New York Must-Visit: Get Up Close to the Statue of Liberty by Boat

When visiting New York, the one thing you absolutely cannot miss is the Statue of Liberty! This iconic symbol of freedom and hope has been featured in countless movies, but standing before her in person is an experience that will give you goosebumps 🥹 ⸻ 🚢 How to See the Statue of Liberty? There are two main ways to see the Statue of Liberty: 🔹 Option 1: Take the "Statue City Cruises" ferry to the island (paid) • Departs from **Battery Park** • Stops at Liberty Island and Ellis Island • You can disembark to see the statue up close and visit the museum • 👉 It's recommended to book tickets online in advance, as popular time slots can sell out quickly! 💰 General ticket price: Around $24 USD 📌 If you want to enter the statue itself (e.g., the pedestal or crown), you need to make a separate reservation. Tickets are limited, so book early! ⸻ 🔹 Option 2: Take the "Staten Island Ferry" (free) • Completely free! (Perfect for budget travelers) • Departs from downtown Manhattan, round trip takes about an hour • While it doesn’t dock, it passes close enough to the Statue of Liberty for great photos! 📌 Tip: Stand on the right side of the ferry (on the outbound trip) for the best view of the Statue of Liberty! ⸻ 🏝️ My Choice: Visiting the Island! Initially, I considered taking the free ferry, but I ultimately decided to spend the money for the sightseeing cruise to the island. The reason was simple: I wanted to stand at her feet and take photos! Boarding the sightseeing ferry at Battery Park, the sea breeze accompanied us as we approached the statue. Seeing her standing tall in the middle of the water from afar was truly exciting. Once we docked and stepped onto Liberty Island, the view was absolutely breathtaking—she was even larger than I imagined, and with the blue sky, white clouds, and ocean backdrop, every photo looked like a postcard 📷