Take the Ellis Island/Liberty Island Ferry. To get the closest views and the full experience of the Statue Of Liberty, secure passage on the Ellis Island/Liberty Island Ferry, which transports you to the island where the statue is located. You can buy a ticket in Battery Park in Manhattan or from Liberty State Park on the New Jersey side.
As of 2011, the ferry ride costs $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for children ages 3 to 17. Ages 3 and under are free.
You can buy your tickets in advance from Statue Cruise (statuecruises.com). This option allows you to load into the ferry from a special reserved ticket line, which decreases your waiting time considerably. Your ticket gives you access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Audio tours are available for an additional fee.
Take the free Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry cruises from Whitehall Street in the Battery Park area to Staten Island, passing in front of the Statue of Liberty on its way. It does not go to Liberty Island, but you get a spectacular view of the statue from the ferry's decks. There is no charge to ride the ferry, which leaves approximately every 15 to 30 minutes. You travel five miles in about 25 minutes; the entire round trip will take you close to one hour.
Take a helicopter sightseeing tour. Several helicopter tour companies operate out of Manhattan and New Jersey to fly you over the harbor and Statue of Liberty area. These tours can be expensive, but you get a view that no other tour can give you.
Take a harbor sightseeing cruise. These harbor cruises give you up-close views of Manhattan Island and the Statue of Liberty. You do not get to go to Liberty Island, but you do get excellent views of the statue. Some companies offer lunch or dinner Cruises, also.
