Frequently Asked Questions

Liberty Sunset
The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island near the entrance to New York Harbor at sunset.

NPS Photo

How do I get pedestal and crown tickets? Visit www.statuecitycruises.com regarding pedestal and crown ticket availability. You can also reach them at 877-LADY TIX.

If I take the ferry from one side, must I return to that side? Yes. Ferries depart from both the states of New York and New Jersey. The side you start from is where you should return to. If not, you may be forced, at your expense, to find alternate travel back due to space availability or ticket office closures.

Can I use my National Park Pass when visiting this park? No. National Park passes are valid at parks that charge an entrance fee. There is no entrance fee for Liberty and Ellis Islands because they are fee-exempt by law. The transportation fee (ferry) does not apply to the pass. Click Here for more information or to order National Park Passes.

Can I purchase food or bring my own to the park? You can do either. Food & beverage concessions are located on Liberty Island and Ellis Island or you can bring your own. (Large coolers will not be allowed through security screening) Food & Beverage Concessionaire (Evelyn Hill, Inc. (212) 363-3180).

Are Pets Allowed In the Park? No, pets are not permitted on the ferry system or in the park itself. Service animals, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are permitted.

Is the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island? No. The park is comprised of two separate islands, Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island. Ellis Island, the former federal immigration station, is home to the National Museum of Immigration.

Is the Statue in New York or New Jersey? The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island, federal property administered by the National Park Service, located within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of New York. A pact between New York and New Jersey, ratified by Congress in 1834, declared this issue.

Can I dock my personal boat or vessel on the island? No. Docking of private vessels is not permitted! There is a 150-yard maritime exclusion zone enforced around both islands. Visitors may only arrive at the island via the contracted ferry concession service presently in place.

Is the torch open? The torch has been closed since the "Black Tom" explosion of July 30, 1916, which was one of the largest acts of sabotage to our nation prior to the event of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Many people think they've been there and confuse it with climbing a spiral staircase that ascends to the crown. National Park Service staff must climb a narrow 40ft. ladder in order to maintain the floodlights that light the torch.

How tall is the Statue of Liberty? The Statue is 305ft. 1in. from the ground to the tip of the flame. It is the equivalent height of a 22-story building. In 1886, it was the tallest structure in New York. See more Statue Statistics.

What is the Statue of Liberty made of? The Statue of Liberty is made of copper 3/32 in. (2.4 millimeters) thick, the same as two U.S. pennies put together.

Why is the Statue green? The Statue's copper has naturally oxidized to form its familiar "patina" green coating. This patina is as thick, in many places, as the copper behind it and protects the copper from naturally wearing away.

Is the Statue of Liberty an image of a man or woman? Classical images of Liberty have usually been represented by a woman. The Statue of Liberty's face is said to be modeled after the sculptor's mother.

Which direction does the statue face? The Statue of Liberty faces Southeast and was strategically placed inside of Fort Wood which was a perfect base for the Statue. The Statue's position was also perfect for ships, entering the harbor, to see her as a welcoming symbol.

Does the Statue of Liberty get struck by lightning? Yes! The Statue gets struck many times each year. Just how many is not known. The Statue's height and her conductive copper, make it a structure prone to lightning strikes. The Statue is safely grounded through the massive concrete and granite base she stands on.

What does the torch represent? The torch is a symbol of enlightenment. The Statue of Liberty's torch lights the way to freedom showing us the path to Liberty. Even the Statue's official name represents her most important symbol "Liberty Enlightening the World". The Statue's current replacement torch, added in 1986, is a copper flame covered in 24K gold. It is reflective of the sun's rays in the daytime and lit by 16 LED floodlights at night. The original torch was removed in 1984 and is currently inside the Statue of Liberty Museum.

What is written on the Statue's tablet? The tablet of law, held in the Statue's left hand, has the date of American Independence July 4, 1776, written on it in Roman numerals (July IV, MDCCLXXVI)

What do the seven spikes on the Statue's crown represent? The rays represent a radiant halo, also called an "aureole."

Last updated: November 3, 2023

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Mailing Address:

Receiving Office
1 Ellis Island

Jersey City, NJ 07305

Phone:

212 363-3200

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