Statue of Liberty

Planning Your Visit

• The Best Time to Visit the Statue of Liberty

  The best time to see the Statue of Liberty is on a sunny day. A rainy foggy day on the harbor isn’t ideal, but the good news is that the sun shines bright in New York all four seasons of the year. A brisk sunny winter day with a bright blue sky is as New York as a hot steamy summer evening.

• Where to Get the Ferry

  Ferries leave directly from Battery Park ferry terminals if you’re headed to Liberty Island. If you want to cruise around the Statue of Liberty instead, you can find boats that board at any number of stops along the Hudson River in Midtown, Downtown, or in Battery Park.

• How Long Is the Tour?

  Cruises can be as short as an hour, or you can book some of the best Statue of Liberty boat tours in the evening, with a three-hour dinner cruise along the waterways. Seeing New York City’s lights and the Statue of Liberty at night is pretty majestic. Alternatively, you can easily see both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty in one 3-hour tour.

• Where to Buy Tickets

  Buy tickets online to avoid the hassle of lines. Keep in mind that if you are going to Liberty Island, take only a small bag. You will be screened by security during admission and backpacks and other large items are not allowed. Pack a snack too!