Planning a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island? This complete guide covers the best time to visit, ferry tips, what to expect on both islands, and whether the Statue of Liberty is truly worth adding to your New York City itinerary.

Visiting New York City for the first time can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Between the subway, the neighborhoods, the costs, and the nonstop energy, it’s easy to feel unprepared. As a born-and-raised New Yorker, here’s everything I wish first-time visitors knew before coming to NYC—so you can skip the stress, avoid common tourist mistakes, and explore the city like a local from day one.

I was only eight years old when 9/11 happened. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum brought that day into focus in a way I never expected—here’s what the experience was really like.