Going on a NYC Tour From the Philippines

Around one in every 11 Filipinos either lives or works overseas, and “Pinoys” are also among the most likely to travel to other countries as tourists when they have the opportunity.

Easily among the top tourist destinations for those starting from the Philippines is New York City, and especially the Statue of Liberty - a symbol of freedom that Filipinos can deeply relate to given their historic struggles for freedom against the Spanish and Japanese Empires.

Below, we will look at 4 top activities for those who visit NYC, including going on The Liberty Cruise. But first, some helpful advice for travelers:

● Get a connecting local flight to Manila or Cebu, using Philippine Airlines or Cebu Airlines. Flights from Manila/Cebu are cheaper than from any other cities in the country and can be had as direct flights, making the long journey of some 8,500 miles pass a little faster.
● Fly in March, September, or November for the cheapest tickets. December and mid-summer are most expensive.

Taking the Liberty Cruise

The most iconic symbol of New York, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, can be reached by ferry from Battery Park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan. You can take the ferry free, but a guided tour will help you avoid needless delays or getting lost. And he/she will be able to answer questions you may have about what you’re seeing and ensure you don’t overlook any worthwhile stops either on Liberty or Ellis Island.

The ferry ride takes you over New York Harbor, with views of Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building in the background. And you’ll see Miss Liberty “growing larger” as you approach your destination.

On Liberty Island, you can take photographs in the shadow of the statue, go inside for a pedestal tour if you booked ahead for that, and stop by the Crown Cafe and museum. Next, you can stop off at nearby Ellis Island to visit the intriguing immigration museum housed there.

Touring the City by Bus

The best way to get a relatively fast look at all of New York City’s top sites, and at an affordable rate, is through a double decker bus tour.

You can buy a one to five day pass, hop on and hop off at any of the numerous bus stops scattered throughout the city, and follow your own itinerary if you like. The on-bus audio tour lets you listen in numerous languages, including Tagalog.

By booking online, you can get an additional discount on top of the already very affordable bus tour prices.
Exploring Times Square
Times Square, where many NYC bus tours begin and end, is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

This part of town is full of bright lights and flashing billboards, and walking Times Square at night is an experience of its own. And during the three minutes between 11:57pm and midnight, you can witness a giant digital art display as the billboards around the square are synchronized.

You can also join the audience on live TV shows filmed in Times Square, such as The Late Show from 5:30 to 7pm; visit the numerous top-tier eateries and shopping centers within easy walking distance and enjoy free street entertainers (who appreciate a donation, however.)

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum

You can tour Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum at either 9:30am or 10:30am, both tours lasting one and a half hours.

Walk through the location of the original World Trade Center and learn of the tragic and heroic events that occurred that day from an informative guide. You will gain a greater appreciation of the people and events involved on that fateful day.

Also, you will visit Saint Paul’s Chapel, which escaped destruction despite being located only a block from the towers. The chapel became a rescue center during the events of 9/11 and its iron fence gathered notes left by people in search of their missing loved ones.

Photo Credits: William Warby under Wikipedia Commons.