Statue of Liberty
A 93-meter copper statue gifted by France in 1886, a symbol of American liberty and a World Heritage Site. Take a ferry to the island, and book ahead if you want to climb to the crown.
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed it, and Gustave Eiffel designed its internal steel framework. Completed in 1886, it was a gift from France to mark the centennial of American independence. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. The copper statue itself is 46 meters tall, and 93 meters including the pedestal. Her right hand raises a torch, and her left arm holds a tablet inscribed with July 4, 1776, the date of the Declaration of Independence.
The only way to reach the island is by the official Statue City Cruises ferry, departing from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. There are three ticket levels. The standard island ticket (about $25 for adults) includes both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The Pedestal ticket costs the same but requires a timed slot, and gives access to the museum and the pedestal observation deck. The Crown ticket costs an extra $0.30 and lets you climb the 162 spiral steps to the crown, where windows offer views over the harbor. Crown spots are very limited, so book several months in advance.
The Statue of Liberty Museum on the island, opened in 2019, is free and displays the original torch. The ferry's next stop, Ellis Island, served as the immigration station for 12 million people between 1892 and 1954. The Immigration Museum there lets you search arrival records for your ancestors. Start with the 8:30 a.m. first ferry. A visit covering both islands takes about 4 to 5 hours. If you don't want to go ashore, the free Staten Island Ferry leaves from Whitehall Terminal and runs 24 hours a day. The round trip takes 50 minutes and gives you close views of the statue and the Manhattan skyline from the water.
Be aware that you must pass airport-style security before boarding, and large bags and tripods are not allowed on the pedestal. Buy tickets through the official site, cityexperiences.com. Unofficial "Statue of Liberty cruises" sold on the street are usually sightseeing boats that don't land on the island.
Opening hours
Ferry approx. 08:30–17:00 (extended in summer); island closes with last boat
Nearby sights
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
- Governors Island
- Wall Street & Charging Bull
- National September 11 Memorial & Museum
- One World Observatory
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Chinatown, Manhattan
- SoHo