Statue of Liberty

Visit Statue of Liberty

Aside from the option of ascending to the windows in the statue's crown, there is a museum on Liberty Island. You don't need to purchase an additional ticket for it. Also, nearby Ellis Island houses the original immigration processing station, and it has been restored to its former glory. If your ancestors immigrated to the United States, then it's possible that they were processed at Ellis Island.

If you don't like lines, then winter is definitely the best time of year to visit. Lines then are almost nonexistent. Spring and fall are just a little busy, and summer is the jam-packed season. If you visit during the summer, then plan to be at the ferry dock in Battery Park no later than 7:30 a.m. From May through October, the first ferry leaves at 8:30 a.m., and there will likely already be a line an hour before. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island together make up a whole-day expedition to see and experience everything, so plan accordingly. At other times of the year, the first ferry is at 9:30 a.m., and arriving an hour early is still smart.

Alternatively, you can plan on taking the ferry from Liberty State Park in New Jersey if you so desire. If you're driving, then that is definitely the better option. Going from Battery Park is best accomplished by taking the subway instead. The lines at Liberty State Park are sometimes shorter than at Battery Park. Also, if you're done for the day, you can take either ferry back to the mainland. If you're parked at one place and you wind up at the other place, don't fret — there is a shuttle service between the two locations.

Ticket Information

The best way to get tickets is to buy them on the Statue of Liberty Tickets website. Generally, if you're not going up to the crown, you can get tickets the same day. Just to be safe, it's always a good idea to get tickets beforehand. Check availability for tickets to ascend the statue well in advance. The normal tour includes the Statue of Liberty, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, and the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. It does not include access to the pedestal. As of August 16, 2023, the price for an adult is $31.50. Tickets for children ages 4 to 12 are $19.00. Seniors are $25. Children 3 and younger are free. Both pedestal access and access to the crown cost $0.30 more per ticket. Children 3 and under are still free.

Family-Friendly Options

The entire site is family-friendly as you can see by the educational museums and children's pricing. The excursion is long, though, especially if you're going to ascend the crown, so it's a good idea to bring items to occupy your kids during downtime. The area on Liberty Island is just right for picnics, so it's a great idea to bring a picnic lunch and a blanket so that the family can enjoy eating together.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

Let's say you're going to visit the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park. To avoid the hassle of trying to navigate the subway on your first visit, just hail a cab and take it to Battery Park. Remember that you're arriving at least an hour before the first ferry leaves. If you're visiting during the summer, you should have the cab arrive no later than 6 a.m. Traffic in Manhattan can be bad at any time, so allowing some extra time is wise. If you get there early, then you can see the statue in the distance in the early morning light.

Boarding, the ferry ride itself, and disembarking will take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many people are on the ferry with you. Once you arrive, you can take an hour or so to explore the island, taking photos of the statue from different angles. Visiting the museum takes another hour or more, and if you go into the pedestal, budget another hour. Ellis Island will take two or three additional hours. The line for the crown is probably going to take at least an hour even if you have tickets. Figure an hour for a picnic lunch and another 30 minutes to an hour to get back to Battery Park. You'll get back around 6 p.m., and you can have something to eat at one of the food trucks in the area or in one of the many restaurants. Here's a great tip: Lombardi's Pizza is just 1.9 miles — a short cab ride — from Battery Park. It's widely considered to have the best pizza in New York!

Statue of Liberty Accommodations

Activities Near Statue of Liberty

Weather, Safety & Accessibility

Weather & Packing

New York City is hot in summer, cold in winter, and typically mild in spring and fall. If you take the ferry to Liberty Island, even during the summer, it will be cool on the water, so bring warm clothes for the ride. You'll need sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to explore the park on Liberty Island or any of the other parks in New York City. Bring comfy shoes. New York City is not truly driver-friendly, and the parking is exorbitant. So, people tend to use the excellent mass transit system and taxis and walk everywhere they can't or don't choose to ride.

Safety & Accessibility

The museum on Liberty Island is handicapped-accessible. Through a lift, so is the pedestal. Check the Statue of Liberty website for any information on the lift working or being out of order. Sight-impaired people can take advantage of the audio tour and Braille pamphlets. Service animals are welcome.

When it comes to safety, you may not bring weapons of any kind into the park, and this includes so-called "dual-purpose items." You also may not fly drones. There are two screening checkpoints. If you have safety concerns, then it's a good idea to speak with one of the many park rangers on Liberty Island.