How to see the Statue of Liberty

Currently, we do not recommend going to the Statue of Liberty until the crown is reopened for passenger access and viewing. The current airport-like security line is very long and can take up to 90 minutes before you board the ferry to go to Liberty Island.

Your best choice is to take the Staten Island ferry, which takes only one hour to complete and there is always plenty of room. Your pictures will be better, and you'll have more time to see the other sites in New York City (hopefully on the hot new New York Party Shuttle Sightseeing Tour). With the crown closed, the only attraction at the Statue of Liberty is the museum which takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Here is some history of the Statue of Liberty:

Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from
the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal
symbols of freedom in the world. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28,
1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924. The Statue was
extensively restored in time for her one-hundred year anniversary on July 4, 1986. The
Statue of Liberty is the most visited tourist attraction in New York City. It is also the
2nd most photographed landmark in the United States behind the Golden Gate Bridge in
San Francisco.

Many of our customers ask if they can go up the Statue. Unfortunately, both the crown
and the torch are closed off to the public. In fact, the torch was closed in 1916 due to
structural issues that arose after a bomb went off at nearby Black Tom Wharf during
World War I. Until September 11, 2001, visitors could climb to the observatory in the
statue's crown. Since the statue was reopened in December of 2001, the crown has
remained closed due to security concerns. Tourists may climb to the top of the
pedestal (approximately 10 stories) and enjoy the view from there. With this in mind,
it makes one wonder why go to Liberty Island at all? You can go inside the base of the
Statue of Liberty, but there is nothing more to do or see other than a close-up picture
with the family. The Staten Island Ferry is clearly the best way to go.

About the Author

Tom Schmidt is a travel writer for www.SearchingCities.com and a tour writer for www.NewYorkPartyShuttle.com, which offers New York' Most Comprehensive Six-Hour Sightseeing Tour.