The Statue of Liberty at sunset
The Liberty Enlightening the World, commonly known as the Statue of Liberty, is a symbol of New York as well as the United States itself. The statue is 93 metres high and 354 steps must be climbed to reach the crown. In 1984, the Statue of Liberty was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a highly potent symbol of ideals such as liberty, peace, human rights, abolition of slavery, democracy and opportunity.
To go up to the pedestal you will have to buy the tickets on the Internet weeks in advance, otherwise it is impossible to visit the statue’s observation deck, since only 30 people can enjoy the views per hour. Another option is to reserve a guided tour of the statue and Ellis Island, ideal for those who want a deep dive into the history and significance of the main symbol of New York. To avoid the typical crowding we suggest you to make your visit early.
Exploring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (Immigration Museum) including ferries in both directions can take a few hours but most tourists can also take 5 or 6 hours. Between 10 am and 11 am the ferry tends to get very busy so the best time to avoid the crowds is before 10 am: at 8.30 the first ferry leaves so you should stand in line at 8.15 when Security opens.
How to best experience Statue of Liberty?
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What is the Statue of Liberty?
It is a a colossal neoclassical sculpture and a globally recognized symbol of New York.
What does the Statue of Liberty represent?
The statue represents the figure of Libertas, a Roman liberty goddess, holding a torch above her head with her right hand. The torch held in the right hand is a symbol of the eternal fire of freedom and progress. With her other hand she holds a table with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
Why did the French give the Statue of Liberty to the United State?
The Statue of Liberty was donated by France to the United States on the occasion of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Indepence. An important date because it marks the beginning of the nation’s history.
Who built the Statue of Liberty?
Gustave Eiffel made the interior and the statue was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi.
What do the 7 points of the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent?
The seven points of the crown represent 7 seas and 7 continents in which the universal concept of freedom was to be spread.
General informations
Useful information for your visit to the Statue of Liberty.
Location
It is located at the port entrance on the Hudson River in the centre of Manhattan Bay on rocky Liberty Island.
Opening hours
To visit the Statue of Liberty the times are as follows:
- The only access to Liberty Island is by ferry. The first ferry departs at 8:30am.
- To come back to Manhattan, the last ferry leaves Liberty Island at 4:30pm.
Open every day of the year except on 25 December.
Times may vary according to the season
How to get to the Statue of Liberty
To reach the Statue of Liberty:
Ferry from Battery Park. To get to the dock:
Subway: South Ferry (line 1), Whitehall St/South Ferry (lines R and W) or Bowling Green (lines 4 and 5).
Buses: lines M1, M6 and M15.
Attractions nearby
- Ellis Island (1.2 km)
- Wall Street (3.5 km)
- The New York City Police Museum (3.5 km)
- Federal Hall (3.5 km)
- 9/11 Memorial (3.6 km)