Statue of Liberty Facts

Statue of Liberty Facts:
When shipped from France to New York, she came in 350 pieces.
Once delivered, it took four months to put her together, and was completed on October 28, 1886. The Statue of Liberty was closed to visitors following September 11, 2001, but Liberty Island was reopened on December 20, 2001. The Promenade and Observatory were reopened to visitors beginning August 3, 2004 by reserved ticket only.

Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty:
If you want to visit both the Statue of Liberty and
Ellis Island, allow 5-6 hours for your visit. For the Statue of Liberty alone, it will take about 2-3 hours if you attend a tour. There is plenty of space for enjoying a picnic lunch on Liberty Island.
Ferries and Liberty Island are fully accessible, but the Observatory tour requires walking up 26 steps. Sunblock and water are a good idea if the weather looks sunny. Full-service bathrooms are available on Liberty Island

Tips for Statue of Liberty Tours:
Free ranger-led tours are available at the base of the Statue (no tickets or reservations necessary). Both Promenade and Observatory tours include the Statue of Liberty museum and a chance to see the Statue's original torch. Arrive at the ferry 2 hours prior to your tour to ensure timely arrival. On Observatory and Promenade tours only small purses and camera bags are allowed (and will be inspected). There are lockers for rent ($1 for 2 hours) in the gift shop.

Statue of Liberty Basics:
Statue of Liberty Phone: 212-363-3200
Circle Line Ferry Phone: (212) 269-5755
Nearest Subways to Statue of Liberty: 4/5 to Bowling Green; N/R to Whitehall Street; 1 to South Ferry (you must be in the first 5 cars of the train to exit at South Ferry). Follow the signs to Castle Clinton to buy tickets for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Statue of Liberty With Kids:
Strollers are not allowed on the Promenade or Observatory Tours.
There is plenty of room for running around and relaxing on Liberty Island.
For children 7-12 there is a Junior Ranger Program available. Pick up a free booklet on Liberty Island.

Statue of Liberty Admission:
Admission to Liberty State Park is free, but you must buy a ferry ticket to get there.

Circle Line Ferry Ticket Prices: Adults $11.50; Senior Citizens (62+) $9.50; Children (4-12) $4.50; Children 3 and under free. You can buy your tickets for the ferry online at http://www.StatueReservations.com (there is a $1.75 charge per ticket for advance sales). Ferry ticket included with the New York Pass - present New York Pass in Castle Clinton bookstore for ticket.

Statue of Liberty Hours:
Ferries to the island depart from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Liberty Island closes at 6 p.m. and the last ferry returns to Battery Park by 6:30 p.m. Schedules are updated and revised frequently, so please check the official ferry schedule.

Statue of Liberty Tour Reservations:
Reserve tickets for Guided Observatory and Promenade Tours by phone: 1-866-STATUE4 (U.S. only) or 212-269-5755 or online at www.StatueReservations.com.
Tour tickets are time specific. All reservations require the purchase of a ferry ticket and $1.75 reservation fee per ticket. Ranger Tours of Liberty Island are free and do not require reservations or tickets. Self-guided audio tours (in English, Spanish, German, Italian, French and Japanese) are available for $6 per person.

Food on Liberty Island:
There are basic concessions available for sale on Liberty Island, including hot dogs, ice creams, and beverages. You might also want to bring a picnic to enjoy on the many grassy spaces surrounding Liberty Island.

More About the Statue of Liberty:
For the first time since September 11, 2001, the observation deck of the Statue of Liberty was reopened on August 3, 2004. New guided tours of the Statue of Liberty focusing on the engineering behind the monument are available to visitors. Security is very serious for visitors to the Statue of Liberty -- everyone will clear security (including x-ray inspections of baggage and walk through metal detectors) before boarding the ferry. Participants in Observatory and Promenade Tours will have to clear security a second time before entering the statue.

Time specific tickets are available by phone (866-STATUE4 (U.S. only) or 212-269-5755) and
in person at the Ferry Ticket Office. There is no charge for the tickets, and visitors without tickets can still visit Liberty Island.

Catch a ferry to Liberty Island (and/or nearby Ellis Island) and explore the park grounds.

Ferries to Liberty Island also travel to Ellis Island. Your ferry ticket purchase through Circle Line includes both, so take advantage of both if you can.

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Contributing Information by gonyc.about.com.