5 reasons to visit the Statue of Liberty

You’ll hear some bad advice about New York: that you can see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry and skip Liberty Island altogether. The irony is that those who give this advice have almost certainly been to Liberty Island themselves. Ignore it. Here’s why you need to visit Liberty Island to truly experience the Statue of Liberty.

1/ Get up close to the Statue of Liberty

• For security reasons, the Staten Island Ferry passes at a distance from the statue rather than close by. The view is pleasant, and we recommend taking this short cruise, but the ferry won’t let you see the statue up close. To do that, you need to go to Liberty Island and stand at the base of the statue. It’s a powerful moment in any New York visit because standing at the feet of the Statue of Liberty is when you truly realize you’re in New York.
• From the base, you can admire the statue’s details: her expression, the folds of her robe. It’s an encounter you shouldn’t miss.

2/ Climb the Statue of Liberty

• If you book tickets several months in advance, you can access the crown, a small observation area just above the statue’s head. The catch: access is limited to very few visitors each day, so you need to plan ahead.
• If you can’t get a crown ticket, you can still climb to the pedestal, where you’ll enjoy interesting views of the statue’s interior and sweeping views over Liberty Island and New York Harbor. Tip: if you take the first ferry of the day, you’ll automatically get pedestal access.

3/ Explore the Statue of Liberty Museum

• Beyond the statue itself, Liberty Island has a museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty’s history. The visit is not long, but you’ll discover the remarkable story of the monument that now symbolizes America. The museum features archival photographs from the statue’s construction in Auguste Bartholdi’s workshops in Paris, as well as a fascinating model of the iron framework designed by Gustave Eiffel.
• An interactive section lets you leave your mark on the island by recording your name and nationality.

4/ Discover Liberty Island’s attractions

• Liberty Island has more than just the Statue of Liberty. As you explore the island’s pathways, you’ll find a small sculpture garden, including a sculpture honoring Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and another dedicated to Gustave Eiffel, who designed the statue’s iron framework.
• Stop at the base of the large American flag flying on Liberty Island, then walk out to the wooden pier facing Manhattan. You’ll have New York directly in your sights.

5/ Enjoy spectacular views of Manhattan

• Another reason to visit Liberty Island is to see Manhattan from a different perspective. As you arrive at and leave Liberty Island, you’ll have a unique vantage point with the Statue of Liberty in the foreground and Manhattan in the background. This angle is impossible to get from the Staten Island Ferry or any other New York cruise.
• From Liberty Island, you also get an unobstructed view of Manhattan, with the Financial District and the Empire State Building in the distance. Find a bench and take in the moment.