The Solo Scale:

---

Visiting New York City for the first time typically means you want to see all the big tourist destinations. That includes Times Square, the Empire State Building, and probably the Statue of Liberty.

(Not sure what a perfect day in NYC looks like? Check out these suggestions for the ultimate first-timers day in NYC!)

What’s the best way to visit the Statue of Liberty? There’s a few options available. With your visit to the Statue of Liberty, you can also visit Ellis Island, or you can ascend to the top. However, the only legitimate service for Liberty or Ellis Islands is Statue City Cruises. If anyone else is advertising this and asking you to pay money, it’s likely a scam.

If this is a must-do, then make sure you reserve it in advance. It’s a very popular destination and if you want access to the pedestal or the crown, you’ll need to book in advance. Don’t expect to be able to do this at the last minute. Even when I booked months ahead, the crown was already sold out. That meant I didn’t have a chance to ascend to the top.

When it’s time for your adventure to Liberty Island, you’ll begin by heading downtown to Battery Park if you’re in Manhattan. There is a Jersey departure option, but if you’re in New York City to tour around, the likelihood is that you’re going to be picking the downtown option.

You’ll board your boat here and cross the river to arrive at Liberty Island. It’s only a few minutes, so no need to worry too much about seasickness. Make sure you give yourself some time before your departure time (which will be booked on your ticket). The last thing you want to do is rush. There’s also a security screening, as with many tourist sights in New York City, so plan accordingly.

Once you’ve made it across to Liberty Island, you’ll be granted the access available on your ticket. That means if you bought Pedestal Access, you can rise to the Pedestal. With Crown access, it’s right to the top! Otherwise, general admission gives you access to the grounds. In truth, the closer you got to the Statue, the less you could see her overall, so unless you’re determined to see details, I would say to get the Crown or the general admission, but the Pedestal isn’t that much different.

Once you’ve roamed around Liberty Island to your heart’s desire to see the statue, learn about the island, or admire the great views of the NYC skyline, you can grab a boat for departure. It won’t take you back to Battery Park just yet, as it has one more stop at Ellis Island.

Here, you’ll be able to learn more about immigration into the United States. There are really in-depth and incredible exhibits set up to help you learn more about the experience through the decades and how immigration changed. If you had relatives come through Ellis Island, there’s even a spot where you can learn where they came through. For anyone who had relatives come through Ellis (myself included), it’s truly a humbling experience to be standing in the same place that they did all those years ago.

Once you’ve spent your time exploring, you can board the boat again. Now, it will be returning back to NYC and Battery Park to conclude your day seeing the Statue of Liberty and walking the same path as so many people who immigrated to North America throughout the years.

Ready to see the iconic Lady Liberty? Check out the National Parks Services tips website here or buy your tickets today at Statue Cruises!

---