Tips for visiting Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty in New York City, worldwide symbol of freedom, has welcomed millions of visitors and immigrants to the United States.
How can she stand still?
Look at her immense right foot, wearing a sandal, toes are bare.
She is taking a big step to meet immigrants from other countries, people “yearning to breathe free.”
This poem is inside the pedestal:
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
'Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she
With silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Visiting the Statue of Liberty, as ferry slowly approaches the island, Liberty towers above - it’s simply majestic.
Travel tips
Ferry to the Statue of Liberty departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.
Ticket includes round trip ferry ride, plus choice of three different ticket options on the island.
Book tickets well in advance, especially on weekends and summer holidays.
Read all the details before buying tickets – wrist-band is required before going through security, ticket time is only to line up, height requirements for kids to climb up crown, etc.
Ticket options for Liberty Island are:
General Admission – Access to island, Statue of Liberty Museum.
Pedestal Reserve – Pedestal observation deck, museum.
Crown Reserve - Go up the crown - climb stairs or take elevator.
Tip: It's 162 steps to walk up to Liberty's crown at the top, can be tough on the knees.
Allow plenty of time to visit the national monument.
No backpacks going inside the Statue of Liberty. Lockers are available.
Drinks and snacks are available on ferry and island.
Be prepared for crowds and waiting in long lines, even with reserved tickets.
Wait in line to pick up wrist-bands
Wait in line to go through security
Wait in line to board ferry (can be an hour wait)
Wait in long line for elevator up the crown.
Here’s fun facts, while you’re waiting.
Liberty’s crown has seven rays, symbolizing the seven seas and seven continents.
The tablet she is holding is inscribed with July 4, 1776 (the 1776 is in Roman numerals).
Liberty is 151 ft. tall, 305 ft. high with pedestal included.
Why is Liberty green? She's covered with copper that turned green in outdoors.
Liberty’s nose is 4 feet, 6 inches long, her mouth is 3 feet wide.
Frenchman Frederic-August Bartholdi who designed the statue used his mother's face as inspiration.
Children's Books
Read our blog post – Immigrant Experience Children's Books
This is only a small selection of many books that tell inspiring stories of hope, courage, new ideas, and social change in America.