Statue of Liberty – Plan Your Visit

Open Every Day: 9 AM – 4:30 PM

Holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

To minimize wait times, aim for the first ferry of the morning, which usually departs between 8:30 AM and 9 AM. Arriving early allows you to clear security before the mid-day peak and ensures you are among the first to enter the museums.

Mid-week visits – specifically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – typically see lower attendance than weekends or holiday periods.

Security and Boarding Window

The time printed on your ticket is the entry time into the security screening facility, not the ferry’s departure time.

You should arrive at Battery Park or Liberty State Park at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled slot.

During peak periods, the security screening process can take significantly longer, so factor this buffer into your overall travel day to ensure you do not miss your intended ferry.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.

Access to the island is only available via the official ferry service, Statue City Cruises.

Ferries depart from two mainland locations: Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

New York Departure: Battery Park

Address: 1 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004

By Subway: The most direct way to reach the park is via the subway. You can take the 1 train to the South Ferry station, the 4 or 5 trains to the Bowling Green station, or the R or W trains to the Whitehall Street station.

By Bus: Several local bus lines stop at or near Battery Park. These include the M15, M20, and M55. Each of these lines drops passengers within a short walk of the ferry boarding area and the ticket office at Castle Clinton.

By Car: Driving to Battery Park is not recommended due to heavy traffic and very limited parking. If you must drive, you will need to use private commercial parking garages in the Financial District, as there is no public parking available within the park itself.

New Jersey Departure: Liberty State Park

Address: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

By Light Rail: Take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to the Liberty State Park station. Upon arrival, you can use a local shuttle bus or walk approximately one mile to reach the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal where the ferry departs.

By Car: Liberty State Park is easily accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike. Unlike the New York location, there are large, designated parking lots available for a fee located directly adjacent to the ferry terminal.

By Ferry: The Liberty Landing Ferry provides service from the World Financial Center in Manhattan to the Liberty Landing Marina within the park. This is a separate commuter ferry that brings you to the New Jersey side, where you can then board the official Statue City Cruises ferry.

Important Arrival Information

The time printed on your ticket is the time you should arrive at the security screening facility, not the departure time of the boat.

It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time to account for the mandatory security process.

During peak summer months and holidays, wait times at security can exceed one hour.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island provide essential amenities to ensure visitor comfort throughout the day.

Restrooms are located at the main ferry terminals in Battery Park and Liberty State Park, as well as on all Statue City Cruises vessels.

Once on the islands, visitors will find public restrooms near the Statue of Liberty Museum and inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Information centers and National Park Service ranger stations are available at both locations to provide maps, schedules, and historical context.

For visitors with large bags or prohibited items, locker rentals are available at both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

Security regulations are strict; lockers are mandatory for those entering the Pedestal or Crown, as only small personal items are permitted inside the monument.

First aid stations are staffed during operational hours, and drinking fountains are situated throughout the grounds to encourage hydration, particularly during the summer months.

The National Park Service is committed to providing a comprehensive experience for all visitors, regardless of physical or sensory needs. Both Liberty Island and Ellis Island are fully accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or mobility devices.

Ferry Transport: All Statue City Cruises vessels are equipped with ramps for wheelchair boarding.

Island Grounds: The pathways on both Liberty and Ellis Islands are paved and level, allowing for easy navigation.

The Monument: The Statue of Liberty Museum and the pedestal of the statue are fully accessible via elevator. However, the climb from the top of the pedestal to the Crown is not accessible, as it requires navigating 162 narrow, steep spiral stairs.

Wheelchair Loans: A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis at both islands. A valid ID must be provided as a deposit.

Audio Tours: The official audio tour, included with every ticket, features descriptive tracks for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Assisted Listening: For those attending ranger-led programs or viewing films in the museums, assistive listening devices are available upon request at the information desks.

Tactile Exhibits: The Statue of Liberty Museum includes tactile models of the monument, allowing visitors to experience the scale and design of the statue through touch.

Service Animals: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted on the ferries and throughout both islands.

Dining options on the islands are managed by the official concessionaire, offering a variety of quick-service meals and snacks.

The Crown Cafe on Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Cafe serve standard American fare, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and seafood options.

Both locations provide indoor and outdoor seating with views of the New York Harbor, though outdoor seating is subject to seasonal weather conditions.

Visitors are permitted to bring their own food and drinks to the islands, provided they are carried in a soft-sided cooler or bag. However, please note that large coolers are not permitted through security.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited, and all food must be consumed in designated picnic areas to protect the local environment and historical integrity of the sites.

Official museum stores are located on both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, offering a wide range of educational materials and commemorative items.

The Statue of Liberty Museum Store features exclusive merchandise, including books on the statue’s engineering, historical replicas, and apparel.

These shops are the only authorized retailers on the islands, and proceeds often contribute to the preservation of the National Monument.

Visitors can also find a specialized bookstore within the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

This location focuses on genealogical research, immigration history, and heritage-related gifts.

For those who prefer to shop before or after their ferry ride, smaller retail kiosks are frequently located near the ferry departure points at Battery Park and Liberty State Park.