Visiting the Statue of Liberty is a must when you’re in New York — no other monument sums the city up so well. For over 130 years Lady Liberty has stood here, gazing over the harbor, as an official welcome to all who visit.
There are a variety of ways to visit the Statue of Liberty in person. Sure, you can choose to skip the island and pass by on a boat, but there’s no experience that compares to admiring her height and grandeur up close. We’ve put together this guide of the best ways to visit the Statue of Liberty.
Full disclosure: I’m a tour guide, so I think seeing the statue on a tour is the best way to go. But I promise to show you all options below, and you can decide for yourself which way you want to visit!
How to choose a ticket to visit the Statue of Liberty
While there are multiple ways to view the statue, the only way to get to the island is via the Statue City Cruises ferry that departs from Battery Park in New York City or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. They are the official provider of tickets to the statue and Ellis Island, so be wary of street vendors selling other tickets.
Tip: While general admission and some pedestal reserve tickets are available for same-day purchase, Statue City Cruises recommends booking in advance online or by phone. This will ensure you get a reserve time you want, and you’ll avoid waiting in long lines.
If you book a tour through a legit company — yep, like our New York tours — and it says your ferry ticket is included, that means that the tour and Statue of Liberty ferry ticket are bundled together, so you get both with one convenient purchase. A visit to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is also included in each ticket type.
That said, Statue City Cruises has a variety of ticket options that can be overwhelming. Let’s go over the pros and cons of each one, so you can make the right choice.
General admission
General admission tickets are great if you want to take an express trip to Liberty Island and spend more time on Ellis Island. Both are included in your ticket, but you’ll only have access to the grounds of the Statue of Liberty and the museum, which tells the narrative of the statue’s creation and the people who brought her to life.
There’s also more flexibility when it comes to purchasing a general admission ticket. They’re always available, so you can wait in line to buy them same-day from your chosen point of departure. Whether you book online or in person, your ticket has a reserve time for when you can enter the airport-style security screening.Tickets purchased in advance will be sent via email or can be picked up at will call with your photo ID and the credit card used to make the purchase.
Is the general admission ticket worth it? Here are the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros
- General admission tickets almost never sell out, so you can purchase them in advance or same-day.
- Round-trip ferry access is included in your ticket, so you can depart from NYC or NJ and stop at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
- More time to spend at Ellis Island, which many people skip if their reserve times are 2 PM or later.
- An audio guide is included to enhance your experience and let you go at your own pace.
Cons
- Unless you book a ticket in advance, chances are you’ll be waiting in a long line to purchase a same-day ticket.
- General admission doesn’t include pedestal or crown access to the Statue of Liberty, so you’ll be limited to the grounds, museum, and viewing the monument from the outside.
- The audio tour isn’t tailored to you or your group’s preferences, which limits your experience.
Pedestal reserve
The only way to guarantee a ticket to reach the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty is to book your ticket in advance. This ticket option gives you all the benefits of general admission, plus access to the 192 steps (or elevator) from the base of the statue to the pedestal, and the outdoor balcony below her feet.
Tip: You’ll have a better chance of scoring same-day pedestal reserve tickets if you visit during the off-peak months of January and February or November and December. Since these tickets are limited, we highly recommend booking them ahead.
Climbing to the pedestal is a great way to burn calories and get a panoramic view of the New York skyline. Is the pedestal reserve ticket worth it? Here are the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros
- Round-trip ferry access is included in your ticket, so you can depart from NYC or NJ and stop at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
- Priority entry into the security screening facility, which lessens the waiting time at the departure point.
- Entry to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
- A wide staircase and plenty of landings to rest during your 192-step climb. But you don’t have to take the stairs if you’re in a hurry — there’s an elevator to the pedestal.
- Panoramic views of New York Harbor, Ellis Island, Jersey City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and other buildings from the observation deck.
- An audio guide is included to enhance your experience and let you go at your own pace.
Cons
- A limited number of tickets are available each day, so there’s no flexibility in purchasing them. You need to book these tickets in advance to guarantee access.
- You’ll have to go through a second security screening to enter the Statue of Liberty, so factor this into your schedule for the day.
- No backpacks, food, or drinks are allowed inside the monument, so you’ll have to place those in a locker if you have them.
- While there is an elevator you can take to the pedestal, you still need to climb 26 stairs to reach it, so it isn’t wheelchair accessible.
- Accessing the crown requires a separate ticket.
- The audio tour isn’t tailored to you or your group’s preferences, which limits your experience.
Crown reserve
Getting a ticket to Lady Liberty’s crown is almost as difficult as climbing the 393 steps it takes to reach it, but the views from 27 stories up are worth it. First thing to note is that all visitors must be able to make the climb without assistance, so take that into consideration before going through the booking process.
Crown reserve tickets are extremely limited and tend to sell out three to four months in advance, as only 300 people are allowed access per day. To book your tickets online or by phone, you’ll want to plan ahead and follow these steps:
- Provide the names of everyone in your group who requires a ticket.
- Pick up tickets at the will call window at either the NYC or NJ ticket office. Tickets must be picked up by the purchaser, and you’ll need a valid government-issued photo ID and the credit card you used to purchase them. A wristband is included with your ticket, which indicates that you have access to the crown.
- Make sure everyone in your group is present when you pick up the tickets. Each person’s name will be printed on their ticket, so they’ll also need a photo ID — unless they’re a minor without an ID — that matches the name given at the time of purchase.
When it’s time for your group to enter, you’ll head to the priority entrance of the screening facility. At Liberty Island, head to the security point at the base of the Statue of Liberty, and make sure they see your wristband.
So, is the crown reserve ticket worth it? Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Round-trip ferry access is included in your ticket, so you can depart from NYC or NJ and stop at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
- All the benefits of the pedestal reserve ticket, plus access to the crown and priority entry for the security screening at your departure point.
- Burn calories and observe the internal structure as you climb 393 steps from the pedestal to the crown.
- Get an expansive view of the harbor from the crown’s 25 windows, watching the ships and ferries come and go.
- An audio guide is included to enhance your experience and let you go at your own pace.
- National Park Service Rangers are on site to assist visitors if needed.
Cons
- Crown reserve tickets must be purchased in advance and picked up at will call at your point of departure.
- Tickets are limited and typically sell out three to four months in advance.
- You’re limited to four tickets per transaction, and only one reservation is allowed in a six-month period for every cardholder.
- If there are any children in your group, they must be at least 42 inches tall and capable of climbing the stairs on their own.
- There is no elevator from the pedestal to the crown, and there are 162 narrow steps to the top.
- You’ll have to go through a second security screening to enter the Statue of Liberty, so factor this into your schedule for the day.
- No backpacks, food, or drinks are allowed inside the monument, so you’ll have to place those in a locker if you have them.
- The audio tour isn’t tailored to you or your group’s preferences, which limits your experience.
Hard Hat Tour ticket
Ellis Island’s Hard Hat Tour is a unique experience to see a part of the immigration center as it originally was. This ticket gives you all the benefits of general admission, plus a 90-minute tour of the unrestored Ellis Island immigrant hospital. Closed in 1954 with the remainder of the island, the hospital and its adjoining buildings remain frozen in time, offering a unique perspective of the history and the day-to-day proceedings.
Sixteen of the interior walls now also house an art exhibit entitled “Unframed – Ellis Island” by the renowned French artist JR. These complex art installations are made from archival photos taken around the hospital, making the experience more immersive for visitors.
Tip: If you’d also like to go inside the Statue of Liberty, you can combine this ticket with either the pedestal reserve or crown reserve tickets. You’ll want a reserve time earlier than 2 PM to have sufficient time to visit both landmarks.
Is the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour worth it? Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Round-trip ferry access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island is included in your ticket, but you have to depart from Battery Park in NYC.
- All the benefits of the pedestal reserve ticket, plus a 90-minute guided tour of the unrestored hospital buildings.
- No more than 15 people are allowed on each tour, which makes it feel like an intimate and personalized experience.
- The cost of tickets — around $75 each — usually means there are always tickets available. Booking in advance is still recommended.
- A portion of your purchase goes toward the restoration and maintenance of the hospital.
- Priority entry into the security screening facility, which lessens the waiting time at the departure point.
- An audio guide is included to enhance your experience and let you go at your own pace.
Cons
- The Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour only departs from Battery Park in NYC, so you can’t leave from Liberty State Park in NJ but can return there after your tour.
- All participants must be 13 years of age or older, so younger children can’t go on the tour with you.
- At this time, the buildings don’t comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, so all participants must be able to climb stairs without assistance.
- In addition to hard hats, you must wear closed-toe shoes like sneakers or boots. Sandals, high-heels, and other open-toed footwear are not permitted.
- Pedestal and crown access to the Statue of Liberty are not included.
- You’ll need an early tour time before 2 PM in order to have an adequate amount of time to see both Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
Tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty
Visiting both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is an incredible experience. To take the stress out of your trip, there are a few tips you should know before you go.
Where can I access the Statue City Cruises ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?
Departure points are located both in New York and New Jersey. If in New York, you will depart from Battery Park. Those in New Jersey will depart from Liberty State Park.
I already have a ticket. When should I arrive for the ferry?
If you’ve purchased one of the Statue City Cruise’s reserve tickets, you should arrive 30 minutes before your reserve time. Keep in mind that the time on your ticket is not your boat’s departure time, but the time you are allowed to enter the security tent. If you miss your time, you won’t be able to board the ferry.
What facilities are available on the ferry boats?
There is a concession stand to buy food and drink on board, as well as a bathroom. All boats are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
Can I bring a backpack into the monuments?
Backpacks are not permitted, but there are lockers to store them while you explore. Food and beverages are also off limits, even if they’re unopened.
Can I bring my pet with me?
Only authorized guide and service animals are welcome on the ferry and within the park. Please leave your pets at home.
What is the weather like at the Statue of Liberty?
This varies with the seasons. Check the weather ahead of time and dress accordingly, as you’ll be both inside and outside. In the summer, it’s important to note that the Statue of Liberty is not air conditioned, so it can be hotter inside the monument than outside.
Get an immersive experience with a guided tour
Generally, the best way to experience the Statue of Liberty is with a professional tour guide. But I’m biased: Like I mentioned at the start of this guide, I’m a tour guide in New York City and have taken hundreds of visitors to see the statue and Ellis Island.
We offer a few different Statue of Liberty tours, including an express visit to Liberty Island if you just want a quick overview. Our top-rated tour by far is the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, a five-hour all-inclusive visit to both islands with an expert guide who’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.
In addition to admission to the grounds, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, your guided tour includes reserve-access ferry tickets.
I think the best part about seeing these landmarks with a guide is that we take care of all the planning for you, so you don’t have to worry about choosing a ticket or ferry departure time. Plus, you’ll learn interesting facts and stories that the audio tour alone won’t tell you. And if you want recommendations for where to eat and what to see next, your NYC guide is the best resource!
Ready to book your guided tour? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if this option is right for you:
Pros
- You book the tour and show up, we take care of the rest. Once you meet your guide, they’ll tell you which boat to get on and how to get into the museums, which is ideal for visitors who don’t know NYC very well.
- Ferry tickets are reserved ahead of time, so you’ll avoid waiting in long lines.
- Wonderful views of the city and harbor with recommendations from your guide on where to get the best pics (and someone who’s happy to take a photo of you or your group!).
- Learn how the Statue of Liberty became the icon it is today.
- Discover America’s rich cultural history at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, audio guide included
- Insider tips to make the rest of your trip memorable from an NYC local.
- We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.
Cons
- Tour must depart from Battery Park in NYC at a set time, so there’s less flexibility if you want an earlier or later tour, or to leave from Liberty State Park in NJ. You can return to NJ at the end of your tour.
- Tour guides aren’t allowed inside the museums, so those portions of the tour will be self-guided. Your guide will tell you everything there is to know and what to look out for before you enter.
- Tickets don’t include access to the pedestal or crown of the statue of liberty.
- Since visiting Ellis Island is dependent on the ferry schedule for the 12:30 p.m. tour, Ellis Island may not be available for afternoon departures during the busy season.