The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of New York City and the United States. Few landmarks can boast their own emoji đź—˝. But not everyone knows that you can climb not only to the pedestal, but also all the way up to the crown đź‘‘, where a tiny observation deck is located.
From the crown, you get an unusual view of New York Harbor: you can see Ellis Island, Manhattan with its skyscrapers, ferries and boats passing by, and on a clear day — even distant parts of Brooklyn and Jersey City.
History
The idea of the Statue of Liberty was born in France in the 1860s. French political thinker Édouard René de Laboulaye suggested creating a monument as a gift to the United States — to commemorate the centennial of the American Revolution and symbolize friendship between the two nations. The project was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and the iron framework was engineered by Gustave Eiffel — the future creator of the Eiffel Tower.
Construction was carried out in stages: first in France, where the statue was assembled and tested, then dismantled and shipped to New York in 1885. On Bedloe’s Island (today Liberty Island), the Americans simultaneously built a massive pedestal designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt.
The official unveiling took place on October 28, 1886. Since then, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of hope and freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in the U.S. In 1924, it was declared a National Monument, and in 1984, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tour Features
- To reach the crown, visitors must climb 93 meters via staircase. The ascent is not easy: part of the staircase is so narrow that passing through can be difficult even without a backpack.
- The crown’s observation deck is very small — tighter than in a submarine.
- The crown’s windows are almost always covered with glass, which slightly limits the view. However, rare photos without it can be found online.
- Tickets can be purchased online, and they usually need to be booked several months in advance, especially if you plan to visit in summer.
Visitor’s Information
Ticket website: www.statueoflibertytickets.com
Address: Liberty Island, New York Harbor, New York, NY 10004
Price: from $32.50
