Park of China
Overview
| Designation | UNESCO World Heritage (cultural, 1984) |
| Location | New York City, at the mouth of the Hudson River |
| Latitude, longitude | 40.7, -74.0 Google Maps |
| Nearby sites | Moravian Church Settlements, Independence Hall |
| Nearby cities | New York City (Manhattan) |
| Themes | Statue, Island, Bay, Long River, Big City, Stamp, Banknote |
About
The Statue of Liberty stands in New York City, on a small island south of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, close to New Jersey.
To visit the statue on its island, take a boat from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
The boats stop at Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
If you don't plan to land on the island, you can see the statue from the free Staten Island Ferry, which leaves from the southern tip of Manhattan.
Liberty State Park is closer to the statue, but you can only see it from behind.
You can also see the statue from a sightseeing helicopter or a water taxi.
Travel tips
Getting there: Ferries to the island leave from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The ferry stops first at Liberty Island and then at Ellis Island. Battery Park is reached by subway.
Tickets: The ferry ticket includes the island landing and is sold by Statue City Cruises, the only authorised operator. Book ahead in peak season and on holidays. Access to the pedestal or the crown is chosen when booking; crown places are few and sell out earlier.
Security: Passengers go through airport-style screening before boarding, and the queue often takes longer than the crossing, so arrive early.
On the island: A path circles the statue, and a museum explains its construction and history. The pedestal observation deck looks over Lower Manhattan. The crown is reached by 162 steps with no elevator.
Ellis Island: It was the immigrant inspection station from the late 19th to the mid-20th century and is now an immigration museum. Allow half a day.
Without landing: The free Staten Island Ferry, from the terminal beside Battery Park, passes the statue at a distance and does not land. Liberty State Park in New Jersey is the closest shore viewpoint and has a view of the Manhattan skyline.
Time: The statue and Ellis Island together take half a day to a full day.
Season: Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. The island has little shade in summer, and the river wind is strong in winter.
Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park in New Jersey has a panoramic view of Manhattan.
The park is also home to the Liberty Science Center, a good visit for young people.
Photo credits: Statue of Liberty: Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)