The Statue of Liberty, a copper giant facing the sea
She stands 305 feet tall from the ground to the tip of her torch. Since 1886, this draped figure in the Roman style has surveyed the Atlantic horizon, her arm raised toward the New York sky. Each year, more than four million visitors board the ferry to get a closer look and feel, at the foot of her pedestal, the weight of this monumental gift from France to the United States.
Why visit the Statue of Liberty?
The statue is more than just a giant postcard. She embodies the historic alliance between two republics and carries the hopes of the millions of immigrants who, between 1892 and 1954, passed through Ellis Island located just next door. Sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed her as a calming figure, her torch held high not as a sign of revolt, but to light the way. At her feet lie broken chains, a quiet tribute to the abolition of slavery.
The tablet she holds in her left hand bears the inscription JULY IV MDCCLXXVI, the date of the American Declaration of Independence. Her metal framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, a few years before his famous Parisian tower.
Access levels
The pedestal and its observation deck
Access to the pedestal allows you to climb 215 steps to reach an observation deck located just beneath the statue's feet. The view of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the New York harbor is striking. An elevator provides partial access to this level for visitors with limited mobility. Pedestal Reserve tickets must be booked in advance because the number of daily spots is limited.
The crown: a rare experience
Climbing to the crown is the highlight for many visitors. The 162 additional steps wind in a narrow spiral inside the copper structure. Up there, 25 windows offer a panorama of the harbor. To be honest, the view from the crown is not as expansive as the one from the pedestal, but the experience of climbing through the interior of this monument is unique. Crown Reserve tickets sell out months in advance and are limited to about 425 people per day.
Pro tip: Book your crown tickets at least three to four months before your trip, especially if you are visiting between May and September. Access to the torch has been closed to the public since 1916.
The Statue of Liberty Museum
Opened in 2019, this 26,000 square foot building welcomes all visitors to Liberty Island with no extra ticket required. The Torch Gallery displays the original torch the statue held from 1886 until 1984, when it was replaced during the major restoration of the 1980s. The immersive theater offers a virtual flyover of the statue's interior, while the galleries feature more than 500 photographs and archival documents. On the roof, the Liberty Vista offers a different perspective on the monument and the Manhattan skyline.
Ellis Island, the natural extension of your visit
Your ferry ticket automatically includes a stop at Ellis Island. The National Museum of Immigration occupies the former building where 12 million migrants were processed. The medical inspection rooms, arrival records, and personal belongings on display tell individual stories that still resonate today. Plan on at least one to two hours for this part of the trip. The Hard Hat Tour, offered as an add-on, allows you to explore the abandoned hospital on the south side of the island, an area usually closed to the public.
When to go
Weekday mornings, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, are the least crowded times. The first ferry leaves Battery Park at 9:00 AM. Arriving early helps you avoid the lines that grow significantly by midday. Spring and fall combine pleasant weather with moderate crowds. Summer attracts the densest throngs, while winter offers virtually no lines, at the cost of biting cold on the water.
Look for these on site:
- The plaque featuring the poem The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus inside the pedestal
- The seven rays of the crown, symbolizing the seven continents and oceans
- Fort Wood, an 1811 star-shaped fortification serving as the base for the pedestal
- The live webcam on the torch balcony, visible from the official website
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
For my part, I really liked my visit to the Statue of Liberty. It is true that she is not huge, but it remains a powerful historical symbol. The boat trip to get there is very nice. I do not necessarily agree with the other negative reviews, for me it is still something to see.