Lady Liberty is one of the attractions that most families need to see while in NYC. The Statue of Liberty is a national park as well as a great symbol of American Liberty. When you get to Liberty Park, you are free to walk around the statue as you wish. You will get to see Lower Manhattan from a new perspective that you have not seen before.
For an additional fee, you can buy tickets to the pedestal to see the museum or views of the city from an observation deck. If you would like to see NYC from a great vantage point, you should consider buying access to the crown of Lady Liberty. Here are some tips that will come in handy when visiting this iconic statue with kids:
Buy Crown Tickets in Advance
If you want to get to the crown of the statue, you should buy the tickets very early because they sell out months before the day. To make sure that you get tickets, you should reserve yours at least six months before your NY tour to be on the safe side. It would be better to jump the gun and buy the tickets extra early rather than missing out on them altogether.
Because getting to the crown is a tiring climb, you should be in good shape. If you want your kids to go with you, they should be at least 4-feet tall to be allowed to make the climb.
Arrive Early
If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty with your family, you need to make sure that you get up early. It is one of the most visited attractions, so you need to wake up early to get on the ferry before everyone else flocks to it. Lines for boarding the ferry are long and you need to be the first ones.
Moreover, you have to undergo airport-like security screenings before you get on the ferry. If you do not account for all these delays, you might not get to see the statue. If you get to Battery Park before 10am, you can skip the long wait for tickets, the ferry, and security screening. You never know, you might also be lucky enough to receive free tickets to the pedestal.
If you wake up late and are driving yourself, you should drive to Liberty State Park in New Jersey, park there, and board the ferry, which is usually less crowded. On your boat tour to the Statue of Liberty, you will see the Manhattan skyline from a new angle.
Get to the Pedestal or Crown First
You will find another line of people waiting to access the crown and pedestal. Because the space inside is small, people can only go in a few at a time. Moreover, there will be another security check and you have to leave your bags in a locker. You should start with these places when you get to the statue to avoid queuing up later when crowds increase.
You might enjoy the small museum and learn about how the statue came to be and what it means to millions of Americans. Moreover, you will see the original torch if you have always wanted to see it.
Pack Some Snacks
You should expect to spend at least half your day on Ellis Island and seeing the Statue of Liberty. You can buy food on both islands and you will come across many lovely spots to picnic with your family. If you do not want to buy food, you should prepare a snack at home and bring it with you.
