Tips and Ideas for Visitors & Travelers Visiting USA

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Visitors to The Statue of Liberty in New York, USA

Each year, many visitors to USA from overseas are drawn to the Statue of Liberty, not merely for its aesthetic beauty but also as a symbol for freedom and liberty. The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986. The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States and is very near to New York City. The Statue of Liberty was, for decades, often the first glimpse of the United States for millions of immigrants arriving after ocean voyages from Europe.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is located on Ellis Island. Both islands are in New York Harbor, south of Lower Manhattan, New York City. The only way to get to Liberty Island is by using the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Ferry system. Private vessels are not allowed to dock at Liberty and Ellis Islands.

As you enter the harbor of New York, you will behold a colossal neoclassical sculpture of a stately lady holding a torch – this is the Statue of Liberty which symbolizes liberty enlightening the world. Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, this statue was a gift from the people of France to Americans which was dedicated on October 28, 1886. This robed lady represents Libertas, the Roman Goddess of Freedom who is bearing a torch in her right hand and in her left is the tabula ansata ( a tablet evoking the law) upon which was inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence. A broken chain at her feet signifies breaking the shackles from slavery. The total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 450,000 pounds (204, 100 kilograms). The Lady of Liberty’s crown has 25 windows and her crown has seven spikes which represent either the seven oceans or the seven continents.

You can tour this symbolic monument in several ways. First, you can start from the pedestal and take the Observatory Tour. Watch the awesome views of the New York Harbor and New York City and then learn the history of the statue by visiting the history museum. Then go to the next floor of the statue’s pedestal and see the Statue of Liberty exhibit containing photos, videos, museum objects and illustrated history and symbolism related to the icon. Exhibits were opened to the public in 1986 and have become a crowd favorite.

Alternatively, you can take the Promenade Tour guided by a park ranger, by going to the second floor balcony that overlooks the authentic 1986 torch. In the torch exhibit, the guide will explain the different alterations done to the torch. You will pass by Ft. Wood at the base of the monument and gaze at the spectacular Manhattan Skyline and New York Harbor. The last place you visit is the area where you can read the poem New Colossus, written by Emma Lazarus in 1883. This poem is inscribed on the bronze plaque hanging on the inner wall of the pedestal. This plaque symbolizes the message of hope, and freedom for all people across the globe.

Tours are free and no reservations are required. However, since thousands of people visit this symbolic monument daily, wait times and lines greater than an hour are commonplace when purchasing tickets and boarding ferries. On weekends, holidays and daily from April through October, wait times for purchasing tickets and boarding ferries may exceed two hours. Please factor in these wait times when planning your visit. Make your visit during a weekday and arrive early and catch the first ferry to avoid unnecessary waiting. You can take a picnic basket and enjoy lunch on Liberty Island. Reservations to Visit the Crown are limited to 240 people per day. Reservations to Monument/Pedestal are limited to 3000 people per day. All other tickets entitle you to tour the exterior grounds only. Review the below infomation sites of the Statue of Liberty which can help you plan your visit to this robed lady.

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