While millions of tourists flock to New York Harbor each year, one local ferry operator wants New Yorkers to reclaim the iconic monument sitting in their own backyard.
Rafael Abreu, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Statue City Cruises, notes that city residents often write off the Statue of Liberty as just a tourist destination, missing out on recent additions to the island.
Inside the Liberty Museum
A central draw that many locals remain unaware of is the Statue of Liberty Museum.
Access to the building is included for all visitors arriving on the island, requiring no dedicated secondary ticket.
Inside, guests can walk right up to the monument’s original glass–and–metal torch. The museum also features massive, full-scale copper replicas of the statue’s face and foot, allowing visitors to appreciate the exact scale of the structure up close.
Archival exhibits walk guests through the 1880s construction process and the history of the French gift.
Harbor views and off-peak access
Statue City Cruises operates daily service to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, with boats departing from Battery Park and Liberty State Park.
Abreu, who was born in Washington Heights and has spent much of his life working around the statue, points to the ferry ride itself as a highlight.
As the boats approach the island, the vessels visibly sway as passengers crowd the top deck for unobstructed photos of the monument and the Manhattan skyline.
Because the ferries and islands operate year-round, residents have the flexibility to visit during off-peak periods when the tourist crowds thin out, providing a quieter look at the historic grounds.