Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Day

Our day started a bit later today as our tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island wasn't until 1 o'clock. So we pottered around and left with plenty of time to get there and perhaps enjoy a portion of Battery Park. It was a very busy spot that's for sure with plenty of boats going back and forth. 

We stayed close to where we had to line up so that we wouldn't have to line up for long and while we waited I ticked off another thing on my NY bucket list and that was to have pretzel from one of the street vendors. As it was nearly lunch time I decided now was the time as I wasn't sure I would get another opportunity. It was very nice although a bit salty but I have done it now.

As we lined up for our boat ride across to the statue it was another lot of security checks before boarding the boat to the island. It was only a short trip across New York Harbour. We arrived and went straight to the pedestal tour that we had booked and the line was very short (unlike when we came out). We made our way to the pedestal and what fabulous views we were seeing. Great views across to Manhattan. I can see why people have so much love of it as it is a very impressive sight. We all enjoyed the fabulous views from the pedestal and were glad we booked ahead. 

Cheryl and I made our way down to an observation level where there weren't as many people but the views were pretty good and as we were walking around reading the information about what the views we were seeing were about we came upon one that looked across to Manhattan and the skyline was markedly different and that was because the twin towers were missing. The interpretive sign was a photo of the view with them in but as you looked across the harbour it is quite visible that there is a hole in the skyline. It did make me think that this sign will never change to reflect what is there now as a kind of memorial to the tragic incident that occurred on that day.

After the made our way down to the museum and had a look at how the statue came to fruition and how it was made and the various renovations that had taken place over the years. It was very  well done and very informative. A short stroll around the base of the statue where we lost each other but thankfully found each other again where we needed to catch the boat to Ellis Island.  

Remains of  Fort Worth

Another short boat ride to Ellis Island, where almost 12 million immigrants passed through in the hope of making America their new home. Before it was an immigration centre, from 1808 until 1814 it was a federal arsenal and was named Fort Gibson and stayed as a military post for almost 80 years and there is evidence of the fort when you make your way down from the observation area. 

Ellis Island as an immigration processing facility was opened in 1892 and stood for 5 years until an unknown fire destroyed the pine buildings along with all 1.5 million immigration records form those first 5 years. A new fireproof building replaced  the pine one and was opened in December 1900. It is a striking building built of red brick with a limestone trim. By the time it closed in 1954 the building had seen 12 million immigrants pass through it's doors. 

As we  walked through it is hard to imagine what those immigrants would have been feeling as they sat in the entry hall awaiting processing. We walked around a couple of the floors with displays about how things operated and what conditions were like. Cheryl and I watched a film that talked about the island and the stories of people that arrived here and by then it was quite late and we had to leave. I would have liked to have stayed longer but it wasn't long off closing time so we had to go. I didn't realise just how much there was to see and do there. Another one for the possible future tour list :) 

Registration Hall

Dormitory

Equipment left over after closure

We decided we would go to have dinner near Times Square and take some night shots. Dinner was at a great pub off the hubbub of Time Square as it was packed as we expected it would be. Not easy to get a photo that's for sure. A relatively short walk home and we were done for another day. There was so much to do but I know that we won't get time to do it all. 

New York sunset through the buildings

Shows the crowd