Lines for tickets are very long, I recommend purch...

Lines for tickets are very long, I recommend purchasing tickets online ahead of time to secure your ticket. The crown tickets are hard to get unless you purchase a minimum of 6 months or more in advance and the time if year you plan to go. They are limited on pedestal tickets as well but not as much as the crown, would recommend purchasing pedestal tickets a couple weeks in advance to secure your spot. There are grounds tickets that are more available than the other 2 but they do run out eventually with them as well, you could purchase these the day of if you wanted. You take a ferry to the island, show up with plenty of time ahead of your time to be there as lines are very long. Purchasing tickets ahead of time will allow you to bypass the ticket lines and if you purchase pedestal or crown tickets you bypass the regular line. Security is fairly quick but it will be cramped with people worse than an airport, it can also be quite warm depending on weather and they corral everyone like cattle. The ferry ride is nice and even with so many people, it still has lots of room to move around. Once you get to the island, you are free to roam it on your own time. If you purchase pedestal or crown tickets, they come with an audio tour that you can get from nearby staff. Also if going in the pedestal or crown, you must go through a second set of security and they do not allow large bags, backpacks, or purses. There are lockers to rent before getting to them. The audio tour is full of information about the statue and island and the view from the pedestal is amazing. I would've got the crown tickets had they been available and will highly recommend as I will do myself if I get a chance to go back. Overall a great experience and would recommend to anyone that hasn't gone before. I mean, it is the symbol of our freedom after all! :)