Background
World Heritage since
1984
Type of site
Cultural
Inaugurated
1886
The statue made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, with a steel framework by Gustave Eiffel, and given by France for the centenary of American independence.
Inaugurated in 1886, it stands on Liberty Island at the entrance to New York Harbour and has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States. The island also holds a museum with the statue's original torch.
- 1886Statue dedicated
- 1937Island becomes part of the National Monument
- 1984Inscribed as World Heritage
- 2019Statue of Liberty Museum opens
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1The StatueBartholdi's 'Liberty Enlightening the World'.
- 2Pedestal and CrownPlaces are limited and must be booked.
- 3Statue of Liberty MuseumHome to the original torch, carried from 1886 to 1984.
- 4Ellis IslandThe immigration museum, on the same ferry.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Book the Ferry Ahead
Pedestal and crown places are limited.
Plan a Morning
About 2 hours on Liberty Island, then 90 minutes on Ellis Island.
Out in the Harbour
Liberty Island lies 2.6 km south-west of the Battery in Lower Manhattan.
Free Ferry View
The Staten Island Ferry gives a free view of the statue from the water, as an alternative to a paid island visit.
A Morning in the Harbour
From the GoGo New York guide · Open the New York Guide ›
- 09:00Statue of Liberty2 hrsThe ferry out to Lady Liberty.
- 11:15Ellis Island Immigration Museum90 minThe immigration museum.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jun–Sep. Freezing days in Jan–Feb.
Typical highs
4°
J
4°
F
7°
M
12°
A
17°
M
23°
J
26°
J
26°
A
23°
S
18°
O
12°
N
7°
D
Best monthsRain: wettest Dec (133 mm), driest Feb (95 mm)
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 307 · Wikipedia: Liberty Island · Wikivoyage: Manhattan/Financial District (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo New York guide · UNESCO listing