Statue of Liberty National Monument

Park Iconic neoclassical statue symbolizing freedom on Liberty Island

Accessible by ferry from Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty National Monument includes Liberty Island and nearby Ellis Island, where visitors tour the statue’s pedestal or crown (by reservation) and the immigration museum.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument comprises the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the nearby Ellis Island in New York Harbor. The monument commemorates the sculptural work by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and serves as a symbol of welcome and immigration to the United States.

Key visitor elements include the statue and its pedestal on Liberty Island and the immigration museum on Ellis Island that interprets the arrival of millions of immigrants. Access to the islands is by ferry from Manhattan or from New Jersey, and entry to the pedestal and crown is limited by timed tickets and security procedures.

The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, with an internal iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The site is managed by the National Park Service and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Liberty and Ellis Islands sit in New York Harbor, southwest of Manhattan and east of Jersey City, and are reached by regular ferry services from the mainland.

Designer and dedication: The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi with the internal iron framework engineered by Gustave Eiffel.
Administration and status: The site is administered by the U.S. National Park Service and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

What to See #

Liberty Island: Liberty Island is the site of the statue and pedestal and is reached by ferry services from Manhattan and New Jersey; access to the crown and pedestal requires advance, timed tickets and security screening.
Ellis Island: Ellis Island is included within the national monument and contains the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration documenting arrivals and immigration history.

How to Get to Statue of Liberty National Monument #

The Statue of Liberty National Monument is reached by ferry only. Ferries (operated by Statue Cruises) depart from Battery Park in Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. From Manhattan, subway options to Battery Park include the 1 to South Ferry, the 4/5 to Bowling Green or the R/W to Whitehall Street - each stop is a short (5-10 minute) walk to the ferry terminal; expect a short walk from the New Jersey ferry parking area at Liberty State Park.

Tips for Visiting Statue of Liberty National Monument #

Reserve ferry tickets well in advance (especially if you want pedestal or crown access) and choose an early‑morning departure from Battery Park (NY) or Liberty State Park (NJ) to avoid the longest lines and mid‑day crowds.
Understand that access to the pedestal and especially the crown requires separate timed reservations booked months ahead; general island/ferry tickets do not include crown or pedestal entry.
Allow plenty of time for security screening before boarding the ferry and consider combining your visit with Ellis Island on the same ferry ticket to make the most of the trip.