The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are two of the most popular tourist destinations in New York City. Over 12 million people visit them each year. If you’re planning a trip, here’s what you need to know about how to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
How to Visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
If you are visiting New York, the easiest way to get to Liberty & Ellis Island is to take the Ferry at Battery Park.
While other companies can take you are cruises to see the Statue of Liberty, there is only one cruise that will take you to Liberty & Ellis Island: Statue City Cruises.
There is no charge to visit the Statue of Liberty outside of the fee for the Ferry, but there is a fee for accessing the pedestal and crown. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of your visit.
Types of Statue of Liberty tickets:
- Reserve Ticket. This ticket gives you round-trip ferry service with stops at Liberty Island and Ellis Island and also gives you access to the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and the Statue of Liberty Museum. It DOES NOT give you access to the inside of the Statue of Liberty.
- Reserve tickets with Pedestal Access. This ticket is for those who want to reach the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
- Reserve Ticket with Crown Access. This ticket is for those who want to reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor, just south of the Statue of Liberty, and is the first stop on your trip to see the Statue of Liberty.
While the Statue of Liberty is the landmark letting immigrants know they arrived in the USA, Ellis Island was actually the entry point.
It is here that millions of immigrants would have had to come through before gaining entrance to the United States.
This facility was used from 1892 to 1954. Today, it is a museum and research center.
At the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum, voyages come to life through artifacts, photographs, and film footage that illustrate the experience of immigrants to the United States.
You truly will feel as though you are walking in the same steps as those who came to the US for the very first time.
The Statue of Liberty
While seeing the Statue of Liberty is the focal point of visiting Liberty Island, there are other things to do there.
The Statue of Liberty Museum is focused on the creation, meaning, and history of the Statue of Liberty,
You will learn about the creator of the Statue and how it made its way across the Atlantic.
Along with various interactive features, guests will get to see the original torch.
You will find that you will do quite a bit of walking on Liberty Island.
Statue of Liberty View Point
There is no bad view of the Statue of Liberty and while it can get crowded, you will have no trouble getting a picture of the statue without people in the background.
You will just need to move around the statue to set up for the perfect shot!
When visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, be sure to allow plenty of time. These are popular destinations and can be very crowded, especially during peak season.
Overall, this landmark is an important part of history and visiting will give you the chance to understand a little bit more about why it is considered one of the most important landmarks in America.
Have you ever been to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island? What tips would you add for visiting these popular New York City landmarks?