberty Island to Remain Open During Year-Long Renovation

October 28, 2011 marks the 125th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. Celebrations for that day include music and special tours and programs. Sign up for our RSS feed or follow us on Twitter to hear the details as they become available later this year.

The Statue of Liberty will remain open through October 28th, 2011. The next day all interior spaces of the Statue of Liberty will close while upgrades are made to the 125 year old pedestal and the 200 year old fort base from which the statue rises. But, don't worry Liberty Island will remain OPEN so a visit should remain part of your travel plans. The work is expected to be completed in approximately one year.