If there’s a more well recognized symbol of New York City and America than the Statue of Liberty (on Ellis Island) I haven’t heard of it.
Ellis Island is accessible from Battery Park via a short Ferry Ride.
Statue of Liberty (as seen from Free Staten Island ferry)
Be prepared for long lines on weekends.
If you want to see Statue of Liberty without paying a dime aka FREE, take the Staten Island Ferry.
Yes, the Staten Island Ferry is FREE.
Staten Island Ferry with Statue of Liberty in Background
But if you explore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at length, then you’ll have to buy a ticket ($13) and board a ferry at Battery Park.
Web site: http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm