From the Ferry to the Island: Exploring the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

The United States, in particular, New York has so many attractions that a single visit may not be enough to visit them all. However, no one can deny the fact that a visit to some of the popular attractions in New York is a must. Make a point to visit the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the museums in that area. Exploring the Statue of Liberty is a unique experience that you must get on your next visit to New York. Here’s all about this iconic attraction in NYC and how you can visit it and its surrounding areas and attractions.

All About Exploring the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Overview

This is the perfect tour to visit several iconic landmarks in the United States in one go. You can meet your personal guide at Battery Park and hop on the ferry up to the Statue of Liberty to explore it further. Thereafter, you can go to Ellis Island via another ferry ride. Once here, you can learn about how immigrants entered the country through this historic site.

Full Tour Description

Start your journey from New Jersey on a ferry. Liberty Island and Ellis Island are also part of the tour destinations. You depart from Liberty Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. If you have a pre-purchased ticket, you can skip the ticket line and start your journey straightaway. This saves a lot of time that you would otherwise spend standing in long queues.

 

This ride in the water, you can see stunning views of NYC as you cruise along. This ticket gives you access to both Liberty Island, with the inclusion of the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. It’s a beautiful sight to see and experience, especially from the water.

 

Explore the history of America’s immigrants from one of the main stations from which they entered the country. Once you do that, you can hop back onto the ferry and continue your journey of exploring the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island. After that, the ferry will bring you back to the original departure point.

Exploring the Statue of Liberty: Tour Itinerary

Battery Park

The tour starts at The Battery, which is also called Battery Park. Battery Park is a 25-acre public park and historical landmark in the United States. It acts as the gateway between lower Manhattan and Liberty Island. Liberty Island is a small island that is located in the middle of New York Bay. Also, the Castle Clinton National Monument is an iconic landmark in Battery Park.

Castle Clinton National Monument

Pause your journey for a moment at the Castle Clinton National Monument and absorb a bit of its history. Castle Clinton National Monument is a circular sandstone fort that is located within Battery Park. It was the first immigration station of the United States. Records say that over 7.5 million immigrants arrived in the United States at this port between 1855 and 1890. The fort has also operated as an exhibition hall, beer garden, theater, and public aquarium.

Liberty Island

Liberty Island is home to the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Liberty Museum. It is a federally owned island situated in Upper New York Bay in the northeastern region of the United States. This museum contains the original torch that Lady Liberty carried from 1886 to 1984. Liberty Island has been part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument since 1937. It has a land area of 14.717 acres.

Statue of Liberty

This is a great opportunity to learn about the history of America and its connection with France. This informative tour delves deep into how Lady Liberty began in France and came to the United States of America. You can learn much information about one of America’s greatest icons from your tour guide. The two-hour Statue of Liberty Express tour typically ends here. However, it’s best if you can couple it with a tour of the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island Museum. It gives you ample time to explore the place and gain more knowledge about the history of this iconic attraction.

Ellis Island

The full tour includes exploring the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. Ellis Island is a short 10-minute ride from Liberty Island. This is the place where you will discover the stories of the large number of immigrants who journeyed through this site. You can discover everything at the museum via a walking tour and learn about your family history if you are also an immigrant. Moreover, there is a cafeteria where you can have a snack while enjoying a break.

Exploring the Statue of Liberty: Tour Inclusions

Inclusions of exploring the Statue of Liberty tours generally are as follows:

 

• Round-trip ferry ride
• Stop over at Liberty Island
• Exploring the Statue of Liberty Museum
• Stop over at Ellis Island
• Exploring the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum

 

The tour generally doesn’t include the following:

 

• Access to the inside of the Statue of Liberty
• Entry to the inside of the Statue of Liberty
• Food and drinks (These are available for purchase)

Additional information on Exploring the Statue of Liberty

• Bring your passport or identity card
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes
• Bring a water bottle
• Large bags, luggage, glass objects, drones, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed
• The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible
• You will receive confirmation of the tour at the time of booking
• The tour guide conducts the tour in English
• Booking as early as possible gives access to the first ride in the water
• As this is a walking tour, guests should be able to walk at an average pace without any issues
• If you opt to visit both islands, it is best to choose a tour that departs before 1:00 PM
• This tour will take anywhere between 4 and 6 hours for guests to enjoy to the maximum
• Entry to the Statue of Liberty could have waiting times of longer than 3 hours

Tour Planning and Ticket Purchasing

The National Park Service advises all guests to purchase ferry tickets in advance before the day of the tour. Those who wish to enter the pedestal and see the crown must purchase separate tickets in advance. This gives you additional viewing options and a unique viewpoint of NYC from above the Statue of Liberty.

Ticket Options

The following are the ticket options for exploring the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour. You can choose one based on your preferences and how you want to experience the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.

 

• General Admission – This is the most common ticket, where you have access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Immigration Museum.
• Pedestal Ticket – These tickets are limited. It provides access up to the top of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
• Crown Ticket – These tickets are also limited. It provides you access to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. It includes walking up 162 steps from the feet of the statue up to the crown.

Conclusion

Exploring the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island should be part of every tour of New York City. These are must-visit attractions that you should not miss at any cost. It is the signature of NYC and an attraction of historical and cultural significance.