We rarely do the touristy things here in New York. When you live in the city, there's this unspoken rule that Times Square and the double-decker buses are for visitors, not locals. But these things are top of all the tourists list for a reason—they can be a lot of fun. One thing that has been sitting at the top of my NYC bucket list for years is climbing to the the Statue of Liberty crown.
If visiting the Statue of Liberty is on your list too, here's everything you need to know:
- What the Statue of Liberty represents
- Why you need to book Crown Reserve tickets early
- How to make sure you're buying from an authorized vendor
- What it actually feels like inside the crown
- What the 354-step climb is really like
- Good-to-know logistics: what to bring, height requirements and Ellis Island access
- Whether it's worth planning ahead for
First, What is the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States by France in 1884 to commemorate the countries’ friendship. Over time, it has come to represent the United States, New York and freedom. The poem is "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, written in 1883, and placed on the pedestal, redefines the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of hope and a welcoming figure for immigrants seeking freedom and a better life. The poem famously begins with the lines, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," emphasizing the statue's role as a beacon of hope for those arriving in America.
Book Your Crown Reserve Tickets EARLY. Like Months Early.
This isn't a "grab tickets the week before" kind of excursion. Crown Reserve tickets sell out months in advance, so if climbing to the crown is the goal, this needs to be an activity you plan around, not an afterthought once you're already in the city. If you have a trip to NYC on the calendar, go book these tickets today. They Crown Reserve tickets usually sell out 3-4 months in advance.
Buy From the Authorized Vendor
When you head downtown to South Ferry or South Street Seaport, you’ll hear people shouting out “Statue of Liberty tickets!” Beware. There are several ticket sites that sell access to Liberty Island, but look closely at the ticket to make sure it includes Statue access. Many don’t. I’d hate for you to take the ferry over and be turned away at the base of the statue. Statue of Liberty Tickets is the only authorized seller for tickets that get you inside the statue and up to the crown. Double check before you buy, or you'll end up on the island looking up at the crown instead of standing inside it. (If you don’t have time or tickets to go inside, it’s still worth the trip. Just make sure you are buying the experience you want!)
The Crown is Smaller Than You Think
The Statue of Liberty towers over the New York Harbor, but she’s smaller than you think. She’s only 151 feet tall. In fact, she fits inside the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The base doubles her height to 305 feet. I expected the crown to feel big once you're inside it. It's not. It's a tight, small space with windows looking out through the spikes. We were up there with our family of four, plus the two attendants, and it was cozy, borderline claustrophobic. You're standing inside one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, hunched over, peering out at all of New York City.
The Climb Is No Joke
There are 354 steps from the ground to the crown. There is an elevator than can take you halfway, but that leaves about 175 steps, and they're narrow spiral staircases, built as a double helix winding around each other. It's steep, it's tight and by the last stretch you'll feel it in your legs. Once on the spiral stairs, visitors will climb 44 continuous steps before reaching the first of four platforms where visitors can rest. But every single step is worth it once you reach the top and look out over the harbor. My kids couldn’t decide which was harder—the climb up the stairs or the climb down.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
- Tickets are $32.80 for both pedestal and crown access (the price has increased since we went).
- Allow 2-3 hours to take the ferry, walk to the statue, take pictures outside, and to go inside. Allow another 1-2 hours to go to Ellis Island (included in the ticket price).
- Ferries depart approximately every 20 - 30 minutes depending upon the departure point.
- Trvel light. Visitors can bring the following items up to the crown: One cell phone and/or camera for pictures per person, water in a plastic container, and any medication needed while inside the monument. Anything else, including backpacks, need to be secured in a locker outside the building.
- Water fountains are in the lobby of the pedestal, near the restrooms.
- Children must be 42 inches (1.1 meters) or taller to climb to the crown. The minimum age is 4 years old.
- Your ticket also includes access Ellis Island. Plan an additional 1-2 hours if going to Ellis Island. We didn’t have time to go this time, but there’s a Hard Hat Tour of Ellis Island I know my kids would love (must be 13+).
Is It Worth Planning Ahead For?
Completely! This isn't a spontaneous, same-day kind of activity, and that's exactly why so few people actually do it. If you're visiting New York and you want an experience that goes beyond a photo from the ferry, this is the one worth building your trip around.
Fun Fact: There are several Statue of Liberty replicas throughout Paris. The most prominent is on Île aux Cygnes, a man-made island in the Seine River near Pont de Grenelle. There’s also the Flame of Liberty, a full-scale replica of the torch located near Pont de l’Alma, that has become an unofficial memorial to Princess Diana following her death in 1997.
Have you made it up to the crown before? I'd love to hear what you thought of it.
And if you're planning a trip to NYC, save this post for later and send it to your travel buddy so you don't miss the ticket window.
We rarely do the touristy things here, so I'm keeping a running list of what to tackle next. What NYC attraction should I check off next, playing tourist in my own city? Drop your vote in the comments, I want to hear it!
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