The tip of Manhattan Island and the enclosing shores of New Jersey, Staten Island and Brooklyn form the broad expanse of New York Harbor, one of the finest natural harbors in the world and one of the things that persuaded the first immigrants to settle here several centuries ago. Take to the water - most easily aboard the Staten Island ferry - to get the best views of the classic downtown skyline, or to get out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - two high-priority targets for a trip to the city.

At the time of writing, service on the #1 and #9 trains to South Ferry, the closest stop to the ferries, has been discontinued owing to the cleanup following the World Trade Center's collapse. The best way to reach the ferries is to take the #4 or #5 trains to Bowling Green