Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, given as a gift by the people of France to the people of the United States. designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
Location
Liberty Island, New York Harbor
Hours
Daily 9am – 4:30pm
Tickets
General admission: US$24
General admission + podium access: US$ 24.30
General Admission + Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour: US$74
Free general admission with New York Pass
Free general admission with the Sightseeing Pass
How will you get there?
Ferry from Battery Park. To get to the pier:
Subway: South Ferry (train 1), Whitehall St/South Ferry (lines R and W) or Bowling Green (trains 4 and 5).
Bus: Lines M1, M6 and M15.
What is nearby?
Ellis Island (1,2 km)
Wall Street (3,5 km)
Federal Hall (3,5 km)
9/11 Memorial (3,6 km)
March 2022 and the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island are open: Liberty Island grounds, the Statue of Liberty Museum and Theater, the Statue of Liberty podium which includes access to the podium balcony and the top of Fort Wood, audio tours (included in your ticket price), Crown Café, public toilets and Ellis Island. The Crown and Visitor Center are not open.
How to see the Statue of Liberty
There are several ways to admire this architectural masterpiece, including:
The only way to set foot on Liberty Island and walk the grounds is on the unique ferry (https://www.cityexperiences.com/) that runs the route: Battery Park – Liberty Island – Ellis Island – Battery Park. The routes run every day and every half hour from 8:30am – 5:00pm. Note Apart from this ferry there is no other way to get down to the island. So you have to be careful of some shrewd people who try to sell tickets without a response.
The Statue of Liberty can be seen up close with one of the New York Harbor cruises available. You might not get off the ship, but you’ll take fabulous photos.
A highly impressive approach and view of the Statue of Liberty is by helicopter flight. It may be a bit steep in price but the experience will be unforgettable. Besides, the Statue of Liberty is one of the many sights that you will admire from above.
For the most affordable way to see the Statue of Liberty up close, you can take the Staten Island Ferry completely free for a short trip to Staten Island. Grab the starboard side of the ship, equip the camera and capture the moment.
Finally, if you have the right photography equipment, you can take endless photos of Battery Park, Governors Island and One World Observatory.
The pedestal
Visiting the podium is a great addition to any visit to the Statue of Liberty. Access to the podium requires reservations. There are 215 steps or about 10 floors to climb to the top of the podium. Elevator use is limited for guests who cannot use stairs. The lift is limited to 1 person per ride.
The museum and the theater
In May 2019, the grounds of Liberty Island were expanded with the opening of the Statue of Liberty museum. The Statue of Liberty museum houses three interactive galleries that tell the story of the statue in impressive ways. Each gallery is designed to inspire visitors. The museum replaced a small exhibit inside the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal and allows millions of visitors to enjoy the Statue of Liberty experience and be inspired by this iconic statue.
Immersive Theater is a 10-minute multimedia experience. As visitors walk through this space, they are surrounded by images that shed light on the sweeping history of the Statue of Liberty and the ideals it represents. Highlights of the presentation include the rich history of the statue’s origins and a virtual walk-through inside the statue.
In the Engagement Gallery, visitors explore how sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and a team of artisans constructed the statue. Multimedia displays create the feeling of being inside the studio allowing visitors to see the elaborate process of designing, molding and building the Statue of Liberty.
In the Inspiration Gallery, visitors reflect on what they have seen and experienced in the museum. Visitors can complete their visit and express their views by adding a self-portrait to be added to a digital collage called Becoming Liberty. The most iconic symbol of Liberty, the original torch, is housed in this gallery. Through the glass walls surrounding the gallery, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Lady Liberty and the New York skyline.
The Crown
Access to the Crown is limited due to security and accessibility requirements and is by reservation through the Statue City Cruises ticketing process. Depending on the time of year, reservations must be made four (4) to six (6) months in advance. Access to the Crown is by stairs only. Visitors may bring the following items to the Crown: One cell phone and/or photo camera per person, water in a plastic container, and any medication needed while inside the monument.
History
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, given as a gift by the people of France to the people of the United States, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
The statue depicts the figure of Libertas, a Roman goddess of liberty. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand symbolizing enlightenment. On her left hand is an inscription embossed with the date July 4, 1776 in Latin numerals, the date of the US Declaration of Independence.
A broken chain is at her feet as she walks forward, symbolizing the abolition of slavery. After its dedication, the statue became an icon of freedom and the United States, and was seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea.
Many immigrants entering New York saw it as a sign of welcome. Immigrant oral histories record the feelings of joy when they first saw the Statue of Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty is 46.5 meters high and together with the pedestal it reaches a height of 93 meters. You can use the staircase inside the statue and climb the 354 steps to the crown where you will have a great view of New York Bay. If you want to enter the podium or the crown of the monument, it is better to book tickets in advance.
This iconic architecture is truly a wonder of the world and the allure of the monument is equally captivating whether it is morning or night as the Statue of Liberty has its own charm with or without lights.
