Essential Statue Tour with Statue of Liberty Pedestal Tickets

The Essential Statue Tour is our most laid-back experience at the Statue of Liberty, but still includes an expert guide and Statue of Liberty Pedestal tickets. Your tour starts when you meet your guide and group of fellow visitors at Battery Park. After seeing famous buildings like Castle Clinton and the Pier A Harbor House, you'll hop onto a ferry with all-inclusive tickets and enjoy a scenic cruise over to Liberty Island.

When you get to the island, you'll immerse yourself in the story of America's most iconic statue. You might be surprised to learn that, initially, it was a tough sell to New Yorkers, and the project was almost derailed numerous times due to lack of funding. Inside the fascinating Statue Museum, you'll see artifacts from the planning and building process and learn why many of the things you think you know about the statue (including why it was built) are not what you've been led to believe.

The highlight of your visit is the pedestal, which you'll have access to thanks to pre-reserved Statue of Liberty Pedestal tickets. It's 215 steps to the top, but each one is worth it when you reach the pedestal and soak up jaw-dropping views over New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan.

Your guided tour ends on Liberty Island, but you can hop a ferry to Ellis Island for no extra charge and see the wonderful Immigration Museum, or just head back to Battery Park. Either way, your guide will give you directions and recommendations for how to spend the rest of your vacation. In just three hours you'll have seen America's most iconic statue, learned its story from an expert guide, and taken a few pictures from the pedestal to prove it. Who says the early bird always gets the worm?