Uncover New York History on Statue of Liberty Tours

Liberty Lighting the World, Lady Liberty, the Guardian of New York Harbours. Whichever name you know her by you’ve probably heard of New York’s most famous landmark. A trip to New York isn’t complete without joining one of the Statue of Liberty tours on offer.

At 93 meters tall the neoclassical statue stands proud on its island, attracting around 4.5 million visitors a year. With a tour, you can get up close and personal with Lady Liberty herself. You’ll also learn of the rich history and meaning behind its making!

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Start the Statue of Liberty tours on a ferry

The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island, a short distance from New York. Most Statue of Liberty tours will include a ferry trip to the island. A round trip from Battery Park or Liberty State Park is a fun way to travel. You can get a good view of both the city and Lady Liberty while floating along the Hudson River!

There are ways to see the statue on foot. You could stand at the southern tip of lower Manhattan, or on Brooklyn Bridge. To get the full experience and join in one of the Statue of Liberty tours, however, you’ll need to climb aboard a boat.

Learn about Lady Liberty’s history

The Statue of Liberty, originally called Liberty Lighting the World, was a gift from the French in 1886. The statue is based on the Roman goddess ‘Libertas’, who represents freedom. Lady Liberty is a symbol of freedom built as the US was gaining independence.

On the Statue of Liberty tours you’ll find out why the statue was made, and why it’s still significant over a century after being built.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the Statue of Liberty crown has seven spikes to represent the seven seas and seven continents of the world?

Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum

When you get to liberty island you’ll also have the chance to explore the Statue of Liberty Museum. In this museum, you’ll find a collection of American heirlooms, the original Statue of Liberty torch, and the warehouse where the building of the statue took place.

In the museum, you’ll also find an immersive theatre. Here you’ll be taken on a journey through Lady Liberty while learning about its history.

Fun Fact: Gustave Eiffel, who designed and built the Eiffel Tower, also helped to create the Statue of Liberty!

Check out the New York City view

Inside the museum, you’ll get a good look at the cityscape of New York. You’ll see the shape of its famous skyline as you view the skyscrapers from a short distance away.

It’s not just inside the museum that you can see stunning views of the city. On many of the Statue of Liberty tours, you’ll also get the chance to climb onto the pedestal of the statue. Here you’ll see the city while sitting at the feet of Lady Liberty!

Fun Fact: The National Park Service has explained on their website that because of the “Black Tom” explosion in 1916 the public can’t go into the torch. It is possible, however, to climb a spiral staircase to the crown!

Visit Ellis Island on the Statue of Liberty tours

On many of the Statue of Liberty tours, you will also have the option to visit and explore Ellis Island. Ellis Island offers a peek at American history focused on early settlers and indigenous peoples.

To help you to learn about early immigration, Ellis Island has two key attractions. First, there is the Wall of Honour. The Wall honours those who experienced forced migration due to slavery. It also memorialises early American settlers and Indigenous peoples.

There’s also the Museum of Immigration. Here the journeys of migrating peoples are brought to life through various artefacts.