How to Visit the Statue of Liberty in 2025: Complete Guide to Tickets, Crown Access, Ellis Island & Best Tours

New York’s most iconic landmark • Gift from France • UNESCO World Heritage Site • Symbol of freedom and hope

A trip to New York City is not complete without visiting one of the world’s most recognized symbols of freedom — the Statue of Liberty. Officially named “Liberty Enlightening the World,” this colossal neoclassical sculpture was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886. For nearly 140 years, she has stood in New York Harbor as a beacon of hope, democracy, and opportunity.

Fun fact: Lady Liberty is made of copper sheets just as thin as two pennies stacked together. When she arrived from France, she was a dull copper brown. Over decades of oxidation, she developed the iconic sea-green patina we know today — a natural protective layer.

Ways to See the Statue of Liberty

You can admire her from countless viewpoints:

• From the top of Manhattan skyscrapers (One World Observatory, Empire State Building)
• Free Staten Island Ferry (great distant views)
• Helicopter or boat tours
• Waterfront parks in Brooklyn and New Jersey

But nothing compares to taking the official ferry and stepping foot on Liberty Island itself. Standing at her feet and looking up at her towering 305-foot (93-meter) height is an experience you’ll never forget.

Statue of Liberty Ticket Types (2025)

1. General Admission (Reserve Ticket)

Includes round-trip ferry, access to Liberty Island grounds, audio guide, and Ellis Island.

• Best for photos and enjoying the surroundings
• Stunning views of Manhattan skyline
• Access to the new Statue of Liberty Museum (includes the original torch!)

2. Pedestal Access Ticket

Everything in General Admission + entry to the Fort Wood section and the pedestal observatory (215 steps up).

• Amazing close-up views of the statue’s interior structure
• Outdoor observation deck with panoramic harbor views

3. Crown Ticket – The Ultimate Experience

The rarest and most sought-after ticket. Climb 377 steps (162 narrow spiral stairs from the feet to the crown).

• Only ~500 tickets released per day
• Must book 4–6 months in advance
• Children must be at least 4 feet (1.2 m) tall
• Not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia or heart/respiratory issues
• You’ll stand directly below the seven spikes of her crown!

Best Time to Visit the Statue of Liberty in 2025

• Shoulder seasons: April–May and September–October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds)
• Early morning: Take the first ferry (8:30–9:00 AM) for the shortest lines and best light
• Late afternoon: Golden hour photos are spectacular
• Avoid: Weekends, U.S. holidays, and summer midday heat

How to Get to the Ferry

Ferries are operated by Statue City Cruises and depart from two locations:

• Battery Park, Manhattan (easy subway access – 4/5 to Bowling Green or 1 to South Ferry)
• Liberty State Park, New Jersey (free parking, often shorter security lines)

Arrive at least 45–60 minutes before your ferry time for security screening (similar to airport security).

Don’t Miss Ellis Island & the Immigration Museum

The same ferry stops at Ellis Island after Liberty Island — and it’s included in every ticket. Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants passed through here. The museum is one of the most powerful and emotional in the United States.

• Search the free passenger database for your ancestors
• See restored dormitories and the “Wall of Honor”
• Watch the award-winning film “Island of Hope, Island of Tears”

How Tripetta Makes Your Day Perfect

Tripetta’s AI travel planner builds a fully customized Statue of Liberty itinerary that includes:

• Optimal ferry time based on crowd forecasts
• Exact duration to spend on each island
• Best nearby lunch spots in Lower Manhattan or Jersey City
• Hidden photo spots most tourists miss
• Seamless connection to your broader New York itinerary

Whether you choose to admire her from the ferry, walk the pedestal, or climb all the way to her seven-spiked crown, a visit to the Statue of Liberty is far more than a tourist attraction. It’s a moving encounter with the story of freedom, resilience, immigration, and the enduring promise of the American dream.

Lady Liberty continues to hold her torch high — welcoming the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free… and welcoming you, too.