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Statue of Liberty
She is only reachable by the official ferry from Battery Park, and the ticket folds in Ellis Island next door, where the immigration museum is quietly the more moving half of the day. Most people walk the grounds and call it good. The crown is the real prize, but it sells out months out and means a tight 162-step climb.
Photos: National Park Service (Public domain), William Warby (CC BY 2.0), Daniel Schwen (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
Block out half a day for the ferry, security, and both islands; the grounds and the Ellis Island museum are plenty for most. Crown access is the standout, but only if you booked it months ago and don't mind a steep, narrow climb.
Worth it for
- A first trip to New York when you want the harbor crossing and Lady Liberty up close
- Anyone whose family came through Ellis Island, since that museum is included in the fare
You can skip if
- You set your heart on the crown but are only deciding this week, when it has been sold out for months
- Tight spiral stairs and small spaces are not for you
Tickets & tours for Statue of Liberty
Which ticket should you buy?
What you are seeing
The statue depicts a robed female figure holding a torch and a tablet, mounted on a tall pedestal that sits on a star-shaped fort base. It was designed by the French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, with an internal iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel, and given by France as a symbol of friendship and shared ideals. Up close, the copper skin has weathered to its familiar green.
For millions of immigrants arriving by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the statue was the first thing they saw of the United States, before being processed at Ellis Island a short distance away. That history is why most visits pair the two islands, and why the on-site museums focus on immigration and the making of the monument.
Getting there by ferry
The only authorized way to reach Liberty Island and Ellis Island is the official ferry, which leaves from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The crossing takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes. All visitors pass through airport-style security screening before boarding, so arrive with time to spare.
Boats run as a loop, stopping at both islands, so you can spend time on each and catch a later ferry back. Lines at Battery Park can be long in peak season, especially mid-morning. Booking the earliest departure and arriving before the crowds is the single best way to save time.
Pedestal and crown access
There are three levels of access. A standard ticket lets you walk the island grounds and visit the museum. The pedestal upgrade gets you partway up for views from the base. The crown is the top level, reached by climbing 377 narrow steps with no elevator, and it offers the closest interior look.
Pedestal and crown access are limited and must be reserved before you arrive, since nothing is sold on the island itself. The crown in particular sells out months in advance, so if it matters to you, book as early as you can. The climb is steep and tight, and not suited to anyone uneasy with stairs or confined spaces.
Planning your time
Budget at least half a day for the round trip. Between the ferry, security, time on Liberty Island, and a stop at Ellis Island, even a focused visit runs several hours. Bring water and sun protection in summer, since much of the island is open and exposed.
Ellis Island is worth the stop even if you came mainly for the statue. Its immigration museum sits in the restored main building where arrivals were processed, and it tells the human story behind the monument across the water.
Statue of Liberty: FAQs
Take the official ferry from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and the boat loops between Liberty Island and Ellis Island. All visitors go through security before boarding.
Yes, if you booked the right ticket. The pedestal level gets you to the base for views, and the crown takes you to the top via 377 steps. Both must be reserved in advance, and the crown often sells out months ahead.
Plan at least half a day. Between the ferry, security screening, time on Liberty Island, and a stop at Ellis Island and its immigration museum, a relaxed visit easily takes four to five hours.
Yes. The official ferry is the only authorized way to land on Liberty Island and Ellis Island. You cannot drive or walk there. Sightseeing cruises that pass nearby do not stop or let you off.
Yes. The standard ferry ticket includes stops at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and the boat runs as a loop so you can visit each. The Ellis Island immigration museum is included at no extra charge.
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