Liberty State Park occupies 1,212 acres along the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, New Jersey, directly across from Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The park offers one of the most dramatic views of the New York City skyline available from the New Jersey side, with the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal serving as an architectural centrepiece. Built in 1889, the terminal's Romanesque Revival main hall has been partially restored and is open for self-guided exploration; immigrants arriving on Ellis Island once debarked here before dispersing across North America. The park's primary draw alongside the skyline view is its role as a departure point for National Park Service ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Purchasing tickets at Liberty State Park and departing from here is often faster than from Battery Park in Manhattan, with shorter queue times. The green lawn areas, nearly a mile of paved waterfront promenade, and kayak launch zones make the park popular with local runners, cyclists, and picnickers. The Empty Sky Memorial, New Jersey's official September 11 memorial, stands at the park's northern end, its mirrored walls listing all 746 New Jersey residents who died that day. The park grounds are entirely free to enter; only the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island carries a charge. Weekday mornings between 8am and 10am offer the shortest ferry queues and the best light for Manhattan skyline photography.
Good to know
- Hours
- Park open daily 6am–10pm; ferry terminal hours vary by season (call 201-435-9499)
- Best time
- Weekday mornings for shorter ferry queues; golden hour for NYC skyline photos
Location
1 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305
40.7006, -74.0587 View on map
Highlights
- Panoramic Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty views from the Hudson River waterfront
- Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (1889): historic Romanesque Revival ferry hall open for exploration
- NPS ferry departure point for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — often shorter queues than Battery Park
- Empty Sky Memorial: New Jersey's official September 11 tribute, with mirrored walls listing 746 NJ victims
- 1,212-acre park with paved waterfront promenade, kayak access, and open lawn areas
Tips for visiting
- Book Statue of Liberty ferry tickets online at nps.gov/stli well in advance — they sell out days ahead in summer
- Arrive by 8am on weekdays for the shortest ferry queues and best morning light on the NYC skyline
- The NJ Transit Light Rail stops at Liberty State Park station, making the park easily car-free
- The CRRNJ Terminal is free to enter and worth 20–30 minutes to explore the historic main hall
- Bring a packed lunch — the park's concession options are limited, though the lawn areas are ideal for picnicking
When to visit
Weekday mornings from 8am–10am offer the shortest ferry queues and the best soft light for skyline photography. Spring and fall (April–June, September–October) bring pleasant temperatures; summer weekends attract large crowds from both New Jersey and New York.
Accessibility
The park's paved waterfront promenade and main lawn areas are wheelchair accessible. The CRRNJ Terminal main hall is accessible on the ground floor; upper levels are not. The NPS ferry vessels accommodate wheelchairs; reserve accessible boarding slots when booking online at nps.gov/stli.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liberty State Park free?
Yes, the park grounds and the CRRNJ Terminal are free to enter. The only charge is for the NPS ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which starts at $24/adult and must be booked in advance at nps.gov/stli.
How long should visitors plan for Liberty State Park?
The park grounds and terminal alone take 1–2 hours. Including an NPS ferry excursion to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island extends the visit to a full day — budget 6–8 hours for the complete experience.
Is parking available at Liberty State Park?
Yes, there are large free parking lots inside the park on Audrey Zapp Drive. The NJ Transit Light Rail to Liberty State Park station is often faster from central Jersey City and eliminates the need to park.