How to Visit the Statue of Liberty Crown

Getting to Lady Liberty's crown can be worth the challenge.

Viewing New York City from the top of Lady Liberty requires months of planning and a hardy constitution. The National Park Service allows Statue of Liberty a limited number of visitors to climb to the top of the crown, but advises that tickets usually sell out months in advance and that there are 354 steps leading to the crown -- the equivalent of climbing more than 20 stories.

Things You'll Need

• Good Health
• Endurance
• A (Free) Pass to Have Access to the Statue of Liberty's Crown

Instructions

1. Reserve your tickets months in advance from the National Park Service's Statue of Liberty website. As of 2011, tickets to the crown cost $3 each. You can only buy four at a time and make a reservation only once every six months. When you reserve the tickets, you must provide the name of everyone who will climb.

2. Reserve a cruise from Statue Cruises to avoid long lines. The wait for a ferry can be more than 90 minutes.

3. Bring a photo ID and the credit card you used to buy the tickets when you visit. You will need both to pick up your tickets at the will call station at the Liberty State Park embarkation site or Castle Clinton in Manhattan. The tickets will only be given to the person who bought the ticket, and may only be used for the time and day reserved.

4. Ask your doctor if you should attempt the climb and if so, what steps you can take to ensure a successful trip to the top of Lady Liberty. The National Park Service recommends those with certain medical conditions should not make the climb, including those with heart and respiratory conditions, mobility impairments, claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), acrophobia (fear of heights) or vertigo (dizziness).

Tips & Warnings

• The steep and narrow stairway to the top of the crown can take two hours to climb.

• There is no air conditioning in the Statue of Liberty, so be sure to drink lots of water.

• You are only allowed to bring medication and cameras into the statue. Everything else must be secured in provided lockers.

• As of October 2011, the statue was scheduled to close indefinitely while the National Park Service gives Lady Liberty a makeover.

References

• National Park Service: Frequently Asked Questions: Reserving Tickets to Visit the Crown
• Statue Cruises