Discover the Statue of Liberty: A Tourist Guide Featuring Top 5 Activities

Your visit to the Statue of Liberty National Monument begins with a scenic ferry ride. Board a tour boat at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, New York, or Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, and take in sweeping views of the New York City skyline as you sail. You can peer out from indoor seating areas or savor the sights from an open-air deck. New York ferries approach Liberty Island first and then continue to Ellis Island; New Jersey boats run the opposite route. The journey to each island takes about 15 minutes.

Advance ticket purchase is required, and general admission tickets include round-trip transportation to Liberty and Ellis islands and admission to the on-site museums. Access to other areas is limited and reservations are often necessary. Make your reservations through Statue City Cruises, the destinations’ official ferry service.

Take a free guided or self-guided tour to explore Liberty Island's scenic grounds, gaze up at the Statue of Liberty and learn about the landmark’s history and significance. Audio tours are available in multiple languages and formats including descriptive audio and children's programs. American Sign Language (ASL) tours are also available. Park facilities include a café, bookstore and gift shop in addition to the Statue of Liberty Museum, a can’t-miss component of the Liberty Island experience.

The Statue of Liberty Museum is free to all visitors. Unveiled in 2019, the striking waterfront facility includes interactive galleries, an immersive theater and a rooftop observation deck with breathtaking views. It’s also home to Lady Liberty’s original torch. Check out the multimedia film experience for a virtual fly-through of the Statue’s interior and visit the Inspiration Gallery to add your portrait to the Becoming Liberty digital collage.

Sitting just under Lady Liberty’s feet and accessible by elevator, the 47-meter-high pedestal offers views of New York, New Jersey and Ellis Island. Make reservations in advance to go inside the granite tower and look out from multiple vantage points.

For the ultimate Statue of Liberty experience, reserve tickets to explore the crown. At 80 meters tall, it’s the statue’s highest accessible point and offers unforgettable views as far as Brooklyn, New York. Crown tickets are extremely limited, and the ascent can be challenging. Visitors must be able to climb at least 162 steps on a spiral staircase. Children must be at least 1.1 meters tall to enter.

All Statue City Cruises stop at Ellis Island, and tickets include access to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. There, three floors of exhibits detail the history of the island and immigration to the USA. Learn about the immigrant experience as you make your way through the Baggage Room, Hearing Room and third-floor dormitories. Free, ranger-led museum tours are offered daily. Self-guided audio tours are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, Portuguese and Japanese.

Enhance your experience with a behind-the-scenes look at the unrestored Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital Complex. Guided hard hat tours explore the once-bustling Laundry Building, hospital wards and kitchen. Hospital tours are available by reservation only.

Be sure to visit the American Immigrant Wall of Honor before departing Ellis Island. This permanent outdoor exhibit features the names of nearly 1 million people who came to the USA through Ellis Island and other points of entry.

Planning a trip to the Statue of Liberty National Monument? Here are six tips to help you make the most of your experience:

1. Purchase your tickets in advance: Book through Statue City Cruises, the only authorized ticket provider for the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Crown tickets are extremely limited and can sell out months in advance for summer dates and holidays.

2. Consider visiting in autumn: By then, the summer crowds have eased, and so has the heat. That’s especially important if you’re climbing up to the crown. If you do visit during peak season, try to catch an early boat to avoid large crowds on the islands.

3. Choose the ferry stop that’s right for you: Ferries depart from The Battery in New York and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The Battery is ideal for those using public transportation or arriving from New York City; Liberty State Park has ample parking and nearby rail service.

4. Allow time for security screenings: You’ll go through airport-style security checks before boarding your ferry. Arrive 15-20 minutes early and be sure to review all policies in advance.

5. Come prepared: Pack light, dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Mobility devices are recommended for those who may need them. A limited supply of wheelchairs is available at the Statue of Liberty Museum. Concessions are sold on both islands.

6. Enjoy the view: While a tour with Statue City Cruises is an unforgettable experience, it’s not the only way to check out New York Harbor’s iconic islands. For a brief and budget-friendly look at Lady Liberty, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. Its fleet provides free transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan, New York City, with views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on each 25-minute trip.

Fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York, or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, and take a car or public transportation to your desired ferry stop.