The Staten Island Ferry

New York's best boat ride costs nothing. The big orange ferries have been crossing the harbor between Whitehall Terminal and St. George for generations, carrying commuters by the tens of thousands — and, tucked among them, anyone who wants twenty-five minutes on open water with the Statue of Liberty off the starboard rail and the downtown skyline shrinking behind.

There is no ticket, no reservation, and no bad seat, though the right-hand deck heading out gives the closest pass of the statue. Boats run around the clock. Ride over, step off, and ride straight back — or give St. George an hour before the return. The dusk crossing, with the harbor going dark and lower Manhattan lighting up, is the one to plan around.