Duration: 10 hours

Your day is planned to take full advantage of a complete day in New York City! You'll begin your adventure at Battery Park where the ferries depart for the Statue of Liberty and end the day at the top of One World Trade Center's incredible Observatory.

Start the day early on one of the first ferry boats to Liberty Island. As you maneuver the waters of New York's harbor, take in the iconic skyline of Lower Manhattan - something everyone must see at least once in their lifetime! Upon arrival at the Statue of Liberty (and all the security that goes with it. This is Lady Liberty, after all!) your guide will take you across the grounds, peering upon this impending lady and granting you all the insights into her journey from an idea near the French town of Versailles to the small island in the waters of America's first city.

After a good amount of time with the Statue of Liberty, load the ferry for a trip to Ellis Island. Here, you will get an idea about how the immigration process worked during its heyday, and feel extremely grateful for all those who traveled to this very spot. For some of you, you will walk the immigration station where your ancestors set the foundations for your own existence in America. A truly moving and joyful experience.

When you return to Battery Park, you will have some time on your own to eat lunch and refuel at one of the many recommendations offered by your guide. They will point you to some off-the-beaten-path eateries hidden from the general tourist hot spots in the area. After a good lunch and good rest, we will pick up again within the city streets - particularly those around Lower Manhattan integral to the events of September 11th, 2001.

Begin your afternoon on the steps of St. Peter's Church, where family and friends came to pray and offer support while they awaited news in the immediate aftermath. View the personal memorabilia, photographs, and other artifacts commemorating those involved in the relief effort.

At the 9/11 Memorial, your guide will ensure you have a reverent experience. Together you will visit the two reflecting pools, built on the footprints of the former World Trade Center, each pool engraved with the names of every victim. Learn about the little nuances that make it more touching; like how staff place a single rose in the name of the victims on their birthday. Visit the FDNY Memorial Wall, paying tribute to the brave individuals who worked around the clock in the aftermath. See the Survivor’s Tree, a single tree that miraculously survived and was nursed back to health by New Yorkers.

One of the many highlights of your tour comes at the end - a visit to One World Observatory. With pre-reserved tickets, your visit is guaranteed. After your guide has set the scene for you and wrapped up, they will depart for the day to give you time on your own to explore at your leisure.

Standing tall and proud on the site of the former World Trade Center structures, One World Trade Center (aka the "Freedom Tower") is a testament to a city that fell to ashes and rose out of the flames like a phoenix. See first hand how New York rebuilt itself bigger, better, and stronger inside the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Inside the lobby, find videos about the production of this incredible structure - said to be the strongest in the world - and of the women and men who built it. Then board a "skypod" to travel through time and space. Created in association with Universal Studios, these special elevators are covered with LCD screens, on which you’ll watch the changing face of New York from the 1600s thru today - all while ascending 102 floors in just 42 seconds. Disembark at the top of One World Observatory for incredible panoramic views over NYC. What better way to end a day - looking back while glancing into the future.