Everyone says take the first ferry to statue of liberty but honestly who wants to wake up at 6am on vacation? Staten island ferry runs every 30 minutes and sunset views are incredible

Take the r train to whitehall terminal and hop on the free ferry. 25 minute ride each way with perfect statue of liberty photo ops. 5pm departure gives you golden hour lighting without paying $25 for official statue cruises

Central park is also nicer late afternoon. Morning is joggers and tour groups but 3pm-5pm you get street performers near bethesda fountain and way better people watching