France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a gift of friendship, and the monument was formally dedicated in 1886. It stands in New York Harbor as a powerful symbol associated with freedom, democracy, immigration, and opportunity. Its official name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue, while engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel developed its internal iron support structure.
For many immigrants arriving in New York Harbor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Statue of Liberty became an important symbol of arrival and hope. Today, the Statue of Liberty is recognized worldwide and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 3.8 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year. Planning a trip here needs a little prep, though. There are security rules to follow to keep the place safe for everyone. Knowing about Statue of Liberty storage points before you get on the ferry is a smart move.
Statue of Liberty Bag Policy
Getting through security and understanding the rules starts with knowing what you can and can’t bring. These rules change depending on where you plan to go. The strictest rules are for those visiting the pedestal and the crown. Everyone and their belongings go through airport-style security screening before boarding the ferry.
There are also important restrictions before you even reach Liberty Island. Suitcases, carry-on luggage, and other large parcels are not permitted on the ferry system or at Liberty and Ellis Islands. Bags must fit through the primary security X-ray machine, whose opening is approximately 24.2 inches wide by 17.9 inches high.
What Bags You Can Bring
If you’re visiting the outdoor grounds and museums, regular personal bags and backpacks may generally be brought through primary security as long as they are not otherwise prohibited and fit through the X-ray machine.
If your ticket includes Pedestal Access, the rules are stricter. Backpacks, drawstring bags, and backpack-style purses are prohibited inside the monument. Other permitted bags must be no larger than 8" x 17" x 19" per item.
People with medical needs can bring necessary medication and equipment, subject to security screening.
For Crown Access, the rules are stricter still. Visitors may carry only a mobile phone, one camera, water in a clear plastic container, and necessary medication. Bags of any kind must be placed in a locker before entering the crown route.
What Bags Are Not Allowed
For anyone entering the pedestal, all backpack-style bags are prohibited, including regular backpacks, drawstring bags, and purses shaped like backpacks. Suitcases, duffel bags, oversized bags, laptops, strollers, tripods, and large non-folding umbrellas are also not permitted inside the monument.
For crown visitors, bags of any kind are prohibited. Keys, shopping bags, writing instruments, umbrellas, food, and other items that could interfere with movement on the narrow staircase also cannot be taken to the crown.
Remember that large travel luggage cannot simply be brought to Liberty Island and placed in a locker. Suitcases and carry-on luggage are prohibited before boarding the ferry, so these items must be stored elsewhere before you reach the departure security checkpoint.
Statue of Liberty Lockers
The National Park Service provides lockers on Liberty Island for visitors with Pedestal or Crown Access who need to store items that are allowed on the ferry but prohibited inside the monument.
The lockers are located next to the secondary security screening area near the monument entrance. They require a 25-cent deposit using a U.S. quarter and can generally be used for up to two hours. A change machine nearby accepts $1 and $5 bills.
The lockers are approximately 12" x 12" x 18". They are suitable for backpacks and other relatively small personal items, but they are not intended for travel luggage. Suitcases and carry-on bags cannot reach the lockers because they are prohibited at the primary security screening before boarding the ferry.
Crown visitors should place all prohibited belongings in a locker before entering secondary security. Only a phone, camera, water in a clear plastic container, and necessary medication may be carried to the crown.
Statue of Liberty Transportation
Getting to the Statue of Liberty means taking a ferry, as it’s located on an island in New York Harbor. Statue City Cruises is the only ferry operator authorized by the National Park Service to sell tickets and transport visitors to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
Ferries leave from two locations: The Battery in Lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. General Admission includes ferry transportation and access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, including the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
Visitors can return to either the New York or New Jersey mainland terminal, but once you arrive back on the mainland, you cannot reboard the ferry. Pay attention to ferry signs on the islands so you board the correct service.
If you’re leaving from Manhattan, The Battery is easy to reach by public transport. You can take the 1 subway train to South Ferry, the 4 or 5 trains to Bowling Green, or the R train to Whitehall Street. Current NPS transportation information also lists the M5, M15, and M20 buses serving South Ferry.
Leaving from Liberty State Park in New Jersey is often convenient for visitors arriving by car, with parking available near the ferry area. By public transport, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stops at Liberty State Park, approximately one mile from the ferry departure point.
One important detail is that the time printed on your ferry ticket is the time you are allowed to join the security screening queue, not a guaranteed ferry departure time. During summer, weekends, holidays, and other busy periods, security and boarding queues can take an hour or more.
Statue of Liberty Camera Policy
Most visitors want to capture memories of this famous landmark, and personal photography is generally possible throughout the visit. You can use handheld cameras and smartphones on the islands and in many visitor areas, subject to security and monument-specific restrictions.
Large photography bags and equipment cases are prohibited at primary security unless they are part of an authorized activity. Photography, filming, or audio recording that requires exclusive use of an area or involves staging equipment such as tripods, monopods, or lighting equipment may require a National Park Service permit.
Tripods are specifically prohibited inside the pedestal. Visitors going to the crown may carry one camera, but camera bags are not permitted.
Drones and other unmanned aircraft are prohibited on park property.
Photography and recording are also prohibited in security-screening areas if they interfere with or slow down the screening process.
Statue of Liberty Food Policy
You can bring your own food to the park, although large coolers are not allowed through security screening. Food and beverage concessions are also available on Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
However, food and drinks generally cannot be consumed inside public park buildings except in designated concession dining areas.
Visitors entering the Statue of Liberty pedestal cannot bring food or drinks inside. The only permitted beverage is water in a clear plastic bottle. Metal and glass bottles are prohibited inside the monument.
Crown visitors are subject to the same basic rule: water in a clear plastic container is permitted, but food and other drinks are not.
Other Statue of Liberty Rules & Information
Besides the rules about bags, food, and cameras, there are a few other important things to know for a smooth visit. First, the security screening process is mandatory. Before boarding a ferry from New York or New Jersey, all visitors must pass through airport-style security screening.
Weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, drones, hazardous chemicals, certain knives, large parcels, and numerous other dangerous or restricted items are prohibited. Items surrendered at security will not be returned.
Once you’re on Liberty Island, visitors with Pedestal or Crown Access must go through a second airport-style security screening before entering the monument.
Large flags, posters, and banners measuring more than 3 feet by 3 feet are prohibited. Public assemblies and similar activities are subject to National Park Service regulations and may require use of designated areas or permits.
The National Park Service also provides accessibility resources. The grounds of Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty Museum are accessible, and the museum’s rooftop observation deck can be reached by elevator.
Visitors with Pedestal tickets can use elevators and an accessible lift to reach upper pedestal levels. However, because of the historic design, wheelchair users cannot access the outdoor portion of the top pedestal observation balcony.
The crown is not wheelchair accessible and can only be reached by stairs. The full climb from ground level to the crown involves 377 steps, including 162 narrow, steep steps from the top of the pedestal to the crown.
Service animals are permitted in accordance with accessibility rules, but pets are not permitted on the ferries or in the park.
Tips for Visitors
To make the most of your trip to this world-famous landmark, a little planning ahead really helps. The most important tip is to visit the official Statue City Cruises website well before your trip. Statue City Cruises is the only ticket seller and ferry operator authorized by the National Park Service for Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
Crown tickets are extremely limited and can sell out months in advance. Depending on the time of year, the National Park Service advises planning approximately four to six months ahead for Crown Access. Pedestal reservations are also limited and can sell out.
If you have Pedestal Access, pack light. Backpack-style bags must be placed in a locker, while other permitted bags must comply with the 8" x 17" x 19" limit.
If you have Crown Access, do not plan on carrying a purse, crossbody bag, fanny pack, or other bag inside. Crown visitors may carry only a phone, camera, clear plastic water bottle, and necessary medication.
If packing light isn’t an option because you’re in the middle of a trip or came straight from the airport, don’t bring bulky luggage to the ferry terminal. Suitcases and carry-on luggage are not permitted on the ferry system, and there are no lockers at the primary security facilities in either The Battery or Liberty State Park.
Use Qeepl luggage storage services near the ferry departure areas before going through security. Qeepl storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000.
Keep in mind that your ticket time is the time you may join the security queue, not the exact ferry departure time. During peak periods, screening and boarding can take an hour or more. If you want to visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island in one day, the National Park Service recommends taking an early ferry.
Crown ticket holders have an additional step: they must check in at the official ticket booth in New York or New Jersey before boarding. Each adult Crown ticket holder must present photo ID to receive the required crown wristband.
FAQ
Are purses allowed in the Statue of Liberty?
For Pedestal Access, a purse may be permitted if it is not backpack-style and does not exceed 8" x 17" x 19". Backpacks, drawstring bags, and backpack-style purses must be stored in a locker.
For Crown Access, bags and purses of any kind are prohibited. Visitors may carry only a phone, camera, water in a clear plastic container, and necessary medication.
What is allowed at the Statue of Liberty?
On the ferry and island grounds, personal bags are permitted if they pass security and fit through the X-ray machine. Suitcases, carry-on luggage, and other large parcels are not permitted.
Inside the pedestal, backpacks and several other bulky items are prohibited, while permitted bags must be no larger than 8" x 17" x 19". Crown visitors may carry only a phone, camera, clear plastic water bottle, and necessary medication.
What can you not bring to Ellis Island?
Visitors go through the same primary security screening before boarding ferries to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Prohibited items include weapons, explosives, drones, hazardous materials, suitcases, carry-on luggage, other large parcels, and other items listed by the National Park Service.
Can I bring food with me to the Statue of Liberty?
Yes. You may bring your own food to the park, although large coolers are prohibited. Food should be eaten outdoors or in permitted dining areas.
Food cannot be taken inside the Statue of Liberty pedestal or crown. Inside the monument, the only permitted beverage is water in a clear plastic container.
Do you need ID to enter the Statue of Liberty?
A photo ID is not generally required simply to visit the island with a standard digital ticket. However, adult Crown ticket holders must present photo ID when checking in to receive their Crown tickets and wristbands.
For Pedestal tickets collected at a ticket office, the purchaser must show photo ID and the same credit card used to make the reservation.
How long does it take to get through security at the Statue of Liberty?
Security wait times vary significantly. The time printed on your ferry ticket is the time you are allowed to join the security screening queue, not the scheduled departure time of a specific ferry.
During busy periods such as summer, weekends, and holidays, the security and boarding process can take an hour or more, so plan your day accordingly.
