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            I t was the first, and is still the only Track & Field Series of its kind in all of New York State  and the Northeast.   In addition, it is also the first and only Track & Field Series to accommodate all Youth, Scholastic, Open, and Master’s age divisions.

            S cheduled to begin Memorial Day Weekend and culminate on Independence Day Weekend, the Liberty Tour was appropriately named.   Meets are held in nine (9) different counties throughout the Empire State , from NYC to Buffalo .

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The 4 best guided statue of liberty tours for 2024.

Discover the best guided tours of this iconic national monument, plus how to see it on your own.

The Best Statue of Liberty Tours

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Key Takeaways

• You can explore the Statue of Liberty on your own or take a guided tour.
• Some tour operators include additional New York City attractions in their Statue of Liberty tours.
• Round-trip ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is typically included in tour rates.

The Statue of Liberty is America's most iconic and enduring symbol of freedom. A gift from the French, "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" – its official name – was dedicated in 1886. It was often the first thing immigrants to the United States saw as they sailed to Ellis Island. The statue holds a torch in one hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the Declaration of Independence in the other. She stands a little more than 300 feet tall and is made of copper, which has oxidized over time to create her signature green patina. To make the most of your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, consider these key tips.

Several independent tour companies offer tours to the Statue of Liberty that include private guides and extra perks like priority ferry boarding. Some also combine trips to the Statue of Liberty with visits to other attractions, such as the 9/11 Memorial . However, these companies are not official vendors of the national park service, meaning there may be unnecessary charges.

Experience First – Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour

Price: Adults from $79; kids from $75 Duration: 5 hours

For a guided trip to the Statue of Liberty that features an in-the-know local and early reserve-line tickets to access the ferry to Liberty Island, consider this tour operated by Experience First. You'll start your tour at Castle Clinton in Battery Park before boarding the ferry to Liberty Island. Along the way, your guide will share information about the statue and its history. The tour continues upon arrival to the Statue of Liberty, where your guide will show you around the grounds. You'll have time to visit the Statue of Liberty Museum before boarding the ferry again to visit Ellis Island, where the formal tour concludes. Once on Ellis Island, you can stay for as long as you like before hopping on the return ferry to Battery Park. In total, the guided portion of the tour lasts about 3.5 hours. The company estimates that the entire experience will last about five hours, depending on how much time you spend exploring on your own.

Reviewers praise the tour guides, who they describe as knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Travelers also appreciate all the tips provided by guides, saying they offer recommendations on everything from where to sit on the ferry for the best views to must-visit restaurants and boroughs in the city. Tours are offered daily at 9:30 a.m. Short on time? Experience First also offers an "express" Statue of Liberty tour that takes between two and three hours.

Check prices & availability on:

Take Walks – Fully Guided Statue of Liberty Tour with Ellis Island

Price: Adults from $69; kids from $64 Duration: 4 hours

According to reviewers, the guides at Take Walks make the history of the Statue of Liberty come alive. On this approximately four-hour tour, you and up to 24 other participants will visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with your licensed guide leading the way. You'll have time to explore the exterior of the statue, as well as the Statue of Liberty Museum, as well as Ellis Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Reviewers applaud guides for their vast knowledge of Liberty and Ellis islands and called the tour fun. Travelers also appreciate the guides' willingness to take pictures.

Take Walks also offers guided tours of other top NYC landmarks, such as Grand Central Terminal and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Top Dog Tours NYC – Private Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

Price: Adults from $190; kids from $170 Duration: 4 hours

Tour the Statue of Liberty and its attractions with your own personal guide on this private excursion. Tours include round-trip ferry rides between Battery Park and Liberty Island, guided walks of Liberty and Ellis islands, and entrance to the museums associated with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Participants say this tour is worth the extra cost thanks to the passionate, engaging guides. Reviewers especially recommend this tour for families with young kids, because of the educational nature of the experience and the guides' attention to detail.

A minimum of two participants is required for the tour to operate. Top Dog Tours offers a variety of food, walking and specialty tours around NYC.

City Tales Sightseeing & Private Tours – Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour

Price: Adults from $65; kids from $56 Duration: 3 hours

Be one of the first people to tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on this tour, which departs from Battery Park at 9 a.m. on the first ferry to Liberty Island. You and up to 24 other participants will follow a licensed guide to see all of the top sights, including the Statue of Liberty Museum and The National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island. Travelers describe this tour as informative and inspiring thanks to the attentive, insightful guides, who they say present information about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in an easily digestible format.

From March to December, tours operate Thursday through Tuesday at 9 a.m. During January and February, tours are only offered Friday to Sunday. The company offers a variety of walking tours around NYC, including a tour of Wall Street and the World Trade Center.

Statue of Liberty Cruises

One of the best ways to view Lady Liberty is from the water. Consider one of these Statue of Liberty cruises for a unique vantage point.

How to Tour the Statue of Liberty On Your Own

Getting There: You'll need to take a ferry to reach Liberty Island. Statue City Cruises is the official ferry provider for the National Park Service, and the only ferry service authorized to provide transportation to and from Liberty Island. Before you board, you'll go through an airport-style security screening. The ferry departs from two locations: Battery Park in New York City and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. Ferry operators recommend arriving about 30 minutes ahead of your reserved time.

You can reach Battery Park via public transportation, such as the subway or bus. The 4 and 5 trains stop at Bowling Green; the M5, M15 and M20 bus routes also stop within walking distance of the ferry. Driving is an option, but parking is limited. If you're planning to do more sightseeing, heed the advice of reviewers and sign up for a hop-on, hop-off bus tour , many of which stop at Battery Park.

For ferry departures from New Jersey's Liberty State Park, you can arrive via the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. Plenty of parking is available, for a fee, if you choose to drive.

Tickets: Tickets, which cost $25 for adults and $16 for kids ages 4 to 12, cover round-trip ferry transportation and access to specific park attractions. To access both the pedestal and the crown, you need to reserve and purchase timed tickets before your trip. Tickets to the pedestal sell out quickly, and you'll likely need to book tickets to the crown at least three months in advance.

Experiences: Visitors can stop by the Information Center and explore the Statue of Liberty Museum The museum houses artifacts, including the original torch, as well as multimedia displays detailing the statue's history and creation. Meanwhile, the on-site Information Center offers brochures and tour schedules. Kids can join the Junior Ranger program at the center by picking up a booklet of activities to complete to earn a special badge. Any visitor is welcome to take a free Park Ranger guided tour of the statue's exterior, which explains how the statue was made, its symbolism and more, or use a self-guided audio tour.

The pedestal stands at about half the height of the monument and boasts panoramic views of New Jersey, New York City, the New York Harbor and Ellis Island. Brave-hearted visitors will want to take the narrow, double-helix steps to the statue's crown for a bird's-eye view of the city. There are 162 steps from the top of the pedestal to the top of the crown. There is no elevator and the park service discourages this trek for visitors who suffer from heart and respiratory conditions, claustrophobia, acrophobia and vertigo. Children must be at least 42 inches tall to safely climb the stairs.

What to Bring: You will need an ID to pick up your tickets from will call (if you choose to get your tickets there). If you plan to visit the crown, each ticket holder will need to show a valid ID along with the ticket that bears their name; minors without ID are exempt from this policy. Locker facilities to store personal items during your visit are available at the base of the statue; lockers accept quarters only.

No large bags (carry-on luggage, large suitcases, etc.) are allowed on Liberty Island. Backpacks, strollers, large umbrellas and food and drink are prohibited inside the statue.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available in the gift shop and in the statue's lobby.

Traveler Tips: Travelers love seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Multiple tourists recommend a morning visit to make sure you have enough time to see everything, especially if you combine your trip to Lady Liberty with a visit to nearby Ellis Island. If you purchase a ferry ticket for 2 p.m. or later, you will not be able to go to both islands, but will have to pick either Liberty or Ellis Island. Reviewers recommend allotting at least half a day to see everything and suggest going in the morning to avoid crowds. They also stress booking tickets to the crown several months in advance to make sure you obtain tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island.

If you did not book a guided tour through a third-party operator and are visiting the Statue of Liberty on your own, the amount of time you spend at the Statue of Liberty is up to you. Experts and travelers alike recommend setting aside at least two hours to explore everything this site offers. Given how much there is to see here, you'll likely spend at least half a day visiting both Liberty and Ellis islands.

It costs $25 per adult and $16 per child ages 4 to 12 for a ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty, whether you depart from New York or New Jersey. Guided tours cost more. The round-trip ferry ride to Liberty Island includes access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You do not need to purchase any other tickets upon arriving at Liberty or Ellis islands.

If you're hoping to plan a budget-friendly visit to the Statue of Liberty, do not book a tour with a third-party company. Tour companies can add on unnecessary charges for extra perks like a personal guide. If you don't want to visit with a guide, all you'll have to pay is the ferry fee.

The general admission ticket for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty costs $25 per adult and $16 per child ages 4 to 12 whether you depart from New York or New Jersey. The ticket includes a round-trip ferry ride to Liberty Island from either New York or New Jersey, access to the grounds of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, ranger-led tours, and audio tours.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best New York City Tours
• The Best New York City Food Tours
• The Best New York City Boat Tours
• The Best New York City Walking Tours
• The Best New York City Hotels

Tags: New York City , Tours , Travel , Vacations , New York Vacations , US Vacations , Mid-Atlantic Vacations

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