In this article, I’ll discuss the best ways to view the Statue of Liberty and how to access them.
You can partly see the Statue of Liberty from 50 miles (80.46 km) away, but for the best view possible, you should visit New York City, where you can see it from .9 miles (1.4 km) away. Often, boats and ferries offer the most pristine view of the Statue.
The “50 Miles Away” Debate
There’s been much discussion about whether or not one can see the Statue of Liberty from 50 miles (80.46 km) away. All over the web, people who have seen the Statue have offered differing takes on whether this is feasible.
The general consensus is that while you could potentially see part of the Statue from 50 miles (80.46 km) away, your view of it won’t be good because of all of the buildings and land surrounding it. Realistically, you’d have to either visit Liberty Island, the home of the Statue, or use a tourist venue to get a good view of it.
Addressing the “60 Miles Away” Light Argument
The debate over how far away one can see the Statue has somehow inflamed the argument for the Earth being flat.
One of the most upvoted commenters on a Quora discussion page for the Statue referenced an apparent “fact” that the light of the Statue can be seen from 60 miles (96.56 km) away. This was debunked by FlatEarth.ws, a site dedicated to rebuking this misinformation with facts.
The truth is that the Statue of Liberty was once, indeed, a proper lighthouse. In the days when it provided that guiding light, its light could be seen from up to 60 miles (96.56 km) away. However, it’s no longer used as a lighthouse, and it’s currently impossible to see any part of it from 60 miles (96.56 km).
In order to get a decent glimpse of the Statue from any distance, one has to visit New York City and see it from there.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get a good view of the Statue.
Getting the Best Glimpses of the Statue of Liberty
For the convenience of all those interested in either visiting the Statue of Liberty up close or from a distance, The World and Then Some compiled a great list of options. They break down the fun ways to cross this visit off your list, including some free options.
By Ferry to Liberty Island
You can use the ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close. On top of getting to see the Statue from the ground level, you’ll also get to learn about her history through the Museum on the Island, along with the nearby National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island.
The ferry is a memorable way to learn about what it was like for first-time immigrants to see the Statue as they neared the American shore.
A fun, cinematic way to imagine this experience comes from the Titanic Movie. The YouTube Channel Titanic World has the clip of Rose looking up at the Statue near the end of the movie:
You can check out the current ticket price for the ferry by visiting the Statue of Liberty website here.
View the Statue for Free From Lower Manhattan
For an excellent free option, you can always view the Statue of Liberty on the ground from Lower Manhattan. Battery Park is one of the best spots in Lower Manhattan for viewing the Statue.
Google Maps lists the distance from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty as roughly 0.9 mi (1.5 km).
Use the Free Staten Island Ferry
For another great free choice, you can use the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty on the ocean waters from a distance.
The Staten Island Ferry is an incredibly popular choice for traveling from Lower Manhattan to the Island. While on the Ferry, visitors get to glimpse all of the skyscrapers in New York City, including the Statue of Liberty.
Unfortunately, the Ferry won’t give you the closest view of the Statue. However, with it being both free and available 24/7, it’s one of the most accessible options.
With the Ferry traveling approximately five mi (8.04 km) during its trip, you’ll be able to see the Statue from a few miles away. The waterside view is bound to provide a picturesque view perfect for travel photos.
Final View
To get a good view of the Statue of Liberty, your best bet is to travel to New York City to enjoy a number of options. While you can definitely get a decent glimpse of it from the ground in Lower Manhattan, there are also many options that allow you to see the Statue up close or while on the water.
For more interesting content, check out Can I Grow Vegetables In My Backyard? (Is It Legal?).
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.