{"id":26525,"date":"2025-01-17T17:04:42","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T16:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/new-york-from-liberty-island-to-arcadia-earth\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T16:20:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:20:20","slug":"new-york-from-liberty-island-to-arcadia-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/en\/new-york-from-liberty-island-to-arcadia-earth\/","title":{"rendered":"New York | From Liberty Island to Arcadia Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Drizzle and grey skies on the menu for a third day that looks gloomy and doesn’t really make you want to walk for miles. So we took the subway to Battery Park for a closer look at the Statue of Liberty. <\/p>\n\n

We pass through security and board the first available ferry. In the distance, Liberty Island can be seen through the fog. <\/p>\n\n

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View of Liberty Island from the ferry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

On a clear day, the ferry crossing offers spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, Governor’s Island and the Brooklyn Bridge in the distance.<\/p>\n\n

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View of New York from the ferry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
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Famous today as the home of the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island<\/strong> is a small natural island of 5.9 hectares located in New York Bay, close to Manhattan. Formerly the territory of the Lenape people, it was long known for its oyster beds before being renamed Bedloe’s Island in the 17th century in honor of a Dutch merchant. <\/p>\n\n

In the 18th century, the island played a strategic military role with the construction of Fort Wood, whose star-shaped base now serves as the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. In 1877, Bedloe’s Island was chosen to host this monumental work of art, donated by France and inaugurated in 1886, becoming a universal symbol of freedom and hope. By the end of the 19th century, it had left its mark on the imaginations of millions of immigrants, who saw in the statue a beacon announcing a new life. <\/p>\n\n

In 1956, it was officially renamed Liberty Island and, in 1984, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the island, with its museum opening in 2019, welcomes millions of visitors every year to explore this historic icon and enjoy breathtaking views of the New York skyline. <\/p>\n\n

\"Statue<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

\u279c The standard ticket<\/strong> includes round-trip ferry travel<\/strong> with an optional stop at Ellis Island,access to Liberty Island<\/strong> for a stroll around the statue, andentry to the interactive museum<\/strong> tracing its history, featuring original models, the old torch and multimedia exhibits. Optional access to the pedestal for a panoramic view, or a climb up the 354 steps leading to the crown, is available by prior arrangement and requires booking several weeks in advance. <\/p>\n\n

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\u279c Located near Liberty Island, Ellis Island<\/strong> was the main gateway for over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954<\/strong>. Today, the Immigration Museum<\/g> there traces this moving history through immersive exhibitions, the Hall of Records, and searchable archives. The site is accessible via the ferry linking Battery Park, Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and is included in the standard ticket<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Good to Know<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u25aa Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.\u25aa Ferry frequency: Departures every 20-30 minutes\u25aa Standard ticket price: $25 for adults, $16 for children (4-12 years\u25aa Included in ticket price: Access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island – Optional access to statue pedestal and crown.<\/p>\n\n

Back in Battery Park, we walk to Skylight on Vesey, in Lower Manhattan, near Brookfield Place and the Oculus. The misty weather envelops the towers, creating a peculiar, almost unreal atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n

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On the way, we pass the 9\/11 Memorial & Museum<\/strong>, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The commemorative fountains, lined with engraved names, and poignant exhibits invite you to reflect and pay powerful tribute to this tragic event. <\/p>\n\n

Arrive at Skylight on Vesey, home to the exhibition“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience<\/strong>” in its 2,800 square meters of column-free space with 12-meter-high ceilings, offering the ideal setting for a unique artistic immersion.<\/p>\n\n

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The exhibition plunges visitors into Van Gogh’s world through spectacular 360\u00b0 projections, offering a unique sensory experience. Visitors can discover his iconic works in a new light, such as “The Sunflowers” and “Starry Night”, while exploring the evolution of his art. In addition to screenings, creative workshops allow visitors to get involved and immerse themselves even further in his world. <\/p>\n\n

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\u279c The exhibition, although currently finished in New York, continues to travel across other major cities in the U.S. and even Europe, such as Li\u00e8ge and Lille. Check out their site<\/a> for more info on this experience that allows you to rediscover Van Gogh’s art in an innovative and immersive way.<\/p>\n\n

After a quick lunch at Brookfield Place<\/strong>, with its many nice options for eating and its beautiful view of the marina, we head to the Westfield World Trade Center<\/strong> to take the subway again. Along the way, the iconic silhouette of theOculus<\/strong> catches the eye. This impressive structure, imagined by architect Santiago Calatrava, immediately catches the eye with its futuristic design. Its white wings soar skywards, symbolizing a dove in flight. <\/p>\n\n

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Built to replace the station destroyed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, this building is part of the reconstruction project for the World Trade Center complex. Inaugurated in 2016, it is more than just a transit station: it embodies New York’s resilience and rebirth, a true symbol of hope. Inside, the space is vast and luminous, thanks to an immense glass roof that lets in natural light. The Oculus houses a station serving several subway and train lines, as well as a large shopping mall with a variety of boutiques and restaurants, perfect for a break or a bit of shopping. <\/p>\n\n

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Change of atmosphere with a stop at the Harry Potter Store<\/strong>, located a few steps from the Flatiron Building, between Broadway and 5th Avenue. This two-storey, 1,800 m\u00b2 store is entirely dedicated to the magical world of wizards. Opening in 2021, it is the world’s largest franchise merchandise store. More than just a store, it offers a truly immersive experience, with 15 themed rooms and seasonal installations that plunge visitors directly into the Harry Potter universe. <\/p>\n\n

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\"Harry<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Although not quite as impressive as the visit to Harry Potter Studios in London ( reviewed here<\/a>), it’s still a must for any Hogwarts fan. And don’t miss Harry Potter and the Cursed Child<\/strong> on Broadway, the perfect way to immerse yourself in this magical world.<\/p>\n\n

Good to Know<\/strong><\/p>\n\n