There is much confusion about whether the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey or New York, but the truth is that the property is not part of either state. It is government owned and operated but is accessible from both states.
To visit the Statue of Liberty from New Jersey, you must visit Liberty State Park first. You can drive here, catch a train, take a bus, or hire a taxi to get here. From here, you would need to get a ticket on a ferry that will take you to the Statue of Liberty.
For more information on routes and modes of transportation, please continue reading.
The Statue Of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a world-famous monument on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, United States. The monument was a gift the French government gave to the United States in 1886. The gift was meant to symbolize freedom and democracy.
It was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a renowned sculptor, and its metal framework was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower.
The statue depicts a woman holding a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left. The tablet has an inscription of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
The monument has become a popular symbol worldwide and attracts millions yearly. It has also been widely used in different forms of media, including movies, shows, and documentaries.
The statue is avidly preserved, and restoration, repair, and renovation are carried out when the need is felt.
If you are interested in the monument’s architecture, watch this Youtube video:
What’s inside the Statue of Liberty?
The Location
The Statue of Liberty is situated on Liberty Island. Due to its location, no cars or trains can take visitors to The Statue Of Liberty. To help with transportation, ferries are available from several different locations.
You can catch a ferry from Liberty State Park or Ellis Island in New Jersey. These ferries work specifically for the movement of visitors to and from the monument and take you directly to the island.
Remember that the ferry stations are often crowded, and the ticket areas are often very busy. Make sure you research and visit during less crowded hours and when the ferry system is functioning. Look at the schedules online to help with planning and avoid cancellations or delays.
How To Get To The Statue Of Liberty From New Jersey?
As discussed earlier, getting to the Statue of Liberty is only possible through a ferry. However, there are multiple ways to get to Liberty State Park, where you will catch a ferry.
Let us look at the different transportation modes available to the park.
Drive
The first and feasible option to get to Liberty State Park is to drive your car if you have one. You can use an online application to get accurate directions to the park or follow the ones below.
- Take the Garden State Parkway North to exit 142B for I-78 E towards Holland Tunnel.
- Follow signs for I-78 E/Holland Tunnel/Jersey City and stay on the left.
- Merge onto I-78 E and continue for approximately 6 miles.
- Take exit 14C towards Liberty State Park.
- You will reach Jersey Ave. Continue straight.
- Turn right onto Audrey Zapp Dr, which leads directly into Liberty State Park.
There are a few limitations when driving your car to the park. Since the park is always crowded, it is very difficult to find parking. This is a hassle that you must be prepared for. Moreover, parking is expensive.
Public transportation
Public transportation is the least expensive and most convenient mode of traveling to the park. The hassle of traffic, crowds, and parking are not concerning to you if you are on a mode of public transport.
The bus from New Jersey to Liberty State Park is the most popular public transportation. N.J. Transit buses 64 and 68 travel to Liberty State Park from central New Jersey. You can catch the 64 bus from Lakewood and the 68 bus from Newark.
Moreover, you can catch a train from Newark Penn Station. En route, you will have to shift to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, which will take you to Liberty State Park.
Taxi
You can easily find a taxi or get one from apps like Uber and Lyft, which will take you directly to your destination. They will drop you off so you will not have to worry about parking and parking costs.
How To Get To New Jersey From Other Parts Of The Country?
If you live outside the New Jersey and New York region, you need this guide on the modes of transportation. We will look at the different ways you can get to New Jersey. Once you are here, you can choose any of the modes we discussed earlier and enjoy the experience of visiting the Statue Of Liberty.
By Air
If you live far away or enjoy the convenience and value your time, flying to New Jersey is a great idea. New Jersey has one international airport which entertains several major airlines. You can easily catch a flight from any major city in the U.S. and land at Newark Liberty International Airport.
From here, you can easily get a taxi and pick up your transportation to the Statue Of Liberty.
By Train
Multiple train companies operate nationwide to get passengers to New Jersey. These trains connect major cities to Newark, and ticket costs can vary depending on your travel distance.
You can catch a train from Newark to Liberty State Park to continue traveling on a train.
By Bus
Many bus companies that operate nationally in the U.S. also offer services to New Jersey. If you wish to make it to Liberty State Park, take a bus to Newark. These buses drop passengers off at Newark Penn Station, where visitors can catch another bus that can take them to their desired destination.
By Car
New Jersey is accessible by several major highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. You can drive to New Jersey from other parts of the country by taking one of these highways or using other major interstate highways that pass through the state.
Final Thoughts
Despite the many issues that one may face when visiting the Statue Of Liberty, like crowds, the experience of watching the monument is unmatched. It inspires a sense of patriotism among many Americans and reminds them of true American values.