Touristing: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

No matter how long we live here, we're never going to be able to do everything that can be done. Thankfully, when we have visitors, we have the excuse and the time to do the NYC tourist-y type things!

This weekend when my parents were here, we made it out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - for the first time!

We picked a very dreary, misty day to take the ferry across to the islands, but I think the weather also helped keep the crowds down.

Also, it made it easy to imagine what it would have been like for arriving immigrants, as we watched Lady Liberty emerge from the fog and mist and come into view.

(Scott and I wore our tourist shoes for the day - those sandals have helped me survive 9 days of Disney World.)

Scott even got himself a genuine Statue of Liberty poncho...

Standing right underneath her, she doesn't even look real!  The green of the copper is so vivid, and she's just so gigantic - it's amazing to stand right below.

We walked all the way around and got a rare view of the backside of the Lady - seriously, when I thought about it, I didn't know if I had ever seen her from the back, ever!

Next up, we ferried over to Ellis Island.  The stories from this place are incredible.  Check this out:  40% of Americans can trace at least one relative back who came through immigration on Ellis Island.  Isn't that insane?!

The ceiling of the main hall is quite grand.  Seems like it would be a welcome sight to the immigrants who endured such a challenging journey.

I loved all the artifacts housed at Ellis Island.  Here is a wall of old-timey passports - lots of them had pictures of whole families.

We spent a few hours on Ellis Island, but there was so much we didn't even get to.  As a family who loves museums, we easily could have spent all day.  I can't believe it took us three years to make the trip out there!

And on the way back, you get that incredible view of Lower Manhattan's skyline.  Even through thick mist, it's quite the sight to behold.

As tourist-y as it is, I have to say, if you visit NYC, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island really are a must-see - especially to see if you have a family member who came through!