Most people see her from a distance; few know how a visit to the island really works.
What the National Monument is and where it sits
When people say they want to visit the Statue of Liberty, they usually mean the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which covers two islands: Liberty Island, home to the statue, and Ellis Island, the former immigration station. It is run by the National Park Service, which is also the place to check for any rule or last-minute change.
Liberty Island lies in Upper New York Bay, about 1.6 miles southwest of Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan. It is a small island of roughly 15 acres, long known as Bedloe's Island and officially renamed by an act of Congress in 1956. Before the statue there was a star-shaped granite fort on it, Fort Wood, and its walls still form the base under the pedestal.
A geographic quirk: although it sits right off Jersey City, the island belongs to the state of New York. It is an exclave surrounded by New Jersey waters, which is why both states like to claim the statue as their own.
Getting there: ferries from Manhattan or New Jersey
The island can only be reached by ferry. Boats leave from two places: Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Every boat stops at both islands, so you can combine Liberty Island and Ellis Island and choose which to see first.
Leaving from Battery Park is the easy option if you are staying in Manhattan, and you get to see the historic Castle Clinton, which is where the boarding area is. If you are based in New Jersey, or driving in and want to avoid Lower Manhattan traffic, boarding at Liberty State Park can save time. To compare options in detail, see our guide to ferries and boats.
Do not mix the ferry up with scenic cruises. Those pass close to the statue but do not land on the island. If all you want is the view from the water, take a look at Statue of Liberty and New York skyline cruise.
Island, pedestal or crown: what each access includes
Basic access lets you step off at Liberty Island, walk the grounds, see the statue from its feet and visit the island's museum. That is a full outing on its own, and plenty of visitors never need more.
The next level is the pedestal: an extra ticket that lets you go inside the base and out onto a viewing area where the statue looms close overhead and Manhattan spreads out beyond it. It is all covered in Statue of Liberty pedestal and museum.
The third and most limited level is the crown. You climb a narrow interior staircase, and sources mention 154 steps from the pedestal, with very few places available each day. If it tempts you, read Statue of Liberty crown: how to climb it first. The torch, by contrast, has been closed to the public since 1916, so there is no way to climb up to it.
Why it pays to book well ahead
You can often buy a basic ferry ticket close to the day, but in busy periods pedestal and crown places sell out weeks or months in advance, and the booking windows change. If your New York dates are fixed, secure the access that matters most to you as soon as your flights are sorted.
Planning also matters for timing. The first boats of the day tend to be the calmest, and arriving early gives you margin for security screening and lets you walk around the island without rushing. There are more ideas in our guide to avoiding the lines.
The season makes a difference too: weather, public holidays and school vacations change the experience a lot, and when to go will help you pick a date. Remember that tickets, schedules, rules and availability change, so always check the official National Park Service website and your operator before you travel.
Security checks and what to bring
Before boarding you go through an airport-style security screening, and there is another check to enter the pedestal or the statue. The less you carry, the faster you move. There are usually limits on bulky items and lockers for bags on the island, but check the current rules on the official site.
Bring photo ID or a copy (you may be asked for it depending on your access), your booking on a charged phone, comfortable shoes and an extra layer: the wind on deck is chilly even in summer. A refillable bottle and some sun protection help too, since much of the visit is outdoors.
If you are travelling with children, a few practical details help, such as strollers and waiting times. You will find them in our family guide.
A realistic plan for the day
A plan that works: board early, get off at Liberty Island, take your time with the statue and museum, then stay on the same ferry to Ellis Island to see the Great Hall and the immigration museum, which deserves its own time. If you are torn between the two, the comparison is in Liberty Island or Ellis Island, and for what you will see there, Ellis Island: what to see.
Think half a day at minimum for one island and a full day for both, especially if security lines are long. If you have time left when you return, Lower Manhattan is right there: the financial district, the 9/11 memorial and much more in what to see near the Statue of Liberty.
And if all you want is a look at the statue without paying for a dedicated ferry, there is a hugely popular alternative, explained in seeing the statue for free from the Staten Island ferry.
Tours for visiting the Statue of Liberty
Some options include only the ferry, others add a guide, reserved access, or a combination with Ellis Island and Lower Manhattan. Check the duration, whether you actually get off on the island and which access level each one includes before you choose.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
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Circle Line: New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise
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NYC City Tour: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street
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Private Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
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Statue of Liberty and New York City Skyline Sightseeing Cruise
Check availabilityTour titles and descriptions appear as on the booking platform. No tour guarantees a ticket or a specific experience.
See more tours and activities on GetYourGuide →Frequently asked questions
Is the Statue of Liberty in Manhattan?
No. It stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, which can only be reached by ferry. You can spot it from the southern tip of Manhattan, but to set foot on the island you need to board at Battery Park or at Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Where do the ferries leave from?
There are two boarding points: Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The boats stop at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, so you can visit both. Check current schedules and rules on the official site before you go.
Do I need to book in advance?
To reach the island, the ferry is enough, but the pedestal and especially the crown have limited places and sell out far ahead. If your dates are fixed, book as early as you can and verify current availability through official channels.
Can you climb up to the torch?
No. Public access to the torch has been closed since 1916. You can visit the pedestal and, with a reservation and limited places, the crown. The original torch is now displayed in the museum on the island.
How much time should I allow?
For a single island, allow half a day including the ferry and security. If you combine Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plan on a full day and leave early so you are not rushed.
Can I bring a backpack or luggage?
There are security checks and limits on what you can carry, and there are usually lockers on the island. Rules change, so read the official guidance and travel as light as you can.
What is the difference between a cruise and the island ferry?
The official ferry lands at Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Scenic cruises sail close to the statue and show the skyline but do not let you step onto the island. Choose according to whether you want to walk on it or simply see it from the water.
Keep reading
Statue of Liberty facts and curiosities
The green lady was not born green, and the woman you see from the ferry keeps more than one secret.
New York helicopter tour over the Statue of Liberty
From the air, the torch sits below eye level and the whole city looks like a scale model.
Statue of Liberty frequently asked questions
One part of the Statue has been closed to the public for over a century, and it is not the crown.
Statue of Liberty pedestal and museum
Under the statue lies a star-shaped fort that hardly anyone notices.
Sources
Facts taken from Wikipedia and the U.S. National Park Service (public domain). Always verify practical information on the official websites.
Photo credits
- Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Jakub Hałun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- Jakub Hałun, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0