Statue of Liberty National Monument
Land on Liberty Island, read the monument up close, and separate island admission from the harder-to-get interior climb.
Artwork inspired by William James Glackens
The Statue of Liberty rewards more than a distant photograph. Walk the island to see the copper figure, star-shaped Fort Wood beneath its pedestal, and harbor approach that shaped its meaning for generations of arrivals. The museum explains its construction and displays the original torch. A standard ferry ticket lands on Liberty and Ellis Islands but does not admit you inside the statue.
Buy from Statue City Cruises, the National Park Service's authorized landing ferry. Your ticket time starts the security queue rather than guaranteeing a boat departure; allow extra time. Pedestal and crown access require limited advance reservations. The crown's narrow stair climb is not elevator-accessible. Depart early to see both islands without rushing their museums.
- Landing ferry
- Statue City Cruises only
- Museum highlight
- Original torch
- Crown climb
- 162 steps beyond pedestal
Quick guide
- Book the ferry
- Use Statue City Cruises, the only operator permitted to land on Liberty Island.
- Choose your access
- Reserve pedestal or crown separately; general admission includes island museums but not the statue interior.
Know before you go
- Start at The Battery
- Arrive before your security entry time, not just before a hoped-for departure.
- Circle the monument
- Look at the copper skin and Fort Wood's star-shaped base from several sides.
- Visit the museum
- See the original torch and construction story before or after your island walk.
- Leave room for Ellis
- The same ferry ticket includes the immigration museum on a second island.
Good to know
Unlicensed harbor cruises may pass the statue but cannot land on Liberty Island. A general ferry ticket does not include pedestal or crown access.
Notice these
- Copper statue
- Fort Wood pedestal
- Original torch