Today began as a busy "touristy" day which ended up being so much more than that.

We began with an early subway ride to Battery Park before catching the ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty.

Last year I couldn't get there so was really looking forward to my trip- and wasn't disappointed.

I had managed to get us tickets to climb up to the crown but when we got there it looked awfully high so I wasn't sure we would all be able to do it. But with a bit of determination we were soon up there and enjoying the amazing views.

I am terrified of heights but there was no way I was going to let that stop me. I just gritted my teeth and kept on walking!

And boy was it worth it. This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was amazing just to see the statue up close but to actually go inside and know you were right up there in the crown cannot be expressed in words.

Back down on earth it was time for lunch and a trip to the gift-shop (I had to get some coins and a charm to add to my collections of course) before catching the ferry to Ellis Island.

This I originally didn't think I would be very interested in as I have no blood-relatives who settled in America, but as soon as we arrived I found the whole experience incredibly moving.

There was so much to see and the combination of the exhibitions and verbal recollections with the incredible photos of immigrants lining the walls proved to be mesmerising and an experience I will never forget.

Once we had finished our visit it was a ferry ride back to Manhattan where despite the cold, winds and rain I couldn't resist sitting on the top deck to see the amazing views of the sky-line.

Once back we walked through Battery Park where we came upon the Merchant Mariners' Memorial which stops you in your tracks when you see it.

Not since my visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetary last year have I seen a memorial which truly evokes the horror of that which it is commemorating.

Next up we took a wander through the financial district and visited the sote of the September 11th attacks.

After all the emotion of the day we needed a reprieve and headed to Bryant Park to wander around the Christmas stalls and watch the ice-skaters.