Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry

212-812-2700
www.citysightsny.com

Description

More than any other sight, the Statue of Liberty is synonymous with New York City. It is a must-see for any New York visitor, both for an up-close encounter with the world famous Lady Liberty, but also for world class views of the City across New York Harbor. And for many, the neighboring Ellis Island Museum is an emotional connection to family roots. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry takes you to both of these moving and memorable sights -- and it is free as a choice with a New York City Explorer Pass.

A gift from the people of France to the people of the United States, the Statue was a collaboration between sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). After much effort -- and even controversy – the Statue was erected on a massive pedestal that incorporated at appropriately star-shaped fort that already occupied the island. The statue was officially dedicated on October 28th, 1886 and ultimately became a symbol not just of New York City, but of Liberty and Freedom.

The Ellis Island Museum allows you to stand in what was once a busy point of debarkation for new Immigrants, with the Registry Hall, the baggage room, and other parts of the facility restored to their appearance in the post WWI period. In addition to artifacts, video, and other exhibits to recreate and trace the immigrant experience, a research center lets visitors access the passenger records of some 25 million people who first came to the US through New York.

Note:

You must pick up your ferry ticket before arriving at Battery Park. Ticket Pick-Up Location: CitySights Visitor Center inside Madame Tussauds in Times Square between 7th and 8th Avenues.
Departure Location: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park

Cost without the card:

Adult $12.00, Child $5.00

Hours:

CitySights NY Ticket Desk: Daily, 9:00 am–7:00 pm;

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Daily, 9:30 am–4:30 pm (extended summer hours);

Ferry Boat Sailings: Daily, 9:00 am–3:30 pm

Schedules are subject to change

Closed

September 28 and Christmas Day. Holiday hours subject to change without notice

Public Transportation:

By Subway:

Ticket Office: Take A, C, E and S trains to Port Authority or 1, 2, 3, N, R, B, D, F, Q to the 42nd Street/Times Square stop.

Departure Location (After you have picked up your tickets): Take the 4 or 5 Express Train to Bowling Green; N or R Local train to Whitehall Street; 1 or 9 7th Avenue local train to South Ferry

Please read: important instructions on how to use your card.

Redemption Instructions:

Present your New York City Explorer Pass at the CitySights Ticket Desk at Madame Tussauds in Times Square to get your ferry ticket. This ticket allows you to skip the ticket line in Battery Park before you board the ferry -- and you need it have it with you before you go to the ferry departure location at Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park.

Your ferry ticket includes transportation ONLY to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Complimentary admission to go into the Statue of Liberty is by Timed Pass ticketing only. Time Pass tickets are only available on a first come, first served basis with a very limited number of passes available each day. Monument Passes are available at the Statue Cruises ticket booth at Battery Park. You must already have your ferry ticket in hand (pick it up at City Sights Desk in Madame Tussauds in Times Square) to request a Monument Pass.

Even without a Time Pass ticket, visitors can participate in ranger-led walking tours of the island, view interpretive waysides, listen to an audio tour (fee), eat at the restaurant or browse through the gift shop. And of course get unparalleled views of the statue and the skyline. Admission to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is complimentary and you do not need an additional ticket for admission. Free Park Ranger guided tours are available with a schedule listed daily at the Information Booth.