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Thursday, April 17, 2025

How To Go to The Statue Of Liberty, NYC: Reflecting On Freedom


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Liberty is a phrase I determine with america. It’s not one thing I had consciously deliberate. It means greater than freedom – it means combating to your freedom and taking motion in opposition to those that oppress you.

There is no such thing as a higher landmark that represents freedom greater than the Statue of Liberty in New York Metropolis. Greater than a statue, our Woman Liberty stands as a testomony to freedom, and to commemorate America’s independence and its friendship with France.

people looking up at the Statue of Liberty

There’s little doubt that the Statue of Liberty is the primary landmark in NYC, and one of the crucial visited sights. It’s for good motive too, and never one thing you wish to skip, no matter how busy and touristy it has turn into.

On this information, we share all the pieces it is advisable find out about visiting the Statue of Liberty, together with methods to see her without cost, in addition to reply some generally requested questions on it.

Methods to go to the Statue of Liberty

cruise ship on a river

The Statue of Liberty Nationwide Monument is a part of the Nationwide Parks Service. There are a number of methods you may go to the Statue of Liberty:

  1. You are able to do a Statue of Liberty Cruise with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and see the statue with out going onto the island. I believe the sundown cruise can be a terrific thought too – in the event you can plan the climate proper!
  2. You’ll be able to see it without cost on the Staten Island Ferry. Once more, with out happening the island, simply crusing previous.
  3. If you wish to rise up near the statue and go to the museum, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island guided tour permits you to disembark on Liberty Island and discover the grounds with a tour information.
  4. Alternatively, you are able to do what we did, and take the Statue of Liberty ferry over to Liberty Island after which it’s going to decide you up and drop you off at Ellis Island in the event you want to try this additionally. Self guided audio excursions (that are unbelievable and what we did) and guided excursions are additionally accessible when you arrive at Liberty Island.

We used our New York Sightseeing sights go, which features a go to to the Statue of Liberty monument and Ellis Island, in addition to a number of different sights within the metropolis. It’s designed to save lots of you money and time in the event you plan on seeing a number of New York sights.

family posing in front of Statue of Liberty
view of building on Ellis Island
Ellis Island

Sadly, our time was too restricted to slot in an Ellis Island tour, however I’ve heard from many individuals say it’s one of many greatest issues to do in NYC.

Taking the Statue Metropolis Cruise to Liberty Island

Should you choose to not take a tour to Liberty Island, the one method to go to with out a tour is with Statue Metropolis Cruises, the ONLY vendor licensed to offer tickets and transportation to Liberty and Ellis Islands.

As soon as on the island, you want a further ticket to go to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island Nationwide Museum of Immigration.

The self-guided audio tour is included within the worth of your ferry ticket and helps guests be taught concerning the story of Statue of Liberty, whereas exploring the grounds of Liberty Island in addition to the statue’s museum.

An audio tour is on the market for each Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

people on ferry looking at manhattan

With the audio tour, you’ll be taught concerning the historical past of Liberty Island and the Native American inhabitants of Manhattan, which steadily visited the island for its giant oyster inhabitants.

Additionally, you will be taught the way it was used within the Revolutionary Battle and as a army fort earlier than turning into Liberty Island and the place for this symbolic piece of artwork.

You’ll additionally find out how and why the Statue of Liberty was constructed and the fascinating symbolism of every half.

man listening to audio tour looking at Statue of Liberty

Park Rangers present guided excursions in English all through the day. Packages begin on the Flagpole and guests ought to anticipate to be strolling or standing for about 35 minutes.

Excursions are free to hitch and all are welcome!

Ideas for visiting the Statue of Liberty

1. Time Your Statue of Liberty Tour Proper

We tried to go to Statue of Liberty after we explored the Freedom Tower. It was a straightforward stroll right down to the departure level at Battery Park pier.

Nevertheless, it was fully the fallacious time of day as there have been a whole lot of individuals all eager to to the identical factor.

people standing on a boat dock

We lined up for about quarter-hour to commerce our sightseeing go voucher for our ferry tickets. The woman advised me the wait time for the boat was round quarter-hour and moved quick.

We determined to provide it a go. It turned clear to us after quarter-hour, that getting via safety to the Statue of Liberty was going to take a very long time.

I bought antsy immediately. I’m simply not a crowd particular person. It needs to be one thing particular for me to line up for a very long time. I discover most issues aren’t value utilizing my time in that approach.

I did a couple of calculations in my head, evaluated our New York itinerary for the subsequent couple of days, and determined to give up losing time on this line and are available early on the Sunday morning as an alternative to do the Statue of Liberty tour – proper on opening at 8am.

people sitting on a boat

One factor I realized about journey in America, and I’ve talked about in lots of guides pervious to this one – Individuals are usually not early risers.

If you wish to beat the crowds – get to sights early, or bang on opening time, particularly in New York Metropolis.

It does require cautious planning, so you already know the busiest New York sights, which of them to go to when.

After testing the views on the Empire State Constructing at 8am – nice transfer as we had no line up – we headed straight right down to the Battery Park pier to get on the boat.

We didn’t have to attend for our tickets this time as we already had them.

We had been via safety and in a position to board the ferry in quarter-hour – YES!

view of manhattan with ferry on river

2. Be ready for safety searches

Safety is tight for the ferry experience to Liberty and Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. Identical to the airports, you’ll be taking off your belts and footwear.

So remember to restrict what you’re taking over there to scale back this headache.

3. Pay attention to faux Statue of Liberty ticket sellers (and Ellis Island)

crowds of people getting on ferry

There are a lot of unauthorized ticket sellers who will attempt to promote you Statue of Liberty tickets and Statue of Liberty excursions close to Battery Park in NYC.

These people will usually attempt to rip-off folks via misrepresentation and over-charging. There is just one vendor allowed to promote tickets for the ferry, so don’t be fooled by these folks.

It’s greatest to buy tickets upfront. The one on-site location to buy licensed tickets is the Statue Cruises official ticket workplace inside Fort Clinton in Battery Park. Queues for this ticket workplace are lengthy, so keep away from the queue and ebook forward.

4. Visiting the Pedestal or Crown of the Statue of Liberty

brick pedestal of statue of liberty

The Pedestal ticket is $25.80, and a complicated reservation is really useful as on-the-day tickets promote out quick. They’re topic to availability on a primary come first served foundation on the ticket window.

Should you go to the Pedestal, notice there are both 215 steps (10 tales) to climb, or there’s an elevator for these with mobility points.

Click on right here to order tickets for the Pedestal.

You will need to buy Crown Tickets upfront if you wish to go to the crown of Liberty. They’ve restricted variety of tickets every day and it’s tremendous standard.

Reservations could be made 4-6 months upfront.

Each the Pedestal and Crown are included as a part of the NYC Sightseeing Move, which can prevent cash in case you are seeing a number of NYC sights.

HOT TIP: You should purchase your tickets upfront and skip the safety queues with this guided tour from Viator. This tour grants entry to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty (which you usually have to order upfront). The Pedestal options a number of remark ranges and a museum with reveals on the long-lasting landmark’s building and structure. You’ll then go to Ellis Island grounds and spend time on the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

5. Know the place the ferry departs from

There are two places the place you may catch a ferry to Liberty Island. The preferred is from Battery Park in NYC, however you too can get a ferry from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

The ferries begin at 8:30am.

Statue of Liberty Details

Who designed the Statue of Liberty?

the Statue of Liberty up close

A go to to the Statue of Liberty is an iconic US expertise, however not many individuals find out about it’s historical past.

In 1865, a French political mental and anti-slavery activist named Edouard de Laboulaye proposed {that a} statue representing liberty be constructed for america.

This monument would honor america’ centennial of independence and the friendship with France.

It was created by French sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who supported Laboulaye’s thought and in 1870 started designing the statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World.”

Statue of Liberty - one of the best things to do in New York

He needed one thing to face out and Bedloes Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor was a transparent winner for its place to greet folks as they sailed in.

He had the foresight to see that NYC would seize the world’s consideration.

His imaginative and prescient was stated to be too huge and inconceivable, and nobody within the US was at first. By no means cease a human with a dream to remind the world that liberty, equality, and fraternity are beliefs to stay by.

How tall is the Statue of Liberty?

front close up of Statue of Liberty on the island

The statue is 151 ft tall, and the REAL identify of Woman Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World.

It was seen to be a present of friendship from the folks of France to america and is acknowledged as a common image of freedom and democracy.

The Statue of Liberty was devoted on October 28, 1886 and is now a Nationwide Monument.

What’s the Statue of Liberty made from?

view of Statue of Liberty with nyc skyline in the background

This colossal copper statue is filled with symbolism and hope and I beloved studying the story and what this girl represents on the Statue of Liberty tour.

She’s there to enlighten the world with reality and justice.

She was essentially the most wished for imaginative and prescient of the 12 million immigrants arriving within the 1880’s – 1894. It was proof they made it after weeks at sea, and the ship would erupt in enormous cheers.

That they had arrived screaming, crying and kissing one another. Their hopes and desires realized as they search a brand new life.

people looking at Statue of Liberty rom the ferry

Throughout World Battle I and II, Liberty started to represent what the troopers had been combating for, and it changed Uncle Sam after WWII because the image for the USA.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Website and over 4 million folks go to a 12 months to acknowledge the particular and distinctive worth it represents to folks around the globe.

Though she’s meant to symbolize equality, she was created in a time the place this equality was not represented.

Is it nonetheless?

African Individuals and ladies had been excluded from the general public celebrations of the disclosing of her, (regardless of her being a woman representing liberty!)

It’s good to see how far humanity has come since then, however I’m certain we will agree, the equality and liberty for all  that she represents has not but been realized, and these days appears like its sliding backwards.

Could we glance to the damaged shackle and chain on the Statue of Liberty’s toes to remind us to interrupt the chains of bondage (as seen principally via our attitudes and behaviors) and the top of oppression.

It’s time to work collectively to create a world the place nobody has to expertise this.

Statue of Liberty with new york in the background

We got here to the US in search of a life we dreamed about. I received’t say higher, as I’m lucky sufficient to be born in Australia, a rustic that provides me loads of alternative, safety, pleasure and naturally freedom!

Nevertheless, like these immigrants on the boat, we went via a very long time of dreaming, planning and taking dangers to make it occur.

I perceive how they will need to have felt once they first laid eyes on the Statue of Liberty as they changed into the harbor.

people on ferry looking Statue of Liberty

Aid, disappointment, pleasure.

It’s a combination of emotions as you commerce one life into one other you imagine will carry you higher hope, pleasure, safety and peace.

I don’t suppose the brand new life in America so many immigrants got has by no means been taken as a right. They usually have helped to construct a rustic that’s thrilling, modern, various, fascinating with robust beliefs within the pursuit for happiness.

Let’s not overlook that.

I’m so grateful for the privilege I’ve to be from a rustic the place I can have these selections to use for a visa and be granted it.

I’m so grateful for the privilege of being from a rustic, I don’t have to run from in concern.

There are such a lot of folks in our world, who don’t have the identical privileges, but are in search of a greater life. Could we work collectively to honor their journey, their humanity, and their proper to be protected and free from oppression.

I don’t have the solutions, because the scenario is so advanced, however I do know that, in looking for a very good answer, we will deal with these will much less privilege than us with love and compassion.

It’s the great in humanity that’s working arduous to be seen.

Could every of us work to carry it out of the collective consciousness and do higher.

That’s what the Statue of Liberty jogs my memory of.

It’s a worthy attraction to go to when in New York, no matter crowds and the way touristy it’s.

Last Ideas on Visiting the Statue of Liberty

Visiting the Statue of Liberty lead me to mirror on freedom – how fortunate we’re to have it, the alternatives and privilege that comes with it, and the way a lot we take that privilege as a right.

It was no shock these emotions got here up on our go to to Liberty Island in New York Harbor to see the statue that represents reality, equality and liberty.

I had little interest in visiting the Statue of Liberty earlier than this journey to New York Metropolis, maybe I used to be not prepared for it, and to be sincere, I used to show my nostril up at it as being crowded kitschy touristy stuff.

However my dad and mom needed to go to so I scheduled it into our New York itinerary, and it didn’t disappoint.

people looking at NYC slyline views from Liberty Island

Savannah was notably excited to see her. For her, it’s an emblem that she is in New York, her favourite metropolis ever.

I used to be involved that it could be a headache with all of the folks visiting there every day, however fortunately, the worth of the tickets had been lined with our Sightseeing Move, so it wouldn’t be too nice a loss if we didn’t prefer it.

Seems I didn’t want to fret.

I can not depart this information with out saying how magnificent the views of Manhattan and the World Commerce Heart (Freedom Tower) are from Liberty Island and the ferry.

Manhattan views from Statue of Liberty ferry
Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower

It’s a distinctive perspective and one to not be missed! I beloved the way it made it seem to be essentially the most well-known excessive rises had been all in a line!

Liberty Island views of Manhattan

What do you suppose? Are you planning to go to the Statue of Liberty? Tell us what you thought within the feedback.

High Points of interest in NYC

Whilst you’re in New York Metropolis, it’s a good suggestion to get organised and plan forward for the favored sights as tickets usually promote out on the day. Beneath are a number of the high sights in New York which you’ll ebook forward on-line:

Excursions of NYC

Should you’re quick on time and would favor a guided tour, listed below are some standard ones we might suggest:

  • 5 hour Sightseeing tour of NYC – Brief on time? Benefit from your stick with this complete 5 hour tour exploring the primary sights with snug bus transportation and information!
  • THE RIDE – a singular tour that’s half theatrical present and immersive tour. See traditional New York Metropolis sights from the consolation of a technologically-advanced shifting theater motor coach.
  • Better of New York Circle Line Cruise – 2.5 hour narrated cruise, and the solely sightseeing cruise to circumnavigate the island of Manhattan to see the 7 main bridges, 5 boroughs and 101 unforgettable New York sights.
  • Helicopter Tour – Get pleasure from gorgeous views of Manhattan Island on a deluxe sightseeing helicopter flight providing 180 diploma views from the sky.
  • Harlem Gospel Tour – 4-hour tour of a historic Harlem to expertise the thrills of gospel singing, Columbia College and the Apollo Theater earlier than becoming a member of a gospel choir for Mass.

See all excursions and actions in NYC right here. 

Extra NYC Journey Ideas

Now we have a lot of guided for visiting NYC that will help you plan your journey and put itineraries collectively. Take a look at these different useful guides…

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