Since its dedication in 1886, the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor has been an enduring symbol of freedom. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, this iconic 305-foot statue was the first image seen by millions of immigrants arriving in the USA to begin new lives.
Today, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City, and the United States as a whole, with over four million annual visitors on average. If you’d like to pay Liberty Island a visit and see it up close, read on; and learn about the best visitors medical insurance or travel insurance before you set off.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers Visiting the Statue of Liberty – FAQs
Visitors medical insurance is important for anyone visiting the United States from another country, as healthcare prices in the USA are very high. A visitors medical insurance plan can help protect you from being solely responsible for unaffordable medical bills if you get sick or injured while visiting the USA.
Do I need visitors medical insurance for the Statue of Liberty?
If you’re visiting the Statue of Liberty or any other location in the USA on a tourist visa or without a visa, visitors medical insurance is not legally required. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it, though. A sudden slip and fall could land you in the hospital, and the resulting bill may be more than what you have in your bank account. Just the same, no one is immune from becoming sick while traveling abroad, and treatment in the USA costs a lot of money.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before visiting the Statue of Liberty?
When visiting a famous tourist attraction, we often aren’t paying as much attention to our surroundings as we should be; we’re too caught up in seeing the sights. This can put you at greater risk of an injury from a missed step, twisted ankle, or broken bone. Similarly, being around tourists from all parts of the world may expose you to viruses and bacteria, causing you to get sick on your trip. While you can’t avoid all of the risks, you can be prepared for them by purchasing visitors medical insurance.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers Visiting the Statue of Liberty – FAQs
Over 60 million people take trips to visit New York City each year. And you can bet that countless more are planned and cancelled for unexpected reasons.
If your trip to see the Statue of Liberty in New York City must be cancelled due to circumstances outside of your control, you’ll be glad to have the protection of trip cancellation insurance.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance before traveling to the Statue of Liberty?
A trip to visit the Statue of Liberty from outside the region will likely involve a flight, and will almost certainly involve a hotel room. If you pay for these bookings in advance and end up having to cancel your trip, you’ll quickly realize that the charges are often nonrefundable.
With trip cancellation insurance, you can be reimbursed for the nonrefundable portion of your prepaid travel expenses if you have to cancel your Statue of Liberty trip for a covered reason.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for the Statue of Liberty?
In addition to trip cancellation coverage, a travel insurance plan can offer a host of other coverages that can prove very valuable during your trip. Depending upon the plan you choose, these can include:
- Coverage for lost or delayed baggage
- Reimbursement in cases of delayed or interrupted trips
- Coverage for emergency medical care
- The option to cancel your trip for any reason, available with certain plans
There are many choices available for travel insurance plans. Take some time to compare several right here on this website, and choose the one with the best coverage for your needs.
the Statue of Liberty’s Most Popular Attractions
The Statue of Liberty draws over four million visitors each year to Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Your visit to the statue will likely be part of a day of sightseeing in New York City, but there are plenty of things to do once you’re there.
View the Statue of Liberty Pedestal
At nearly half the height of the entire monument, the Statue of Liberty’s stone pedestal is imposing, to say the least. If you want to go up in the pedestal, you can get fantastic views of New York Harbor. But keep in mind, access to the pedestal is quite limited, so you’ll need to get reservations well ahead of time.
Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum
With a theatre, artifacts tracing the construction of the statue, and interactive panels, the Statue of Liberty Museum is the best place to get the whole story of this world-renowned monument. You can even view the original torch that was mounted to the statue back in 1876. Best of all, every visitor to Liberty Island is free to access the museum.
Take a Guided Tour
Another great way to experience the Statue of Liberty is with the guidance of an expert. Each day, National Park Service Rangers conduct guided 35-minute tours on the history of the statue and the island, the symbolism it represents, and the restoration the statue underwent in the 1980s. However, keep in mind that these guided tours are only available in English.
Self-Guided Tours
Feel like exploring at your own pace? Self-guided audio tours of Liberty Island and Ellis Island are available in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Hindi. There are even family-friendly tours in various languages for your children, as well as audio tours for the visually impaired, and tours in American Sign Language.
Climb to the Crown
Should you choose to climb the Statue of Liberty’s stairs to the top, you’ll be greeted with outstanding views all the way to Brooklyn from various observation points along the way, including the crown at the top. Just remember that it’s quite a strenuous trek. Going all the way to the top is the equivalent of climbing a 20-story building using a very confined spiral staircase. If you’d like to try it, be sure to get advanced reservations, as space is limited.
Key Guidelines for Travelers visiting the Statue of Liberty
Getting There
The only way to access Liberty Island and Ellis Island is by purchasing a ferry ticket. As of this writing, Statue Cruises is the only authorized merchant that can bring visitors to the islands. You will need to purchase your tickets directly through them, or have a travel agent arrange your purchase. Ferries depart at set times from various locations throughout Manhattan and New Jersey.
No, You Can’t Access the Torch
Though visitors could once get to the Statue of Liberty’s torch, it has been off-limits to the public for over 100 years. In 1916, an act of sabotage called the “Black Tom” explosion closed the torch for good. These days, it’s only accessible by park staff through a narrow ladder.
Don’t Sail to the Island
Though it is technically possible to sail a private or rented vessel to Liberty Island, it is strictly illegal. You can only access the park by taking a licensed ferry.
Leave Your Pets Behind
Pets are not allowed on the ferry or within the park. The only exception to this rule is for documented service/assistance animals.
The Park is Free to Visit
You do not have to pay an entrance fee to Liberty Island or Ellis Island. However, you do have to pay a transportation fee to the ferry operator to access them.
Before You Visit the Statue of Liberty – Do This
- Get advanced reservations if you want to go up in the pedestal or to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. You cannot access these areas without a reservation.
- Bring a snack – Though the park does have food and beverage concessions, you are welcome to save some money and bring your own food for your visit.
- Buy insurance – Protect yourself and your finances from unintended travel mishaps with visitors medical insurance or travel insurance.