The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of New York and one of the most visited attractions in the city. Inaugurated on October 28, 1886, it was a gift from France for the celebration of American independence and a sign of friendship between the two peoples.
The monument became a welcome symbol for European immigrants in search of freedom and fortune in the "New World". The statue was the first thing they saw after crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Located on a small island (Liberty Island) south of Manhattan, near the mouth of the Hudson River and Ellis Island, is one of the best known landmarks in the United States of America and around the world.
Every day it is photographed by thousands of tourists who make the tour of the bay on the ferries. The Statue of Liberty as well as being a important monument of the city of New York, has become a symbol of the United States.
Architecturally, the statue recalls the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the "seven wonders of the ancient world". In 2006 the Statue of Liberty was among the 21 finalists for the election of the "seven new wonders of the world".
It is considered much more than just a monument, as it is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, and it also represents the independence of the United States. In 1984 it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Information about the statue
The statue is high 43 meters and if the base is included, it reaches a height of 93 meters. It is the 27th tallest statue in the world and the tallest in the United States. Perfectly visible up to 40 kilometers away, it dominates the entire bay of Manhattan.
The statue represents a woman in a long toga that supports with the left hand a board on which is engraved the date of American Independence (July 4, 1776) e with his right hand a torch, symbol of the eternal fire of freedom.
Inside the statue are present 354 steps leading to the top, where the observatory is located. The crown is made up of seven points representing the seven seas or the seven continents. It has been visited by almost 5 million tourists every year.
Where do the ferries leave?
Ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart from Battery Park Ferry Station, located south of the island of Manhattan. To reach Battery Park, arrive at the “South Ferry” subway station and take the train lines: 1 or R.
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The ferry company operating the tour is the Statue Cruises. The ticket for the nameplate that you buy in Battery Park includes the visit of both islands, among the main tourist attractions of New York.
- Buy your ticket here
How to visit the Statue of Liberty
A visit to the Statue of Liberty is a must on any trip or vacation to New York. The worldwide symbol of freedom is high on the list of what to see in New York.
Even if you don't want to enter the monument, or make it to the top of the statue's crown, we highly recommend making at least the ferry trip to Liberty Island. During the trip you will be able to enjoy a excellent panoramic view of Manhattan.
If you take the ferry da Battery Park, the boat passes first from the Island of the Statue of Liberty and then passes to Ellis Island. If, on the other hand, we leave from Liberty State Park, the ferry passes first to Ellis Island and then takes you to the Statue of Liberty.
How to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty
All New York City Passes include a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. But they won't grant you access to the statue's crown, nor to its pedestal.
The only way to get to the pedestal and the crown is to book your tickets on the official website http://www.statuecruises.com/ as soon as possible as there is a limited number of tickets that sell out every day.
My advice is to book your tickets as soon as you know the dates of your trip to New York. You can book your tickets 4 months in advance.
Il best period to visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty is early in the morning when there are not as many tourists as in the afternoon.
Crown ticket prices:
Adults - $ 21,50
Seniors - $ 17
Children - $ 12
What to do after reserving the tickets for the crown?
- Once you have made your reservation, you will receive a voucher by email which you must print before leaving. On the day of your visit, you will need to redeem your tickets at Castle Clinton in Battery Park, presenting your voucher, your ID and the credit card used to purchase the tickets. Then, proceed to the security check before taking the ferry.
- Before accessing the pedestal and the crown of the statue, it is necessary to place backpacks, food and drinks in the lockers located at the base of the statue. You are allowed to take your camera and medicines with you if you need them.
- Keep in mind that the climb to the crown includes 393 steps (the height of a 27-story building) in an enclosed area. In summer, temperatures can be high.
- All visitors must ascend and descend the 393 steps without assistance. The outdoor observation deck, balcony and crown are not wheelchair accessible.
- Children under 1,20m in height are not allowed to climb the crown.
Ferry timetable
Ferries to the Statue of Liberty Islands and Ellis Island depart from 8.30 in the morning. The last journey starts at 16:30 in the afternoon.
Hours may vary during various times of the year. Before the visit it is advisable check the official timetables on the Statue Cruises website.
Duration of the visit
The full excursion to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, including a visit to the Statue of Liberty monument, may require three to five hours.
Ticket prices
- The ticket cost per adults is $ 18,50
- The ticket cost per elderly (over 62) is $ 14
- I children ages 4 to 12 pay $ 9
The cost of the ticket includes the ferry trip, the audio guide, the visit of the island of the Statue of Liberty including the monument and Ellis Island.
If you want to go up up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, the cost of the ticket is 3 dollars more.
If you buy the pass turistico New York Pass, the visit to Liberty Island and Ellis Island are already included in the pass.
Free Statue of Liberty ferry
If you want to save yourself the queue and don't want to pay the price of the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, you can also take the ferry to Staten Island.
Pass close enough to take good pictures of the statue and also to enjoy the view of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.
The ferry leaves every half hour and it's free.
You can also admire the Statue of Liberty off the coast of New Jersey City, located across from Manhattan Island, specifically from the Liberty State Park Ferry Station.
