NYC Adventures: Visit to the Statue of Liberty with Kids
One of our favorite things to do is to explore our awesome city with the kids and play tourist. A fun way for families to explore the city is to play tourist, and a visit to the Statue of Liberty offers kids a chance to learn and enjoy a memorable family adventure. Just an hour or so (depending on traffic) from Westchester to Liberty State Park, this mini NYC adventure is fun for kids of all ages. Check out more during our NYC adventure and visit to the Statue of Liberty with kids
How to get to the Statue of Liberty:
We opted to take the boat to Liberty Island from the Liberty State Park side (the boat also leaves from Battery Park City). If you’re coming from Westchester, this route makes visiting the Statue of Liberty with kids easy and hassle-free. This was ideal coming from Westchester since there was an affordable parking lot ($7.00 for the day) right by the boat. After we parked, we walked to the security check-in point of Statue City Cruises. Everyone has to have their bags checked and x-rayed (airport-style). Once we got through security, we waited on line to board Statue City Cruises. The boats currently run everyday from 9:00am-4:30pm through Labor Day. The boat runs every 35 minutes so definitely give yourself time, depending on what boat you are trying to make with all of the different check-in points.
Costs:
Tickets are $24 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $12 per child. The boat is free for kids three years and under. Booking in advance is one of the smartest ways to save time on a family visit to the Statue of Liberty with kids. Tickets include self-guided audio tours on Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Due to the high volume of the season, guests should purchase their tickets in advance from the Statue City Cruises website. Tickets are also available at the Battery Park and Liberty State Park box offices.
On the boat:
The three-level boat offers tons of space to sit or look out at Ellis Island, the Manhattan skyline, New Jersey and a beautiful view of Liberty Island. Kids usually love this ferry ride, making it a highlight of a visit to the Statue of Liberty. On the boat, you’ll also find concessions on each level with snacks like pretzels, chips, drinks, candy, and trinkets. From Liberty State Park, the boat goes to Ellis Island where you can depart for the museum — it is also where more passengers come on to go to the Statue. After that, you’ll be off to Liberty Island with some incredible views of the Statue as you get closer to the dock.
What to do on Liberty Island:
After a 10-minute exit from the boat, we walked around Liberty Island, enjoying the wide-open spaces, New York Harbour views, and the Statue of Liberty up close. Visiting the Statue of Liberty with kids is even more special when you explore Liberty Island, where they can move around freely, take in the views, and experience the statue up close.
The pedestal experience is also open to visit where you and your family can climb 215 steps or approximately 10 stories to climb to the top. Reservations are required for this experience, which you have to book in advance through Statue Cruises.
On the island, you can also learn the history of the Statue of Liberty with a visit to the nearby Statue of Liberty Museum. This was also a nice refuge from the heat as the kids learned more about the history of this iconic statue by looking at historical memorabilia, seeing the various stages of what the statue looked like, and seeing first torch, plaster of the ear, and the bronze face mold, to name a few interesting experiences.
Ellis Island:
Pairing Ellis Island with a visit to the Statue of Liberty with kids turns the trip into an enriching family history experience. You can also make a whole day of it by visiting the Ellis Island National Museum. Here, you can trace your family history, visit and learn more about the unrestored buildings of Ellis Island’s Hospital Complex, and provide a teach opportunity for you and your kids to learn more about the immigrant experience during that time.
For more information about Statue City Cruises and City Experiences, visit https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/statue/.
