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What is allowed at the Statue of Liberty?

Backpacks, strollers and large bags are permitted inside the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. On Liberty Island, lockers are located adjacent to the secondary security screening building for a small fee. Ellis Island does not provide guest lockers.



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Prohibited Items for Monument Access (Pedestal) All food. All beverages, except water in a plastic container. All backpacks (including oversized bags).

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Yes, masks are required during your visit to the Statue of Liberty. What is the time on my tickets? The time on your tickets is your security check in and boarding time for the ferry departure. You must arrive at least 30-40 minutes prior to your security check in time.

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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.

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Public access has been restricted since 1916, when a munitions explosion on what was then Black Tom Island, believed to have been triggered by German agents, caused $100,000 in damage to the monument.

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Without proper planning, many people end their visit much later than expected, so make sure to leave plenty of time to see everything without feeling rushed. At a minimum, you should budget two hours for the Statue of Liberty and an additional hour if you plan to visit Ellis Island as well.

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Being on the 9:00 am slot means there will be less crowds on the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, the Pedestal and even Ellis Island, and your visit will be much smoother. Alternatively, opt for an early afternoon visit – though at that time of day there will definitely be more people than in the early morning.

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Inevitably weekends are busier than mid-week, but it really is all relative and there is truly no quiet time to visit the statue. Our recommendation is to catch the first ferry departures Tuesday–Thursday if you really want to beat the crowds and get inside the museums ahead of anybody else.

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Is there a dress code I should follow to go inside the Statue of Liberty? There is no specific dress code to visit the statue. However, wear comfortable shoes and clothing because you'll have to do a lot of walking and climbing inside.

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How long is the tour? The guided portion of the tour is about 2 hours. You can stay as long as you want after the tour ends at Liberty Island and return to Battery Park when ready. Total time should be about 3 hours, but allow an extra hour if you plan to visit Ellis Island on your own.

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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.

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Visiting the pedestal is a great addition to your trip to Liberty Island. There are 215 steps or approximately 10 stories to climb to the top of the pedestal. There is an elevator for those who cannot use the stairs. Tickets to the pedestal are limited and can sell out in advance.

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Statue of Liberty bag policy Before boarding the ferry, you will need to pass through a security screening. You can take food, backpacks, and camera equipment but the maximum size for any baggage is 24 '' x 18''. Weapons of any sort or forbidden.

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Tickets are non-transferable. The names of those in your party must be provided at the time of purchase. Each ticket holder will be required to show photo ID (except minors without ID) matching the name printed on the ticket prior to entering the Statue of Liberty.

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It's worth the visit but you have to be fit to climb up those 315 steps, in a tiny staircase at the end. Just be aware of the security: they do not allow you to take anything with you except your tickets and your camera, if you go to the crown.

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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.

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Take the Staten Island Ferry If you want to see the Statue of Liberty for free, this is the best way to do it. This public ferry will take you to the borough of Staten Island, passing by the Statue of Liberty along the way. To get there, head to the Staten Island Ferry terminal next to Battery Park.

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