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Visiting the Statue of Liberty is a must-do if you go to the Big Apple, as it’s one of the most famous monuments in the city and the world.
The Statue of Liberty in New York was a gift from the French government to commemorate the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence. A lesser-known fact is that the statue looks east towards France as a sign of gratitude. For centuries, Lady Liberty has been a symbol of freedom throughout the world, making it one of the best places to visit in New York City.
We spent the last five years living just two hours from NYC, and whenever we could, we’d escape to the City That Never Sleeps. Among the things we visited, the Statue of Liberty was one of the best!
Guide to visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York
In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this monument, from how to get to the Statue of Liberty, how much tickets cost, tour options, and more. Of course, this is one of the most popular attractions in NYC, so I recommend booking your Statue of Liberty tickets in advance.
In a nutshell, this guide includes:
- Types of Statue of Liberty tickets
- Statue of Liberty ticket prices
- Statue of Liberty hours
- Other tours that visit the Statue of Liberty
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island, south of Manhattan. This means that the only way to get there is on one of the Statue of Liberty ferries that leave from Battery Park (Manhattan) or Liberty State Park (New Jersey).
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Since Manhattan is one of the few places from which you can reach Liberty Island, visiting the Statue of Liberty is one of the top things to do in Manhattan. In addition to Liberty Island, the ferries stop at nearby Ellis Island, home to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Now that you know where the Statue of Liberty is, you should also know that it sits on a 155-ft pedestal. This increases the Statue of Liberty’s height to 305 feet, so you’ll easily be able to see it from the ferry.
Tickets to the Statue of Liberty (Statue CityCruises)
There are different types of Statue of Liberty tickets, so there are several ways to see this monument, which has a UNESCO World Heritage Designation.
If you want to take the self-guided Statue of Liberty tour, you must purchase your admission and roundtrip ferry ride through this website. You can leave from Battery Park or Liberty State Park, and I recommend booking your trip at least a couple of weeks in advance, or even longer during peak season.
Keep in mind that your Statue of Liberty ticket price depends on which type of tour you choose. Tickets to tour the Statue of Liberty’s crown are more expensive, but they tend to sell out first since they’re limited and offer an advantageous viewpoint.
Here are the other tour options for your Statue of Liberty visit.
General admission to the Statue of Liberty
For a quick visit to the Statue of Liberty in New York, a general admission ticket will do. The ticket, which you can purchase here, includes roundtrip ferry service from Battery Park or Liberty State Park.
General admission to the Statue of Liberty
A general admission ticket allows you to go around the island and view Lady Liberty from different points on the water, as well as access the Statue of Liberty Museum. However, you won’t be able to go inside the statue.
That said, this ticket includes a stop at Ellis Island, where you can access the Immigration Museum. So, it’s a good choice if you want to do a quick self-guided tour of the Statue of Liberty, or you’ve already visited this monument.
Statue of Liberty ticket with pedestal access
The Statue of Liberty ticket with pedestal access is available here and includes everything that’s included in general admission. Plus, you get access to the Fort Wood section and the Pedestal Viewpoint, so it’s a great option if you want a higher vantage point of Liberty Island.
Statue of Liberty ticket with pedestal access
This ticket costs the same as the general admission ticket, but there are only 1,000 tickets available per day, so they sell out quickly.
Statue of Liberty ticket with crown access
If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty’s crown, you’ll have to act fast and book your ticket here well in advance. This is the most comprehensive ticket, and there are only 240 of them available per day.
Along with a roundtrip Statue of Liberty ferry ticket, this ticket includes everything in the general admission and pedestal tickets, as well as access to Lady Liberty’s crown, one of the best observation decks in NYC.
Statue of Liberty ticket with crown access
Before you book it, keep in mind that you’ll have to climb 162 narrow steps to get up to the crown. There isn’t an elevator, but the climb is worth it!
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Unfortunately, and due to the situation caused by COVID-19, access to the crown is currently closed. I recommend checking your trip dates via the link below to see if access is open for tourists and if tickets are available. |
Admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island Hospital (Hard Hat Tour)
If you’ve already visited the Statue of Liberty before and you’re looking for something different, book this Hard Hat Tour that includes access to the statue and the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital.
Admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island Hospital (Hard Hat Tour)
This Statue of Liberty tour includes a roundtrip ferry to and from Liberty Island, access to the Statue of Liberty Museum, a stop at Ellis Island, admission to the Immigration Museum, and a tour of the abandoned hospital. Keep in mind that you can’t go inside the Statue of Liberty with this ticket.
The abandoned Ellis Island Hospital served individuals with contagious and infectious diseases. Despite its gloomy appearance, many of the rooms are decorated with murals by street artist JR. Some of the murals depict actual patients from the hospital, making this a unique experience where you can learn more about the Statue of Liberty’s history.
Statue of Liberty ticket prices
The price of a Statue of Liberty ticket depends on the type of ticket you choose. However, I will say that there isn’t much difference between the general admission ticket and the one that grants you access to the pedestal. To give you a clearer idea of each ticket’s price and what it includes, here is a comparison chart:
PRICE | HIGHLIGHTS |
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|---|---|---|
$24 | • Round-trip ferry ticket |
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$24 | • Round-trip ferry ticket |
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$27 | • Round-trip ferry ticket |
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$74 | • Statue of Liberty Museum |
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STATUE OF LIBERTY TICKET PRICES |
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The ticket that lets you visit the Statue of Liberty’s crown is the best option since it’s just $3 more and gives you splendid views of NYC. Of course, it’s also the first one to sell out, sometimes 2-3 months ahead of time. So, if this is the Statue of Liberty tour you want to do, I recommend booking it as soon as you can.
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Remember that, at the moment, access to the crown is temporarily closed, so it is not possible to buy this type of ticket. |
Attraction passes that include the Statue of Liberty in New York
Almost all New York city passes include a visit to Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty Museum. However, keep in mind that they only cover general admission, so you won’t be able to access the pedestal or crown.
With general admission, you get a roundtrip ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park or Liberty State Park; access to the Statue of Liberty Museum; and a stop at Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum.
If you want to tour the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal or crown or do the Hard Hat Tour, you must book your ticket through this website. You can’t use your New York citypass to get general admission, then pay the difference once you get to Liberty Island.
Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
The only way to get to Liberty Island is by taking the Statue of Liberty ferry operated by Statue Cruises. You can depart from the main terminal in Manhattan’s Battery Park, or from the terminal at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Your ferry ride is included in your ticket, whether you depart from Manhattan or Jersey.
The ferry schedule to the Statue of Liberty varies depending on the terminal. Ferries from Battery Park (Manhattan) to Liberty Island depart every 25 minutes between 9 am and 4:30 pm, while those from Liberty State Park (Jersey City) leave every 30 minutes.
Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
You can check the ferry schedule to the Statue of Liberty here. Of course, before setting sail, security controls similar to those at the airport are carried out, so I recommend you arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time. Also, don’t forget your passport and documentation!
The Statue of Liberty cruise by ferry takes about 15 minutes from Battery Park, stopping first at Liberty Island, then Ellis Island. The ride takes about 30 minutes from Liberty State Park since it takes the opposite route, going first to Ellis Island, then Liberty Island.
While both ferry routes stop at Ellis Island, many tourists choose not to get off there. If you have time, it’s worth visiting Ellis Island and walking through the Immigration Museum and the abandoned hospital.
Also, you don’t have to take the same ferry back to the terminal. In other words, you can depart from Battery Park and return on the ferry that leaves from Liberty State Park, or the other way around. Just remember that the New Jersey ferry stops at Ellis Island first and the Manhattan ferry stops there on the way back, and once you go past it, you can’t go back.
In any case, I suggest taking advantage of the ferry ride to take photos of the New York skyline and Lady Liberty, especially if you can find a good vantage point on the boat.
Statue of Liberty hours
The Statue of Liberty’s hours sync up with the ferry schedule to the Statue of Liberty. The first ferry leaves at 9:15 am, while the last ferry departs at 6:15 pm, both in the direction of Battery Park and Liberty State Park.
Statue of Liberty hours
Keep in mind that the last ferry back to Battery Park (Manhattan) stops at Ellis Island, and the last chance to catch the ferry from there to Battery Park is 6:30 pm. So, if you want to visit both Liberty and Ellis Islands, I suggest you plan accordingly.
While organizing your visit, you may be wondering how long it takes to visit the Statue of Liberty. It depends on several factors, including the type of ticket you purchase and whether you want to stop at Ellis Island or not. In general, plan 5-6 hours to ride the ferry and do the tour. This means you’ll want to take the 12 pm or 1 pm ferry at the latest to ensure you don’t have to rush to see everything. If you’re taking a one-week trip to NYC, you will have plenty of time to do so. For shorter trips, you may want to skip the full tour and take just this cruise to say hi to Lady Liberty.
Statue of Liberty Museum
The Statue Liberty Museum is one of the best museums in New York City, and all visitors to Liberty Island have access to the exhibits since it’s included with every ticket.
Statue of Liberty Museum
The museum is next to the jetty, where you can get beautiful views. Inside the museum, you’ll find several exhibits about the history of the Statue of Liberty, as well as facts and interesting information about the monument. There is also an exhibit with the statue’s original torch, historic photographs, and the preliminary sketches by designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
The Statue of Liberty Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Tickets to the Statue of Liberty also include Ellis Island, although most people don’t get off at this stop. If you have time, I recommend checking out this small island, which has lovely viewpoints, and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The abandoned Ellis Island Hospital is also here, although you’ll need to reserve this ticket if you want to tour it.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Your Statue of Liberty ticket includes admission to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, so it’s worth checking it out. This former immigration center is now a national monument and museum with over 30 galleries showing photographs, letters, historical information, and personal belongings from immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.
You can also see the Wall of Honor, which is inscribed with the names of those who crossed the border at Ellis Island. Without a doubt, it’s a wonderful accompaniment to your tour of the Statue of Liberty, as you can learn more about the challenges these people faced as they made the difficult decision to leave their countries in search of a better life.
Other tours that visit the Statue of Liberty
Besides the tour options included in your Statue of Liberty ferry ticket, there are other guided tours you can take to see this monument. If you’re interested, I recommend looking at our article on the best Statue of Liberty tours in NYC.
Other tours that visit the Statue of Liberty
I will say that this boat tour is a good alternative to the basic ticket since you’ll be led by an expert guide. If you’re on a budget, you could also see the Statue of Liberty for free by taking the Staten Island ferry. Of course, if you want something extra special, I recommend this helicopter flight over the Statue of Liberty or this dinner cruise past the monument.
FAQs about the Statue of Liberty in New York
If you still have doubts or concerns, here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Statue of Liberty in New York:
Can I visit the Statue of Liberty without a tour?
Yes, you can visit the monument on your own as long as you have a Statue of Liberty ferry ticket.
How much does it cost to visit the Statue of Liberty?
Tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty start at just $24.
How long does it take to visit the Statue of Liberty?
Plan 5-6 hours to take the ferry ride, visit the Statue of Liberty, and stop at Ellis Island.
What are the Statue of Liberty hours?
The Statue of Liberty’s hours are linked to the ferry schedule, so you can be on the island from 9:15 am to 6:15 pm.
Where does the Statue of Liberty ferry depart from?
The ferry to the Statue of Liberty leaves from Battery Park in Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Where can I get the best view of the Statue of Liberty?
The best place to see the Statue of Liberty is from the ground on Liberty Island, or from the ferry arriving at Liberty Island. If you like photography and want to take in the sights, there’s nothing like a boat tour on the Hudson River that circles the Statue of Liberty.
When is the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York?
The best time to visit the Statue of Liberty is first thing in the morning since you can spend more time there and avoid the larger crowds.
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty for free?
No, you can’t go to the Statue of Liberty for free, but you can see it for free from Battery Island, Manhattan and Liberty State Park, New Jersey. Some other viewpoints overlooking the Hudson River also provide nice views of the monument.
When was the Statue of Liberty built?
The Statue of Liberty was built by French designer Frédéric Bartholdi in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel.
How tall is the Statue of Liberty?
The total height of the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet. The statue itself is 151 feet, while the pedestal is 154 feet tall.
What was the Statue of Liberty’s original color?
The original color of the Statue of Liberty was reddish-brown, but over time it has taken on a bluish-green color.
What is the history of the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States to mark the centennial of the Declaration of Independence. For this reason, the statue faces east, towards France.
That’s it for this guide to the Statue of Liberty in New York City. I hope it helps you organize your visit, and that you enjoy this famous monument! If you have any questions, or you’d like to share your experience touring the Statue of Liberty, you can leave me a comment below. Have a great trip!
