Like many tourists to New York City, I headed for Castle Clinton and got a ticket for a boatride to the Statue of Liberty and then Ellis Island. Being the classic way to see Lady Liberty, I ended up with the same picture of the statue and southern Manhattan that just about every tourist ends up with.

I got a good look at the statute and then headed for Ellis Island, which for me was the highlight of the tour. My grandpa came to the U.S. through Ellis Island. The facilities had recently been restored, so there was a lot of ... (more)