The Statue of Liberty is New York's landmark and one of the most famous attractions worldwide. With its numerous symbols and unique history, it is a goal on every bucket list. Have you always wanted to enjoy a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline? With our tips, you'll learn how!
By Hannah Gottlieb-Kettl
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Tickets
Visit Lady Liberty and delve into the history of the USA. Secure your ticket here!
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: Entry + Ferry from Manhattan + NY Guidebook
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NYC Statue City Cruises: Official Statue of Liberty Tickets
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NYC: Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise Ticket
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Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise
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Tours
Book your tour or enjoy the benefits of your Fast-Track ticket!
NYC: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour
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NYC: Circle Line 1hr Lady Liberty Cruise Skip-The-Box Office
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NYC: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
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Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour w/Ferry + Museum Entry
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Extras
Do you want to make your visit a special experience? Book your boat trip at sunrise or a combo tour here.
NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise
NYC: Wall Street Tour with 9/11 Memorial and Statue Ferry
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4 tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty | Photo: Unsplash, Avi Werde
1
Book as early as possible
Since the sought-after tickets can be booked out months in advance, book your ticket as early as possible. If you haven't found availability, still check our site regularly - due to cancellations, a booking slot may become available.
Lady Liberty at night
2
Plan enough time
A tour across Ellis and Liberty Island typically lasts three to five hours. Since there is a security check both before boarding the ferry and before entering the statue, additional waiting times can occur.
3
Dress according to the season
Depending on the season, weather conditions can vary greatly. Since you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, it is recommended to not forget appropriate rain protection. Take a rain poncho or a small umbrella with you, as large umbrellas are forbidden. Also, good shoes are an absolute must!
4
Travel with light luggage (Security!)
Since large bags are not allowed on Liberty and Ellis Island and there is no option to store them on-site, only take a small bag with you.
Attention: Backpacks are also not allowed inside the statue!
Great Symbols | Photo: Unsplash, Jeff Burak
Statue of Liberty - a symbol of freedom
The 92.99 meters (305 ft) tall and almost 225 tons (225 tons) heavy statue was a gift from France in the year 1886 to celebrate the Declaration of Independence, which Lady Liberty carries in the form of a tablet under her arm. As an emblem of the independence of the USA, the Statue of Liberty still stands for political freedom and democracy today - two cornerstones of American society.
350 pieces
For the sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, Lady Liberty became the work of his life. He spent nearly 21 years working on the statue, whose framework was constructed by none other than Gustave Eiffel. Due to its size, the statue had to be disassembled into 350 parts for transport. Packed in 214 crates, it was then shipped by freighter to New York, which represented an incredible effort for that time!
Shortage of Funds and Criticism for Construction
Lady Liberty was 'born' into a time of economic depression. Since the Americans had to pay for the pedestal themselves, the entire project was under severe criticism for a long time. Even the art world at the time preferred realistic monuments over allegories and symbolism. In the end, the height of the pedestal was reduced from 34.75 m (114 ft) to 27.13 m (89 ft), and the statue could be placed on the completed pedestal in 1886.
Guardian of Values
With shackles broken at her feet, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom and the history of the USA as an ‘immigrant country’. She holds the torch as a symbol of enlightenment high above her head, adorned with a crown of seven rays that are intended to represent the continents. Independence, openness, tolerance, and freedom - Lady Liberty is seen as an icon for the values of the American way of life.
Inside the Statue | Photo: Unsplash, Grace Estrada
View of freedom
A trip on the Ellis Island ferry offers you a breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty, which rises majestically out of the water. You can feel the symbolism of this iconic figure as you approach. As the ferry continues its journey, the impressive Manhattan skyline opens up before you in all its glory. This unforgettable view combines history and modernity in a way that will leave you deeply impressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps are there to the crown?
The ascent to the crown is strenuous. You must climb 354 steps in a narrow, enclosed area to reach the platform. The steps themselves are partly flat and taper off at one end.
Children are allowed to visit the crown only if they are at least 107 cm (42 in) tall and can manage the ascent and descent without assistance. Therefore, please consider whether the climb is too strenuous!
There are rangers on-site who ensure general safety. However, you must be able to assess for yourself whether you are physically capable of the ascent. Particularly people with cardiovascular conditions, as well as those who suffer from claustrophobia or acrophobia, are discouraged from making the climb.
Please also consider that the temperature inside the statue can be up to 20 degrees higher than outside!
General park hours are 8:30 am–5:00 pm; the last ferry from New York City and Liberty State Park to Liberty and Ellis Islands departs at 3:30 pm. The park and islands are closed on the fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving) and on December 25. Hours may be extended in summer, shortened in winter, and changed during extreme weather. The pedestal, Statue of Liberty Museum, and Information Center are open every day except Thanksgiving and December 25; daily hours and last entry times vary by season and boat schedule and are posted on site. To visit both islands with ample time, take a ferry before 1:00 pm; access is very limited for arrivals after 2:00 pm.
address
Liberty Island New York NY 10004 USA
discounts
If you have one of the many New York passes, the ticket can be discounted or already included.
Included: The New York Sightseeing Pass, The New York Pass (by Go City)
Attention: Tickets included in the passes only include the services of the Reserve Ticket and do not grant access to the base or the crown!
The National Park Service museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island have no separate entrance fee, but a ferry ticket is required to visit the islands. Ferry & Tour general admission, including access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, costs: adults (13+): $25.50; children (4–12): $16.50; seniors (62+): $22.50; under 4: free.
Pedestal access adds $0.30 for adults, children, and seniors; under 4 free. Crown access adds $0.30 for adults, children, and seniors; under 4 not permitted.
Ranger tours are free and audio tours are included. The optional Ellis Hard Hat Tour is restricted to ages 13+ and adds $55 for adults and seniors. Ferry, tour, parking, and special-tour fees are not covered by America the Beautiful passes or NPS Fee Free Days.
how to get there
Access to Liberty or Ellis Island is only possible by ferry, and the rides are included in the ticket. The ferry departs from the stations Battery Park (New York) and Liberty State Park (New Jersey). The Battery Park station can be reached by subway line 7th Avenue Line (station South Ferry), the Lexington Avenue Line (station Bowling Green), and by bus lines M15 (station South Ferry) and M6. The Liberty State Park Station can be reached with the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR).
Written byHannah Gottlieb-KettlHannah is an enthusiastic globetrotter. Her love of discovering new places has taken her to almost every continent on our planet. Hannah now shares this great passion with the world as a content creator. In her writing, she provides impressive insights and combines her travel experiences with lots of useful tips.
By Hannah Gottlieb-Kettl
The Statue of Liberty | Photo: Unsplash, Avi Werde
Lady Liberty at night
