Visit The Statue Of Liberty: Information, Advice And Tips
Located on Liberty Island, south of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous monuments in the United States. It is even considered one of the emblems of the country. During your stay in New York, you must therefore go and say hello!
Go see it, photograph it and also take the opportunity to stop on Ellis Island, the island next door. You can discover an exciting site there: the Immigration Museum. His visit will allow you to learn more about the history of New York City.
Why Visit The Statue Of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was built and offered by France to the United States, on the occasion of the centenary of the American declaration of independence. However, its inauguration in New York did not take place until October 28, 1886, 110 years after the independence of the United States. It served as a lighthouse until 1902.
The statue faces Brooklyn and the Atlantic Ocean, not the Manhattan neighborhood as many think. It is 92 meters high (46 m without its base), about 10 meters wide and weighs 200 tons. Her crown is made of 7 branches, representing the 7 seas and continents, while at her feet are broken chains, symbolizing the abolition of slavery. In her left hand, “Lady Liberty” holds a tablet that reads “July 4, 1776,” the date of American independence.
Today, Lady Liberty has become the symbol of New York City and is certainly one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the world. It is therefore unthinkable to visit New York without going to visit the Statue of Liberty!
Where To Buy Tickets To Visit The Statue Of Liberty?
You can buy tickets directly on site at the ticket offices which open from 8:30 am.
- If you decide to board at Battery Park, you can purchase your tickets at the Castle Clinton National Monument or the Railroad Terminal Building. However, be careful when you want to take the tour, because the last departure from Battery Park is at 3:30 p.m.
- If you board at Liberty State Park, you can purchase your tickets at the Liberty State Park Museum.
It is also possible to book your tickets online. All you have to do is choose a date and time of visit, the type of ticket and the number of people. You will be able to plan your day as well as possible without risking having unpleasant surprises! All visits can be done alone, with an audio guide or with a professional guide, it’s up to you
All Tickets To Visit The Statue Of Liberty
Crossing Tickets
Even if you won’t be able to climb to the top of the Statue, this ticket is well worth it! Once on the pontoon, you can take a leisurely stroll on Liberty Island, walk around the island, and access Fort Wood, the star-shaped fortification on which the statue is built and which was intended to the protection of New York Harbor. Above all, you can observe the Statue of Liberty up close and admire it from all angles.
Finally, from the riverbank, you can enjoy a superb view of Manhattan and the New York Skyline. By choosing this ticket you will also benefit from an audio guide that will allow you to learn more about the island and the Statue of Liberty.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (13 to 61 years old) | 30 € |
| Senior (62 years and over) | 23 € |
| Child (4 to 12 years old) | 15 € |
| Child
(under 4 years old) |
free |
You can continue your visit by going to see the 5 statues made in tribute to the people who participated in the construction of the Statue of Liberty:
- Edouard René de Laboulaye, French historian specializing in the United States who had the idea for the construction of the statue,
- Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who wanted a gigantic work,
- Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the statue’s internal structure,
- Joseph Pulitzer, a very famous journalist, who, thanks to his newspaper (the “New York World”) succeeded in obtaining American financing for the base of the Statue,
- Emma Lazarus, the one who wrote the poem “The New Colossus” which made the project known to the whole world. This poem is engraved at the feet of the statue.
At the end of your visit, you can decide whether to continue the visit or not to go to Ellis Island. In the latter case, stay on the ferry: it will take you back to your starting point.
In total, allow 2 hours of visit for Liberty Island, the time to go around the island, admire the building and take a picture of it. You also have the possibility of taking flex tickets, which can be used within 180 days of purchase, or priority tickets thanks to which you will not have to wait in line (note that the skip-the-line ticket is not really useful only if you want to visit later in the morning).
Tourist passes to visit the Statue
Did you know that there are different tourist passes to discover the different attractions of New York City such as the Statue of Liberty? Among the best known, you will find the New York CityPass, which will give you access to 5 activities : 2 fixed and 3 selected by you from a predefined list.
The attractions offered are often the most popular and requested in the city: the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, the AMNH… By opting for a tourist pass, you can easily book your activities in advance, and you can control your budget! Are you tempted?
Tickets For The Crossing And Access To The Pedestal
These tickets are sold at almost the same price as those for a crossing alone, but also give access to the pedestal of the statue. Do not hesitate to opt for this option!
By booking this ticket, you will be able to access the base of the statue but also the museum, in whichyou can discover the different stages of construction and transport of the statue. From a balcony surrounding the room, you will see the old torch (which remained in place until 1986), and through a glass ceiling, you can even observe the internal structure of the statue. You will also see a copper copy of the statue’s face.
Visiting the museum will also allow you to discover many historical objects, such as photos of the Parisian workshops in which the statue was built, or photos of the assembly of the statue in Paris. You will also see a model of the statue and its pedestal, tools, newspaper engravings of the time, sectional plans of the statue as well as its various reproductions.
Then you can go to various levels (by taking the stairs or the elevator). The higher you climb, the more impressive views of New York you will be treated to. On the top floor, you will be 50 meters above sea level!
Tickets For Crossing And Access To The Crown
Once there, go to the information center where an employee will give you a bracelet to identify those with the right to access the crown. You will then be told the exact time during which you can go up (seats are limited at the level of the crown of the statue). Please note: if you arrive late, you will lose your place!
Then, you can access the pedestal, climb into the crown of the statue and enjoy a superb panorama of the Brooklyn neighborhood and that of Manhattan. You’ll also see the Skyline, Staten Island, New York Bay, and the ocean, as well as the “Miss Liberty” tablet and her inscription.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (13 to 61 years old) | $74 |
| Senior (62 years and over) | $68 |
| Child (4 to 12 years old) | unauthorized access |
| Child
(under 4 years old) |
unauthorized access |
Attention :
- Crown access tickets can only be accessed through the official Statue Citycruises website.
- If you really want to ride in the crown, book your ticket at least 3 months in advance ! Indeed, the tourists are numerous and the places limited.
- There is no elevator to access the crown of the statue: you will have to climb 377 spiral steps and the staircase is narrow!
- Children must be at least 13 years old to ride in the crown.
Fly above the Statue of Liberty
If you want to admire the Statue of Liberty from above, I advise you to take a helicopter flight in New York ! You will then have a completely different perspective of this unmissable monument! From the air, you will also see Central Park, the Hudson River, New York Harbor and all of the city’s most iconic buildings, such as Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, World Financial Center and Chrysler Building. You will also see the Brooklyn Bridge and of course the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! For a 15-minute helicopter flight, count around 230 €
What Good Plans To Visit The Statue Of Liberty?
The best option I can recommend is the New York city passes ! Especially if you plan to visit other must-see New York landmarks ! All you have to do is buy a tourist pass which will allow you to benefit from reductions on the entrance prices to the activities.
Ferry crossing, access to Liberty Island and visit to the Ellis Island Museum are included in the New York Pass and the New York Explorer Pass, for example. However, you will not be able to access the base or the crown.
You will also be able to approach the Statue of Liberty for free and very close, simply by boarding the Staten Island ferry. This ferry runs every 30 minutes to Manhattan, 24 hours a day. You will also enjoy a nice view of the Manhattan Skyline!
Another option: buy a ticket combining the visit to the Statue of Liberty with another attraction in town, which will save you time during your stay. For example, you can opt to combine Lady Liberty with a City Tour of Manhattan by bus or a visit to the Empire State Building observatory.
Last good plan: opt for a night cruise around the Statue of Liberty. You will see Lady Liberty illuminated and the Skyline all illuminated. The view is just sublime, and it’s a perfect choice for a romantic evening!
Ellis Island: A Must-see Not To Be Missed
Be aware that access to Ellis Island is included in your ferry ticket. All the more reason to go there!
This island is steeped in history since between 1892 and 1954, 12 million European immigrants entered the United States via Ellis Island. They underwent a medical examination and completed their administrative formalities there. Some were quarantined there. This part of history is very important for American citizens, it is for this reason that the National Museum of Immigration was created on site in 1990.
Inside, you’ll see a statue honoring the first immigrant to set foot in Battery Park. It was a 15-year-old Irish girl, Annie Moore. The luggage room has also been reconstructed identically. You will also discover the check-in room as well as a gallery exhibiting personal objects. The names of more than 200,000 migrants were engraved on a wall of honor.
How To Get To The Statue Of Liberty?
It is forbidden to dock on Liberty Island: only the company ” Statue Cruises ” has the authorization. It is therefore with this company that you will need to book your ferry tickets. Here are the points from which you can take the ferry:
- Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan. The route will pass by Liberty Island and Ellis Island before returning to its starting point, ie Battery Park.
- Liberty State Park, New Jersey. In general, there are fewer people from this pier and the journey is shorter. The route will also take you through Ellis Island and then Liberty Island, before returning to Liberty State Park.
To get to Battery Park, you can take the New York City Subway :
- Line 1, and get off at station 1 “South Ferry”,
- Lines 4 and 5, and get off at “Bowling Green”,
- Line 5, and get off at ‘Whitehall St – South Ferry’.
It is also possible to get there by bus, taking lines M5, M20 or M15: you will then have to get off at the “South Ferry” stop.
To get to Liberty State Park, take the “New York — Liberty State Park” water taxi . You’ll get it for $7 one way, which will only last 10 minutes
What Are The Visiting Hours?
When Do The Ferries Leave?
Liberty Island and Ellis Island are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except December 25). The sites may also be closed in the event of very bad weather.
The first ferry departs from Battery Park at 9am and sailings run every 30-45 minutes. Going with the first boat of the day is a real plus, because not only are there fewer people at this time, but it will also give you time to visit everything during the day.
How Long Does The Visit Last?
Allow 2 hours to visit an island and 5 hours to see all of the two sites. When booking your tickets, preferably opt for a visit in the morning in order to have time to visit the two islands. Indeed, by choosing a visit around 2 p.m., you will not have enough time to visit everything!
Are you looking for an activity to do in New York?
Planning to visit the City that Never Sleeps, but wondering what to do in New York ? Know that the activities are not lacking in this city! If you’re looking to see one of the best views of New York City, the top of One World Observatory is a place to awaken your senses. Admire iconic landmarks, surrounding waters, and vistas of the Manhattan skyline and beyond.
You can also discover how New York City has changed since the 1500s, thanks to a time-lapse virtual visual experience.
Remember to book your tickets in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office and go directly to the security check
Additional Information
- Where to eat ?
You can bring a picnic (coolers are not allowed) or buy snacks (sandwiches/drinks) directly on board the ferries. You will also find fast food outlets on both islands.
- Is there a souvenir shop?
There are gift shops on board the ferry as well as on both islands.
- Are there security checks?
Yes, and since these are national monuments, they are pretty strict! Take these into account when preparing to leave, as they will take some time. Expect an additional 30-minute wait at Battery Park (1 hour on busy days) and 15 minutes at Liberty Park. Also note that to be able to board a ferry, minors must be accompanied by an adult of at least 25 years of age.
So much for this article on the Statue of Liberty! I hope you will find all the necessary information there for your next visit to New York. If you have planned a stay of several days in New York, do not hesitate to consult my article on where to sleep in New York in order to take advantage of the best addresses at the best prices!