It’s a rare tourist who travels to New York and doesn’t make time to visit the Statue of Liberty. I know, it sounds cliché, but seeing the 151-foot copper statue — given to the United States by France in 1886 as a gesture of friendship –- simply takes your breath away. Regardless of how many miles you travel to see Lady Liberty, once you are in her presence emotions stir up, and you find yourself standing awestruck at a monument that has helped shape world history.
That said; in a previous blog I gave you tips on how to cut down on your wait time to see the Statue of Liberty. The lines to get to Lady Liberty are horrendous (that’s an understatement). My first visit to the Statue of Liberty took place when I was seven years old. That was more than 25 years ago. I have been back several times since and can honestly say the crowds have gotten larger as time has gone on. Which is not to say the wait is not worth it; however, there are a few points you should consider before you drag your three children under the age of four out to Battery Park.
First, (sadly) since 9/11, the Statue of Liberty’s interior — including her crown, which held about 30 people at a time — has been closed to the public. You are now limited to entering the 10-story pedestal on which the statue sits. However, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is still open to visitors, and you can still see up into the statue’s interior through a glass ceiling.
Also, both Liberty and Ellis Islands are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taking the ferry over costs $11.50 for guests ages 13 and up. Admission for seniors is $9.50 and $4.50 for children 4 to 12. Ferries leave from Battery Park located at the tip of Manhattan, as well as from Liberty State Park in Jersey City (by the way, the lines are much shorter at Liberty State Park). Note: The same ferry stops at both Liberty and Ellis Islands.
It’s important to know that if you want to enter the statue’s pedestal, you must make a reservation for a tour at least 48 hours in advance (you can do so by clicking here). The sooner you do so the better since there are a limited number of tours tickets available each day and the system works on a first-come, first-served basis. You can purchase tickets in person from the ticket office at the Castle Clinton National Monument inside Battery Park in Manhattan and the Railroad Terminal in Liberty State Park on the New Jersey side. But plan ahead because while your advance ticket may state a specific tour time, it doesn’t guarantee you a seat on one of the ferries. The boats run on a first-come, first-served basis as well so plan to arrive at the dock at least two hours before your tour to guarantee that you will make it over to the statue on time.
Other New York Related Travel Articles:
How To Eliminate Waiting in Long Lines For Lady Liberty
Little People in the Big Apple: Central Park Zoo and FAO Schwartz
Little People in the Big Apple: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City’s Subway-Hidden Danger