The Statue of Liberty Still Welcoming Visitors After 127 Years

There are few sights as majestic and inspiring as the Statue of Liberty in New York City. A gift from the people of France, Lady Liberty is officially known as Liberty Enlightening the World, her raised torch providing a beacon for generations of immigrants to the United States. The monument opened to the public on October 28, 1886.

The Statue of Liberty rises 305 feet above Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the seven rays of her iconic spiked crown representing the seven seas and seven continents of the world. In one hand is the raised torch, representing liberty. In the other is a tablet reading July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals. Finally, Lady Liberty is depicted as breaking free of the chains of tyranny, something that no doubt resonated with the 12 million new Americans who saw the statue on their way to Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.

Although the Statue of Liberty can be seen from many places in New York City, the public is invited to pay a visit up-close and personal. It is recommended that visitors allow 2-3 hours if taking the tour, and 5-6 hours if they also want to visit Ellis Island.

To make sure you get a place on the ferry, it’s advisable to get to the dock about 2 hours before the start time of your tour. The boats leave every 15 minutes. The least crowded ferry of the day is the very first one at 8:30 a.m., and weekdays are the best in order to avoid up to an hour’s wait for the ferry. Although the tour of the monument and Liberty Island is free, the ferry costs $17 for adults and $12 for children. (The trip is free for those visitors who have purchased a New York Pass.)

The city has done everything possible to make visits comfortable and convenient. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, as there is ample space on the island to spread out your blanket. (There is also a concession stand selling food.) Liberty Island sports full bathroom facilities and is handicapped-accessible, but visitors should be aware that accessing the Statue herself requires climbing 26 stairs.

Purchasing the New York Pass gets you access to the unmissable Statue of Liberty museum. It is recommended to get there early for the museum, since these tickets sell out fast every day. One big attraction for museum-goers is Lady Liberty’s original torch.

For the whole New York experience, a visit to the Statue of Liberty is a must. Your ancestors probably saw it coming to America, so now it’s your turn!