Liberty Island, Federal island park in New York Harbor, United States

Liberty Island is a 14.7-acre federal island in Upper New York Bay, dominated by the Statue of Liberty on its star-shaped granite base. The copper figure, dedicated in 1886, stands on a tall stone pedestal above Fort Wood's eleven-pointed walls. A seawall and railed walkway edge the island, and the Statue of Liberty Museum opened in 2019.

The island served as a military fort in the early 19th century before becoming home to the French gift to the United States, dedicated in 1886. The old star-shaped fortification remains visible as part of the pedestal supporting the monument.

The site changed its name from Bedloe's Island to Liberty Island officially only in 1956, making the connection with the monument explicit. People from around the world gather on the open grounds to take photographs and watch the Manhattan skyline across the water.

Tickets for the crossing should be booked online in advance, as spaces are limited and can fill quickly during peak season. A visit typically takes several hours including arrival, exploration, and the ferry ride back.

The island lies entirely in New Jersey waters but belongs legally to New York due to colonial surveys from the 17th century. This unusual border arrangement led to disputes between the two states over the centuries, only formally settled in later agreements.