Can you still walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty?
A trip up to the crown includes walking up a double-helix spiral staircase. The Statue's Crown can only be accessed by climbing 162 stairs. There is no elevator service to the Crown. The climb is strenuous.
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Contrary to popular belief, it's not closed off because of structural damage caused by years of wear and tear — it's thanks to an act of sabotage by Germany on July 30, 1916, during World War I, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
Technically, there is no cost to visit Liberty Island. What you have to pay for is the ticket for ferry passage and whether or not you would like access to the statue's pedestal or her crown. (Crown tickets have an additional fee).
If you want to go inside the Statue of Liberty, you must buy a Pedestal Access or Crown Access ticket. General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the statue. If you are interested in tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, read more below.
How long is the entire trip? Sailing time to each island is approximately 15 minutes. If you remain on boat for ride only without visiting either monument, it will be one hour and fifteen minutes. If you visit both islands the time depends on the time you spend on both islands.
It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty. You can take an elevator to the pedestal level of the Statue but the walk up to the crown itself will take you at least 15 minutes.
Visitors climb 354 steps to reach the crown and 192 steps in order to reach the top of the pedestal. There are 25 windows in the crown which symbolize 25 gemstones found on the earth. The seven rays of the Statue's crown represent the seven seas and continents of the world.
July 30, 1916Dynamite and explosives set for the British and French war effort were detonated. That statue suffered some minor damage (mostly to the right arm and torch) and closed for ten days. For public safety reasons, the torch balcony has been closed ever since.
The statue's crown has been off-limits since March 16 of 2020, when the National Park Service halted all public operations at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island because of the pandemic. Sections of the landmark have gradually reopened since then; the pedestal deck reopened in July of 2021.
2. The crown's spikes represent the oceans and continents. The statue's crown bears seven spikes, symbolizing the seven oceans and seven continents of the world, and emphasizing her message of welcome, inclusiveness, and freedom.
With 31 tons of copper and 125 tons of steel, the scrap value of the Statue of Liberty comes in at $227,610, far below two of the most expensive statues in the world. But that's what happens when you use millions worth of gold and bronze.
Water fountains are located in the lobby of the Statue of Liberty near the restrooms. Speaking of restrooms, the lobby facilities are the only ones located inside as well. So plan accordingly before you climb!
Other highlights include seeing the tablet from above, an up-close view of the torch, and being able to feel the thickness of the copper statue. Anyone visiting the crown must be able to walk up at least 162 steps on a confined spiral staircase.
Anyone visiting the crown must be able to walk up at least 162 steps on a confined spiral staircase. There is not an minimum age for the crown access but instead a minimum height requirement. Children must be at least four (4) feet (1.2 meters) tall to visit the crown.
After visiting the Pedestal and the Statue of Liberty Museum, the climb to the Crown is up a narrow spiral staircase of more than 300 steps (the equivalent of 27 floors) that crosses the entire body of the Statue of Liberty.
You can get the latest schedule on Statue Cruises' Departure Schedule web page. If you are going to be at Ellis or Liberty Island after 4 PM, make sure that you understand when the last ferry leaves. If you miss the last boat you must swim back, and the water is really cold even in the summer.
As a tour guide, a question I hear a lot is: “Is it worth it to see Ellis Island?” For those who have no familial connection or relation to the people who passed through, its importance and influence can often be overlooked. Which is why I am here to tell you that it is absolutely, 100% worth it.
Staten Island FerrySince the service is completely free, this is a great option for viewing the Statue of Liberty up close. The ferry route brings you directly across New York Harbor and right by the statue and Ellis Island. Pros: Of all the free options, the ferry has the best and closest view of the statue.