The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Lady Liberty is not just another beautiful statue.
The height of the copper statue is merely 46 meters (151 feet). However, it stands on a pedestal, totaling 93 meters (305 feet).
With its impressive height and location in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has the best views of the surrounding area.
Its sight area includes Manhattan, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and New York Harbor views.
According to your Statue of Liberty tickets, there are various Statue of Liberty viewpoints depending on the type of access you have.
Various Statue of Liberty Viewpoints
There are various Statue of Liberty tickets, each including a round-trip ferry and access to various levels of the Statue of Liberty.
The most common Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tickets include a round-trip ferry and give access to the grounds of Liberty Island.
Since there are no obstructions, visitors will be delighted with amazing views of the nearby Ellis Island and the gorgeous Manhattan skyline.
If you plan your visit to the Statue of Liberty smartly, you will find fewer crowds, so you can take a leisurely walk around Liberty Island without feeling crowded.
Watch for familiar structures such as bridges and other iconic sites on your stroll.
A specific point on the island, the nearby Fort Wood, is popular for offering sweeping views of the NY City skyline.
This is one of the cheapest ways to witness Lady Liberty up close and enjoy the stunning views from Liberty Island.
Statue of Liberty Pedestal View
People who want to climb the Statue of Liberty and experience an exclusive Statue of Liberty Viewpoint should purchase the Statue of Liberty Pedestal View tickets.
Only the Statue of Liberty Pedestal tickets allow visitors access to the pedestal part of Lady Liberty.
The pedestal is the stone structure right below the feet of Lady Liberty and on top of the old, star-shaped war fort.
It is 89 feet (27 meters) tall. It is not only to increase the statue’s total height, but it also supports the structure of Lady Liberty.
It also features an outdoor balcony with stunning and uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and New York Harbor.
The pedestal is approximately 8 stories tall and has an excellent view.
The best part about the Pedestal Access Statue of Liberty tickets is the outdoor balcony, which is 360° around so that visitors can get different perspectives from each side.
Visitors can see many iconic structures from this height, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and dozens of other buildings.
One thing to remember is to visit during the right weather when it is sunny and clear. On days when it is cloudy, your view will be impacted due to foggy conditions.
Visitors must climb 192 steps of stairs to reach the pedestal level. It may sound daunting to many, but the steps aren’t steep, and the stairs are nice and wide.
An elevator is also available, but guests must climb 26 steps after exiting the elevator to reach the top.
For people with mobility issues, there is a small service elevator available.
However, the balcony won’t be accessible to people with wheelchairs because of its limited size.
Many visitors and we also feel that the view from the Statue of Liberty pedestal is better than the Statue of Liberty Crown View.
Visitors should opt for the Guided Statue of Liberty tickets to gain a deeper insight into the history and other crucial aspects of the Statue of Liberty.
It is perfect for those who want to learn about and appreciate Lady Liberty, not just for the gorgeous views.
Statue of Liberty Crown View
The Statue of Liberty’s Crown sits at the top of her head. It is a hollow space.
Inside is a small viewing area with 25 windows wrapping around it. Visitors need Statue of Liberty crown view tickets to access this portion of Lady Liberty.
The Statue of Liberty Crown tickets are limited in number, can only be booked from the official site, and can’t be purchased on the same day.
Typically, visitors need to book the crown tickets for the Statue of Liberty three to four months in advance of the day of their visit.
The crown offers one of the most exclusive and unique Statue of Liberty viewpoints. Only 300 people per day are allowed inside.
Even though it is the topmost position one can access in the Statue of Liberty, the view is not that impressive, given its cramped windows.
Also, a big disappointment is that the Crown View Statue of Liberty doesn’t offer a clear view of NYC as it does not face New York.
It doesn’t offer a 360° view; it only offers one small section of the view from the pedestal.
Guests will see the statue’s body above, highlighting this Statue of Liberty viewpoint.
Apart from that, visitors can’t see much except New York Harbor; the skyline of Manhattan is barely visible through the smaller windows in the farthest corner.
The joy of the crown is not from outside views but from the inside of the Statue of Liberty. The experience of reaching the crown makes it worth it.
Another advantage is that you can experience the pedestal before reaching the crown.
From the pedestal deck to the crown, there are another 162 steps. For reference, the crown is roughly the height of a 27-story tall building.
There are no elevators, and the staircase is narrow and steep, so if you feel claustrophobic easily, this is one of the things to remember.
The landing or viewing area is pretty cramped and doesn’t have air conditioning.
Make sure you are hydrated. Visitors can’t carry any bags or tripods to this level. Make sure to know the restrictions beforehand.
Although visitors can’t go to Liberty Island at night, various Statue of Liberty Night tours are available. These allow you to witness the Statue of Liberty at night.
Lady Liberty looks gorgeous from the water onboard a cruise while the Manhattan skyline glitters.
There are multiple choices, from a comprehensive and super fast NYC Circle-Line Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-the-Box Office to the uber-luxurious NYC Luxury Dinner Harbor Cruise, there are plenty more choices.
Other Observation Decks of New York
Beyond the Statue of Liberty View Point, there are plenty of attractions in NYC. Thus, visitors can check out the various observation decks in NYC to witness stunning skyline views.
Getting to the top of a tall building to soak in the city’s beauty puts things in perspective.
There are currently five famous observation decks in Manhattan. Visitors should check it out for amazing views and memorable times!
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the most recognizable buildings. It has been part of the Manhattan skyline since 1931, making it the oldest observation deck in the city.
A visit to the Empire State Building is an interval to any NYC trip. The Empire State Building is not just about the picturesque views but also about NYC’s history.
One of the fascinating facts about the Empire State Building is that it was the tallest building in the world for 40 years until the World Trade Center was completed in 1970.
There are two observation decks in the Empire State Building: one on the 86th floor and another on the 102nd floor.
View from the Empire State Building
Visitors first take an elevator to the 80th floor, where they go through several exhibits on the history of the Empire State Building.
After that, visitors must take an elevator to the 86th floor, an outdoor observation deck.
Due to its convenient location in Midtown Manhattan, visitors can spot many iconic landmarks.
These include the Chrysler Building, Summit One Vanderbilt, Hudson Yard and the Edge, Lower Manhattan, One World Trade Center, and Brooklyn and the East River.
The outdoor observation deck on the 86th floor gives you 360° views of New York City. There are telescopes on this observation deck to look further.
It is one of the iconic sites featured in many movies as well.
The indoor observation deck on the 102nd floor is smaller than the outdoor observation deck.
It features floor-to-ceiling glass windows where visitors can catch 360° views of NYC. Visitors can also look down to the 86th floor from this height.
Location:- 20 W 34th St., New York 10001, United States
Timing:- 10 am to 10 pm
Observation deck height:- 86th floor (1050 feet, 320 meters); 102nd floor (1250 feet, 381 meters)
Empire State Building Tickets
The Empire State Building tickets are highly customizable, with options to visit either of the two floors or pick the combo to visit both.
Beyond this, visitors also have the option to pick between a General Admission or The Expression Skip-the-line access.
Given the huge crowd, we recommend buying the express skip-the-line option to save time and avoid the long queues.
Below are the prices for the Empire State Building 86th & 102nd Floor Express Skip-the-lines Combo tickets.
Adult tickets (valid for all ages):- $130/person
Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock is a hidden gem of an observation deck. It is on top of the Rockefeller Center. It offers amazing views of NYC.
If you aren’t after the bragging rights of visiting the highest observation deck or something similar, this is a great spot to observe New York’s beauty and surroundings.
One of the fascinating facts about the building is that it was built in 1933, and the three-tiered observation deck was originally built to resemble the deck of an ocean liner.
At the Top of the Rock, take in the view from a grand total of three observation decks. One is on the 67th floor, and the other is on the 69th and 70th floors.
View from Top of the Rock
After you walk in, you will first go through the Mezzanine Exhibits, which teach you about the rich history of the Top of the Rock.
From here, you will take an elevator to the 67th floor. Reaching this floor will take 42 seconds, so it is quite fast.
The 67th-floor deck is an indoor observation deck with views of the Empire State Building.
The 69th-floor deck is the outdoor deck with a glass wall and 270° views of New York City.
The 70th-floor deck offers a 360° view of Manhattan with no glass walls.
The Top of the Rock views are some of the most spectacular you can experience from any of the observation decks in NYC.
You can see the Empire State Building from the 67th floor, which is the most iconic building in NYC.
Visitors can see Central Park, Upper East and West Side, Harlem, various skyscrapers on 57th Street all the way to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and beyond.
Location:- 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, United States
Timing:- 9 am to 11 pm ( Last Elevator to the top is at 10.10 pm)
Observation deck height:- 850 feet (260 m) (67,69, and 70th floor)
Top of The Rock ticket price:-
Explore all three observation decks with one Top of the Rock Deck ticket. Enjoy an age-based discount on Top of the Rock tickets.
Adult tickets (13 to 61 years):- $44
Children tickets (6 to 12 years):- $38
Senior tickets (above 62 years):- $42
Infant tickets (up to 5 years):- free
For gorgeous views, visitors can also opt for one of the exhilarating NYC Helicopter tours that allows them to fly like birds and tour the city.
The Manhattan Helicopter Tour delights visitors with an aerial view of Manhattan City. Visitors can witness other iconic structures besides spotting the Statue of Liberty.
To make the Helicopter Tours further engaging and informative, visitors can listen to the expert commentary by the pilot.
One World Observatory
One World Observatory is among the most popular observation decks in NYC and worldwide. It is at the One World Trade Center.
One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, which also accounts for its immense popularity.
Another cool fact about the One World Trade Center is that it is the 7th tallest building in the world at a height of 1776 feet.
There is only one observation deck located on the 102nd floor of the building, which is at a height of 1268 feet.
View from One World Observatory
Unlike other observation decks where visitors will go through exhibits to learn about the history of the building; you will take an elevator to go straight to the observation deck on the 102nd floor.
One cool thing about the elevator is that it has inbuilt digital screens that show a time-lapse transformation of New York City.
The time-lapse is well crafted to showcase the history from the Dutch settlement in the 1600s to what the city is today.
Before you go to the observation deck, visitors will first go to the See Forever Theater, where a second time-lapse video about life in New York is shown.
The observation deck features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer mesmerizing city views.
Visitors look out over Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty and New Jersey.
It offers an amazing 360° view for up to 45 miles (72km) in every direction on a clear sunny day.
The sky portal is one of the unique offerings of the One World Observatory. It is a 4.2-meter-wide circular glass disc with unique street views of the 100 stories below.
It uses a real-time high-definition view of the things below on the street.
Location:- 117 West St, New York, NY 10007, United States.
Timing:- 9 am to 9 pm
Observation deck height:- 1268 feet (102nd floor)
One World Observatory ticket price:-
This One World Observatory ticket offers many options to make your visit convenient and memorable. Visitors have the option to get standard One World Observatory tickets.
Other options include Combination tickets with timed Entry, Inclusive tickets with Flexible Entry, and Master VIP Guided Tour with Time Entry.
Below are the prices of the all-inclusive One World Observatory tickets that offer skip-the-line to take priority lane, iPad virtual guide and $15 worth of drink or shop.
Adult tickets (13 to 64 years):- $44
Youth tickets (6 to 12 years):- $38
Senior tickets (above 65 years):- $42Infant tickets (up to 5 years):- free
The Edge
It is the newest of all the famous observation decks in New York City. It is a protruding outdoor deck on the 100th floor at 30 Hudson Yards.
The most fascinating aspect of The Edge is that it is the tallest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.
The Edge is located in the Hudson Yards. It elevated the thrill factor by introducing a new experience called City Climb NYC.
Visitors can scale outside the skyscraper while wearing harnesses to the highest outdoor observation deck in the city.
The Edge has two observation decks: one indoor observation deck on the 100th and one outdoor observation deck on the 101st floor.
Views from the Edge
To get to the Edge observation deck, visitors first take an elevator to ride to the 100th floor. The elevator has a floor-to-ceiling digital display showing an animated movie about Hudson Yard.
From the 100th floor, visitors can go to the Champagne bar, step out onto the sky deck, and walk upstairs to the 101st floor.
From here, enjoy exquisite 360° views of New York and New Jersey. The deck has a glass floor where you can peer down the city street far below.
The indoor observation deck features floor-to-ceiling glass. The views are more immaculate from the outdoor observation deck.
Visitors will be delighted with the panorama of the entire NYC skyline in one gaze.
The views are unparalleled; from the western side of Manhattan, you can see all the way from Central Park down to the Statue of Liberty and beyond.
Due to its height and no other tall buildings, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Iconic Empire State Building, one of the best views possible.
The view goes as far as Queens and Brooklyn. And as it gets dark during the night when the city is glowing with all the lights, it looks nothing less than a dream!
Location:- 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, United States
Timing:- 10 am to 10 pm
Observation deck height:- 1131 feet (345 meters) (100th floor)
City Climb Experience:- 1271 feet (387 meters)
The Edge ticket Price:-
The Edge Tickets include the Indoor sky deck and Champagne Bar on Level 100 and access to the outdoor sky deck platform with angled glass walls.
The Edge Observation deck tickets include a digital souvenir photo to capture your memorable time.
There are various options to make your visit smooth, such as the Flex Pass Open Ticket on Chosen Day and Express Tickets that allow visitors to skip the lines.
Below are the prices for the standard Edge Observation Deck tickets.
Adult tickets (12 to 61 years):- $42
Children tickets (6 to 11 years):- $35
Senior tickets (above 62 years):- $40Infant tickets (up to 5 years):- free
Summit One Vanderbilt
Summer One Vanderbilt is among the most popular observation decks in NYC. It is also among the newer observation decks in Manhattan, opened in 2021.
Located on the top three floors of one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan, Summit One Vanderbilt offers an immersive experience beyond the usual views.
Apart from offering stunning views like other observation decks, Summit One Vanderbilt features art installations by Kenzo Digital.
Summit One Vanderbilt is located in Midtown Manhattan.
Views from the Summit One Vanderbilt
Visitors will first have to put on shoe covers and take an elevator to the 91st floor. Summit One Vanderbilt is on the top three floors.
One of the floors is dedicated to the immersive and amazing art installations designed by Kenzo Digital.
The Transcendence 1 is an enormous room with floor-to-ceiling windows featuring mirrors on the floor and ceiling.
The mirrors and the beautiful views from the windows make for one memorable experience and an endless opportunity to click amazing pictures.
As you circle the three levels, you will see Affinity (where silver balloons drift through the air), Unity ( look your face in the clouds) and Levitation (stand in glass boxes that hover 1036 feet above the city streets).
Visitors will be delighted to view iconic buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy the 360 views of lower Manhattan and spot other iconic structures, such as the World Trade Center.
The visit ends at the bar and lounge called Aprés, an open-air observation deck and Ascent, two glass elevators that rise 1,210 feet for a loftier view of New York City.
Location:- 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States
Timing:- 9 am to 12 am (The timings vary depending on the season)
Observation deck height:- 1063 feet (92nd floor)
Ascent Elevator Height:- 1210 feet (101st floor)
Summit One Vanderbilt ticket Price:-
The Summit One Vanderbilt general admission tickets allow visitors to all indoor immersive art experiences and to “Aprés,” an eatery & cafe.
Adult tickets (13 to 99 years):- $56
Youth tickets (6 to 12 years):- $50
Children tickets (up to 5 years):- free
Visitors looking to climb the various observation decks in Manhattan can purchase the various New York City Passes.
The New York CityPASS allows for the top five attractions within the city from a list of attractions and tours.
The list includes attractions such as the Empire State Building and the NYC Circle-Line Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-the-Box Office for enjoying the Statue of Liberty at night.
Apart from this, the New York City Sightseeing Day Pass offers immense flexibility with options to pick one-day, two-day, three-day and so on.
Visitors have the option to explore more than 100 attractions. Apart from the various New York hop-on hop-off cruises, museums, and attractions, it features three observation decks: Top of The Rock, One World Observatory, and The Edge.
If you need a longer validity of up to 12 days, pick the New York City Sightseeing Flex Pass, which offers to choose from more than 100 attractions, museums, tours and more.
FAQs
Does the Statue of Liberty have an elevator?
Yes, There is an elevator for visitors to reach the top of the Pedestal portion of the Statue of Liberty. There is a service elevator for wheelchair users, too.
However, the elevators do not go to the balcony. Visitors still have to climb 26 steps. The balcony is small and can’t fit wheelchairs.
Beyond this, there are no elevators to reach the Crown of the Statue of Liberty. Visitors must climb 162 steps after the initial 192 steps to reach the pedestal.
Featured Image : Statue View
