13 Things To Do When the Statue of Liberty Is Sold Out

Even if Statue of Liberty tickets are sold out, a New York City Statue of Liberty express cruise is an easy way to see the famed attraction in all its glory. This narrated sightseeing tour allows you to get close enough to snap those memorable photos, but it won’t take all day, so you still have time to enjoy alternative New York City attractions, too.

If you’re on the hunt for places to visit near the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the former landing point for millions of immigrants, should be next on your list. And if you’re struggling to find available tickets for either attraction, this combo Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty tour takes the legwork out of sourcing tickets, as round-trip ferry and museum tickets are included for each attraction.

There’s nothing like the panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline you’ll get from the top of the Empire State Building. Snap up your skip-the-line Empire State Building admission ticket so you can experience the views without lines or long waits. The best part? On a clear day, you can spot the Statue of Liberty.

Another place that offers a clear view of the Statue of Liberty is Battery Park. Exploring here takes you through gardens, past bike paths, and to the ferry terminal, where you can hop on both day boat trips and night cruises. This harbor lights cruise passes by the Statue of Liberty while it’s floodlit at night.

A helicopter tour is one of the top things to do in NYC. Seeing the city’s famous architecture from above offers an entirely different perspective. This Manhattan highlights helicopter tour offers sky-high vantage points overlooking the Empire State Building, Central Park, and even the Statue of Liberty, too.

Although New York City is very walkable, see it express-style on a NYC bus tour. View the hot spots of Manhattan during this sightseeing tour and cruise, including Times Square, Fifth Avenue, and Rockefeller Center. You’ll pass by the Statue of Liberty during a ride aboard the Staten Island Ferry. Or, if you’d prefer two wheels, book a bike tour.

Lady Liberty isn’t the only famous sculpture in Manhattan; head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) to see many others. The museum itself has nearly 500,000 pieces of storied artwork. When choosing a New York City art tour, opt for a skip-the-line tour of The Met to avoid long waits and hassle, and don’t forget to have a snack on the museum’s emblematic steps afterward to people-watch.

One of the best NYC sightseeing tips is that there are always tickets to NYC theater shows on Broadway, even if you book at the last minute. But the real way to enjoy Broadway and Manhattan’s theatre district is on a behind-the-scenes tour with a Broadway performer as your guide, the ideal activity to do before watching a show.

Manhattan’s largest and most famous green space is Central Park, and with good reason. The sprawling grounds offer activities for every type of traveler, from the Central Park Zoo to Strawberry Fields (John Lennon Memorial). See it all at your own pace with a private pedicab tour through the park.

Beyond its towering skyscrapers, New York features wildly diverse cultures and cuisines, from Chinatown to Little Italy and beyond. A walking tour is an excellent way to enjoy the city’s different areas, and, thanks to constant traffic, one of the best options for getting around. This walking tour of SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy offers history and context to some of Manhattan’s most famous neighborhoods.

Prebook your admission to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which documents the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, at the Twin Towers. The memorial commemorates those who lost their lives on this tragic day. Your 9/11 Memorial and Museum entry ticket comes straight to your mobile device, so you’ll be able to walk directly into the museum without waiting.

Wall Street is the finance capital of the world, running for eight blocks through Lower Manhattan. You can easily combine a visit to this area with attractions such as Battery Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, or the 9/11 Memorial. Or, get an exclusive scoop on this storied area by taking a tour from a Wall Street trader.

Brooklyn is its own melting pot of diversity, and leaving the borough of Manhattan to check it out is well worth it. However, Brooklyn is huge, so a small group culinary tour of specific Brooklyn areas is perfect for your taste buds. You’ll visit family-owned restaurants and taste things such as Italian snacks or Middle Eastern pastries, as well as much more.