Towering over New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is THE iconic symbol of NYC and a globally recognized symbol of freedom and democracy. Designed as a joint project between the Americans and French to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence, it was finally dedicated on 28th October 1886, ten years late. It’s easy to see how she became an inspiring sight for immigrants sailing past her on their way to America, and would have been hard to miss with her 35-foot waistline!
There are a few ticket options for the Statue of Liberty, all include the ferry over there, ferry ride and access to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, a return ferry ride back to Battery Park and audio guides. Stopping off at Ellis Island is thoroughly recommended; 12 million immigrants entered the USA through its doorway between 1892 and 1954, the largest human migration in modern history, transforming the country into what it is today. The descendants of those immigrants now account for almost half of all US citizens. Be fascinated by stories of immigrants’ experiences, both on the journey over and at the Immigration Center, told through photos, videos, audio clips and original documents. You can even search their records to see if you have any ancestors who emigrated to the USA!
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Tips
- Book tickets in advance as you’ll get priority access to the security screening queue.
- Advance booking is essential if you want to head up to the crown at the top of the Statue of Liberty (tickets get booked a few months in advance).
- Allow a good amount of time for your visit; you’re likely to spend 2 hours at the Statue of Liberty and could easily spend 3 hours on Ellis Island!
- Eat before you go or take snacks, as food and drink options are limited.
- Dress for the weather – the ferry crossing and walk around the statue can be a pretty breezy experience!
Highlights
- Seeing the Manhattan skyline from the boat as you cross the New York Harbor from Battery Park.
- The $70 million Statue of Liberty Museum which houses the original flame.
- Hearing the stories of the early immigrants to the USA who came through Ellis Island Immigration Centre.