Visit the crown of the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is arguably the most iconic landmark in New York City – and perhaps in the United States. It is obviously a must-see attraction when visiting New York, but did you know that it is possible to go directly inside the crown of the Statue of Liberty?

In this article, I will give you all the information you need to live this incredible experience 😊

How to climb into the crown of the Statue of Liberty?

Every year, about 4 million visitors come to see this iconic monument, located on a small island off the coast of Manhattan. Most visitors come to see it on a short cruise to Ellis Island, or even just by taking the Staten Island ferry. But the most spectacular way to see this iconic statue is to enter it and even climb to its crown.

There are actually three types of tickets that allow the discovery of the Statue of Liberty:

• The basic ticket (General Admission), which offers access to the island and allows visitors to walk freely around the monument. This is the ticket that is included in most New York City passes.
• The Pedestal Reserve ticket, which gives access to the first level of the statue for a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

• The Crown Reserve ticket, which allows one to climb to the top of the statue for a breathtaking view. This ticket can only be booked on the Statue of Liberty official website.

All three tickets include a return boat trip. All three also include a tour of the Ellis Island Museum and an audio guide.

Book your ticket to the crown

The only way to get a Crown Reserve ticket is to book it online on the official website. As this tour is very popular and the interior of the crown is very small, it is important to make your reservation well in advance if you want to be sure to be able to do this tour during your stay in New York City 👍

Generally, it is advisable to book at least 3 months in advance, regardless of when your trip will be. If you are going to New York during the most popular tourist periods (April to October and December), it is wiser to book at least 4 months in advance.

When you go on the official website to purchase your tickets, you should first check that 'Crown Reserve Ticket' is selected and click on 'Book Now'.  On the next page you will be asked to choose between "New Jersey Crown Reserve" and "New York Crown Reserve". The only difference between these two options is the meeting point, which in one case will be in New Jersey's Liberty State Park and in the other in New York's Battery Park.

You will then need to Crchoose the date of your visit using the calendar. It may take a few seconds for the available dates to appear as you change months (a blue progress bar just above the frame indicates that the search is in progress). For example, as I write this in late March, the first available date for the New Jersey Crown Reserve is May 9, over a month later – but there's only a ticket left 😅

Once you have chosen a valid date, you will then need to specify the number of visitors and their age category. Note that you will have to fill in the full names of the visitors in order to proceed with the payment and validate the reservation.

Once you have made your booking, you will receive an email almost instantly containing an identification number which you will need to present at the ticket office in Liberty State Park or Battery Park. Your ID card will also be needed to obtain a wristband in exchange, which will allow you access to the interior of the Statue of Liberty.

The visit to the Statue of Liberty

The ticket for the crown will also let you walk freely on Liberty Island before the visit’s start. The first part of the visit is to fully discover the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. This is the huge base of the statue, inside which there is an observatory that offers a very nice view of the New York skyline.

You can get there by using either a 153-step staircase or a lift. Admittedly, taking the stairs requires good physical condition, but it is the best way to enjoy the visit by discovering the contours of the statue's dress from the inside.

You will then continue your ascent until you reach the crown of the Statue of Liberty – after climbing a further 162 steps (and no lift available this time). If you are travelling in the middle of summer, expect it to get very hot in this copper structure ☀️

Once inside the crown, magnificent views of Governors Island, New York Bay, the Hudson River and Manhattan's most famous buildings await you. You will also be able to see Lady Liberty from really close (couldn’t get closer than that), including the torch and book that the statue holds in her hands 🗽

Useful information for the visit

• Children under 120 cm will not be able to access the crown.
• Access to the pedestal and then to the crown requires climbing a total of more than 315 steps up a rather narrow staircase 😅
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• It is not possible to book more than 4 tickets at a time 🎫
• The ticket buyer must be present to collect the wristbands, and all visitors will be required to show their ID (names must match those given at the time of booking).
• Bulky backpacks are not permitted. A locker is available on Liberty Island at the foot of the statue.
• The time shown on the tickets is the time of the security check just before boarding. You will need to be at the ticket office 30 minutes to an hour before this time ⌚

Ticket prices for the Statue of Liberty Crown

We are coming to the end of this article! 😁 I hope you enjoyed it and that you now know more about visiting the Statue of Liberty's crown. And to best prepare your stay, do read my articles on what to do in New York and where to stay in New York 😊