USA TODAY International Edition
Staten Island Ferry marks 100 years
Iconic boat ride will be celebrated in exhibits, events
We were very tired, we were very merry
We had gone back and forth night on the ferry
— From Recuerdo, Millay all Edna St. Vincent
Thisweek marks the 100th anniversary of a New York icon: the Staten Island Ferry.
Poets, generations of young lovers, tourists and commuters have ridden the boats that chug between lower Manhattan and Staten Island, offering impressive views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. It’s also a great travel bargain: The 5- mile, 25- minute ride is free for passengerswithout cars.
A series of exhibits and events will celebrate the centennial, including “ Ferry Fest 100,” featuring art, music, poetry and more. It runs through Sunday at ferry terminals 50 years ago: Under a different Manhattan skyline, New York celebrated the Staten Island Ferry’s 50th anniversary. in Manhattan and Staten Island. ( Information: 718- 440- 5833, ferry fest. com)
On Thursday, the Staten Island Museum opened a new permanent exhibit dedicated to the ferry’s history, including photos and artifacts ( 718- 727- 1135, statenisland museum. com).
Meanwhile, Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro is encouraging visitors to explore the island.
“ More than a million tourists ride the Staten Island Ferry each year,” he s ays. “ Relatively f ew c ome off the ferry.”
He’s working to promote the island’s 9,872 acres of parks and more than two dozen cultural and recreational attractions. Among them: Snug Harbor, home to art galleries, museums, botanical gardens and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center (718- 448- 2500, snug- har bor.org).
The Staten Island Zoo has an aquarium, African savanna and a farmyard area for kids to get up close with animals ( 718- 442- 3100, statenislandzoo. org). Its Breakfast with the Beasts program allows visitors to prepare meals for the animals and learn more about them.
And the island has what’s billed as the biggest collection of Tibetan art outside of that country. It’s on display at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art ( 718- 9873500, tibetanmuseum. com).
Movie fans can check out the hilly Hamilton Park neighborhood, where mansions include two on Longfellow Street that appeared as “ Casa Corleone” in The Godfather.