Upper New York Bay

Why go

The bay is more than scenery on the ferry. It was the approach to New York for arriving ships and remains the geographic frame for Ellis Island’s inspection station and the Statue of Liberty. Watch how close the islands sit to the city, yet remain separate from its waterfront streets.

What to look for

• Ellis Island and Liberty Island lie near the New Jersey side of the bay.
• The southern opening leads toward the Narrows and Lower New York Bay.
• Lower Manhattan, Jersey City and the islands give the harbor several distinct shorelines.

Useful to know

• Use the Ellis Island ferry crossing to orient yourself before entering the museum.
• For a longer harbor view, compare the islands from the Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park waterfront.