The Statue of Liberty is open seven days a week and throughout the year, from 9 am to 5.30 pm.
The last entry to the Statue of Liberty is at 4 pm.
Even on all federal and state holidays, the monement is open to the visitors.
Only on Christmas and Thanksgiving the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Islands remain closed.
Stair Timings
The Lady Liberty Monument has 162 stairs to reach the Crown and is open 30 minutes after its opening times.
There are no elevators, so the crown can only be accessed by stairs. However, you will find an elevator to go down from the pedestal.
The staircase closes with the final entry to the pedestal or crown at 5.30 pm.
However, be aware that the stairs are narrow and very crowded, so choose your time wisely.
Read our article on the best times to avoid crowds at the Statue of Liberty to plan your visit wisely.
Ferry Schedule to the Statue of Liberty
The ferries operate daily between 8.30 am and 5 pm from Battery Park and Liberty State Park.
The last ferry typically departs at 3.30 pm from the mainland.
However, their operating frequencies vary according to time of day, visitor influx, and tourist season
This table demonstrates the opening and closing hours of the Statue of Liberty in various seasons and ferry times.
If you are traveling from New York or New Jersey, read our article on SoL Ferry schedules to plan your visit accordingly, and don’t worry about missing anything.
How long to spend at the Statue of Liberty?
You should allocate at least 3 to 4 hours to fully explore Liberty Island, the museum, and its grounds. This excludes time taken during the ferry rides.
Allocate another 2 to 3 hours if you plan on visiting Ellis Island.
This will let you:
- Enjoy a ferry ride: 15 minutes.
- Take a ground tour: 1 hour.
- Have Pedestal access with 30-45 minutes of Ground access and Crown access
- Option to visit the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island: 45 minutes
- You may spend up to 3 hours exploring Ellis Island if desired
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Statue of Liberty open all year?
Yes, Lady Liberty is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
2. What is the last entry time for visitors to the Statue of Liberty?
The last admission is always at 4 pm.
3. Can I visit the Statue of Liberty in the evening?
No, the Liberty National Monument is only open until 5.30 pm.
4. What is the duration of a typical visit to the Statue of Liberty?
You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the Statue of Liberty’s museum, monument, and grounds.
5. When is the Statue of Liberty closed?
The Statue of Liberty is typically closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
6. When is the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty to avoid crowds?
The best time to visit the Statue of Liberty to avoid crowds is in the early morning, ideally arriving on the first ferry at 8.30 am.
Weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, are recommended over weekends for fewer crowds.
7. What time does the first ferry depart to the Statue of Liberty?
The first ferry to the Statue of Liberty typically departs at 8.30 AM in the morning.
8. How long does it take to climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty?
It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to climb the 162 steps from the top of the pedestal to the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
9. Is the Statue of Liberty open on public holidays?
The Statue of Liberty is open on most public holidays. The only exceptions for closures are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
10. What are the Statue of Liberty’s hours on public holidays?
The Statue of Liberty is open daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm.
Featured Image: Latimes.com