Even from a distance, her silhouette sparks emotion. The Statue of Liberty isn’t just an iconic New York landmark — she tells a story of freedom, friendship between nations, and the courage to dream big. That’s why she deserves more than just a quick photo from a passing ferry.
How Tall Is the Statue of Liberty? And What About the Crown?
She’s no small figure. The copper statue alone measures an impressive 46 meters (151 feet). But once you add the stone pedestal, you get a total height of 93 meters (305 feet). And that pedestal? It’s your gateway to a truly unforgettable experience — stepping inside the statue and climbing all the way up to her crown.
Just so you know: there’s an elevator, but only up to the top of the pedestal. To reach the crown, you’ll need to climb 162 narrow steps that feel more like a spiral ladder than a staircase. But the view from the top? Totally worth it. Manhattan and New York Harbor stretch out before you like a painting.
Tickets, Ferries, and What You Should Know Before You Go
You’ll need to book your tickets in advance — the best way is through the official website statuecruises.com. Ferries depart from Battery Park (Manhattan) or Liberty State Park (New Jersey). And heads up — crown access tickets sell out fast, sometimes months in advance.
💸 Ticket options:
- General Admission ($24.50): Includes ferry access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and entry to the small Statue of Liberty Museum
- Pedestal Reserve Ticket ($24.80): Adds access to the pedestal area
- Crown Reserve Ticket ($24.80): Includes everything + access to the crown (book 4–6 months ahead)
Ferries run from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, departing every 15–20 minutes during peak season.
Can You See the Statue of Liberty for Free?
Absolutely. If you don’t want to spend money, hop on the Staten Island Ferry — it’s 100% free and gives you some of the best close-up views of the statue as it crosses the harbor. Ferries leave every 30 minutes and run 24/7. And yes, the night views are magical — the Statue of Liberty lit up against the dark sky is something else.
📍More great viewpoints:
- Battery Park (southern tip of Manhattan)
- Liberty State Park (in Jersey City)
💡 Travel Tip for NYC Visitors:
Exploring New York City often means hopping between public Wi-Fi networks—hotels, coffee shops, subway stations, you name it. If you’re checking emails, logging into apps, or booking tickets online, it’s smart to use a VPN. It keeps your personal data safe and lets you browse securely like you’re still at home.
👉 I recommend tried-and-tested options like NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost. You can try them here before your next trip.
Where to Stay with a View of the Statue of Liberty?
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, a few select hotels offer breathtaking views of the statue from your room. Think luxury, romance, and a skyline that’s always Instagram-ready.
✨ Top picks:
- Hyatt Regency Jersey City** – panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River
- Casa Cipriani New York*** – elegant, stylish, and literally made for skyline lovers
A Symbol of Freedom: How It All Began
The statue wasn’t built just to look pretty — there’s a deep ideological meaning behind it. The original idea came from Édouard de Laboulaye, a French lawyer and thinker who believed the monument would celebrate the values of freedom and democracy.
It was also meant to honor the partnership between France and the United States during the Revolutionary War. Laboulaye hoped the gift would inspire the French people to reject the rule of Napoleon III and fight for their own liberty.
The Man Behind the Monument and the Perfect Island
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the lead sculptor, fell in love with a small island in New York Harbor during one of his visits. It was perfect — every ship entering the port would sail past it. That’s exactly what Bartholdi wanted: a statue that would greet new arrivals with the promise of freedom.
His vision was grand: a monument that would be more than just art — it would carry a message.
A Statue Without a Pedestal? Pulitzer to the Rescue
The original plan was to unveil the statue in 1876 to mark the 100th anniversary of U.S. independence. But money was tight. The French agreed to fund the statue itself, while Americans were supposed to fund the pedestal — easier said than done.
For years, fundraising floundered. New Yorkers were indifferent, and there was even talk of relocating the statue to Boston.
Enter Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper tycoon who launched a massive campaign in his paper, New York World. He called on everyday Americans to donate, arguing that the statue was a gift from the French people to the American people — not their governments. The message worked. Thousands of small donations poured in, and construction resumed.
When Was the Statue of Liberty Officially Unveiled?
After years of planning, building, shipping, and reassembling (yes, the statue was shipped in pieces), the big day finally arrived. On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially unveiled in New York Harbor before thousands of spectators.
At the time, it was the tallest statue in the world. Over 130 years later, it remains one of the most recognizable monuments on Earth.
Hidden Details You Might Miss
- The crown has 7 rays, symbolizing the seven continents and seven seas — liberty for all people everywhere
- The tablet in her left hand is engraved with July 4, 1776 — the date of U.S. independence
- Broken chains at her feet represent freedom from oppression and slavery
- The statue faces southeast, toward the Atlantic and Europe — a symbolic greeting to immigrants arriving from the Old World
What Else to See in New York?
If you’re planning a visit to the Statue of Liberty, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore more of what New York has to offer. Here’s a quick list of 35 must-see spots that are absolutely worth your time:
🗽 35 places to visit in NYC:
- Central Park
- Empire State Building
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Times Square
- The Vessel
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- High Line
- Grand Central Terminal
- Wall Street
- Top of the Rock
- Bryant Park
- Roosevelt Island tram
- Chinatown
- Broadway show
- The Edge NYC
- MoMA and The Met
- Washington Square Park
- Hudson Yards
- Greenwich Village
- DUMBO + Pebble Beach
- Flatiron Building
- Battery Park
- NY Public Library
- Chrysler Building
- Little Island
- Radio City Music Hall
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Governors Island
- Chelsea Market
- One World Observatory
- Museum of Natural History
- Columbia University
- Lincoln Center
- Apollo Theater
Final Thoughts: Why the Statue of Liberty Deserves More Than a Glance
She’s not just a statue. She’s a story — one that speaks of hope, resilience, and the belief in something better. Whether you admire her from the water or climb into her crown, one thing’s for sure: this experience stays with you.
If New York knows how to do anything, it’s remind us that freedom is never guaranteed. And Lady Liberty? She’s been delivering that message with quiet strength and copper grace for more than a century.
