No trip to the Big Apple would be complete without viewing one of New York City’s most recognisable landmarks, the Statue of Liberty. Wonder where to see the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan? We’ve got the details for you.
There are multiple Statue of Liberty vantage points all over New York City (and even New Jersey). Many of which are fantastic ways to see the statue for free as well. We have you covered with the best spots to view the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan and some just a bit further afield.
The 151-foot-tall Statue of Liberty has many symbolic features. The book she is holding bears the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), and the seven points on her crown stand for the seven seas, the seven continents, and the sun’s rays.
This friendship gift from the French to the Americans is revered around the world as a representation of liberty and democracy.
Also known as Lady Liberty, she is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the United States, drawing about 4.4 million visitors annually.
Nothing compares to the Statue of Liberty for inspiring a sense of American patriotism and tenacity.
Located on Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty is accessible by ferry. On Liberty Island, you’ll find a lovely park, a cutting-edge museum, and be able to get an upclose look at America’s most recognisable image of hope and possibility.
On Liberty Island, you can take in Lady Liberty from various perspectives as you stroll around the grounds, noting the design details and how the light affects how she looks.
However, if you can’t afford the time on your visit to New York City to go sightseeing on Liberty Island, you can still get views of the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan.
Where to See Statue of Liberty from Manhattan
Here are some places where you can see the Statue of Liberty on Manhattan.
Head the One World Observatory
The tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere and the tallest building in New York City, One World Trade Centre, is crowned by the One World Observatory.
As you make your way up to the One World Observatory, you will be treated to a floor-to-ceiling time-lapse story of New York City’s 500-year evolution in less than 60 seconds by taking the Sky Pod lift up the building.
One World Observatory offers one of the best views of the Statue of Liberty and the entirety of New York City and is situated in Lower Manhattan on floors 100–102 of the One World Trade Centre.
The One World Observatory stands at 1,776 feet, a reference to the year 1776 when the United States declared its independence from Britain.
You can explore all three observatory levels for $43.00 general admission, giving you access to some of the best Statue of Liberty views from above as well as captivating activities like the Sky Portal.
The Statue of Liberty, the Hudson River, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Financial District, and the Empire State Building are just a few of the famous New York City landmarks that can be seen from the One World Observatory.
At sunset, the One World Observatory is an wonderful vantage point to appreciate the panoramic views of New York City and one of the best times to see the Statue of Liberty in spectacular light.
Pay a visit to The Battery’s Esplanade
Previously known as Battery Park, The Battery if where you can take a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island. Therefore, it come as no surprise that it also offers for a great view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Taking a walk along The Battery’s Esplande to experience the salty air, wind blowing on to the shoreline and choppy waves crashing along the shore. It is also one of the best Statue of Liberty views the city has to offer.
Best of all, the views of the Statue of Liberty from The Battery are completely free.
Located on the southernmost point of Lower Manhattan, The Battery also offers views of the Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn, Governor’s Island, and the New Jersey coastline.
After you’ve seen the Statue of Liberty views, you can relax on one of the benches or take in some of the distinctive artwork that lines the boardwalk.
Other attractions at The Battery include the stunning Seaglass Carousel, which has an aquatic theme and appears to be straight out of The Little Mermaid.
If you get hungry, take a walk over to Fraunces Tavern, which was George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution and is one of the country’s oldest bars, dating back to 1762.
Pay a visit to Museum of Jewish Heritage
At the southern tip of Manhattan in The Battery, from the high windows of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, you can get serene views of the Statue of Liberty.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage overlooks the Hudson River and is primarily dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and honouring Jewish identity through art, record testimonials, and various rotating public exhibitions.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is the ideal place to visit for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Jewish faith and discovering more about one of the darkest periods in modern history.
It is an excellent location to view the statue and learn about the development of Jewish culture and identity in America.
Take a Walk along the Brooklyn Bridge
Another spot that you can get to from Manhattan to view the Statue of Liberty is the Brooklyn Bridge.
Walking across the bridge is a unique experience in and of itself, especially if you do it at sunrise or right before sunset. Both New Yorkers and tourists often head to the Brooklyn Bridge to experience the views over the water.
The Brooklyn Bridge is also a great vantage point to see Lady Liberty, Liberty State Park, and the lovely Brooklyn Heights.
The bridge’s entire length can be traversed in just 30 minutes. Even though it is possible to cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot at any time, it is always more enjoyable to do so at dawn and dusk when fewer people are around.
One can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view of New York City from the Brooklyn Bridge, and if you look south over the water, you can make out the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
Visit at the right time of the day and year, and be rewarded with magical views of the sun setting in the distance and the moon rising to take her place among the evening clouds. It is simply magical.
The Brooklyn Bridge walk can be started from either the Brooklyn side or the Manhattan side. Many would recommend starting from the Brooklyn side as it will allow you to take in the views of the Manhattan skyline as you walk towards it.
After taking the views of the Statue of Liberty from the Brooklyn Bridge, you can explore the neighborhoods at either end of the bridge.
On the Brooklyn side, will be at the DUMBO neighborhood, where you can grab a bite at a restaurants with a view, or pay a visit to Time Out Market New York and enjoy the various food vendors there.
On the Manhattan side, check out the lovely Seaport District for dining options.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry
For more than 100 years, the Staten Island Ferry has provided New York City commuters with tranquil views of the Statue of Liberty while they travel between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island.
Taking the Staten Island Ferry is a chance to get one of the best views of the Statue of Liberty for free! The ferry will take you on a 5-mile, breezy ride across the harbor. The 25-minute trip feels like a major attraction in and of itself. It is hard to believe that it is just part of regular public transport here in New York City.
Additionally, it offers breathtaking views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Heights, and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge in the distance.
There is just one caveat though. The Staten Island ferry passes Lady Liberty at a quick speed; you’ll want to have your camera ready to go if you want to catch some pictures with the Statue of Liberty. Plus, it is very popular with tourists too, so you may have plenty of other sightseers on the boat together with you.
Here’s another pro-tip. If you want to view the Statue of Liberty but don’t have time to take the Staten Island Ferry, you can still get a view of the Statue of Liberty from the Ferry Terminal at The Battery. Just head up the escalator, turn right and step onto the outdoor veranda to get a view of the famous landmark from a distance.
Read more tips about how to take the Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty.
NYC Ferry
The commuter ferry in New York City runs from Manhattan at Midtown West to Staten Island and connects the five boroughs.
The NYC ferry is an excellent choice if you want to see Lady Liberty and you are on the west side of Manhattan, close to West 39th Street or Battery Park City, the community and neighborhood on the west side of the southern tip of the island of Manhattan.
It will take you even closer to the Statue of Liberty than the Staten Island Ferry. One-way tickets costs $4.
Viewing the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan
We hope that you have found these options of where to view the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan to be useful. While you can see Lady Liberty from afar from Lower Manhattan or commuting to and fro from Manhattan, one of the best ways to experience the Statue of Liberty is to pay a visit to the Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
If you choose to that, you can walk around the Liberty Island and pay a visit to the museum on the island that houses the original torch. It will also be worth the time to climb up to the pedestal, or if you are feeling spritely and want to experience it all, do the climb up to the top of the Statue of Liberty. However, do note that you will need to be prepared for a bit of a work out but the payoff is with the views at the top of the statue.
We have a guide on things that you need to know if you are planning a visit to Liberty Island, so be sure to check it out.
Also see our map of tourist attractions in New York City. It will be useful for you to plan out your visit to the Big Apple and for you to maximising your time while minimising the amount of walking that you have to do as well.
