Downtown, NY
Parking on street, Parking lot fee, No fee for ferry
Optimum Seasons: Summer
It is almost impossible to find street parking here so your best bet is to park in a lot. Afterall, the Staten Island Ferry is a free ride, and it's about a twenty minute ride from the downtown to Staten Island. Make sure it is over 80 degrees so you can stand on the outer deck and enjoy the wind on a scorching hot day. Love the views of downtown Manhattan, Statue of Liberty, and the Freedom Tower. I'm sure this is even more impressive at night. The ferries run every half hour from each terminal and the schedule is online.
Kill a few birds with one stone: Battery Park is supposed to have a beautiful garden but I never had any luck finding it (even though it's on a map)! Let me know if you do! Also, there is a playground for the kids right outside the Terminal. For dining, we found a Bravo Kosher Downtown that had delicious pizza and had outdoor seating on Trinity Street. This is within walking distance from the terminal. My friend had also suggested walking on Stone Street, a charming cobblestone street, but I never got around to it! I will definitely go back to this area and visit Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty next time!
Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure! And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!