The Best Ways to See the Statue of Liberty for FREE!
Different Ways to See the Statue of Liberty
Seeing the Statue of Liberty is obligatory when visiting New York. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, so find out the best ways to see the Statue of Liberty without spending a dime.
The Best Ways to See Statue of Liberty
The obvious way to see the Statue of Liberty is by visiting Liberty Island! In order to see her up close, explore the pedestal or even enter the crown, you need to take the ferry to the island. Another increasingly popular way to see the statue of liberty is by taking a cruise around New York. There are plenty of cruises that pass Lady Liberty, providing you with the perfect photo opportunity. Although these are all great options to get fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty, there are several spots in New York City (and New Jersey!) for you to enjoy amazing views of the Statue of Liberty for free!
1. Governors Island
Our favorite view of the Statue of Liberty is from Governors Island! The former military base is located in New York harbor, South of Manhattan and separated from Brooklyn by the Buttermilk Channel. Today, Governors Island is the ultimate summer destination that lets you escape the hustle of the city. The island hosts lots of events during the summer and you can always just have a picnic, go for a walk or cycle the island.
Governors Island is pretty hilly, offering you elevated views of the Statue, but even from the flat areas, you get unobstructed views. A roundtrip ferry ticket will cost you $3. So technically that means it’s not completely free, however, it can be! In order to enjoy free rides, hop on the ferry on Saturdays and Sundays before noon. The only catch is that Governors Island is not open all year round. It opens for a few months a year, from May through October to be exact! If you’re not visiting New York during these months, don’t worry: there are several more options for you to see the Statue of Liberty for free.
- Address: Ferry departure from Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street
- Directions: to South Ferry
2. Battery Park
Most of you probably know that you can see the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park. It’s also where the Statue Cruise to Liberty Island departs from Manhattan. The views of the Statue of Liberty from here never fail to amaze us. The park stands in great contrast to the busy city, as you cannot only enjoy the greenery but also the relaxing waterfront. This is topped by the view of the Statue of Liberty!
What we like best about the view from Battery Park is the view during sunset. It’s truly exceptional. The sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty, creating a colorful explosion in the sky, leaving you with the perfect silhouette.
While at Battery Park, check out Pier A Harbor House!
At Pier A Harbor House you can enjoy lunch or dinner AND breathtaking views! For us, it’s one of the best ways to see the Statue of Liberty and relax by the water. Especially during a long day of sightseeing in New York, this can be a great break.
- Address: Battery Park
- Directions: to Bowling Green
3. Liberty State Park
Ever thought about heading to New Jersey to get a view of the Statue of Liberty? If you haven’t considered it yet, then you should definitely do so now! Liberty State Park is not only a beautiful park, but it also offers you unobstructed views of New York’s skyline, including Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Compared to Battery Park, you’ll also be much closer to the Statue of Liberty. Liberty State Park is located in Jersey City, so you can easily get there within minutes by taking the PATH.
Although New Jersey is gaining increasing popularity, you can still expect to see smaller crowds here as most tourists don’t leave New York City. There’s no doubt that Liberty State Park is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty from New Jersey!
- Address: Liberty State Park, Jersey City
- Directions: PATH to Exchange Place
4. The Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a commuter ferry that travels between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. On its way, it passes the Statue of Liberty. The distance is about half a mile (1 km). The ferry is completely free at all times, meaning you do not only get a free ferry ride, but also a free glance at the Statue of Liberty. The ferry departs regularly throughout the day. You can check out the Staten Island Ferry schedule beforehand.
- Address: Ferry from Whitehall Terminal at 4 Whitehall St
- Directions: to South Ferry
more about the staten island ferry
Is that it?
Well, kind of! You can technically see the Statue of Liberty from High Line Park and the Brooklyn Bridge! Both are free to visit, but due to the distance however, Lady Liberty will look tiny, so it’s recommended you try one of our four options above!
If you’re visiting the One World Observatory, you can also enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty!
Should you already have tickets for the One World Observatory you can expect to see the Statue of Liberty from the viewing platform there, too. Luckily, the One World Observatory is included in some New York Attraction Passes, meaning you can visit it at a reduced rate as opposed to paying full price.
