More about: Statue of Liberty Crown Visit
Climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty is a dream for many travelers, but to make it happen, you need to get one of the few tickets that go on sale well in advance on the Statue Cruises website.
If you are one of them, in addition to learning how to visit the Statue of Liberty, I recommend that you take note of the following post where I tell you in detail what the visit to the Crown is like, how to buy tickets, how much they cost, and what you will see there, among other things. Don't miss it!
How to visit the Crown of the Statue of Liberty?
The only way to go up to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty is to buy tickets online at the Statue Cruises website and do so several months in advance of your visit because very few tickets are available and demand is extremely high.
Tickets to visit this part of the attraction cannot be purchased on the day, so if you don't want to miss out on this special experience, my advice is to keep a close eye on this website when you are planning your trip in case there are any updates and tickets to go up to the Crown become available. It's very important to stay tuned!
How to buy tickets for the Crown
As I said, you have to buy them on the Statue Cruises website and select the "Crown Reserve" option .
When you make your reservation, you will receive an email with a confirmation number that you must show at the Clinton Castle ticket office in Battery Park on the day of your visit, along with a valid ID and the card you used to make the purchase, in order to exchange your tickets and get the wristband that will allow you to enter the Crown of the Statue of Liberty.
How much do tickets to the Statue of Liberty Crown cost?
Adult tickets startat around €24 on the Statue Cruises website. Select the Crown Reserve option, which includes access to the Crown and Pedestal, the Statue of Liberty Museum and grounds, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, and the ferry to Liberty Island.
If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to try to get the "Crown Reserve" option, as by paying just a little more than the "Pedestal Reserve" or "General Admission" options, you will be able to see the iconic Statue of Liberty from the inside and in its entirety, from its base to its crown.
An experience that very few people have the opportunity to enjoy in New York and one that is well worth it!
Prices by ticket type
- Adult: from $24
- Seniors (over 62): from $19
- Children (ages 4–12): from $13
- Children under 4: Not sold.
Can I enter the Crown of the Statue of Liberty with a New York tourist card?
That would be great, but unfortunately it's not possible. For now, the only way to get tickets that give you access to the Statue of Liberty Crown is to buy them online at the Statue Cruises website.
Most New York tourist cards only include basic admission to the Statue of Liberty, which means that the tourist pass only gives you access to the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, the islands, and the museums located there, but not to the Statue of Liberty Pedestal or the Crown.
If you're still interested in getting a tourist card to enjoy its benefits, you have the following options:
- Go City: New York City Explorer Pass—from $89
- New York CityPASS®—from $155
- New York Pass—from $158
If you want to explore the inside of this iconic monument, you will need to book the full ticket separately with Statue Cruises, as it is not possible to use the tourist card to visit the Statue of Liberty and pay extra at the ticket office to enter the Crown or Pedestal.
How to access the Crown: security check
The entrance to the Crown gives access to a small observation platform at the head of the statue, offering unusual views of New York and the monument itself from a height of 93 meters.
Once you arrive by ferry at Liberty Island, you can explore the grounds at your leisure, but if you have tickets to visit the Crown and the Pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, I recommend going there directly, as the last admission is at 3:30 PM and to enter the monument you have to queue for a second security check (in addition to the first check at Battery Park to board the ferry), which will allow you to access the statue and this can take quite a while.
The security check is very thorough and you are not allowed to visit the Crown or the Pedestal with bags, backpacks, or food. You can only take your camera, phone, a bottle of water, or any medication with you, so before going up you will have to leave your belongings in the lockers next to the base of the Statue of Liberty.
They cost 25 cents to use and only accept coins, but there are some machines nearby that accept $5 and $1 bills. So remember to bring some cash in your wallet!
What is the climb to the Crown and its spiral staircase like?
After visiting the Pedestal and the Statue of Liberty Museum, the climb to the Crown is via a narrow spiral staircase with over 300 steps (equivalent to 27 floors) that runs through the entire body of the Statue of Liberty.
There is no elevator to take you to the top, so you must be in good physical condition to make this visit, and children must be at least 1.21 meters tall or they will not be allowed to climb to the Crown. If you have asthma or heart problems, or are afraid of heights or enclosed spaces, please consider whether this is suitable for you. However, everything has been designed to make the visit as comfortable as possible for visitors.
There are a lot of steps along the way, but the climb is not tedious, but exciting, as you will have the opportunity to see the inside of the structure designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (creator of the Eiffel Tower) and in just 15 minutes, without even realizing it, you will be inside the Crown, fulfilling the dream of many visitors to New York.
What you can take with you on the climb
For example, to access the Crown, you are allowed to bring your camera, your phone, a bottle of water, and your medication, if you need to take it. In addition, the ascent and descent from the Crown are via separate staircases so that visitors entering and exiting do not bump into each other, and every few steps there are spaces where you can stop for a moment to rest.
What you'll find when you arrive at the Crown
When you reach the top, you'll probably be surprised, as we tend to imagine the Crown observation deck as a much larger and more spacious room when, in reality, it is so small that only a few people can fit at a time.
Make the most of your time at the Crown, as you will only have a few minutes to look at the view from the windows and take a few photos and selfies before you have to go back down the stairs.
Is it worth going up to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty? What can you see on the tour?
Absolutely! It's one of the most exclusive and unique experiences you can have in New York if you manage to get a ticket, which is quite difficult because very few are available. So I highly recommend trying!
What will you see on the Crown tour?
1. The structure of the statue from the inside
On one side, you will see the interior structure of the Statue of Liberty created by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (the engineer who also created the Eiffel Tower) , which normally goes unnoticed, especially when compared to the famous facade of the monument, which was the work of sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
On the other side, you will see the interior of the Statue of Liberty's crown and the surrounding landscape through its large windows. This is one of the parts that very few people have access to, and just being one of the lucky ones makes the visit worthwhile.
2. The views from Liberty Island
As for the views, due to the statue's eastward location, it is a bit difficult to get a good view of the landscape from the Crown compared to the amazing 360º views from the Pedestal's observation deck. If you pay attention, you can see a bit of Manhattan, the Hudson River, Liberty Island, and details of the statue itself.
However, don't let this minor inconvenience deter you from climbing up to the Crown because when you're up there, I would almost say that the views are the least important thing. In my opinion, the most important thing is to have the opportunity to experience walking inside the Statue of Liberty and entering the head of "Lady Liberty" to see New York City through her eyes.
3. A unique perspective of the Statue
In addition, from the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, you'll have an unusual perspective of the monument (for once you'll see it from top to bottom and not the other way around), so I recommend taking advantage of your time there to take some photos of the landscape and the statue and to take several selfies inside the observation platform. I assure you that it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won't forget!
Tips for visiting the Crown of the Statue of Liberty
- Try to book your tickets to the Crown well in advance, as availability is limited and demand is very high.
- Get an early start to visit the Crown. You'll have more time to explore Liberty Island and nearby islands, and with fewer people around, wait times will be shorter in all lines.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the trip. You will spend a lot of time standing in line for security checks, walking long distances, and climbing many stairs to the Crown.
- Go early in the morning if you visit the Crown in summer. Keep in mind that the temperature inside the Statue is warmer than outside. Stay well hydrated.
- Go to the restroom after passing through the monument's security checkpoint. These are the only restrooms inside the Statue, so I recommend going before your visit so you don't have to leave the Crown early due to an untimely call of nature.
- On the day of your visit, remember to check the National Park Service website (which manages US national monuments) for any last-minute alerts about the park.