Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Statue of Liberty
MONUMENT
( 877-523-9849;
www.nps.gov/stli
;
Liberty Island; 9:30am-5pm)
In a city full of American
icons, the Statue of Liberty is perhaps the most famous. Conceived as early as 1865 by
French intellectual Edouard Laboulaye as a monument to the republican principals
shared by France and the USA, it's still generally recognized as a symbol for the ideals
of opportunity and freedom to many. French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
traveled to New York in 1871 to select the site, then spent more than 10 years in Paris
designing and making the 151ft-tall figure
Liberty Enlightening the World
. It was then
shipped to New York, erected on a small island in the harbor and unveiled in 1886. Struc-
turally, it consists of an iron skeleton (designed by Gustave Eiffel) with a copper skin at-
tached to it by metal bars.
The island suffered massive damage from Hurricane Sandy and only reopened to the
public on July 4, 2013. Access to the crown is limited, however, so reservations are re-
quired as far in advance as possible (additional $3 admission). Keep in mind, there's no
elevator and the climb from the base is equal to a 22-story building. Otherwise, a visit
means you can wander the grounds, take in the small museum and enjoy the view from
the 16-story observation deck in the pedestal. The trip to Liberty island, via ferry, is usu-
ally made in conjunction with nearby Ellis Island.
Ferries
(
201-604-2800,
877-523-9849;
www.statuecruises.com
; adult/child $17/9;
every 30min 9am-5pm, extended
