Good to know
- Tickets
- Free to visit the fort. Ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are sold here and online through Statue City Cruises, the official operator.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes for the fort, or half a day if you take the ferry to Liberty and Ellis islands.
- Best time
- Year-round. Weekday mornings are quietest; book ferry tickets ahead for summer and holidays.
- Getting there
- The fort is in Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, next to South Ferry and Bowling Green subway stops. LaGuardia Airport is about 30 to 45 minutes away by car.
Where to stay nearby
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Castle Clinton National Monument questions
Where do you buy Statue of Liberty tickets?
From Statue City Cruises, the only authorized seller, either online or at the Castle Clinton ticket office. Buy ahead if you want pedestal or crown access.
Is Castle Clinton free?
Yes, walking into the fort and the exhibits is free.
What was Castle Clinton used for?
It was a harbor fort, then an entertainment venue, then from 1855 to 1890 the Emigrant Landing Depot where about 8 million immigrants arrived before Ellis Island opened.
