The Statue of Liberty is an immensely popular huge statue on Liberty Island in New York City, United States. But can you go inside the Statue of Liberty today?
This colossal statue, as you might know, was gifted to the United States by the people of France as a gesture of friendship and good relations between the two countries.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the tallest statues in the world and it is a famous tourist attraction in New York City. It is well known for its universal symbol of freedom and democracy.
With the base, the statue stands at a height of 305 feet (93 meters) and weighs 225 tons. It represents a woman holding a torch in her hand which is a symbol of enlightenment.
Thus, the official name of this statue is ‘The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World’.
The Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island were added to the National Park System in the year 1965, as per the National Park Service. Read on to find out if can you go inside the Statue of Liberty today.
Can You Go Inside the Statue of Liberty?
Your question—can you go inside the Statue of Liberty—will be fulfilled when you will find yourself inside the statue to experience its beauty.
Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Iconic Beauty in NYC
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty—has been a common question in the pre-covid era as well. It is fun of going to the statue of liberty. Here, I will be providing every bit of information that you need to know.
There are multiple options offered to reach the Statue of Liberty. But first of all, one has to take a boat on a statue cruise from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, the New York ticket office, or the Ferry Terminal at Liberty State Park, New Jersey.
And before getting to sit in the boat going to the statue of liberty, it is compulsory to go through a scrupulous security screening for safety reasons. An additional screening is required to get to the statute.
Statue Cruises are the sole tour company to provide tickets and admission to the crown. Please keep in mind that the large backpacks you carry along are not allowed inside and they have to be stored in lockers at Liberty Island. You can rent a locker for a minimal fee of two dollars.
To go inside the statue, one has to go to the ticketing office and purchase a pass (Liberty Crown tickets and Pedestal tickets) which provides transportation to Liberty Island. Before you visit the crown, make sure to carry a Photo ID along. Children visiting the place must be at least 4ft tall.
The visitors should note that The National Park Service allows a total of 240 people only in a single day to climb to the crown. And for the pedestal, 1000 tickets are sold daily. We suggest you book tickets well in advance for your trip.
Don’t worry if all tickets are sold out. You may still take the cruise and wander around the grounds of Liberty Island. You’ll have more fun than you think. And for the statue, you may try your luck another day.
When you land at Liberty Island or Ellis Island, you can choose a self-guided tour (audio tour) or one of the audio tours by park rangers. Please note that audio tours are available at an additional fee.
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty? Yes, you can. And here is what you can see and explore inside.
The Statue Of Liberty Museum
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty Museum?
Yes, you can. Once you pass through the security screening, you may first visit The Statue of Liberty Museum on the pedestal and then go up to the crown. The pedestal offers some exquisite views to visitors. The museum has stored some of the finest sculptures and artifacts in history.
The story behind the construction of The Statue of Liberty can be understood through the exhibition inside. Lady Liberty had her legacy expanded when The Liberty Museum opened its door to visitors in 2019. The interior design of this place will make you go wow.
The museum consists of beautiful American heirlooms, an Immersive Theatre, Engagement Gallery, Inspiration Gallery, and the Roof Deck. Millions of visitors get inspired by the story of this museum and are amazed to behold such historic things.
On the second floor of the Pedestal, there is a Statue of Liberty exhibition which contains photographs, videos, displays, and oral histories of the Statue of Liberty, the Lady’s symbolism, and its significance to the world. Also, you will be able to see the replica of the statue’s feet and face on display.
The original 1886 torch held by Lady Liberty is in the torch exhibition and if you want to know the history of the flame, there are diagrams and photographs on display explaining its history.
The Statue of Liberty museum also entertains children. There is a complimentary Junior Ranger program for children aged between 7 and 12.
This program helps children learn the history and significance of The Statue of Liberty, absolutely incredible information when someone wants to know—can you go inside the statue of liberty?
The Magnificent Interiors
You can find wrought iron rivets, saddles, and armature bars that support the structure of this amazing sculpture of New York.
Although Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty, Alexander Gustave Eiffel was also appointed to help design the interior tower that supports the statue.
The Statue of Liberty opens at 8:30 in the morning and closes at 4:00 in the afternoon. On the inside, it is not permissible to access the balcony with a torch due to safety reasons.
The best thing is when you purchase your Statue of Liberty tickets in advance because same-day tickets are limited. If it is not possible then you can buy flex tickets on visiting day.
So, next time somebody asks ‘Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty, you know how to answer.
The Crown
The Crown tickets are of the highest level at The Statue of Liberty. A crown ticket includes every place and you can access it anywhere at Liberty Island and also visit Ellis Island.
But as we know, getting the crown tickets isn’t as easy, so we suggest you book your slot at least a month prior. Same-day crown tickets are mostly not available.
Also, climbing to Lady Liberty’s Crown is an arduous task. It involves climbing more than 350 steps in an enclosed area and The National Park Service recommends you climb only if you are in a significant physical condition.
According to NPS, a statue of liberty crown is closed these days but very soon statue of liberty crown access is reopening going to happen.
As breathtaking as Liberty Island, The Statue, and its interior, the stairwell is not so friendly for people suffering from claustrophobia, heart/respiratory issues, and fear of heights.
The steps are only 19 inches wide with just above six feet of head clearance. Also, it can be extremely warm inside during summer.
Elevator access is available for the pedestal with wheelchairs but the outdoor observation deck, balcony, and crown are not accessible with a wheelchair.
It can take a minimum of 30 minutes for you to climb the crown, also depending on your physical strength and the number of people ahead of you on the stairs.
Not many people are aware of this but the cap on top of Liberty’s head resembles a bonnet that was given to the Roman slaves when they were provided freedom.
And the seven spikes on The Crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents of the world. So, undoubtedly your queries—can you inside the Statue of Liberty—will be satisfied.
Statue of Liberty Torch
Visitors are not permitted inside the torch for more than 100 years after an unfortunate explosion in 1916.
This incident claimed the lives of 7 people and is believed to be the worst explosion in NYC. A few years later, it was found out that Germany was responsible for this explosion.
Statue of Liberty Crown Cafe
This is American cuisine, fast food restaurant at the Statue of Liberty. The cafe is not only known for its food, but it also offers promising views to visitors.
Your favourite fast food like cheeseburgers, hotdogs, seafood (sushi mainly), and fried shrimp are available here. The cafe owners promise of providing healthy and organic food to all. Several choices are offered here; including vegetarian and gluten-free.
There are also multiple options for drinks like Real Fruit Smoothie, Frappuccino, Cappuccino, Latte, Organic Coffee, Mocha, Hot Chocolate, Tea, Iced Organic Coffee, and many others.
Along with food and drinks, the visitors are in for an amazing atmosphere and brilliant staff services.
Castle Clinton
Castle Clinton National Monument is an underrated place at Battery Park near the Statue of Liberty that you must visit and explore.
Formerly known as Castle Garden/Fort Clinton, this place opened in the year 1808 and is considered among the first places in America where immigrants arrived. Also, it is one of the forts built to defend New York harbour during the war of 1812.
This Southwest Battery was constructed at the Southern tip of Manhattan but never really had to open fire upon the enemy. The fort is named to honour DeWitt Clinton who was the mayor and later a governor of NYC.
This famous fort is precious because it represents the growth of the nation. The style of architecture is spectacularly eye-catching because of its historic elegance.
Conclusion: Can you Go Inside the Statue of Liberty?
If you are visiting the Statue of Liberty, we highly encourage you to book tickets in advance to avoid standing in line at Battery Park, NYC, or Liberty State Park, New Jersey.
For purchasing tickets online, please visit www.statuecitycruises.com. On this website, you will see multiple options like Crown tickets, Pedestal tickets, General admission, liberty island ferry tickets and Ellis Island hard hat tour.
For a free visit to the Statue of Liberty, the Staten Island ferry is the best option.
You can book as per your willingness and convenience. The cost to visit the statue of liberty varies for children, adults, or seniors. If you wish to enjoy every facility at The Statue of Liberty, we recommend you purchase a crown ticket.
And to get crown access, you must purchase a Statue Cruises Reserve Ticket. The crown tickets statue of liberty price is $12.30 for children, $23.80 for adults, and $18.30 for seniors.
The first ferry departs daily at 8:30 in the morning daily till 5 the evening from lower Manhattan. Make sure to reach in time and have a great trip to Liberty and Ellis Island.
And don’t forget to visit the Ellis Island Immigration museum, which is at a 4 min. distance from the Statue of Liberty.
Statue of Liberty open hours: 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Now that you know the answer to ‘Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty?’, also get some knowledge about Manhattan. Here are the 7 fun things to do in Manhattan.
Moreover, you can go to the fort wood section by purchasing a pedestal ticket. The Statue of Liberty’s pedestal sits on top of fort wood. This fort was built between 1808 and 1811 in an eleven-pointed star shape which looks impressive.
Bottomline
All in all, this magnificent monument on the grounds of NYC is amongst the top tourist destinations around the globe.
I hope your trip to this place is a memorable one. As you enjoy this trip, take extra care and do not put yourself or others at risk for any unadvisable adventure. Have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I visit the Statue of Liberty right now with no tickets?
Tourists will have entry to both platforms, including admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
When no other tickets are available, this is the only entry you can get. Tickets for general admission do not grant entry to the monument’s interior or any pedestal elevation.
2. What time are the Statue of Liberty tours?
Four tours are available for visitors:
- 8:30 AM: The first ferry from the mainland.
- 3:30 PM: The last ferry from the mainland.
- 5:00 PM: Final ferry from Liberty Island.
- 5:15 PM: The last ferry leaves Ellis Island.
3. Is the Statue of Liberty still open to the public?
All visitors can still access the Statue of Liberty Museum and the surrounding area of Liberty Island. Lady Liberty’s significance and history are chronicled at the museum, and a replica ascension to her throne is included.
Also read: Fun Things to do in Staten Island.
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Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Soubhik
