The short answer
- Yes, with the right ticket. A General Admission ticket covers the ferry, the island grounds and the museums, but not the inside of the monument.
- Pedestal: 215 steps, about 10 stories, to the observation balcony at the top of the pedestal. An elevator is available.
- Crown: 162 more steps up a narrow spiral staircase inside the statue, with no elevator. Crown tickets are very limited and sold only by Statue City Cruises.
- Torch: closed to visitors since 1916.
Every ferry ticket to Liberty Island lets you walk around the statue and visit the museums. Going inside the monument is different: it needs a reservation for the pedestal or the crown, and both are limited. This guide explains what each level includes, how hard the climb is, and which ticket to choose.
The three ways to visit
| General Admission | Pedestal | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island museum | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inside the monument | No | Up to the top of the pedestal | Up to the crown |
| Climb | None | 215 steps, or the elevator | 162 more steps, no elevator |
| Extra security check on Liberty Island | No | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Easiest to get | Limited, sells out on busy days | Very limited, books up far ahead |
Inside the pedestal
The pedestal is the large stone base the statue stands on. With a pedestal reservation, you go inside the monument and up to the observation balcony at the top of the pedestal, with views across New York Harbor to Lower Manhattan.
- The climb: 215 steps, or about 10 stories, according to the National Park Service. An elevator is available for visitors who cannot use the stairs.
- A second security check: before entering the pedestal, you go through another airport-style screening on Liberty Island.
- Stricter rules inside: no food or drinks (water in a clear plastic bottle is fine), and no backpacks, suitcases, strollers, laptops, long umbrellas or tripods.
- Lockers: next to the second screening building, for a 25-cent deposit (quarters only; change machines take $1 and $5 bills).
Pedestal tickets are limited and can sell out, especially in summer, on weekends and on holidays. The Park Service says same-day pedestal reservations are sometimes available at the ticket offices, but they are extremely limited, so book ahead.
Up to the crown
The crown is the highest point visitors can reach. From the top of the pedestal, you climb 162 more steps up a tight spiral staircase inside the statue, about 377 steps from the ground in all. There is no elevator to the crown, and children cannot be carried.
Crown rules to know before you book
- Height: children must be at least 42 inches (1.1 m) tall and always with an adult.
- Health: the Park Service calls the climb strenuous. It advises against it for people with heart or breathing conditions, limited mobility, claustrophobia, a fear of heights or vertigo.
- Photo ID: every ticket holder except minors shows a photo ID to pick up the tickets and Crown wristbands before boarding.
- Limits: at most 4 Crown tickets per order, and one Crown ticket per person in any 6-month period.
- Time at the top: about 10 minutes.
- What you can bring: water in a plastic bottle, a phone, a camera and medicine. Bags of any kind, keys, pens, umbrellas and food go in a locker.
Crown tickets are sold only by Statue City Cruises, directly, and they book up far in advance. Le Way Go does not sell Crown tickets. If the crown is your goal, book it on the Statue City Cruises website as early as you can.
Local tip: if Crown tickets are gone for your dates, the pedestal is the next best thing. You still go inside the monument, the views over the harbor are wide open, and there is an elevator if you need it.
What about the torch?
The torch has been closed to visitors since 1916. You can still see it up close: the original torch, replaced in the 1980s, is on display in the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. Every ferry ticket includes the museum.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the pedestal if you want to go inside the monument and see the harbor from above, travel with children under 42 inches, prefer an elevator, or could not get Crown tickets.
- Choose the crown if you are comfortable with a long, narrow climb, booked months ahead and want the highest view.
- General Admission is enough if you mainly want the ferry, the grounds, the museums and Ellis Island.
Whichever you choose, the time on your ticket is when you join the security line in Battery Park, not when the boat leaves. Read How early to arrive for the Statue of Liberty ferry to plan your morning, and Statue of Liberty tickets explained for every ticket type.
Ready to book?
The Pedestal Access tour includes the official Statue City Cruises Pedestal Reserve ticket (round-trip ferry, Liberty Island, pedestal and Ellis Island) and the Le Way Go City Guide with the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island audio tour, from $55 per adult. Your ticket arrives by email 24 hours before departure. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Questions
Can you go inside the Statue of Liberty?
Yes, with a pedestal or crown reservation. General Admission tickets cover the island and the museums but not the inside of the monument.
How many steps are there to the pedestal?
215 steps, or about 10 stories, according to the National Park Service. An elevator is available for visitors who cannot use the stairs.
How many steps are there to the crown?
162 steps from the top of the pedestal, about 377 from the ground. There is no elevator to the crown.
Can you climb to the torch?
No. The torch has been closed to visitors since 1916. The original torch is on display in the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island.
Does Le Way Go sell Crown tickets?
No. Crown tickets are sold only by Statue City Cruises, and each holder shows a photo ID to collect them. We sell Pedestal Access, which takes you inside the monument to the top of the pedestal.
Is there an age limit for the pedestal?
The Park Service lists no minimum height for the pedestal. Strollers are not allowed inside, so bring a baby carrier for small children. The 42-inch minimum applies only to the crown.
