Visit the Statue's Pedestal

The Statue of Liberty and pedestal on Liberty Island

Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health authorities in consultation with NPS Public Health Service Officers, the pedestal is currently closed.  

The Statue of Liberty's stone pedestal was designed by famed architect Richard Morris Hunt who designed it to complement the Statue of Liberty rather than overwhelm it. The structure was constructed and paid for by the American people. The pedestal is roughly half the height of the entire monument, offering panoramic views of New York Harbor. 
Pedestal access is limited and advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Details

Duration

1-2 Hours

Most visitors will visit the pedestal in less than 1 hour. 

Activity

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Visitors can explore from the historic Fort Wood level at the bottom, up to the top of the pedestal at their own pace. 

Age(s)

All ages welcome, but minors must be with a parent or guardian.

Pets Allowed

No

Only service animals are allowed to the island.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Statue of Liberty Pedestal

The pedestal is located beneath the Statue of Liberty, built within an existing fort, Fort Wood. The height is roughly 151 feet tall from the ground to the top of the pedestal, equivalent to a ten (10) story building. The entrance to the pedestal is located at the secondary screening building behind the Statue of Liberty. 

Reservations

Yes

Due to its popularity, access to the pedestal is limited and requires reservations. Statue Cruises is the official source for pedestal reservations as well as the company that provides ferry transportation to the island. Advanced reservations may be made online or by telephone. Same day pedestal reservations MAY be available at the ticket offices, but are extremely limited. Pedestal reservations are not available on Liberty Island.

Season

Year Round

The pedestal is open every day except for the fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving) and December 25th. If you are planning a visit in the busy summer months or during the holiday season, reservations should be made farther in advance to ensure access.

Time of Day

Day

The pedestal is open daily, hours depend on the time of year and boat schedule. Visitors should check in the Information Center to find out the last entry time for the day.

Accessibility Information

• Wheelchair access is provided by several elevators from the ground-level lobby, to the exterior of Fort Wood, and to the top of the pedestal.

• The outdoor observation deck at the top of the pedestal is not wheelchair accessible, but visitors still have access to the New York City skyline view as well as the interior of the statue.

Visiting the pedestal is a great addition to any trip to the Statue of Liberty. Starting in 2004, the National Park Service implemented a new system that requires reservations to access the pedestal. This reservation system is much different than how the public accessed the pedestal prior to 2001.

Highlights of visiting the pedestal include:

• accessing the inside of the pedestal, museum, and the Fort Wood level.

• viewing the inside of the copper statue from the top of the pedestal.

Pedestal tickets are limited and the National Park Service highly recommends advanced reservations. A limited number of pedestal tickets are available each morning at the ticket office locations, but these are first-come, first-serve and are often distributed before the first ferry departure.