One thing that every American who goes to New York should do is at least swing by Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Staying in New Jersey really paid off this morning, as the line for the Jersey ferry was hours shorter than the line at Battery Park on the tip of Manhattan.
Ellis Island was fascinating, especially the displays of artifacts, both the unusual and the utterly common. Getting a glimpse of the lives of the over 12 million souls who passed through the buildings is a rare and sobering experience. Another bit that really interested me was a display on the condition of the buildings between their abandonment in the '50s and their restoration in the 1980s.
I didn't make it to the ferry terminal in time to get a ticket for the Statue of Liberty, so rather than queue to go to Liberty Island and then queue again for the trip to Battery Park, I just skipped a visit to Lady Liberty and just took a few snaps from the ferry as we went by.
After disembarking on the far tip of Manhattan, I started hoofing towards another symbol, this one of engineering prowess rather than hope and freedom. Next stop, the Brooklyn Bridge!
1 comment:
Ellis Island is another jewel in the National Parks' crown. So sad more Americans go to theme parks than our amazing national parks. Ask your Uncle Al to tell you his grandmother's Ellis Island story someday.
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