Today Ray and I went to see the Statue of Liberty. Last year we never got around to seeing her and knew we’d be back this year.
It was cool and a light rain from time to time. We jumped on the subway to the New York Harbor at the tip of Manhattan.
Great architect on this subway station.
Once we got out tickets, we headed to our ferry, named the Statue of Liberty. The ferry ride to Liberty Island is about 15 minutes. The view of the Manhattan skyline was impressive. And off at a distance, Statue of Liberty.
We arrived, stepped off the boat and walked around. We were unable to get tickets to go up in the crown, you need to reserve those tickets months in advance. And today, the platform was closed off. So all we were able to do is walk around the island. Beautiful scenery and a gift store are on the island.
We spent about an hour on the island. It was very windy and cold. The rain stopped while we were there, so that was a good thing! Liberty Island is approximately 12 acres. Bigger than I thought. I took a few shots of the Statue as we walked around. She’s magnificent. Wish I knew about the crown tickets in advance it would have been neat to go up there!
We jumped back on the ferry and headed to Ellis Island. Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island, located at the mouth of the Hudson River, became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990. As soon as you get off the ferry, you’re directed to the museum, and once inside you’re greeted by a display of suitcases left behind by the immigrants.
As we walked around the museum, there are several rooms and historic galleries. One large room held computers where you can do a search on family members who may have come to Ellis Island. I tried, but honestly I don’t think any of mine through Ellis Island. Many of my relatives have been here since the mid 1700s. It was interesting to see the list upon list of names. On my mother’s side, my genealogy goes back to the mid 1700s, as far as I know, and on my father’s side, I’ve seen it go back as far as 900AD. Amazing! Another gallery held old passports. Some wore tags of identification stating their ultimate point of U.S. destination. All had passports and other papers detailing information about themselves. I was very intrigued by these.
Another gallery held some personal items, like children’s shoes, clothing, and personal items.
Some gave a history of life after Ellis Island.
Here is the Registry Room where the immigrants were processed. It took hours upon hours and days upon days to complete the process. Upon disembarking, immigrants were directed toward a large building where they immediately entered the gigantic, sixty-foot high Registry Room. Here they underwent a quick medical exam followed by a review of their traveling papers and some legal questions, such as age, destination and employment. Most cleared this process in five hours and left for their ultimate destination the same day.
Those who were detained were suspected of trachoma, a highly contagious eye disease causing blindness, or “loathsome and contagious” diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, or favus, a scalp and nail fungus. These people went upstairs to the second floor for closer examination by trained medical personnel from the U.S. Public Health Service. These were the quarters they were kept. Small beds and very cramped quarters.
It was very interesting learning about Ellis Island.
When we arrived back to New York Harbor, Ray and I walked around lower Manhattan. We came upon this statue dedicated to the immigrants arriving to the U.S. It depicts immigrants seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
On our way to the World Trade Center construction site, we see this statue at the end of the New York Harbor park area.
A plaque has this written on it: “For three decades, this statue stood in the Plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled “The Sphere” it was conceived by artist Fritz Konig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. The eternal flame was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Amazing how this withstood the aftermath of collapsing buildings! A few blocks from the World Trade Center construction I saw the little church which was covered in ash after the collapse. This was the one CNN kept showing and the little graveyard is to the right.
I was craving a hamburger and a bellman at one of the hotels recommended a quaint little French restaurant on John Street called Brasserie Les Halles. He said they had the best hamburger around and I have to agree with him.
After our great meal, we wandered around lower Manhattan for awhile. A much older part of Manhattan. 
The wind was really blowing and it was cold. Felt like we were in a narrow canyon the way the wind came whipping around the corners. When you see how narrow the streets are, you can see why the wind kicks up pretty quick.
We ended up strolling through Little Italy. Lots of great looking restaurants, pizza joints, Gelato stands.
After a few hours of walking, our legs gave out and we headed back to the Hotel via subway.
New York is a never ending city. You can walk for hours upon hours and never get to the end! Amazes me each time I’m out walking around. Many different neighborhoods with their own style, people, tastes, and music. Next post, our trip through Harlem.
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